15 Best Wedding Processional Songs For a Memorable Walk

Picking the right wedding processional songs is a lot of fun, but, at the same time, it can also be quite stressful. After all, this song (or songs) will set the entire tone for your special day!

Thankfully, there are plenty of wonderful options that will help the bride and the whole wedding party make a grand entrance.

Below you will find the perfect songs for a traditional wedding, a tender celebration, and a fun party. And the best part is that you don’t necessarily have to pick just one piece – the musical world is your oyster!

15 Best Wedding Processional Songs

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1. “Bridal Chorus” by Richard Wagner

Who to play for: the bride

This is definitely the first piece that comes to mind when you think about a bride walking down the aisle. Richard Wagner composed it way back in 1850, and since then it has been played at millions of weddings.

If you are having a traditional wedding, then the famous ‘Here Comes the Bride’ is certainly the best choice.

2. “Wedding March” by Mendelssohn

Who to play for: the bride

Another classical option for the arrival of the bride. It commands attention and is undeniably elegant – no wonder that William Shakespeare used it in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

3. “Halo” by Beyonce

Top Lyrics: You’re everything I need and more/It’s written all over your face/Baby, I can feel your halo/Pray it won’t fade away

“Halo” includes some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written by Beyonce.

You can opt for an acoustic version if you have a live musician or a string quartet, but even the original song works exceptionally well for the bridal entrance. It’s also easy to walk to as it has a nice tempo.

4. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve

Top Lyrics: I’ll take you down the only road I’ve ever been down

Who to play for: the groomsmen and bridesmaids

This song is the perfect attention-grabber as it instantly signalizes that something epic is about to happen.

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” might not have the most wedding-suitable lyrics, but if you’re looking for a fun song for the groomsmen and bridesmaids to walk to, you might want to consider this one.

5. “Islands in the Stream” by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

Top Lyrics: Islands in the stream/That is what we are/No one in between

Who to play for: the whole wedding party

“Islands in the Stream” is a real crowd-pleaser. It is a feel-good country song that is simply gorgeous. Perfect for an outdoor wedding somewhere in the countryside.

6. “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder

Top Lyrics: Isn’t she pretty/Truly the angel’s best

Who to play for: the bridesmaids, flower girl, and/or the bride

The lyrics of the song celebrate the birth of Stevie Wonder’s daughter which makes it the perfect wedding song choice for when the father walks the bride down the aisle.

7. “Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

Top Lyrics: I’ve been waiting for so long/Now I’ve finally found someone to stand by me/We saw the writing on the wall/As we felt this magical fantasy

Who to play for: the whole wedding party

This is a high-energy song that can easily make the traditional processional a bit more fun. If you’re not against literally dancing down the aisle, then search no more.

8. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Top Lyrics: There ain’t no mountain high enough/Ain’t no valley low enough/Ain’t no river wide enough/To keep me from getting to you, babe

Who to play for: the whole wedding party

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” is a pinnacle of pop music with a delicate opening and a shattering climax that the wedding party can take advantage of during the processional.

9. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Top Lyrics: Oh, somewhere over the rainbow/Blue birds fly/And the dreams that you dreamed of/Dreams really do come true

Who to play for: the whole wedding party

The dreamy song is about desires and, most importantly, hope. Originally, it was written for The Wizard of Oz as a ballad for a little girl who wanted to get away from Kansas because the only colorful thing that she’s seen in her life was a rainbow.

Whether you choose Judy Garland’s or IZ’s version, your guests will feel like they are already in a place ‘over the rainbow’ where dreams come true.

10. “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles

Top Lyrics: All you need is love, love/Love is all you need

Who to play for: the whole wedding party

An instrumental version of the classic can make a great wedding processional, but if you enjoy hearing the romantic lyrics, then go for the original song.

11. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith

Top Lyrics: I could spend my life in this sweet surrender/I could stay lost in this moment forever/Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

Who to play for: the bride

If you pour your eyes out every time you watch Armageddon, then why not choose one of the greatest power ballads of all time for your bridal entrance? Goosebumps and plenty of tears are guaranteed.

12. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley

Top Lyrics: Take my hand/Take my whole life too

Who to play for: the whole wedding party

It might be challenging to find a song that’s more suitable for a wedding day. The slow melody will also allow the bride to take her time while walking down the aisle which is a major plus.

13. “Hedwig’s Theme” by John Williams

Who to play for: the whole wedding party

If you and your loved one are Harry Potter fans and you’re planning on adding a bit of magic to your ceremony, then this can become the perfect soundtrack for the big day.

14. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John

Top Lyrics: And can you feel the love tonight?/It is where we are

Who to play for: the bride

Fun fact: according to a survey, those who chose this song for their first dance were more likely to stay together.

But you can certainly change things up a little and use it for the bridal entrance.

15. “Beautiful Day” by U2

Top Lyrics: It’s a beautiful day/Don’t let it get away

Who to play for: the whole wedding party

If you want to surprise your guests with an unexpected choice of a wedding processional song, then go for this grandiose rock song that celebrates the power of hope and positivity.

To Sum Up

When choosing between these wonderful wedding processional songs, you would ultimately want to pick something that you truly love and that will make you feel excited about walking down the aisle.

After all, it’s one of the few moments in life where you’ll get to quite literally choose a soundtrack for the scene.

FAQs

What is a processional song?

Wedding processional songs are the pieces that are played while everyone walks down the aisle.

What makes a good processional song?

Ideally, you would want the music to reflect your personality. But you also shouldn’t forget about the tempo – nobody wants to have to drag or, on the contrary, run down the aisle. Use 76 BPM as your benchmark.

How many processional songs do you need?

You might need one song for the groom, groomsmen, and family members; another for the bridesmaids, ring bearer, and flower girl; and a third one for the bridal entrance.

However, it’s all up to you. Some pairs choose only one musical piece for the whole processional.

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