Ceremony music for a jewish wedding

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For those planning a trip down the aisle, selecting exactly the right tune for the bride to make her entrance to can be a challenge. While many may opt for the old standard Wedding March by Wagner, this is not typically the song of choice for a Jewish wedding procession.

1. The Prelude

   • Prelude music provides a backdrop for the wedding.

     As the guests sit, awaiting the start of the ceremony, it is customary at any wedding to entertain them with a backdrop of soft music. As a Jewish wedding is steeped in centuries old traditions, that can be traced back directly to biblical times, it is right and appropriate to play traditional Jewish tunes to help set the tone for the affair. Some popular favorites include Ani Le Dodi (or I Am My Beloved's), Y'did Nefish (or Companion of My Soul) and Jerusalem of Gold. There are many other beloved tunes that may be included as well, but these are among the most popular.

   The Wedding Party's Processional

   • The wedding procession all builds up to the big moment.

     For a Jewish wedding, the wedding procession begins with the seating of the grandparents, followed by the groomsmen. This is followed by the bridegroom being accompanied to the chuppah by his parents. This is followed by the entrance of the bridesmaids, and finally the bride, accompanied by her parents. A traditional Jewish tune, such as Barach Ha Ba (or Blessed is He Who Comes), Hodu L'Adonai Ki Tov (Give Thanks to the Lord) or Ki Le Olam Chas Do (or His Love is Everlasting) is appropriate for the approach of the grandparents, the groomsmen and the groom. A song such as Pachabel's Canon in D is relatively popular for the entrance of the bridesmaids.

   A Word About the Wedding March

   • Perhaps one of the most climactic moments of any wedding is when the bride first begins her walk down the aisle, towards her bridegroom and the chuppah under which he stands. In a gentile wedding, the typical soundtrack to this brief walk is Wagner's Wedding March. This is not, however, considered to be an appropriate selection for a Jewish wedding, as Wagner was a known Anti-Semite, and it is believed he was Hitler's favorite composer. There have been hints and suggestions that the Nazi's used to play Wagner's music loudly in the concentration camps as a form of torture. For this reason, it is considered improper to play this march as the bride makes her way down the aisle.

   The Bride's Entrance

   • The bride's entrance is a big moment in the wedding.

     In gentile weddings, it is customary for everyone to turn and stand at the first loud strains of the wedding march, to get a glimpse of the approaching bride. The same is not true in a Jewish wedding. For reasons that have long been either forgotten or disputed, the guests are not to stand as the bride approaches at a Jewish wedding.
     

     When the bride begins her entrance, the music should change. The most popular song for a bride to come into is Dodi Li (My Beloved).

   The Recessional

   • Mazel tov is traditional at any celebration.

     In contrast to the serious and almost solemn nature of the other parts of the ceremony, the recessional is a joyous raucous time. Started from the moment that the bridegroom smashes the glass, it is traditional to play Mazel Tov, which basically means congratulations. The couple may select something different, but for a traditional Jewish wedding, this is a very safe choice.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Jewish wedding, down aisle, traditional Jewish, Wedding March, wedding procession