7 Majestic Bridal Procession Songs for the Catholic Bride

Think of three words you want to describe your wedding! If royal, majestic, bold, classic, traditional, glorious, heavenly, or anything synonymous with those words appear on your list of descriptors, you’ll want to consider one of these seven songs for your bridal entrance hymn! 

But before you click over to youtube to check out our seven majestic bridal procession songs for the Catholic bride, read through our tips on choosing that perfect song! 

1. Double check your church’s music policy. Some churches are very strict on what is and is not allowed with wedding music, so we always advise looking closely over the parish policy or guidelines and get clarification on any songs you’d like to have played at your wedding, especially if you have your heart set on something specific. 

2. Forget about “Here Comes The Bride.” One piece often associated with weddings (and commonly used for TV and movie weddings) is Wagner’s Bridal Chorus/ Here Comes the Bride,  from his opera “Lohengrin”. While it does sound amazing on a large pipe organ, it is not an appropriate choice for the beauty of a Catholic wedding ue to its dark themes of incest and suicide. In fact, it’s not even allowed to be used in the majority of Catholic churches. The first 3 songs on our recommended list are wonderful alternatives for those who like the aesthetic of Wagner’s piece. 

3. When listening to songs for options, look for options of the same musical instrument you’ll be using for your wedding. As you pour over youtube looking for options, be sure to listen to versions with the same instrument or set of instruments you’ll be using! A song can sound very different on piano than it does on the organ or with a string quartet. 

4. The bridesmaids song should always be a little softer or less impactful than the brides.The processional should build up to the entrance of the bride! Make sure you’re choosing a softer or less dramatic song for your bridesmaids to process. If you’re not sure that the two songs build up together, communicate to your musicians and see if they can make sure to put a little more emphasis on the bridal procession. 

7 Majestic Bridal Procession Songs for the Catholic Bride

• Trumpet Voluntary (also known as The Prince of Denmark March”) by Jeremiah Clarke
• Te Deum by Marc Charpentier
• Rigaudon by Andre Campra
• Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by G.F. Handel.
• The Heavens Declare (also known as Psalm 19) by Benedetto Marcello
• Thaxted by Gustov Holst. This tune is best known for the beloved hymn “O God Beyond All Praising”
• Hyfrydol  by Rowland Prichard.  This tune is used for several familiar hymns throughout the liturgical year, including “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” and “Love Divine All Loves Excelling”

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Photos from the The Catholic Bridal Collective’s profile of Angela Marie Rocchio, Soprano