What happens to the music when brides get to the end of the aisle?

The Bossard Quartet have played at so many weddings, and yet one question that often gets asked is ‘What happens to the music when brides get to the end of the aisle?’

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The moment you step onto the aisle is huge. Over the years, The Bossard Quartet has provided the soundtrack for every kind of entrance imaginable: fast, slow, emotional, happy, and yes, sometimes a little nervously shy! But through it all, one thing remains constant: the music is one detail you absolutely don’t need to worry about.

We frequently get these anxious questions from couples:

• "What happens to the music when I reach the end of the aisle?"

• "Do you just cut off abruptly?"

• "What if the song is really long, and I'm left just standing there awkwardly?"

It’s a totally valid concern! After all, you don't want to feel like you're standing at the altar "like a lemon," waiting for the string quartet to finish!

Our Professional Approach to the Perfect Ending

Rest assured, our main job is to provide beautiful music and make the process seamless. We have lots of practice at judging exactly how and when to end a piece gracefully. We absolutely won't leave you stranded up the aisle or waiting impatiently for the music to stop so you can get on with the ceremony!

Here's how we ensure a smooth transition:

1. We Discuss and Plan Stopping Points

Before your big day, we have a chat with you about your chosen piece. Every song has natural musical phrases or sections. We use our professional judgement to identify suitable 'stopping points'—places where the music can logically end with a final, satisfying cadence (a musical conclusion).

• If you haven't reached the end of the aisle yet, we'll simply continue playing through that stopping point and move on to the next one.

• This preparation means we can tailor the music length to your walk, whether you take a quick stride or a long, meaningful saunter!

2. The Musician's Nod

So long as at least one of us has a clear line of sight to the end of the aisle (which is almost always the case!), we can signal one another. Once you arrive at the altar, we give a subtle nod to finish playing at the very next agreed-upon stopping point.

This means there might be a short overlap, sometimes just 10 or 20 seconds, once you've reached your partner. This brief wait is intentional; it allows the moment to settle, the photographer to get a final shot, and the music to resolve elegantly, rather than ending with a jarring sudden stop.

Think of it this way: The music is the velvet curtain that closes just as your starring moment begins. It should be a gentle, natural fade-out, not a slam.

Our Final Piece of Advice: Don’t Worry!

Your wedding day is about focusing on each other, your guests, and the promises you’re making. We are there for you. We will keep playing for as long as you need, and we will finish gracefully when you get to the top. Even if you get a rush of nerves and decide to "leg it" up the aisle, we’ll be right there with a professional and perfectly timed finale!

Do you have any other questions about the ceremony music, like when we start playing for the guests, or how long a piece should be?