I play roughly 30 to 40 weddings each year, and year after year the most popular processional choice is Pachelbel's Canon in D . That's fine with me because it's an awesome processional to work with.
So what makes it such a great processional ?
Well ...
* Most importantly, The Canon is simply a beautiful and elegant piece of music . It is hard not to be swept along by it as the backdrop for such a meaningful event.
*The moment The Canon begins to play every participant, and every guest ( especially moms, aunts, grandmothers, sisters, etc.) are swept into the wedding mood by association. It just embodies the beauty and romance of your whole wedding scene.
*Important for the couples who work with me, It has a simple and informal elegance on acoustic guitar...great for a more relaxed wedding. But it is really beautiful on any instrument(s) from a full string quartet, to a violin, or harp...even bagpipes. I haven't heard it yet on Harmonica or Kazoo, but...I bet it might just work...
* Practically speaking, The Canon consists of a number of variations, each fairly short, so it is easy for the musician to stretch or shrink it for any duration, from a large wedding party down to just the bride...and still end it smoothly and on time. ( This is especially useful when your 2 year old ring bearer or flower girl decides to take an unscripted detour )
*For those couples who want to use a personal special song, or just want to be non-traditional, I often suggest using the Canon for the entrance of the wedding party, or , maybe, at least Mothers and Grandmothers . This sets the perfect mood at the start, and satisfies the traditional guests, so that the bride can then enter to her special, perhaps non-traditional song.
So...The Canon is a great processional... and I have no doubt it'll be the song I play most again this coming year.
You can check out my acoustic guitar version of The Canon here. https://youtu.be/AtbYCV_KOMY
You can also, hear me and see some song lists and hear samples of many possible processionals on my website:
Full site: www.dwightsongs.net
Mobile-friendly site: www.dwightsweddingguitar.com
Thanks for reading,
dwight
Dwight Phetteplace dwightsweddingguitar@gmail.com
SEVEN TIME WINNER:
TheKnot "Best of Weddings"
WeddingWire "Brides' Choice"
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