160+ Wedding Ceremony Songs For Every Special Moment

Details: wedding songs

Choosing the right soundtrack for your big day can be both exciting and overwhelming. Your wedding ceremony songs will set the tone, evoke emotion and create memories that last a lifetime. With over 160 popular songs in our curated list, you're bound to find the perfect wedding music for every special moment of your nuptials, from guest arrival to the recessional.

Looking for Wedding Ceremony Musicians?

An impressive range of wedding ceremony musicians, from harpists and string quartets to wedding singers.

Wedding Ceremony Musicians

Most Popular Wedding Ceremony Songs

Couples have been tying the knot for thousands of years, and they choose the most popular wedding ceremony songs again and again for a reason! The most popular ceremony music ranges from chart-topping hits to traditional instrumental classics. Whether you're seeking to emulate a time-honoured wedding ceremony or looking to avoid cliches, this list of timeless wedding tunes should help.

A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
Play
At Last - Etta James
Play
Canon In D - Pachelbel
Play
Bridal Chorus - Richard Wagner
Play
Songbird - Fleetwood Mac
Play
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Play
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Play
Wedding March - Felix Mendelssohn
Play
Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
Play

Walking Down the Aisle Songs

You will never forget what it feels like to don your finest wedding wear and walk down the aisle on your wedding day. What do you imagine will be playing while all eyes are on you? Here are our top picks for gorgeous, memorable ceremony entrance songs.

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles
Play
Isn’t She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
Play
Your Song - Elton John
Play
I’m Yours - Jason Mraz
Play
Wedding March - Felix Mendelson
Play
Perfect - Ed Sheern
Play
Hoppipolla - Sigur Ros
Play
Tale As Old As Time - Beauty & The Beast
Play
All Of Me - John Legend
Play
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
Play
Better Together - Jack Johnson
Play
Sweet Disposition - Temper Trap
Play
Toothpaste Kisses - The Maccabees
Play
The Only Exception - Paramore
Play
Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
Play
I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons
Play
Riptide - Vance Joy
Play
Higher Love - James Vincent McMorrow
Play
My Best Friend - Tim McGraw
Play
God Gave Me You - Blake Shelton
Play
The Luckiest - Ben Folds
Play
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
Play
Marry Me - Train
Play
You’re My Best Friend - Queen
Play
River - Leon Bridges
Play
Love You For A Long Time - Maggie Rogers
Play

Signing of the Register Songs

The ceremony doesn't stop just because you've gone to sign the register! The moment may be exciting for you, but don't forget to consider your guest's experience. Below, find some perfect songs for your attendees to enjoy as you make your nuptials official.

Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy
Play
Cello Suite No. 1 - John Sebastian Bach
Play
Water Music Suite: Air - George Frideric Handel
Play
L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole
Play
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Play
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
Play
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Play
Happy Together - The Turtles
Play
My Girl - The Temptations
Play
Let’s Stay Together - Al Green
Play
Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You - Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Play
You’ve Got The Love - Florence & The Machine
Play
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Play
Maybe I’m Amazed - Paul McCartney
Play
She - Elvis Costello
Play
Beautiful Day - U2
Play
Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Play
Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars
Play
Adore You - Harry Styles
Play
Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay
Play
Grow Old With Me - Tom Odell
Play
Happy - Pharell Williams
Play
Love Story - Taylor Swift
Play
My Sweet lord - George Harrison
Play
Real Love - The Beatles
Play
Dreams - The Cranberries
Play

Recessional / Ceremony exit songs

Imagine the pure joy and satisfaction you'll feel the moment your marriage becomes official in front of all your friends and loved ones. You need to choose a song that reflects that warm, triumphant feeling and invites your guests to celebrate. These recessional songs will set the perfect tone after your beautiful and invigorating ceremony.

All You Need Is Love - The Beatles
Play
One Day Like This - Elbow
Play
Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
Play
I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness
Play
Came Here For Love - Sigala, Ella Eyre
Play
Hallelujah Chorus - George F. Handel
Play
Dog Days Are Over - Florence & The Machine
Play
The Universal - Blur
Play
Jurassic Park Theme - John Williams
Play
Mr Blue Sky - ELO
Play
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Play
You & Me - The Wannadies
Play
Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys
Play
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
Play
We Are Family - Sister Sledge
Play
Oh Happy Days - Edwin Hawkins Singers
Play
Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
Play
Sweet Creature - Harry Styles
Play
Today Was A Fairytale - Taylor Swift
Play
Bittersweet Symphony - The Verve
Play
Don’t Look Back Into The Sun - The Libertines
Play
She Moves In Her Own Way - The Kooks
Play
Baby I’m Yours - Arctic Monkeys
Play
Care For - Blossoms
Play
A Whole New World - Aladdin
Play

Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music

You've gathered something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Why not lean into tradition when choosing music for your ceremony? Classical and instrumental wedding music is a stunning way to share a tradition with blissfully married couples throughout the ages.

Air on the. G String - Johann Sebastian
Play
Moonlight Sonata - Ludwig van Beethoven
Play
Spring (the Four Seasons) - Antonio Vivaldi
Play
Ave Verum Corpus - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Play
The Swan - Camille Saint-Seans
Play
Fur Elise - Ludwig van Beetoven
Play
Nocturne op.9, No.2 - Chopin
Play
Bridal Chorus - Richard Wagner
Play
The Prince of Denmark’s March - Jeremiah Clarke
Play
Summertime - George Gershwin
Play
March of the Priests - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Play
The Arrival of the Queen Sheba - George Frideric Handel
Play
Flower Duo - Leo Delibes
Play
Jupiter - Gustav Holst
Play
Winter (the Four Seasons) - Antonio Vivaldi
Play
Music for the Royal Fireworks - George Frideric Handel
Play
Swan Theme - Tchaikovsky
Play
Glasgow Love Theme - Craig Armstrong
Play
William Tell Overture - Gioachino Rossini
Play
The Entertainer - Scott Joplin
Play
Water Music (Hornpipe) - George Frideric Handel
Play
Butterfly Waltz - Brian Crain
Play
Moon River - 2Cellos
Play
Adagio for Strings - Samuel Barber
Play
Serenade, D. 957, No. 4 - Franz Schubert
Play
Violin Concerto in A - Franz Joseph Haydn
Play

Modern Ceremony Songs

You only live once! Some couples choose the kind of tunes that reflect the time and place they fell in love, making it easier than ever to share their contemporary love story with the world. Consider chart toppers, modern love ballads, and acoustic wedding songs when finalizing your ceremony's playlist.

Love Again - Dua Lipa
Play
That’s Where I Am - Maggie Rogers
Play
Shivers - Ed Sheeran
Play
Lovesong - beabadobobee
Play
Sleep Tight - Holly Humberstone
Play
Melt - Kehlani
Play
Loved By You - Samm Henshaw
Play
Exists For Love - Aurora
Play
1+1 - Beyonce
Play
Amazing - Rex Orange County
Play
10,000 Hours - Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber,
Play
Late Night Talking - Harry Styles
Play
Everything About You - Blossoms
Play
Oxygen - Beach Bunny
Play
You & I - Leon
Play
My Universe - Coldplay
Play
Easy - Pale Waves
Play
Hold My Girl - George Ezra
Play
Run - Taylor Swift
Play
Smiling All The Way Back Home - Tom Odell
Play
Quietly Yours - Birdy
Play
Nervous - John Legend
Play
Nobody Like U - Turning Red
Play
Dos Oruguitas - Encanto
Play
Into The Unknown - Frozen 2
Play
Game Of Thrones Theme Tune
Play
I’m In Love With You - The 1975
Play
Running Up That Hill - Kate Bush (Stranger Things)
Play
Beyond - Leon Bridges
Play
Lover - Taylor Swift
Play
Better Half Of Me - Tom Walker
Play

Wedding Hymns

Many religious ceremonies, from Roman Catholic to Church of England, incorporate hymns into the proceedings. While you may have to choose from an approved list, you often get a say in which songs you and your guests will sing during the ceremony. Here are some of the hymns we love to hear at weddings.

Ava Maria
Play
Joy To The World
Play
Amazing Grace
Play
Hallelujah
Play
All Things Bright & Beautiful
Play
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Play
Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer
Play
Let It Be
Play
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
Play
Fire and Rain
Play
Be Still, My Soul
Play
Blowin’ in the Wind
Play
The Lord’s My Shepherd
Play
Both Sides Now
Play
Shine, Jesus Shine
Play
Many Rivers To Cross
Play
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Play
Down By The Riverside
Play
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Play

How Many Songs Do You Need for a Wedding Ceremony?

A traditional wedding ceremony includes a fairly prescribed set of components. Music that matches the mood and tone should accompany each portion of the ceremony. Those components typically include:

The seating of the guests
The processional
The signing of the register
The recessional

The length of each song often depends on the size of your wedding party. If you hire live wedding ceremony musicians, they'll be able to vamp during entrances and exists, ensuring you always have the perfect amount of music for each. Timing is much more challenging if you rely on recorded music and can lead to empty silences or awkward pauses.

As a rule, most couples choose one song for the processional and another for the recessional. The signing of the register takes a bit longer. You may need to select between two and three songs for that ceremony component.

If you choose to have a religious ceremony, the signing of the register might involve the singing of hymns.

How to Choose Ceremony Songs

It can be helpful to begin by deciding on a general tone for your wedding ceremony. Do you want something traditional, contemporary, or unique? Once you understand what you wish to communicate, you can choose music that fits into that category.

Furthermore, does any particular piece of music have meaning to you as a couple? We've seen brides and grooms walk down the aisle to classical arrangements of everything from rock n' roll hits to West End show tunes. You might begin with that meaningful piece of music and build your ceremony around it.

If you're having a religious ceremony, it's wise to check in with a clergy member or venue before setting your playlist. They may ask you to choose songs from an approved list, and some churches only allow hymns from a particular hymnal.

What Does True Love Sound Like?

Music transcends words, and your wedding is worthy of a soundtrack that reflects your perfect love story. Choose your wedding ceremony songs with care. Each time you hear them, they'll remind you of your once-in-a-lifetime romance.

The only thing better than hearing music as you walk down the aisle is feeling it resonate in your body. When you hire live musicians through BandsForHire, your ceremony will become a memorable, multi-sensory experience. Contact us today to book the ensemble that will transform your wedding day.