When choosing the music for your wedding ceremony, you’ll need to make two important choices – your processional and recessional songs.
Wedding Ceremony Songs – Walking in and Walking out
A processional song is the music that you and your wedding party will walk down the aisle to – you can have one song for everyone, or choose a separate song for your grand entrance. At the end of the ceremony, you and your new husband leave the venue to your recessional music, which tends to be more upbeat than the processional.
There are traditional choices for both of these pieces of music, but we’ve given you a couple of options to consider. Listen and enjoy!
Processional Wedding Ceremony Songs
1. Bridal Chorus, Wagner
Often known as Here Comes The Bride, this piece of classical music is the traditional choice for the procession of the bride, and is often played on an organ. We’ve chosen a slightly more modern arrangement by Vicente Avella on classical piano – that way you can keep the element of tradition without the drama!
2. Canon in D, Pachelbel
Another very popular choice with brides. This gorgeous piece of music sounds beautiful played by a traditional quartet, but we also love this version by Per-Olov Kindgren on classical guitar.
3. A Thousand Years, The Piano Guys (originally Christina Perri)
Often couples can’t decide between a classic instrumental or a more modern love song with vocals for their processional music. Why not get the best of both worlds with an instrumental cover of one of your favourite songs? We seriously love this piano and cello cover of Christina Perri.
4. Glasgow Love Theme, from Love Actually
Walking down the aisle to a song from your favourite film soundtrack is another way to incorporate instrumental music with a personal touch into your ceremony. There are loads of options to choose from – Love Actually is a great place to start, and will have you welling up before you know it.
5. Marry Me, Train
If you want a modern song but aren’t sure what sort of thing to go for, then we think this a great choice. The melody and lyrics are both beautiful, and the tempo isn’t too fast for a processional.
6. Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole
For something a little bit different, you can’t beat this gorgeous ukulele cover – it’s sure to get everyone smiling!
Recessional Wedding Ceremony Songs
7. Wedding March, Mendelssohn
This is the traditional choice for the wedding recessional. This grand organ piece is definitely all about the high drama, so is best suited to larger or religious venues.
8. Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel
This classical piece may be intended to signify an arrival, but it works perfectly for a recessional – it’s high tempo and undoubtedly joyful. Perfect for more traditional couples.
9. Don’t Stop Believing, Vitamin String Quartet (originally Journey)
Another classical cover of a modern tune – we love this version of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing as played by a string quartet, as it strikes the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary.
10. Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Stevie Wonder
One of the most popular modern choices – and with good reason! After all, you and your new husband have just signed the wedding register, so the lyrics “signed, sealed, delivered – I’m yours!” are particularly meaningful.
11. First Day Of My Life, Bright Eyes
This adorable acoustic song is a great choice for couples looking for a quirky alternative, and we think it’s a lovely way to start the first day of your married life.
12. Now That We Found Love, Heavy D & The Boyz
For those looking for something truly different, we’ve loved this song for a wedding ever since we saw Will Smith and Eva Mendes get down to it in the last scene of Hitch. Do you think you and your new husband can beat their moves?
Depending on the venue you may be limited on live performances or online-based playlists, so you can always opt for this fail-safe CD with some classic wedding songs both old and new.
