Whether you’re a Swiftie, a metalhead or a fan of the classics, choosing songs for your processional is no easy feat. That’s why we’re sharing some of the best songs to walk down the aisle to so you can choose the perfect music for your ceremony.
Ready? Let’s build your processional playlist!
What are processional songs?
Processional songs, also known as songs to walk down the aisle to or processional music for a wedding, are the songs that play while the wedding party and couple come down the aisle (aka process down the aisle) at the beginning of the ceremony. This is how the wedding party and couple enter the ceremony and is the official start of the celebration.
Do you need a special bride walking down the aisle song?
In traditional hetero weddings, the processional order has the bride entering at the end of the procession and often with a special song played just for her entrance. But a special bride walking down the aisle song isn’t mandatory – and also isn’t applicable to all weddings as there isn’t always a bride.
However, if either partner wants a special entrance song, we think you should go for it! Why not create a moment for each member of the couple to make a grand entrance?
Some popular songs for the bride walking down the aisle include Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley, All of Me by John Legend, A Thousand Years by Christina Perri and At Last by Etta James.
How to choose what songs to walk down the aisle to
It can be tough to decide what songs to walk down the aisle to. How do you summarize your entire relationship in just one or two songs? How do you choose something meaningful but also emotional, that conveys the right tone and is both unique yet recognizable? Should you go for lyrics or instrumental? Upbeat or slow?
There are millions of songs to choose from and it can be overwhelming to pick just one or two. Start with songs that already mean something to you two, perhaps a song you sing in the car or play at home. Go through your playlists and see if anything stands out.
Don’t have a song in mind? Check out our suggestions below!
Once you have a few songs shortlisted, listen to them all the way through to make sure you like the lyrics and all of the verses. You may even want to stand up and practice walking down the aisle so you can really envision what the song will sound like on the day.
What about wedding recessional songs?
Recessional songs – the music that plays during the recessional when the couple and wedding party head back up the aisle at the end of the ceremony – are usually more upbeat and fun than processional songs, which tend to be more emotional and slow. You want a song that will encourage everyone to celebrate with the you, the brand new newlyweds!
Check out our post, 45 Ceremony Exit Songs, to find the best recessional song for your wedding!
12 classic old school songs to walk down the aisle to
- L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
- Ave Maria – F. Schubert
- Your Song – Elton John
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
- What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- ll You Need is Love – The Beatles
- Thank You – Led Zeppelin
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John
- Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups
- God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
20 country walk down the aisle songs
- I Love The Way You Love Me – John Michael Montgomery
- You’re Still The One – Shania Twain
- Then – Brad Paisley
- You Had Me From Hello – Kenny Chesney
- When You Say Nothing At All – Keith Whitley
- When Somebody Loves You – Alan Jackson
- The One – Gary Allan
- Love Of My Life – Sammy Kershaw
- Baby I’m Yours – Tanya Tucker
- It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw
- Only You Can Love Me This Way – Keith Urban
- Valentine – Martina McBride
- I Cross My Heart – George Strait
- Love Is A Wild Thing – Kasey Musgraves
- The Bones – Marin Morris
- Islands In The Stream – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
- I Do (Cherish You) Mark Wills
- I Hate Love Songs – Kelsea Ballerini
- 10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber
- Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs
20 modern walking down the aisle songs
- I Was Married – Tegan and Sara
- Salted Wound – Sia
- Home – Phillip Phillips
- Love on Top – Beyonce
- The Only Exception – Paramore
- I Choose You – Sarah Bareilles
- Rhythm of Love – Plain White T’s
- Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
- I Follow Rivers – Lykke Li
- Black and White – Niall Horan
- How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
- No One – Alicia Keys
- Somewhere Only We Know – Lily Allen
- I Do – Colbie Cailat
- Real Love – Regina Spektor
- Glad You Exist – Dan + Shay
- Dressed Up in White – Cal
- We Found Love – Rihanna
- You’ve Got the Love – Florence and the Machine
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
10 instrumental songs for wedding processional
- Yellow – Vitamin String Quartet
- Clair de Lune – Debussy
- Canon in D – Pachelbel
- Für Elise – Beethoven
- Wedding March – Mendelssohn
- Bridal Chorus – Wagner
- A Thousand Years – The Piano Guys
- Say You Won’t Let Go – Ariella Zeitlin
- XO – Midnite String Quartet
- Marry Me – United Guitar Players
16 emotional walking down the aisle songs that will make you cry
- Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
- Come Away with Me – Norah Jones
- All of Me – John Legend
- Make You Feel My Love – Adele
- Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- All This Time – One Republic
- Better Together – Us The Duo
- Flightless Bird, American Mouth – Iron & Wine
- The Book of Love – Peter Gabriel
- Hallelujah – Pentatonix
- Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
- Invisible String – Taylor Swift
- Blessed – Thomas Rhett
- All My Days – Alexi Murdoch
- The Only Exception – Paramore
- Only You – Joshua Radin
Now that you’ve picked the perfect songs to walk down the aisle to, it’s time to plan the rest of your ceremony! Check out our ceremony packages or grab our free vow writing guide to get started!
Riana Ang-Canning has been working with Young Hip & Married since 2017. She is a professional content writer with experience in travel, lifestyle and weddings. Riana not only writes Young Hip & Married blog posts but is also involved with the company's internal communications, social media, copywriting and more. She knows YHM, and the wedding world, inside and out!
