Skip to main content

No more "Here Comes the Bride?"

Question

Question

Our pastor said that "Here Comes the Bride" is sexist and outdated and that Rome forbade it during the 1970's, is this correct?

--Bugged in Brooklyn

Answer

Answer

Because both the bride and groom are expected to process together and enter marriage mutually, it seems that the title of the song focuses on the bride alone, not the couple. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments did give a directive in 1971 not allowing the Bridal March from "Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner. Reasons are based on the introductory paragraphs in the rite [see 19 & 20] where all are expected to be singing the entrance song. Also, parts of the world consider opera music as we consider popular songs on the radio - not appropriate for liturgical use.