Question:
Just yesterday I found out from our organist that the church does not allow the Wedding March as the processional (or at all for that matter) because it’s secular. I belong to a lutheran church. Has anyone ever had this problem before? I had my heart set on that!!! She said all lutheran churches do it that way, so too bad. We chose Bach, Ode to Joy, but I’m tempted to fight it…. any suggestions? or comments??? THANKS! Jenn (& Bill) August 31, 1996
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Just yesterday I found out from our organist that the church does >not allow the Wedding March as the processional (or at all for >that matter) because it’s secular. I belong to a lutheran church. >Has anyone ever had this problem before? I had my heart set on >that!!! She said all lutheran churches do it that way, so too >bad. We chose Bach, Ode to Joy, but I’m tempted to fight it…. >any suggestions? or comments??? > Hi Jenn, not ALL Lutheran churches prohibit secular music. A good friend > of mine who was married last year had a very a piece of secular classical > music for her processional that was very memorable because of the > funny-sounding title: "Air on G-String." > It’s probably a restriction on your church, and I don’t think it’s a > general restriction of the entire Lutheran religion. > Best wishes, > Karmela
Actually, Karmela, Air on a G String is also by Bach – a christian musician who dedicated his works to the Glory of God (I believe inscribed on his music) so technically speaking, there are very few (if any) works of Bach’s which would be considered secular. Which brings up a good point – There are LOT’s of wedding appropriate pieces that from a historical point of view may be properly viewed as "christian". It might not hurt to look into Mendelsohn’s history a bit…you (the original poster) may find that he composed the Wedding March while working under the auspices of the church…could make for an interesting discussion. Linda MOH for Mindy (& Carlton 10/26/96)
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>Just yesterday I found out from our organist that the church does >not allow the Wedding March as the processional (or at all for >that matter) because it’s secular. I belong to a lutheran church. >Has anyone ever had this problem before? I had my heart set on >that!!! She said all lutheran churches do it that way, so too >bad. We chose Bach, Ode to Joy, but I’m tempted to fight it…. >any suggestions? or comments???
Hi Jenn, not ALL Lutheran churches prohibit secular music. A good friend of mine who was married last year had a very a piece of secular classical music for her processional that was very memorable because of the funny-sounding title: "Air on G-String." It’s probably a restriction on your church, and I don’t think it’s a general restriction of the entire Lutheran religion. Best wishes, Karmela
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I have never heard or experienced that and I’m a born, raised, baptized and confirmed Lutheran. I don’t know where she gets that information from!! It’s YOUR wedding and if you’ve had your heart set on it, then GO FOR IT!! If she won’t play it, find another accompaniest (sp?)!
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I am Lutheran – and had my wedding in a Lutheran church, and used the Wedding March! I know that it is banned in some churches, but it can’t be in all Lutheran churches! Aimee
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>Just yesterday I found out from our organist that the church does >not allow the Wedding March as the processional (or at all for >that matter) because it’s secular. I belong to a lutheran church. > Has anyone ever had this problem before? I had my heart set on >that!!! She said all lutheran churches do it that way, so too >bad. We chose Bach, Ode to Joy, but I’m tempted to fight it…. >any suggestions? or comments??? >THANKS! >Jenn (& Bill) >August 31, 1996
I _assume_ you’re referring to the "Bridal March" from the opera _Lohengrin_ by Richard Wagner (that’s REE-kard VAHG-ner for you really uncultured types 
) The reason (urban legend?) why many (some) churches don’t allow (like) it in weddings has nothing to do with the music’s secularity. "Ode to Joy" (which, without a text, is simply an excerpt from the fourth movement of Sym. #9 in I-forget-the-key "Choral" by Ludwig van Beethoven) can be considered just as secular. The simple fact that a melody has been excised from it, and sacred texts can be sung to said melody, does not mean that the composer necessarily intended such. Or something like that. The reason IS (supposedly) that the objection is not to the music itself (I’m back on the Lohengrin), but rather to the composer. You see, Richard Wagner did not lead what one might call a particularly Christian life. So to have his music played as part of such a holy, sacred act in the Church (or church; Wagner lived in the late 19th century, well after the Reformation) really rubbed a few clerics the wrong way. Object all you like, but also consider using something for your procession music that ISN’T "traditional" [read: trite, tired, and overused]. Any short organ work will do. Go listen to some solo organ CDs (not necessarily the "wedding" CDs!). Find stuff that you like, and that you think might work. You’re looking for a target time of around 3 minutes [some weddings need more, some need much less]. Then see if your organist has it in his/her repertoire, or is willing to learn it. Better yet, ask your organist what he/she would like to play. Ask him/her to play some stuff for you, so you can hear it. The same goes for the recessional march. You really don’t have to use the excerpt from "A Midsummer Night’s Dream". Unless you really want to. -Rob B. Mus., Old Dominion Univ. —
Response:
Jenn, I am using a piece called Entree Nuptiale. I didn’t want the traditional "Here Comes the Bride". My organist and I went over pieces and I decided on this one. The very best of luck to you in having "your" piece played at "your" wedding. The church should be more liberal….IMHO. Sassy
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mainhart) writes: >Just yesterday I found out from our organist that the church does >not allow the Wedding March as the processional (or at all for >that matter) because it’s secular. I belong to a lutheran church. > Has anyone ever had this problem before? I had my heart set on >that!!! She said all lutheran churches do it that way, so too >bad. We chose Bach, Ode to Joy, but I’m tempted to fight it…. >any suggestions? or comments??? >THANKS! >Jenn (& Bill) >August 31, 1996 >I _assume_ you’re referring to the "Bridal March" from the opera >_Lohengrin_ by Richard Wagner (that’s REE-kard VAHG-ner for you >really uncultured types ) >The reason (urban legend?) why many (some) churches don’t allow >(like) it in weddings has nothing to do with the music’s secularity. >"Ode to Joy" (which, without a text, is simply an excerpt from >the fourth movement of Sym. #9 in I-forget-the-key "Choral" by >Ludwig van Beethoven) can be considered just as secular. The >simple fact that a melody has been excised from it, and sacred >texts can be sung to said melody, does not mean that the composer >necessarily intended such. Or something like that. >The reason IS (supposedly) that the objection is not to the music >itself (I’m back on the Lohengrin), but rather to the composer. >You see, Richard Wagner did not lead what one might call >a particularly Christian life. So to have his music played >as part of such a holy, sacred act in the Church (or church; >Wagner lived in the late 19th century, well after the Reformation) >really rubbed a few clerics the wrong way. >Object all you like, but also consider using something for your >procession music that ISN’T "traditional" [read: trite, tired, and >overused]. Any short organ work will do. Go listen to some >solo organ CDs (not necessarily the "wedding" CDs!). Find >stuff that you like, and that you think might work. You’re looking >for a target time of around 3 minutes [some weddings need more, some >need much less]. Then see if your organist has it in his/her >repertoire, or is willing to learn it. >Better yet, ask your organist what he/she would like to play. Ask >him/her to play some stuff for you, so you can hear it. >The same goes for the recessional march. You really don’t have >to use the excerpt from "A Midsummer Night’s Dream". Unless you >really want to. >-Rob >B. Mus., Old Dominion Univ. >–
Rob, I find my next few comments to be solicited for by your above opinion. I’m sorry that I don’t know that Richard Wagner is pronounced Reekard Vaghner or whatever (see above, it’s printed correctly up there). I do find myself to be cultured though. Thanks for the good information, but try not to criticize other people in the meantime, unless they ahve done something to you (which I, "the uncultured one" don’t recall doing). Thank you very much. Lydia and Ryan (The future Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Schmitt) 10-16-99 Ba-Ram-Ewe! Ba-Ram-Ewe! To your breed, your clan, your fleece be true!
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Mainhart) writes: >I _assume_ you’re referring to the "Bridal March" from the opera >_Lohengrin_ by Richard Wagner (that’s REE-kard VAHG-ner for you >really uncultured types ) >-Rob >B. Mus., Old Dominion Univ. >Rob, >I find my next few comments to be solicited for by your above opinion. >I’m sorry that I don’t know that Richard Wagner is pronounced Reekard >Vaghner or whatever (see above, it’s printed correctly up there). I do >find myself to be cultured though. Thanks for the good information, but >try not to criticize other people in the meantime, unless they ahve done >something to you (which I, "the uncultured one" don’t recall doing). >Thank you very much. >Lydia and Ryan (The future Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Schmitt) >10-16-99
Lydia, Rob’s comment was a joke. Hence the for the humor-challenged. Jennifer
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Help!!!! I’m looking for the name of the wedding march that was played last year on the series "Friends" when Ross married Emily… Can anyone help me, Thanks, Stacey — Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email — always at Talkway. http://www.talkway.com
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Stacey – try any of the various "Friends" websites – they can probably help you. -Sara:)
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>I’m getting married a week from Monday, but my fiance and I haven’t decided >on which Wedding March we want to play yet. Our wedding will be at a park >with a gazebo and a small lake with a bridge there, and it’s a very informal >and small wedding. We both like the classical Wedding March, but my bride’s >maid said no one played the classical one in a wedding, and told me to go get >the organ traditional one. So we did, my fiance and I just got the CD tonight. >We listened to both, and we still like the classical one although it’s not >really like a march, it’s more like in a movie with a wedding in it. :-P >I would like opinion on this matter, and would appreciate it if you could >email it directly.
I guess I don’t understand what you mean by "classical" and "traditional" wedding marches. I’m assuming that by traditional, you mean the Wagner wedding march…but I’m not clear what you mean by "classical" wedding march….insofar as which one to use, I think you should use whichever one you like best; it’s your day. >Thanks, >Lay Wah
Tamara (& John) September 3, 1994
Response:
I’m getting married a week from Monday, but my fiance and I haven’t decided on which Wedding March we want to play yet. Our wedding will be at a park with a gazebo and a small lake with a bridge there, and it’s a very informal and small wedding. We both like the classical Wedding March, but my bride’s maid said no one played the classical one in a wedding, and told me to go get the organ traditional one. So we did, my fiance and I just got the CD tonight. We listened to both, and we still like the classical one although it’s not really like a march, it’s more like in a movie with a wedding in it. :-P I would like opinion on this matter, and would appreciate it if you could email it directly. Thanks, Lay Wah
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