What are Processional Songs for Walking Down the Aisle? – Podcast E9

Not sure what songs to play as you walk down the aisle? Listen to our 100 song suggestions.

Important Links

• View the complete list of processional song ideas.
• See all Wedding Songs Podcast episodes.

Podcast Transcript

(00:18):
Hello, all fellow Melomaniacs. I am Matt Campbell and welcome to the show. Yes, I did learn a new term this week, Melomaniac. They’re a person with an abnormal fondness of music or a person who loves music and that most certainly describes me and hopefully describes you as well. In this week’s episode, I’m going to be talking about 100 processional songs. Now the processional song is typically used as the bride walks down the aisle to the altar or where the I’do’s are being said, but the song can also be played for the wedding pottery walking down the aisle. This includes the parents of the wedding couple and the bridesmaids and groomsmen, whoever you want to have walking down the aisle. But keep in mind that time is of the essence. You don’t want to spend an hour having all of your wedding party walk down the aisle.

(01:02)
Let’s get started with our list of 100 processional songs. The first song on our list is “I Prayed For You” by 4th + Main released in 2019. It is a country song that is a capella version of Matt Stell’s release of this song. Next is an instrumental from the movie Forrest Gump. It’s the main theme by Alan Silvestri released in 1994. In 2013, Andy Grammer released “I Choose You”. It is a pop song that is still relevant today. I really like his new song as well called “I Am Yours”,” which would fit nicely as a processional song. Next on the list is Anthem Lights with a “Wedding Medley” from the songs “Marry Me”, “Bless The Broken Road”, “All of Me” and “A Thousand Years” released in 2018. “Marry Me” is a cover of Bruno Mars. “Bless the Broken Road” is Rascal Flatts.

(01:53)
“All of Me” is by John Legend and of course “A Thousand Years” is by Christina Perri. This is a very nice blend of music that you can play as you walk down the aisle. Beach House released the song “Real Love” in 2010. It is an indie rock song if you’re a fan of that type of music. We’re going to turn back the clock to 1967 with The Beatles’ hit “All You Need Is Love”. In 1969 their hit “Here Comes The Sun”, which is one of my favorites as a processional song. Ben Harper released “Forever” in 2012 as a pop indie hit in 2007. Big and Rich released “Lost In This Moment”, a huge country wedding hit that makes for a great moment in any wedding ceremony. “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young was released in 2017. Bright Eyes’ “First Day of My Life”.

(02:41)
“First Day of My Life” in 2005 is a folk hit that’s very popular at weddings that describes, Hey, this is the first day of my life as a married couple. Next is a classical wedding song, “Canon and D”. It has been performed by many artists, but my favorite version right now is by Brooklyn Duo in 2019. You have to listen to the song as it is a very popular song, not only done by Anthem Lights. Here’s the original Bruno Mars’s “Marry You” which was released in 2011. A song you probably haven’t heard before, “I Chose You” by Caleb Edens was released in 2019. It is a folk song that fits perfectly into a love theme of any wedding ceremony. Calum Scott with his song “You Are The Reason”. Released in 2017 is a very popular pop wedding song from the Twilight Series “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri is still a huge wedding hit released in 2011.

(03:40)
Also released in 2011 is Colbie Caillat’s “I Do”. It’s categorized as a folk song, but I would also say it’s a pop song. It’s a happy feel-good song that you could play during your wedding ceremony to get people in the mood for, Hey, this is a very happy event. Dan + Shay is on the list twice with their 2016 hit “From The Ground Up” and their 2018 hit “Speechless”. “Speechless” has become a very popular song very quickly and as the song says – he’s speechless as it’s the first time he sees his wife in this dress and how beautiful that she looks. Now I know the next song was first released by Elvis Presley. This “Can’t Help Falling In Love” is a violin version by Daniel Zang that was released in 2018. One of my favorite songs on the list is Dave Fenley’s song “Stuck On You”. “Stuck On You”, as you may know, is a cover of the very popular Lionel Richie song.

(04:30)
Next up is a Celtic song by David Arkenstone called “Hand In Hand”. I know this is the only Celtic song on the list, but this is definitely one of my favorites and it’s new as it was released in 2018. Indie-pop group Echosmith released their song “Bright” in 2013. There are many songs that we could have picked from Ed Sheeran, but I selected two that are not played at every single wedding. The first one is “How Would You Feel Paean” released in 2017 and the song “Perfect Symphony” with Andre Bocelli released in 2017. Next is the song “Without You” with Eddie Vetter. If you’re a fan of the ukulele, check out this song released in 2011. A popular song on YouTube is Ella Henderson’s. “Yours” was released in 2014. That’s a very popular pop wedding song Ellie Golding released “How Long Will I Love You” in 2013.

(05:25)
It’s a huge pop hit. Next is a very special song to me. “Take My Hand The Wedding Song” by Emily Hackett featuring Will Anderson was released in 2014. I actually interviewed Emily on the website if you want to check out the interview that I conducted about this song and about her. “Gabrielle’s Oboe” is a classical wedding song and I selected the version by Ennio Morricone. Hopefully, I didn’t screw up that name too much, but that’s a classic wedding song from back in the day. Speaking about older and classical songs Etta James’ “At Last” was released in 1960. This will be a wedding song to be played for years to come and it is about finally at last finding the love of your life. Somebody reached out to me at one time and said, Hey, where’s Eva Cassidy’s “Songbird” released in 1998? It was a very popular wedding song and one that you could play for your processional.

(06:17)
Fight for Fighting is on the list with their song “100 Years” released in 2004. It’s a pop-rock song that would fit perfectly as your processional song. First released in 1741. Yes, we do have a classical song “Air” by George F. Handel, a classic wedding song to be played for the processional. At number 35 is a recent song by Haley & Michaels’ “Giving It All To You” released in 2015. Another cover of Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” was done by Haley Reinhart and released in 2015. I really liked this cover and if you don’t want the original, this is definitely a modern pop song that you could play. First released in 1967 is Henry Mancini’s “Moon River”. I really love this song, but if you’re not a fan of the older version, feel to it. There is a new version by Frank Ocean that you need to check out.

(07:09)
Henry Purcell’s “Trumpet Voluntary” is a huge wedding song that has been played over the years. Next is an indie song that you probably haven’t heard before that I love for processional songs. It is by Imaginary Future and Kina Grannis’s “I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You”. The ever-popular Iz. I’m just going to shorten it to that because I don’t want to screw up his name. “Over The Rainbow” was first released in 1988. At number 41 is Jack Johnson’s “Better Together” released in 2005 for those fans that love indie rock as this song has the perfect message for weddings. The next R&B hit “Forever” by Jaheim was released in 2001. A great R&B song for those R&B fans. A new country song by Jake Owen, “Made For You” was released in 2019. Jason Mraz is on our list three times with his first song released in 2008 “I’m Yours”.

(08:02)
Then in 2009, a duet with Colbie Caillat called “Lucky” and then in 2014 this song “Love Somebody”. All three would make a perfect processional song during your wedding ceremony. Another classical song on our list is Jeremiah Clark’s “The Prince of Denmark’s March”, a classic wedding song to play at your wedding today. An instrumental song by Jim Brickman “Angel Eyes” was released in 1994. If you’re a fan of the piano, be sure to check out all of Jim Brickman’s songs. We actually have a list of Jim Brickman’s wedding songs on our website. Bach is on our list twice with “Air on the G String” and “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”. Both of these songs were released in the 1700s but are still relevant today for those classical fans and instrumental fans. Next is a modern classic wedding song, “All of Me” by John Legend first released in 2013. John Mayer’s song “XO” was released in 2014. For those of you who don’t know an O, it stands for a hug and an X is a kiss that’s been very common in writing love letters throughout the years.

(09:10)
John Williams is on a list with his instrumental theme song from Jurassic Park. I’ve talked to several harpists and they say that this is a very popular song for them to play at weddings. OMI’s song “Cheerleader” is on the list with a cover song by JP Cooper released in 2018 that would fit nicely as a processional song. One of my favorite R&B songs on the list is Kiana Lede’s “I Choose You” as an acoustic version. You need to check this out if you are an R&B fan as this song was released in 2017. Hard to believe but “Can’t Help Falling in Love” is on the list again, but this is Kina Grannis’ version released in 2018. It’s a pop version. You can also check out UB40’s version as well. A 2019 country hit by King Callaway “World For Two” describes people coming together for their wedding.

(10:00)
Kodaline’s hit “The One” was released in 2015. It’s an indie rock song. Lanco had their hit “Born To Love You” released in 2017 is a country mainstay that can be played for your wedding processional. In 2019 we have the song “Parachute” but I like the acoustic version of this song by Lexanna. Lily Allen had the song “Somewhere Only We Know” released in 2013. Lonestar’s “Amazed” released in 1999 has been a country hit for weddings ever since it was first released. Just like at last, I have the song “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. It’s a song that you could play throughout any wedding ceremony or any reception, and it was first released in 1967. Next, we have a classical song released in 1824 by Beethoven “Ode To Joy” that you could have as a processional song. At number 65 is Lucas Graham’s “Love Someone” released in 2018.

(10:58)
It has been a very popular first dance song, but I like this song as a processional song as well. The Lumineers’ “Hey Ho” is a more upbeat song if you have a non-traditional wedding. This is a folk indie song released in 2012. MAJOR.’s song “Why I Love You” has been an R&B wedding song since first being released in 2016. You can play this song throughout any wedding ceremony and reception. The next song on our list was first featured in the movie Princess Bride – Mark Knoffler’s song “Storybook Love” was released in 1987. It is an instrumental song and would fit very nicely as a professional song. My favorite Michael Bule song is “Everything” released in 2007 by this modern-day crooner. Michael Buble is also on the list with a duet with Brian Adams, “After All” released in 2013. I do believe the song was released with Brian Adams and Cher back in the day too.

(11:54)
One of my favorite acoustic bands that are popular right now is Music Travel Love. “The Only One” was released in 2019. Natalie Cole is on the list with “This Will Be An Everlasting Love” first released in 1975. Pink’s song “Glitter in the Air” is a more pop song released in 2008 that you want to have during a wedding ceremony to signify glitter or if you have sparklers going off during the processional. A popular folk song released in 2013 is Patty Griffin’s “Heavenly Day”. The Piano Guys is on our list twice. I did see these guys in person at the Smith Center in Las Vegas and they were fantastic to see if you ever get the chance. They’re on our list with Christina Perri’s song “A Thousand Years” released in 2017. I also like their song “Without You” in 2013. If you want something a little bit more upbeat and not your traditional song, Tchaikovsky is on our list twice in the late 1800s with the “Coronation March” and also the Romeo and Juliet love theme.

(12:57)
Rachel Platten’s song “Better Place” is a pop hit released in 2015. At number 80 is Rascal Flatt’s original song “Bless the Broken Road” released in 2004. It has been a country hit. I’m sure it’s been played at many, many, many weddings throughout the years and for years to come. Ray Lamontagne as his song “You Are The Best Thing”. It is an indie rock hit from 2008. If you’re looking for a modern love song, be sure to check out this next song released in 2019 – “Could I Love You Anymore” by Jason Mraz and Renee Dominique. It has the perfect message of love for any wedding of today. The next song on the list features bagpipes by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards called “Highland Cathedral”. It was released in 1998, but if you want a classical song that would fit nicely and have its own theme, be sure to check out this song.

(13:48)
You may or may not know this, but the song “Yours” by Russell Dickerson has a wedding edition. So a wedding version of this song that you should check out for your processional released in 2017. Released in 2018 is an indie pop song “For A Lifetime” by Ryan Darling featuring Cory Ard. If you’re looking for a very romantic with a lot of feeling song, then be sure to check out this. The pop-rock song “Never Stop The Wedding Version” by SafetySuit was first released in 2012 and still is popular for weddings today. The next pop song is “All My Life” by Sailr. No, it’s not a rendition of K-Ci and Jojo’s song. I really like this song as it has a unique style of singing and voice one that you need to check out. “I Found You” by Samantha Durham is a very good song to play for your wedding processional that was released in 2019.

(14:41)
The next group you may know from the TV show Property Brothers. It’s the Scott Brothers and their song “You Choose Me” released in 2018. They’re from Las Vegas, so I have to put them on the list and it’s a great song that you could play for your processional. In 2018, we have the country hit “This Is It” released by Scotty McCreary. The video shows him from the proposal through the wedding as he tells his wedding story through this song in 1997. Still relevant today is the country hit “From This Moment On” by Shania Twain featuring Brian White. You can have it with or without a duet, but I prefer the version with Brian White. The song “Today I Do” was released in 2018. The video shows her marrying the basketball star Grant Hill. If you’re looking for more of a Broadway song, then check out The Hound and the Fox with their cover of the song “Latch” released in 2019.

(15:35)
In 2015 “Die A Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett. This country mainstay will definitely be played for years to come. At number 96 is “A Little Trip to Heaven” by Tom Waits. It’s an indie rock song that was first released in 2005. Now I know everybody knows the next song is Train’s “Marry Me”,” released in 2010. It’s hard to believe this song has been out for 10 years and is still being played at weddings today. The next song on our list, “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve was released in 1997. If you’re a rock fan now, if you’re an instrumental fan, then “All I Want Is You” by the Vitamin String Quartet was released in 2000 and is definitely a great song to play for your processional. The next to last song on our list is Whitney Houston’s song “Saving All My Love For You” released in 1985.

(16:27)
It’s an R&B classic that could describe your processional and what you’re feeling at that moment. If you’re interested in seeing Whitney Houston in person, I know there’s a hologram tour going around that you might want to check out. The last song on our list is titled “Wedding Song”, but it’s the acoustic version by The Yeah Yeahs released in 2013. So there you have it, 100 processional songs to give you an idea of what you should walk down the aisle to and have played in the background. If you want to chat about these songs, check out our Facebook page. Thank you to all you melomaniacs for listening and have a great day.

Listen to Podcast Episode 10 – What are Good Cake Cutting Songs for Weddings?