The Best Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To
We’ve had the privilege of performing at countless ceremonies, each unique and beautiful in its own way. One of the most crucial elements of any wedding is the music, especially the songs that play during the ceremony. These tunes set the tone, evoke emotions, and create unforgettable memories. In this blog, we’ll share our expert picks for the best ceremony songs, perfect for making your special day truly magical.
Why Ceremony Songs Matter
Ceremony songs are more than just background music; they are the soundtrack to one of the most significant moments of your life. From the processional to the recessional, each song should reflect your love story and personal taste. Here’s our list of the best ceremony songs that will make your wedding day unforgettable.
Top Ceremony Songs for Every Moment
1. Processional Songs
The processional song is the music that plays as the wedding party walks down the aisle. It sets the tone for the entire ceremony. Here are our top picks:
- “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel: A timeless classic that exudes elegance and grace.
- “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri: Perfect for couples who want a modern touch with a deep emotional connection.
- “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles: An uplifting choice for outdoor or spring weddings.
2. Bride’s Entrance Songs
The bride’s entrance is one of the most anticipated moments of the ceremony. The right song can make it even more special:
- “Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner: Also known as “Here Comes the Bride,” this traditional piece never goes out of style.
- “Marry Me” by Train: A contemporary option that’s both romantic and heartfelt.
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: A whimsical choice for a unique and memorable entrance.
3. Interlude Songs
Interlude songs are played during key moments of the ceremony, such as lighting the unity candle or during a sand ceremony. Here are our favorites:
- “Ave Maria” by Franz Schubert: A beautiful and serene choice for a spiritual moment.
- “The Prayer” by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli: Perfect for adding a touch of grandeur to your ceremony.
- “How Great Thou Art” (Various Artists): Ideal for religious ceremonies, offering a powerful message.
4. Recessional Songs
The recessional song marks the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the celebration. It should be joyful and celebratory:
- “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder: An upbeat and fun choice to start the celebration.
- “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles: A classic that encapsulates the spirit of the occasion.
- “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors: A modern, energetic song that captures the excitement of the moment.
Trending Ceremony Songs
In recent times, anything from Bridgerton is huge. And pretty much anything on Spotify by the Vitamin String Quartet gets requested a lot. Here are some of the top artists that are likely to be big hits at your ceremony:
- Midnight String Quartet
- Duomo
- Brooklyn Duo
- The Piano Guys
These artists get requested all the time and their top 5 most played songs on Spotify are sure to be favorites.
Custom Arrangements for Your Special Day
We also do custom arrangements fairly often. If we can find the sheet music to something, we can do it, so our couples get pretty creative there. Even if we can’t find the sheet music, we’ll write it out. For instance, someone wanted “Seasons” by Future Islands for a wedding recently, and we made it happen. If you have a special pop song in mind, we can adapt it to classical instrumentation and make it sound amazing. Lots of options!
Ceremony Music Suggestions
Prelude Music – (15-30 min) while guests are arriving and being seated (we usually choose this for you based on your selections for the formal choices, but feel free to suggest songs for this portion!)
Processional – as wedding party and family members are seated
Bridal Processional – Usually a separate song to the Bridal Party Processional
Ceremony – We obviously remain silent for the duration
Recessional – Typically an exultant and jubilant choice played immediately after your marriage is announced by the celebrant
Popular Music Choices
Here is a list of music that comes up often for us in various instrumentation:
Classical:
- Here Comes the Bride (Wagner’s Bridal Chorus)
- Mendelssohn’s Wedding March
- Bach’s Air on a G String
- Pachelbel’s Canon in D
- Ave Maria
- Beethoven- Ode to Joy
- Handel’s Hornpipe
- Vivaldi’s Spring
Pop:
- Across the Universe – The Beatles
- All Of Me – John Legend
- On Top Of The World – Imagine Dragons
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
- Glasgow Love Theme – from Love Actually
- Marry Me – Train
- Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
- First Day Of My Life – Bright Eyes
- All You Need is Love – The Beatles
- Let it Be – The Beatles
- You Are My Sunshine
- What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- Can’t Help Falling in Love with You – Elvis
- To Make You Feel My Love – Bob Dylan/Adele
- Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
- Stand By Me – Ben E King
- Blackbird – The Beatles
- Wildflowers – Tom Petty
- Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
- Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros
- You are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
- I Choose You – Sara Bareilles
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
- In My Life – Beatles
- Married Life – from Up
And we can play almost anything else, within reason, as long as we can find sheet music, including stylized versions of your favorite pop songs and ballads!
Selecting the best ceremony songs is an essential part of creating a memorable wedding day. From the processional to the recessional, the right music can enhance the emotional impact of each moment. We hope our recommendations help you choose the perfect soundtrack for your special day. As always, if you need a live wedding band that can bring these songs to life, we’re here to help make your wedding unforgettable.
Looking for a wedding band that can make your ceremony truly magical? Contact us today to discuss your wedding music needs and let us help you create the perfect atmosphere for your special day.