Overview

The Bridal Chorus is a short choral passage by Richard Wagner from his romantic opera Lohengrin, first performed in 1850. In English-speaking wedding practice the piece is commonly known by the phrase "Here Comes the Bride" and—less precisely—as a "wedding march" or "bridal march." Outside the theatre it has been transcribed for a variety of forces and is frequently heard at Western weddings as the bride enters the ceremony space.

Origins and context

Within the opera the music accompanies a ceremonial moment in Act III when the bridal party moves to the private chamber; the German title of the chorus is often given as "Treulich geführt." Wagner composed Lohengrin as part of the mid-19th-century German operatic repertoire, and like other operatic choruses it was later adapted for use beyond the stage. Because the original function in the drama is not identical to the modern processional, its transfer to wedding ritual represents a change of context from theatrical action to social custom.

Musical characteristics and arrangements

The Bridal Chorus is slow, stately and harmonically straightforward, which has made it easy to arrange for many different line-ups. Typical settings heard at ceremonies include the pipe organ, piano, string quartet, brass ensemble and solo piano with optional instrumental doubling. Choirs sometimes sing the original German text, but most secular ceremonies use an instrumental version. Commonly performed features are the steady tempo, broad melodic lines and simple accompaniment that produce a dignified, processional effect.

Uses, comparisons and examples

For many couples the Bridal Chorus provides a familiar and recognisable signal of the bride's entrance; however, it is only one of several pieces traditionally used for that purpose. Notably, Felix Mendelssohn's so-called "Wedding March" (from A Midsummer Night's Dream) is also frequently heard at weddings, and the two works are often confused by non-specialists. Arrangements for modern ceremonies range from full instrumental transcriptions to short fanfares and simplified piano versions.

  • Common instrumental versions: organ, piano, string quartet, brass quartet.
  • Vocal performance: chorus singing the German text or a translated version.
  • Typical function today: processional, though historically its dramatic role differs.

Notable facts and controversies

Because Wagner's music was later appropriated by political movements and because the composer held controversial personal views, some couples and institutions choose alternative processionals for ethical or symbolic reasons. Likewise, various religious denominations have guidelines about the musical pieces suitable for worship services and may discourage stage-derived works at certain ceremonies. Despite these debates, the Bridal Chorus remains one of the most recognisable pieces associated with modern wedding ritual and continues to be performed in many secular and religious contexts.

For further musical and historical context see discussions of Wagner's operas and 19th-century ceremonial music: about the opera, instrumental practice for the organ, and contemporary wedding repertory guides such as those listing processional choices for weddings.