It's been traditional at weddings long ago to march down the aisle to the same wedding music. Wagner's "Here Comes the Bride" certainly comes to mind even today and can be heard in most movie scenes as the wedding song.

But, what if you just don't like that wedding song? What can you do? There are so many choices today that can work (without seeming tacky).

The first choice many San Jose brides make is to start listening to other classical pieces. Many Baroque pieces fit in nicely as a processional or recessional wedding song. Some examples of classical pieces I have seen used as wedding music are, Canon in D, Greensleeves, Air on A G String, Water Music, Ave Maria. Some composers to listen to might include, Vivaldi, Pachebel, Mendelsohn, Handel, Beethoven. But there are other choices for your wedding song.

Before you start thinking that you may want to veer away from classical altogether, remember that where you are having your ceremony in the Bay Area may make a difference in what wedding music you can play. Some San Jose churches, for instance limit what kind of wedding songs you can play inside their facility. So be sure to check, first.

Some may allow you to play instrumental versions of your favorite songs. Which leads me to: How do you get an instrumental version of your song, to make it your wedding song?

Many times an artist will release instrumental versions of their hit songs. You can sometimes find them on music download sites such as iTunes or Rhapsody. There also may be extra tracks on the CD single version (if you can still find them at your local music store). You may also try searching DJ music sites such as Hard To Find Records. They may have instrumental versions on the 12" vinyl or the DJ release of the CD single. Even though they are DJ releases, you can easily buy them.

If you want a classical sounding version of your song, that also may be available. Several online stores (like Amazon) carry "wedding versions" of all sorts of popular songs. A good place to search for a "classical" version would be String Quartet tributes. There are many good ones, but one of my favorites is the Vitamin String Quartet (nothing is scared from Colbie Caillat to Verve; goth to heavy metal; 80's to today.) Great wedding songs!

Another way to get an instrumental version of a song is to look for karaoke versions of the song. If the artist didn't do an instrumental version, you may be able to find a decent sounding karaoke version. With karaoke there are a few things to listen for. Usually there are several version by several companies of most hit songs. Many times you will find versions with background vocals, lead tracks, different keys, etc. You may have to listen to a few versions to find the one that you like, that will work as a processional wedding song.

Remember these are remakes. They sometimes sound quite like the originals and other times not so much. Listen to a few to get a good idea if it will work for you. My suggestion is to get one with no vocals at all. That means no backing vocals. You can go to iTunes or a karoke download site such as AceKaraoke and listen, before you buy, to see what I mean.

Other Wedding Music Song Lists

Remember, too, that you may want to think about these wedding song versions as not only processional wedding music, but also as recessional wedding music or even later at the Wedding Reception for Grand Entrance Music.