When choosing the perfect soundtrack to your wedding ceremony, choose music that you love, makes you feel good or has special significance to you as a couple.
I always suggest putting your faves into a playlist, then playing it at the end of a night out to just see how each song makes you feel. Does it carry you away, making you feel dreamy and floaty? Does it make you want to sing or dance? Do the words move you and resonate with the two of you? Then imagine playing that song as you enter or exit. You will know straight away which songs are right for each moment. You will feel it.
For maximum effect, the trick is to be patient. Don’t walk as soon as the song starts. Let the music swell, building your guests anticipation, then “ta-da”, you enter at a key moment when the music lifts into a crescendo. That’s a wow moment.
You will need four songs for your ceremony, your entrance (processional), 2 songs for your kiss and signing of paperwork and your happy exit song (recessional). Plus 30 minutes of pre and post ceremony playlists to play as guests arrive and also after the ceremony as they mingle.
As inspiration, I have created playlists of the songs chosen by my couples over the last year. For entrance, kiss & signing and exit songs. All my couples receive links to these playlists as a part of my planning process.
Your entrance song is the music that you and your wedding party will walk down the aisle to, it is often a slower tempo, more emotional and evocative – you can have one song for everyone, or choose a separate song for your grand entrance.
The kiss and signing songs start playing as you kiss and continue throughout the signing of your paperwork. These songs can be slow and sweet or happy and uplifting. Usually somewhere in the middle is perfect.
At the end of the ceremony, you and your partner exit down the aisle to your recessional song, which is happy and upbeat as it signals the start of the party.
It’s easy to find many traditional choices for both wedding entrance songs and wedding exit songs, so instead I have listed the most enduringly popular songs played at my weddings over the last decade. These all had huge moments of popularity at one moment in time and with good reason. They resonate with couples. In fact, they are so good they still continue to pop up to this day.
Listen and enjoy as I present my pick of the best wedding music ideas of the last decade, as chosen by my couples.
Processional or Entrance Songs
1. Can’t help falling in love – Kina Grannis
Ok let’s start with THE number 1 entrance song of 2022, courtesy of that amazing scene in Crazy Rich Asians. This Kina Grannis version of the Elvis classic is still guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye. Really, it is just so beautiful. For maximum impact, the trick is to enter at key moment when the music lifts, then the long pause..and cue grand entrance!
2. Somewhere over the rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Working in Thailand I have done a lot of destination and beach weddings and nothing makes for a better beach entrance than this beauty. I will never tire of hearing it. IZ is the master.
3. Bloom by The Paper Kites
This is just so sweet and such a perfectly evocative entrance song, it lifts your heart and takes you to another place. And the video clip is adorable too. LOVE.
4. A Thousand Years originally by Christina Perri
This song was HUGE! It’s a combo of the perfect tempo for an entrance walk, with a beautiful uplifting sweep into that gorgeous crescendo that tugs on your heartstrings. If you’re tired of the original with lyrics, try this beautiful piano and cello cover by The Piano Guys, who incidentally do a lot of classical covers of modern songs.
5. Hey Ho by The Lumineers
Just a really great song that works for an entrance, kiss or exit song. You know the original, but have you heard this sweet country female vocal cover by Lennon and Maisy at The Grand Ole Opry
6. Better Together by Jack Johnson
The title very simply sums up the beauty of finding your person and that speaks to the hearts of lovers all around the world, which is why this song never goes out of style. It works as an entrance, but I think it’s a perfect kiss song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqxNYjDFJUk
7. All of Me by John Legend
An eternal favourite for a romantic entrance song, it’s all in the lyrics.
8. Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden
Released in 1997, this song still pops up.
9. Marry Me by Train
Exit or recessional Songs
10. Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
A happy, joyful beat with a title that sums a whole lot up in one word. Here is the original with lyrics perfect for your exit song, but there are also slower instrumental versions I have heard played as an entrance song.
11. Stuck on You by Meiko
I just love this song. Perfect happy tempo for exit, sweet and playful with great lyrics.
12. I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
There was time when this played at every wedding because it makes you feel good and it’s all about love. Good for an exit or kiss song.
13. Marry You by Bruno Mars
This was HUGE on the wedding scene for a long time, so here it is. Although overdone, it is still a great example of a happy upbeat tempo that works for a wedding exit song that kicks off the party.
14. Simple by Florida Georgia Line
Great lyrics, a country vibe and it makes you want to link arms and go for a hoedown down the aisle.
15. You’re my best friend – Queen
It’s Queen, of course it’s great!
16. Ed Sheeran – Perfect or Thinking out Loud
I think it’s impossible not to round out this list with Ed, who is an eternal favourite with couples choosing wedding ceremony music. Works for entrance, kiss or exit.
