Something Old, Something New, and a Good Walking Tune Too

Valentine’s Day is the ultimate holiday of love. It sets the stage for grand romantic gestures such as bouquets of roses, adorable teddy bears, heart-shaped chocolate boxes - and eventually the sweet symphony of wedding bells. Let Cupid’s arrow point us to the joys of matrimony and my personal opinion on three popular walking-down-the-aisle songs.

1. A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

This song is the epitome of eternal love. The song’s title “A Thousand Years” says it all; you have loved them for a thousand years and you’ll love them for a thousand more. It’s a heartfelt song and will for sure have an onion-chopping effect on your guests. The only problem is that this song is so perfect that it’s played at almost every wedding. So unless you don’t mind being basic, I’d choose a different song to walk down the aisle to.  

2. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is a great musician especially when it comes to love songs. “Thinking Out Loud” specifically is a warm, soft song that captures its listeners in tender melodies using a rhythmic guitar which overall creates a romantic and timeless atmosphere. The only minor hiccup? His lyric “And darling I will be loving you ‘til we’re 70” always has me thinking - does Sheeran mean that once they turn 71 it's over? I think the message of the song and that specific lyric is about everlasting love, but everytime I hear the song this not-so-forever-love-sentiment is all that I can focus on.

3. Night Changes - One Direction

This song by One Direction is one of my favorites. The best way to describe it is NOSTALGIC. The theme is very “coming of age”, in the sense that it could also double as the soundtrack to go with a graduation slideshow. Like “A Thousand Years”, “Night Changes” is one that will bring tears to the guests’ eyes - specifically for those who have known the bride or groom since they were young. Anyone who listens to this song will have childhood flashbacks that are either their own experience growing up, or ones of witnessing another person get older with time. I feel like this song would be absolutely perfect for a couple getting married who have known each other since childhood.

If none of these songs appeal to you, just find yourself a church pipe organ and walk down the aisle to the classic “Wedding March”.