Ticking the box
Everyone's heard of the classic Wedding March or Cannon in D when walking down the aisle and you can guarantee this year's wedding music trends are going to include Ed Sheeran and Christina Peri. Although these are wonderful options for music to walk down the aisle to, they are very much 'tick the box' choices.
I propose a different option. What if you don't choose to 'tick the box' with the most important song choice of your wedding day? How about choosing something that means something to you, as a couple? Something alternative to the mainstream.
In this article I'm going to give you 20 alternative song choices to walk down the aisle and put you on the right path to creating an experience for yourselves that will stay with you forever but also won't have your guest's ears want to leave their head.
Defining 'Alternative'
In the context of wedding music, 'alternative' refers to song choices that step away from the mainstream or traditional wedding tracks. This category can encompass a variety of genres like indie, which often features more personal, introspective lyrics and melodies; alternative rock, known for its diverse sounds and sometimes edgier vibes; and folk, which offers a more acoustic and organic feel. These genres are sought after by couples looking to infuse their ceremony with a unique, personal touch that reflects their individual tastes and story.
Song Selection Criteria
We've discussed how important lyrics are in various other articles helping to decide on a song for your first dance.
And this is no different. When you look at the typical wedding ceremony entrance songs, it feels like they've been manufactured precisely for this function. The tempo, melody, chords, lyrics and general feel whispers "This is a song to walk down the aisle to". People tend to avoid anything outside of the usual because it's too fast, too abrasive sounding or doesn't fit the mood of the ceremony but as long as the lyrics resonate with you, a musician can make any song fit. - link to other article -
The following list of alternative wedding aisle songs include some which meet a lot of the typical criteria mentioned above and some which would need to be re-arranged by a professional musician.
The List
These songs are usually off the radar when it comes to the 'usual' stuff but they all have something special about them. Whether it's an underlying message of individuality, introspective emotion or a peculiar story of love.
All I Want Is You - Barry Louis Polisar - Listen
The Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You - Listen
Bon Iver - Holocene - Listen
Family of the year - Hero - Listen
City and Colour - The Girl - Listen
Muse - Unintended - Listen
Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats - Listen
Jeff Buckley - Lover, You Should've Come Over - Listen
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris - Listen
Slipknot - Vermillion Pt.2 - Listen
The following songs have been selected because the lyrics portray a beautiful underlying romantic message. However they wouldn't fit the ceremony without being re-arranged by a professional musician.
Keith Urban - Somebody Like You
Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Home
Black Sabbath - N.I.B.
Bob Marley - Is this love
White snake - Is this love
Bryan Adams - Heaven
Agnelli & Nelson - Everyday
Seal - Kiss From A Rose
Kings Of Leon - Wait For Me
Honourable mentions for people with a sense of humour:
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Ya Love
Gwen Guthrie - Peanut ButterÂ
Adam Sandler - Grow old with you
Have you seen my new Youtube channel?
For more interesting songs which have been previously requested at weddings, take a peep at my Youtube channel. Feel free to leave a comment and request and song.
Personalisation Tips
There are so many other songs which didn't make the list because of one or more lines being easily interpreted as sending the wrong message at a wedding. When you hire a musician, this is easily rectified. W can change the perspective, re-arrange or leave out verses which don't speak your message.
What's your shortlist of songs to walk down the aisle to?
I hope this has inspired you to think outside the box when shortlisting songs to walk down the aisle to. I'd love to hear some of your own ideas. Feel free to get in touch and let me know what you are walking into your ceremony to.
If you want to hear how I would interpret one of your songs or even arrange a free wedding entertainment consultation. You can get in touch below.
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