Wedding Entrance Songs: Make an Impact
Key Takeaways
- You need two entrance songs: one for the ceremony processional and one for the reception entrance
- The ceremony processional sets the emotional tone — elegant and meaningful is more powerful than dramatic
- The reception entrance is celebratory — this is where energy and fun belong
- Walk to the beat, not ahead of it — practice the walk with the music at least once before the day
- Check your venue's AV setup: can they play your song from a phone, USB, or do they need a specific format?
There are two entrance moments at a wedding: the ceremony processional (walking down the aisle) and the reception entrance (walking into the party as a married couple). They need completely different energy.
The processional is tender and meaningful. The reception entrance is a celebration. Choosing the right song for each transforms the moment.
Ceremony processional songs
The music plays as the bridal party walks down the aisle, followed by the bride. This is one of the most emotional moments of the entire day.
Classical and instrumental
| Song | Composer | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| Canon in D | Pachelbel | The classic — elegant and timeless |
| Clair de Lune | Debussy | Dreamy, ethereal |
| Air on the G String | Bach | Stately, beautiful |
| Arrival of the Queen of Sheba | Handel | Majestic, dramatic |
| Ave Maria | Schubert | Deeply emotional |
| Jupiter (from The Planets) | Holst | Grand and sweeping |
| Gymnopédie No. 1 | Satie | Gentle, contemplative |
| La Vie en Rose | Louis Armstrong | Romantic, warm |
Modern songs (instrumental or vocal)
| Song | Artist | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| A Thousand Years | Christina Perri | Sweeping, romantic |
| Songbird | Fleetwood Mac | Gentle, intimate |
| Make You Feel My Love | Adele / Bob Dylan | Sincere, emotional |
| Glasgow Love Theme | Craig Armstrong | Cinematic, beautiful |
| Turning Page | Sleeping at Last | Delicate, powerful |
| Here Comes the Sun | The Beatles | Warm, hopeful |
| Yellow | Coldplay | Gentle, romantic |
| I’m Kissing You | Des’ree | Dramatic, emotional |
Bridesmaids’ entrance
The bridesmaids typically enter to the same song as the bride, but you can use a separate piece for the bridal party and change to the bride’s song as she appears. This creates a shift in energy that signals her arrival.
Reception entrance songs
The couple’s entrance into the reception as husband and wife (or wife and wife, husband and husband). This is the party entrance — high energy, celebratory, and fun.
Crowd-pleasers
| Song | Artist | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Signed, Sealed, Delivered | Stevie Wonder | High |
| Crazy in Love | Beyoncé | Very high |
| Don’t Stop Me Now | Queen | Very high |
| Mr Brightside | The Killers | Very high |
| I Gotta Feeling | The Black Eyed Peas | High |
| Happy | Pharrell Williams | High |
| Shut Up and Dance | Walk the Moon | High |
| You Make My Dreams | Hall & Oates | High |
| I’m Coming Out | Diana Ross | High |
| Let’s Get It Started | The Black Eyed Peas | Very high |
For couples who want something different
| Song | Artist | Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Rather Be | Clean Bandit | Mid-high |
| Best Day of My Life | American Authors | High |
| On Top of the World | Imagine Dragons | High |
| Home | Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros | Mid |
| Can’t Stop the Feeling | Justin Timberlake | High |
| Good as Hell | Lizzo | High |
| Lovely Day | Bill Withers | Mid |
Recessional songs (ceremony exit)
After you’re pronounced married, you walk back up the aisle together. This should be celebratory and uplifting — you did it!
| Song | Artist | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| Signed, Sealed, Delivered | Stevie Wonder | Joy |
| Walking on Sunshine | Katrina and the Waves | Pure happiness |
| Lovely Day | Bill Withers | Warm celebration |
| Mr Blue Sky | ELO | Upbeat, bright |
| You’re My Best Friend | Queen | Warm, fun |
| Here Comes the Sun | The Beatles | Hopeful, bright |
| All You Need Is Love | The Beatles | Classic, communal |
| I Wanna Dance with Somebody | Whitney Houston | Party energy |
Practical tips
Practice the walk. Play the processional song at home and walk the length of a room. You’ll discover whether the tempo works for walking — too fast and you’re rushing, too slow and you’re shuffling.
Tell the DJ or musician the exact start point. Some songs have long intros. Tell them exactly where to start playing — “from the 30-second mark” or “after the intro, start at the first verse.”
Check the AV setup. Can the venue play music from your phone? Do they need a USB? Is there a PA system for the ceremony room? Check this 2 weeks before.
Volume matters. The processional should be audible but not overwhelming — guests should be able to hear their own thoughts. The reception entrance should be LOUD — this is the party starting.
Have a backup plan. Technology fails. Have the song saved on two devices and test both at the venue before the ceremony.
Further reading
- First Dance Songs — the couple’s dance
- Father-Daughter Dance Songs — the emotional dance
- Wedding Music Guide — music for the whole day
- Order of Service — listing the ceremony music
- Wedding Day Timeline — when everything happens
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good wedding entrance song?
For the ceremony processional: Canon in D (Pachelbel), A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), or Songbird (Fleetwood Mac). For the reception entrance: Signed Sealed Delivered (Stevie Wonder), Mr Brightside (The Killers), or Crazy in Love (Beyoncé). The ceremony entrance should be elegant; the reception entrance should be celebratory.
What's the difference between processional and recessional?
The processional is the entrance music as the wedding party and bride walk down the aisle to start the ceremony. The recessional is the exit music as the married couple walks back up the aisle at the end. The processional is emotional and elegant; the recessional is celebratory and uplifting.
Can the bride choose her own entrance song?
Absolutely. There's no rule about who chooses — the bride, groom, or both together. Many brides walk to a song that's meaningful to them personally or to their relationship with the person walking them down the aisle. Some grooms also have entrance music as they walk to the front.
How long should the entrance music play?
The processional should last 1-3 minutes — long enough for the bridal party and bride to walk the full aisle. Practice the walk with the music to check timing. If the song is too short, start it later. If it's too long, the DJ can fade when the bride reaches the front.