The Processional

The processional is the defining moment of your wedding day. Walking down the aisle, locking eyes with your groom and seeing the smiles and(/or) tears of your family and friends.  You know you need the perfect song to walk down the aisle to at a moment like this. The processional marks the start of the ceremony, the grand entrance music.  You must decide if you want something with lyrics or without, classical or contemporary, upbeat or subdued, the options are endless.  Ultimately remember, it's
up to you.  Don't worry what others might think about your choice, it's your day, choose what makes you happy.

     During the processional a lot happens.  One Possible Scenario …the parents of the groom and bride are seated with the bride's mother being seated last.  The groom and his party join with the Officiant at the front awaiting the big moment.  The bridesmaids then come down the aisle and then when all are in place, possibly the "special" selection of music begins and the bride and her escort make their way to the front.  

Wedding Party Options
1.  Couples are paired up as they walk to the front.
2.  Partner 2's attendants process to the front with the Officiant and parnter one's join them up there.
3.  All attendants make their way to the front in single file.

Bride/Groom & Groom/Bride Options
4.  Bride/Groom walks down the aisle with an escort
5.  Bride/Groom walks down the aisle alone.
6.  Couple walks together or meet half way.
7.  Groom/Bride Enters with Officiant and attendants
8.  Groom waits at front with Officiant while the attendants walk up the aisle
Sometimes the parents are included in the processional.

The music you choose for your processional can range from traditional to pop.  The following songs are relaxed selections that will accompany any processional beautifully.

Wedding Processional Song List (always safe choices)

Classic & Traditional

  • Canon in D – Pachelbel

  • Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) – Wagner

  • Wedding March – Mendelssohn

  • Air on the G String – Bach

  • Ave Maria – Schubert / Bach-Gounod

  • Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach

  • Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke

Romantic & Emotional (Crowd Favorites)

  • A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

  • All of Me – John Legend (piano/acoustic)

  • Perfect – Ed Sheeran

  • Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley / Kina Grannis

  • Lover – Taylor Swift (First Dance Remix)

  • Make You Feel My Love – Adele

  • You Are the Reason – Calum Scott

  • From This Moment On – Shania Twain

  • I Get to Love You – Ruelle

  • Speechless – Dan + Shay

  • Yours – Russell Dickerson

  • Heaven – Kane Brown

Modern / Trending

  • Golden Hour – JVKE

  • Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez

  • Lover (instrumental versions trending hard)

  • Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur

  • 10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber

  • Adore You – Harry Styles (acoustic)

  • Best Part – Daniel Caesar & H.E.R.

  • Conversations in the Dark – John Legend

  • Beyond – Leon Bridges

  • Love Someone – Lukas Graham

Indie / Alternative (cool, unique couples who want to stand out)

  • Bloom – The Paper Kites

  • First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes

  • Sea of Love – Cat Power

  • Flightless Bird, American Mouth – Iron & Wine

  • I Found – Amber Run

  • Holocene – Bon Iver

  • Anchor – Novo Amor

  • Grow Old With Me – Tom Odell

  • Such Great Heights – Iron & Wine version

  • Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Instrumental Covers (elevated + safe+ elegant)

(Great when couples want elegant but still modern)

  • Vitamin String Quartet (huge library)

  • Brooklyn Duo (VERY popular for ceremonies)

  • The Piano Guys

  • Simply Three

  • Duomo

  • Daniel Jang violin covers

Popular instrumental picks:

  • Perfect (string version)

  • A Thousand Years (piano)

  • Lover (violin/piano)

  • Can’t Help Falling in Love (instrumental)

Upbeat / Happy Energy (non-traditional entrances)

  • This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole

  • Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder

  • You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates

  • Marry You – Bruno Mars

  • I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

  • Happy Together – The Turtles

  • Love on Top – Beyoncé

  • Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves

Country (very popular in Niagara weddings)

  • Die a Happy Man – Thomas Rhett

  • Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs

  • From the Ground Up – Dan + Shay

  • Made for You – Jake Owen

  • Forever After All – Luke Combs

  • God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton

  • Then – Brad Paisley

R&B / Soul (romantic + rich vibe)

  • At Last – Etta James

  • Best Part – Daniel Caesar & H.E.R.

  • L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole

  • Stand By Me – Ben E. King

  • My Girl – The Temptations

  • Ribbon in the Sky – Stevie Wonder

Cinematic / Dramatic (big emotional moment)

  • Turning Page – Sleeping At Last

  • Experience – Ludovico Einaudi

  • Nuvole Bianche – Ludovico Einaudi

  • Time – Hans Zimmer

  • Concerning Hobbits – LOTR (fun + whimsical)

  • Game of Thrones Theme (instrumental)

Pro tip (this is what couples don’t realize):

You can split the processional:

  • Wedding party: one song (slightly lighter)

  • Bride/partner: a more emotional “main” song

This creates a moment and feels way more intentional.