101 Best Recessional Songs
You’ve thought of every detail of your wedding. Wait. Did you? What about the recessional song? Yes. What is a good song to walk out to after you’re married? There are so many to choose from. We’re here to help.
Walking to the altar is customarily set to music. That’s the processional song — you know, the one you dream about since you dreamed of your wedding. You’ve imagined all of the people walking down the aisle. Your entire wedding party walks down the aisle before you for that one magic moment.
But what happens after you’re announced as a couple? You need another song. Yes, another song. After the couple (that’s you) is announced by the officiant, the recessional begins. Then, the wedding party exits followed by the wedding guests from the front (family) to back rows.
What is a Wedding Recessional Song?
Wedding Recessional Songs are played at a wedding ceremony after the bride and groom have been announced: husband and wife. Some modern couples prefer not to be announced this way. If you’re a same-sex couple, The Knot has three really great scripts to get you started. It’s your wedding — to celebrate you. Be sure to talk about your preferences with your professional wedding planner.
The wedding recessional song plays while the wedding couple walks down the aisle after the ceremony is complete; away from the altar. The song can continue to play as the wedding party also exits down the aisle. The guests follow.
What is a Good Song to Walk Out to After We are Married?
Traditional wedding recessional songs are fine. You may want that. We’ve included “Ode To Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven, “Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell, and “Hornpipe” by George Frideric Handel.
Classical may not be your thing. Signaling the end of the wedding ceremony doesn’t have to be a total bummer. You can also choose fun songs for the recessional. These include the “Star Wars Theme” by John Williams, “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang, or “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by James Taylor.
The wedding recessional song ends with the ceremony but not the wedding. Next is the receiving line where the wedding couple thanks each guest for coming. And, don’t forget, the party! Yes, and we have more lists for epic dance parties and more at your reception.
The Recessional Is The First Impression You Make As A Couple
You two are not the cookie-cutter couple. Not by a long-shot. While you practice the wise “go along to get along” policy with regard to the dresses and flowers and ceremonial details — after all, the marriage is for you but the wedding is for your families — the line is drawn at the Recessional.
“I now pronounce you Husband and Wife” (or whatever variation) and the music that follows signals to your guests that this is no longer two people. You are one, unified couple. Your new life begins. It’s your rules now. We think you need an anthem.
Wedding Recessional: The Couple’s Wedding Exit Song
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Recessional songs are the perfect spot in the wedding ceremony for an anthem — an epic song to show your personality. Why not choose an anthem that reflects who you are as a couple? Here are a few ideas.
You look amazing in your gown and tuxedo but underneath the glam are a pair of hearts clothed in flannel. You’re a grungy couple with just a hint of cynicism about the world and Cobain spoke to you both in your youth. From the iconic guitar opening to the world-weary vocals, this song announces to the world that you are coming as you are (“as you were, as a friend, as a known enemy”).
Chris Young – Gettin’ You Home
One of those connections (on top of your mutual love for trucker hats and watching the sunset while sipping lemonade on the back porch) is that you both have a pair of well-worn and cherished cowboy boots. Perhaps a bit of two-stepping down the aisle and out of the sanctuary is exactly the message you want to send to your friends and family?
This is the song our brains should play every time we get a crush on someone. The two of you took that simple, puppy love of staring across a crowded room and only seeing each other and built a solid life together. It’s also ear-wormy enough that your family and guests won’t want to wait until you’re fully out of the room before they get up and follow you, humming along. It’s a nod to John Hughes’ movie credits — and recessional moment.
The Dead Milkmen – Punk Rock Girl
Your courtship was that of a groom seeking someone to blow his mind with her amazing perspective on the world, life, and love. This Dead Milkmen hit says it all.
She’s So Hot…Boom! – Flight Of The Conchords
This anthem is a little unorthodox but so are you. You and your new spouse are irreverent, funny, and have few boundaries. So why not splash that excess of personality like paint on a Pollack and strut your stuff in style? Also, the bits at the reception from the show will guarantee a lot of laughs.
Talk about hitting your stride with a bang! Steve Perry and Journey represent an attitude and the amount of hairspray you’re both wearing right now smells like the ’80s. Herald in your wedded journey with something that makes you put on mirrored sunglasses and jam your way out of the chapel. Use this to anoint your day and everyone else will be singing about “lovin’ things,” too.
The White Stripes – Fell In Love With A Girl
That opening guitar riff declares, in no uncertain terms, that you are both charging into your future together with which there is a reckoning. You are one of those couples — hip, powerful, and unified in your passionate embrace for life, love, and each other.
Similar song lists for further reading:
101 Best Wedding Recessional Songs
Whichever song you chose to take that stroll down the aisle and out into your new lives is significant. Any couple can finish with the music of a thousand other weddings but you want to make a statement about your newly minted philosophy toward a marriage. Be bold. Be yourselves. Announce your betrothal with some edge.
We’ve chosen songs from our experience as a professional DJ over the years. If you have a special wedding recessional song that you think we should add to our list, please add your song suggestion through the comment section below. Don’t forget to let us know what song it should replace.
Please Note: Many songs listed below can be found with vocals and instrumental songs. If the link is for vocals, please search on Amazon for what you are looking for and vice-versa.
Recessional song list curated by Matthew Campbell
Last Updated: January 24, 2021
| Song | Amazon Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Alicia Keys No One 2007, R&B |  | |
| American Authors Best Day Of My Life 2013, Rock | | |
| Andy Grammer Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah) 2015, Pop | | |
| Andy Grammer I Am Yours 2019, Pop | | |
| Beatles All You Need Is Love 1968, Rock | | |
| Beatles Here Comes The Sun 1969, Rock | | |
| Ben Platt Grow As We Go 2019, Pop | | |
| Ben Rector Brand New 2015, Pop | | |
| Beyonce Love On Top 2011, R&B | | |
| Big & Rich Lost In This Moment 2007, Country | | |
| Bill Withers Lovely Day 1977, R&B | | |
| Black Eyed Peas I Gotta Feeling 2009, Dance | | |
| Blake Shelton God Gave Me You 2011, Country | | |
| Bright Eyes First Day Of My Life 2005, Folk | | |
| Brooklyn Duo Canon in D 2019, Classical | | |
| Bruno Mars Marry You 2010, Pop | | |
| Chris Brown Forever 2007, Dance | | |
| Chris Stapleton Millionaire 2017, Country | | |
| Christina Perri A Thousand Years 2011, Pop | | |
| Colbie Caillat I Do 2011, Pop | | |
| Coldplay A Sky Full Of Stars 2014, Pop | | |
| Cure Just Like Heaven 1987, Indie | | |
| Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber 10,000 Hours (Piano Remix) 2019, Country | | |
| David Arkenstone Hand in Hand 2018, Celtic | | |
| Delta Rae Walk With Me 2019, Country | | |
| Dixie Chicks Cowboy Take Me Away 1999, Country | | |
| Earth Wind & Fire September 1978, Pop | | |
| Ed Sheeran How Would You Feel (Paean) 2017, Pop | | |
| Ed Sheeran Perfect 2017, Pop | | |
| Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Home 2009, Folk | | |
| Ella Henderson Yours 2014, Pop | | |
| Etta James At Last 1961, Soul | | |
| Evermore Hollow Coves 2020, Indie | | |
| Florence + The Machine Dog Days Are Over 2008, Pop | | |
| Florida Georgia Line Grow Old 2016, Country | | |
| Frank Sinatra Fly Me To The Moon 1964, Jazz | | |
| Hall & Oates You Make My Dreams Come True 1980, Pop | | |
| Hauser River Flows in You 2019, Classical | | |
| Heavy D. & the Boyz Now That We Found Love 1991, Hip Hop | | |
| Henry Purcell Trumpet Tune 1700, Classical | | |
| Imagine Dragons On Top Of The World 2012, Pop | | |
| Israel Kamakawiwo’ole Over The Rainbow 1990, World | | |
| Jack Johnson Better Together 2005, Rock | | |
| Jackie Wilson (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher 1967, R&B | | |
| Jake Owen Made for You 2019, Country | | |
| James Taylor How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) 1975, Folk Rock | | |
| James Vincent McMorrow Higher Love 2010, Folk | | |
| Jason Derulo Marry Me 2014, R&B | | |
| Jason Maxwell Fall Girl (Acoustic) 2019, Country | | |
| Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat Lucky 2011, Pop | | |
| Jason Mraz I’m Yours 2008, Pop | | |
| Jimmie Allen Best Shot 2018, Country | | |
| John Mayer Carry Me Away 2019, Pop | | |
| John Newman Stand By Me 2020, Pop | | |
| Jon Danforth To Whatever Comes After 2019, Folk | | |
| Joshua Radin Brand New Day (Acoustic 2020) 2020, Pop | | |
| Juliet Roberts Finally Mine 2018, Indie | | |
| Justin Timberlake Can’t Stop The Feeling! 2016, Pop | | |
| K-Ci & JoJo All My Life 1997, R&B | | |
| Khalid Better 2018, R&B | | |
| Kina Grannis Can’t Help Falling in Love 2018, Pop | | |
| LANCo Born To Love You 2017, Country | | |
| Lexanna Parachute (Acoustic) 2019, Country | | |
| Louis Armstrong What A Wonderful World 1967, Pop | | |
| Lumineers Ho Hey 2012, Folk | | |
| Maroon 5 Sugar 2015, Pop | | |
| Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Ain’t No Mountain High Enough 1967, R&B | | |
| Michael Buble Everything 2007, Pop | | |
| Michael Franti & Spearhead Say Hey (I Love You) 2008, Rock | | |
| Michael Shynes Next to You 2019, Indie | | |
| Michelle Featherstone We Are Man And Wife 2006, Folk | | |
| Music Travel Love The Only One 2019, Pop | | |
| Natalie Cole This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) 1975, R&B | | |
| Onerepublic Good Life 2009, Pop | | |
| Pharrell Williams Happy 2014, Soul | | |
| Randy Travis Forever And Ever, Amen 1987, Country | | |
| Ray LaMontagne You Are The Best 2008, Rock | | |
| Reneé Dominique feat. Jason Mraz Could I Love You Any More 2019, Pop | | |
| Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Highland Cathedral 1998, Classical | | |
| Ruelle I Get to Love You 2016., Indie | | |
| Ruelle Love Changes Everything 2020, Pop | | |
| Russell Dickerson Yours (Wedding Edition) 2017, Country | | |
| Rusted Root Send Me On My Way 1994, Rock | | |
| Ryann Darling feat. Cory Ard For a Lifetime 2018, Indie | | |
| Sailr All My Life 2019, Pop | | |
| Sara Bareilles I Choose You 2014, Pop | | |
| Sawyer Fredericks What a Wonderful World 2021, Folk | | |
| Scotty McCreery This Is It 2018, Country | | |
| Shania Twain Forever And For Always 2002, Country | | |
| Sheffield Forever From Now 2019, Folk | | |
| Stevie Wonder For Once In My Life 1968, R&B | | |
| Stevie Wonder Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours 1970, R&B | | |
| Sugarland Stuck Like Glue 2010, Country | | |
| Taylor Swift Lover 2019, Pop | | |
| The Light the Heat Rest of Our Lives 2019, Folk | | |
| Train Marry Me 2009, Rock | | |
| Turtles Happy Together 1967, Pop | | |
| U2 Beautiful Day 2000, Rock | | |
| Us The Duo No Matter Where You Are (Wedding Version) 2020, Folk Pop | | |
| Verve Bittersweet Symphony 1997, Pop | | |
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