Top 10 Wedding Processional Songs

Dum-dum-de-dum. Most brides spent their childhood humming the song, “Here Comes the Bride” when dreaming of the big moment. Here are 10 alternatives to Wagner’s Wedding March for your wedding procession. You may want to consider using the instrumental version of these songs.

10. My Sweet and Tender Beast, Eugen Doga:

Eugen Doga is a Moldovian-Romanian composer. He wrote music for more than 200 films, spectacles and ballets. He is the author of many cantatas, composed a symphony, instrumental music, romances, a symphonic poem, many songs for children, etc. We used his waltz for the entrance of the bride. The music is an actual waltz from a film, My Sweet and Tender Beast, hence it’s name. The beginning prepares the crowd for the entrance of the bride. And when the melody intensifies that is when it’s time for the bride to show up and awestruck everyone.  If you feel the beat is not right for your procession, why not use it for the first dance? You may need a good instructor to help you perfect it!

9. Canon in D, Pachelbel

Another very popular choice among brides.  If you think you don’t need over 5:00 for your Processional you can have the DJ or the orchestra to fade it out when the Bridesmaids or Bride are done walking. If you are marrying during Christmas, consider playing the Christmas version. Also quite popular – but without the words.

8. A Thousand Years, The Piano Guys (originally Christina Perri)

Often couples can’t decide between a classic instrumental or a more modern love song with vocals for their processional music. Why not get the best of both worlds with an instrumental cover of one of your favorite songs? You will definitely love this piano and cello cover of Christina Perri – check out The Piano Guys for more classical covers.

7. I Do, 98 Degrees

“I Do (Cherish You)” is a song written by Keith Stegall and Dan Hill. It was first released in 1998 by country music artist Mark Wills. In 1999, 98 Degrees released a rendition of this song as the fourth and final single from their second album, 98 Degrees and Rising. Walking down the aisle to this song is another way to tie millennial music with a personal touch into your ceremony. Very modern if you ask me.

6. Marry Me, Train

If you want a modern song but aren’t sure what processional song to have, then we think this a good match for your needs. The melody and lyrics are both beautiful, and the tempo isn’t too fast for a processional. Just see how the song begins and you will know what I am speaking about, “Forever can never be long enough for me. To feel like I’ve had long enough with you. Forget the world now, we won’t let them see. But there’s one thing left to do.”

5. Time to Say Goodbye, Sarah Brightman & Andreo Bocelli

So, you need to find a religious wedding song for your wedding procession? An example is the song “Time to Say Goodbye”, which gets used now and then at modern weddings. Regardless of whether it’s a good song, saying goodbye has nothing to do with a wedding ceremony – it’s all about two people become one whole. The music should reflect this.  If you are Jewish, consider Boi Beshalom by Avi Azualay. Same melody, different words.

4. Wedding March, Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” in C major, (c) 1842, is one of the most well-known pieces from his suite of incidental music (Op. 61) to Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It is also one of the most frequently used wedding marches, generally being played on a church pipe organ. At weddings in many Western countries, this piece is commonly used as a recessional, though frequently stripped of its episodes in this context.

3. Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel

This classical piece may be intended to signify an arrival, but it works perfectly for a recessional – it’s high tempo and undoubtedly joyful. Perfect for more traditional couples. The piece is a great choice for wedding processional, prelude, or recessional. Arrival Of The Queen of Sheba is sometimes referred to as the ENTRANCE OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA. Handel has given us many lovely wedding pieces, but this one tops it all.

2. Blue Danube, Johann Strauss


In 1866, Johann Strauss II composed the “An der schönen blauen Donau Waltz,” but it was not he who wrote the actual lyrics to accompany the music. The writer of the words was actually Joseph Weyl, who was a poet in Austria. The Blue Danube waltz was only seen in performance nearly a year after it was first composed. The waltz was performed on the 13th February 1867 for a concert at the Vienna Men’s Choral Association. Since this first performance of the “An der schönen blauen Donau,” the Blue Danube waltz became famous across the world, especially during wedding processions.

1. Only Time, Enya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhW4IE09lJk
One of the most popular modern choices – and with good reason! “Only Time” by Enya can make your wedding procession extra special. Remember being a little girl and dreaming of your wedding day? Listen closely and you will hear this song playing softly as you walk down the aisle and reminisce about those memories. It is the stuff of fantasy and moonlight. Bring a hint of contemporary music to your memorable day with this wonderful song.