How to Choose Your Ceremony Songs

 

 Firstly, there is no one way to have a wedding and just like your love is unique, no two wedding ceremonies are the same! Just know that whatever you choose will be wonderful and amazing because it is your wedding day. That being said, we do have some tips and tricks to help you figure out exactly how to pick your perfect ceremony songs! Let’s get to it.

  • Traditionally, ceremonies are broken down into a few parts: the Prelude, the Processionals, and the Recessional. We recommended 3 songs for a full ceremony: (1) family & bridal party entrance, (2) the grand entrance, and (3) the recessional.

    Prelude: Welcome music about 15-30 minutes before the ceremony starts, signaling everyone to find their seats.

    Processionals: The formal entrance of family, the wedding party, the groom(s) and the bride(s).

    Recessional: The formal exit of family, the wedding party, and the bride(s) & groom(s).

    *Common question: “Can we also have music during the ceremony itself?”

    Yes! Optional music to accompany a special tradition during the ceremony works great. Think light instrumental music during a knot-tying, candle lighting, moment of prayer, or communion.

  • Mellow instrumental or vocal music works great to set the mood while your guests wait for the ceremony to begin. Think about how you want your guests to feel as they take their seats. Relaxed? Thoughtful? Excited? Dreamy? This is your opportunity to set the tone for your ceremony.

    Prelude Music Ideas:

    • Slow & instrumental piano

    • Folky/ambient acoustic guitar

    • Acoustic vocal versions of your favorite love songs

  • This is the part of your ceremony when you make your way down the aisle and take your place for the ceremony. Typically, important family members like parents and grandparents walk first, followed by the bridal party, flower girls, ring bearers, or dogs of honor. Finally, the bride (or groom if same sex couple) makes their grand entrance down the aisle.

    Pick songs with slow to medium tempos that you can walk to. Do you like chill indie-folk? Classic ballads? Acoustic pop? Or a traditional classical piece? Do you and your person have “a song”? Think about the music that you love and that makes you feel something.

    Close your eyes and picture yourself walking down the aisle. If it makes you emotional or gets you excited, then that might be your song!

    Processional Song Ideas:

    • I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You - Elvis Presley

    • A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

    • Canon in D - Pachelbel’s Canon

    • Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen

    • Marry Me - Train

    • All of Me - John Legend

    • Make You Feel My Love - Adele

    *Note: Don’t worry about walking exactly on the beat or timing everything to a specific recording. The beauty of having live musicians at your ceremony is they can time the songs to you! They will watch as you and your loved ones make your way down the aisle and end the music when you get to your spots for the ceremony. They can loop sections of songs to make them longer, cut sections out to make them shorter - even turn an up-tempo song into a slow, beautiful ballad.

  • After you say your “I Do’s” it’s time to celebrate because…congratulations, you’re MARRIED! Choose a fun, upbeat song that gets you excited to dance off into the sunset together!

    Recessional Song Ideas:

    • How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - James Taylor

    • Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles

    • Let’s Stay Together - Al Green

    • You Are The Best Thing - Ray Lamontagne

    • Stand By Me - Ben E. King

    • Marry You - Bruno Mars

    • Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder