Wedding Entrance Music: Hitting All the Right Notes

What’s in a song? A whole lot. Just ask Jill Petersen and Kevin Hines, the Minnesota couple who chose Chris Brown’s hit “Forever” for their now YouTubed-to-death video of their crazy dance down the aisle. As awesome as that song choice was, though, it sure set the bar higher for the rest of us brides.

While it’s generally good to stick with the tried-and-true, like Bach’s Air on a G String, there are plenty of original choices out there, including the following short list of top picks. You may not get 32 million hits on YouTube with any of these tunes serving as your soundtrack, but you’ll surely get guests buzzing about your grand entrance.

 

Top to bottom, left to right:

1. Sigur Rós, “Starálfur” This sweeping, multi-layered masterpiece has everything: inspiration, symphonic drama and beauty. Sure, the lyrics are in Icelandic, but you know what they say about music being a universal language and all. Download!




2. Animal Collective, “Winter’s Love” Granted, this is kind of an unusual choice, but this happily folk-y song would be perfect for an informal affair of the indie variety. Download!




3. Mark Mothersbaugh, “Mothersbaugh’s Canon” If you like the idea of Pacobel’s Canon in D, but don’t actually want Pacobel’s Canon in D, this is a perfect fit. Modern with a whimsical twist, it’ll also strike a chord with fans of the movie The Royal Tenenbaums. Download!




4. Vitamin String Quartet, “Don’t Stop Believin’” What could be better than a string quartet version of one of the most epic rock songs of all time? This interpretation still has the brash optimism of the Journey original with all the propriety of an elegant ceremony. Download!




5. Ivy, “Edge of the Ocean” This is a dreamy yet upbeat song that would be a great fit for a casual beachside wedding. Ethereal and lush, singer Dominique Durand’s voice adds a certain je ne sais quois to the soundscape. Download!




6. Andrew Bird, “The Door” Bird is known for his signature whistling and quirky lyrics, but this upbeat violin piece is uplifting without being too over the top, and would suit a simple yet beautiful wedding set in the country. Download!

Got a suggestion for a perfect song to walk down the aisle to? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!