Procession of Bridesmaids
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Procession of Bridesmaids
So what do you think about each bridesmaid processing individually down the aisle before the bride?
JW
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Southern Comfort
- Posts: 2024
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:31 pm
Re: Procession of Bridesmaids
They don't even do that in the USA!
The bridesmaids are supposed to be escorting the bride, n'est-ce pas? Actually they are supposed to be escorting both bride and groom, since the rite has them entering in procession together.
The bridesmaids are supposed to be escorting the bride, n'est-ce pas? Actually they are supposed to be escorting both bride and groom, since the rite has them entering in procession together.
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markyboy2000
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 12:59 pm
- Parish / Diocese: Middlesbro
Re: Procession of Bridesmaids
That'll mean more choices of unsuitable music - one tune for the bridesmaids and one for the bride.
Re: Procession of Bridesmaids
The scourge of wedding planners who have seen too many Hollywood chick-flicks.
I have seen it once.
They came in one at a time, giggling and simpering their way down the aisle to a CD of something they assumed I couldn't play - Pachelbel Canon (blooming cheek!)
The CD was meant to cover the bride too. It stopped before she started, so the guitarist who was with me and I continued playing it while she slow-marched down the aisle - more wedding planner joy.
We took the money and ran!
I have seen it once.
They came in one at a time, giggling and simpering their way down the aisle to a CD of something they assumed I couldn't play - Pachelbel Canon (blooming cheek!)
The CD was meant to cover the bride too. It stopped before she started, so the guitarist who was with me and I continued playing it while she slow-marched down the aisle - more wedding planner joy.
We took the money and ran!
Re: Procession of Bridesmaids
It seems to have entered the popular culture and they seem to do it most of the time down our way. It's a recipe for disaster as far as I'm concerned.
At a recent wedding we had was a pageboy and 4 bridesmaids. In the past, the bridemaids have processed en bloc. This time they were going to process individually. The instruction was Pachelbel during the bridesmaids' procession and Wagner for the Bride's entrance. The PP was going to ring the sacristy bell when the bridesmaids were ready to start processing. I'm in the West Gallery with only a little shaving mirror to see the aisle and the sanctuary.
The bell goes. I start up the Pachelbel and see the pageboy sauntering down to his place. I move on to the semi-quaver section of the Pachelbel and see no movement. After a minute or so I assume I've been concentrating too hard on the notes and I've missed the bridesmaids in the mirror. After another 4 bars of the Pachelbel I decide to start the Wagner. The PP signals me to stop. Then, in silence, another bridemaid walks down and sits down, then after another pause another, then two together. Then the PP signals for Here Comes the Bride.
As alan29 says, I took the money and ran! I've looked on wedding blogs and it appears the brides want to do it this way so the bridesmaids get some attention and to build-up the expectation for the bride's entrance. I have to say that I'm finding it extremely difficult to get this right! For those of you who haven't had to do this yet, beware!
At a recent wedding we had was a pageboy and 4 bridesmaids. In the past, the bridemaids have processed en bloc. This time they were going to process individually. The instruction was Pachelbel during the bridesmaids' procession and Wagner for the Bride's entrance. The PP was going to ring the sacristy bell when the bridesmaids were ready to start processing. I'm in the West Gallery with only a little shaving mirror to see the aisle and the sanctuary.
The bell goes. I start up the Pachelbel and see the pageboy sauntering down to his place. I move on to the semi-quaver section of the Pachelbel and see no movement. After a minute or so I assume I've been concentrating too hard on the notes and I've missed the bridesmaids in the mirror. After another 4 bars of the Pachelbel I decide to start the Wagner. The PP signals me to stop. Then, in silence, another bridemaid walks down and sits down, then after another pause another, then two together. Then the PP signals for Here Comes the Bride.
As alan29 says, I took the money and ran! I've looked on wedding blogs and it appears the brides want to do it this way so the bridesmaids get some attention and to build-up the expectation for the bride's entrance. I have to say that I'm finding it extremely difficult to get this right! For those of you who haven't had to do this yet, beware!
JW
Re: Procession of Bridesmaids
The other superb innovation is when the newly-weds process solemnly out down the main aisle and then canter smartly down the side aisle for 20 minutes of photos.
Conundrum .... do I ..... a) stop at the end of the (inevitable) Mendelssohn, take the cheque and run .... or b) provide entertaining background music while the photos are being taken.
I usually do a), but the glares from the audience can be a harsh thing to bear at times.
Conundrum .... do I ..... a) stop at the end of the (inevitable) Mendelssohn, take the cheque and run .... or b) provide entertaining background music while the photos are being taken.
I usually do a), but the glares from the audience can be a harsh thing to bear at times.
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oopsorganist
- Posts: 788
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 9:55 pm
- Location: Leeds
Re: Procession of Bridesmaids
This is so wrong.
The more mature women will also have bought new outfits and made an effort. They too, should be allowed to process. So that is the MotB, MotG, er GreatAuntyEthel and so on and so forth.
Then again, that is also unfair, and unequal. The men must be allowed to process too. The ushers and the best man.
I really feel that the opportunities for flower maidens are being overlooked. We do need some small children strewing petals and they too must process individually down the aisle.
Now, the only person that does not get to do this is the organist.
The organist must also process down the aisle, humming to themselves their tune of choice.
What are wedding planners thinking of, excluding people like this.
We could have a little group of people whose role it to be a distant relative or friend of the family (perhaps old neighbours ) they could process in a group.
Or are the bridesmaids of importance because they are single/available. Is it a cattle market?
The more mature women will also have bought new outfits and made an effort. They too, should be allowed to process. So that is the MotB, MotG, er GreatAuntyEthel and so on and so forth.
Then again, that is also unfair, and unequal. The men must be allowed to process too. The ushers and the best man.
I really feel that the opportunities for flower maidens are being overlooked. We do need some small children strewing petals and they too must process individually down the aisle.
Now, the only person that does not get to do this is the organist.
The organist must also process down the aisle, humming to themselves their tune of choice.
What are wedding planners thinking of, excluding people like this.
We could have a little group of people whose role it to be a distant relative or friend of the family (perhaps old neighbours ) they could process in a group.
Or are the bridesmaids of importance because they are single/available. Is it a cattle market?
uh oh!
Re: Procession of Bridesmaids
Love your post, Oops!
Another thing that gets my goat is the reluctance to include the name of the organist in wedding & funeral booklets. Everyone, including the full wedding party, readers and priest were mentioned but the Bridal March was played by 'The Church Organist'.
As for bride & groom processing together, I can't see it happening in England in my lifetime... It would actually create a problem for me as I brief the couple to pay me in cash in the church before the service starts. When I've been paid for weddings by cheque, it's often incorrectly completed and it takes an age to get another one issued.
Another thing that gets my goat is the reluctance to include the name of the organist in wedding & funeral booklets. Everyone, including the full wedding party, readers and priest were mentioned but the Bridal March was played by 'The Church Organist'.
As for bride & groom processing together, I can't see it happening in England in my lifetime... It would actually create a problem for me as I brief the couple to pay me in cash in the church before the service starts. When I've been paid for weddings by cheque, it's often incorrectly completed and it takes an age to get another one issued.
JW
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markyboy2000
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2015 12:59 pm
- Parish / Diocese: Middlesbro
Re: Procession of Bridesmaids
My next wedding seems to be suitably vague. Starting time of about 4.30 or maybe 5 on the Wednesday after Christmas, with everyone arriving by bus from the reception. They are expecting me, priest and registrar to hang around while they ferry over 100 guests, who are only expecting an engagement party, on a single bus, at a time of year where it could of course be snowing.
And she fell in love with a piece of music aged 11, and wants it for in and out - the main theme from the DiCaprio Man in the Iron Mask! No hymns, Ave MAria (B/G) for the register, and suitably jolly bits to warm up.
I await confirmation from priest as to final details - I'm pretty sure the registrar will not want to hang around.
As you say, take the money and run - in this case I"ve already inflated the fee! (Payable via priest at rehearsal of course)
And she fell in love with a piece of music aged 11, and wants it for in and out - the main theme from the DiCaprio Man in the Iron Mask! No hymns, Ave MAria (B/G) for the register, and suitably jolly bits to warm up.
I await confirmation from priest as to final details - I'm pretty sure the registrar will not want to hang around.
As you say, take the money and run - in this case I"ve already inflated the fee! (Payable via priest at rehearsal of course)