Richard Wagner wrote the Bridal Chorus for his opera Lohengrin, first performed in 1850, where it accompanies a wedding procession in the story. Over time it moved beyond the opera house and became the standard wedding march in many English-speaking countries, played on organ, piano and strings at countless ceremonies. Its fame spread through films, television and everyday celebrations, so even people who have never seen Lohengrin recognise it instantly. Today creators also use it ironically, pairing its formal grandeur with pets, friends and everyday entrances.