Groom Processional Songs: Walk In Style At Your Wedding

Updated Written byMatthew Campbell

One of the main focal points of a wedding reception is when the bride walks down the aisle. However, your partner is getting married, too!

The groom should have his own song playing when he walks down the aisle, don’t you think? Well, I agree. Groom processional songs are an important part of the ceremony for the wedding couple to discuss.

groom processional walking down the aisle

When picking out the song for the groom to walk down the aisle, you must consider the following 3 factors:

  1. Does the song have a special meaning to him (and his partner)?
  2. What is the tempo of the song (fast or slow) to determine the speed of the walk and the mood?
  3. Does the song’s genre and meaning match your music tastes and relationship?

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of songs for the groom’s p[rocessional. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s grooms.

New Groom Walking Hits

  1. “Marry That Girl” by Easton Corbin (Country – 2023)
  2. “When It Comes To You” by Fridayy (R&B 2023)
  3. “Marry Your Daughter” by Brian McKnight Jr. (R&B – 2020)

Trending Groom Songs

  1. “Marry Me” by Train (Pop Rock – 2009)
  2. “You Are The Reason” by Calum Scott (Pop – 2018)
  3. “Joy Of My Life” by Chris Stapleton (Country – 2020)
  4. “On My Way To You” by Cody Johnson (Country – 2019)
  5. “From The Ground Up” by Dan + Shay (Country – 2016)
  6. “All Of Me” by John Legend (R&B – 2013)
  7. “Prayed For You” by Matt Stell (Country – 2019)
  8. “Why I Love You” by MAJOR. (R&B – 2016)
  9. “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls (Rock – 1998)
  10. “Here Comes The Sun” by the Beatles (Rock – 1969)

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Popular Groom Processional Songs

Can’t Help Falling in Love – Music Travel Love

Released in 2021, Genre: Pop

This is an acoustic cover of the song made famous by Elvis Presley. The song describes an uncontrollable desire to fall in love with another.

Marry You (Acoustic Cover) – The Moon Loungers

Released in 2021, Genre: Pop

This is an acoustic cover of the song made famous by Bruno Mars. The song is about how you want to marry someone.

Butterflies – MAX, Ali Gatie

Released in 2021, Genre: Pop

The song was written for his anniversary to let his wife know that even after all of the years together she still gives him goosebumps and she always will.

Tip

See a wedding anniversary playlist to celebrate the longest marriages.

Missing Piece – Vance Joy

Released in 2021, Genre: Indie

The song is about letting your lover know that you want them and that you are incomplete without them.

nobody else – LANY

Released in 2020, Genre: Alternative Rock

A song about how life is better when you have someone to share it with and there’s nobody else you would rather go through life with than the one you love.

Tip

If you are a bride, check out a list of unique songs for a bride to walk down the aisle.

Nobody – Brian McKnight

Released in 2020, Genre: R&B

A love song about devoting your life to the one you love and nobody else.

Look at Me Now – Matt Stell

Released in 2020, Genre: Country

The song describes how a wild and crazy guy was tamed by his lover and is happy to be marrying her.

Intentions (Acoustic) – Justin Bieber

Released in 2020, Genre: Pop

A song about falling in love and being in love with another and your intentions are to spend the rest of your life with them.

On My Way to You – Cody Johnson

Released in 2019, Genre: Country

A song about how life’s road has led me straight to you.

Falling Like The Stars – James Arthur

Released in 2019, Genre: Pop

A love song about falling in love and wanting to spend the rest of your lives together.

Tip

As the wedding starts, select your wedding prelude songs as the ceremony begins.

Higher Love – Kygo & Whitney Houston

Released in 2019, Genre: EDM

A song about the quest and need of finding your one true love.

Beyond – Leon Bridges

Released in 2018, Genre: R&B

The song is about being scared that you are falling in love and wanting her to be your wife and a future together.

Live Forever – Kane Brown

Released in 2018, Genre: Country

A song about a feeling you get that you want to live forever if forever is with your lover every day.

Stand By Me – Florence + The Machine

Released in 2016, Genre: Pop Rock

A cover of the song made famous by Ben E. King. The song talks about how if a person stands by you and supports you, they will do the same in return.

Better Together – Us The Duo

Released in 2015, Genre: Indie

A cover of the song made famous by Jack Johnson. A song about how life is better when you get to share it with your lover.

Tip

After you say your I Do’s, plan your songs to play as you leave the wedding ceremony.

Electric Love – BØRNS

Released in 2015, Genre: Alternative Rock

A song about being in love and that your lover’s love strikes you like lightning.

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – Sleeping At Last

Released in 2014, Genre: Folk

A cover song of the song made famous by the Proclaimers. The song references how you would do anything to be with your lover.

Times Like These (Acoustic) – Foo Fighters

Released in 2014, Genre: Rock

A song about the internal struggles you have on a daily basis and trying to love and be loved.

Best Day of My Life – Vitamin String Quartet

Released in 2014, Genre: Classical

A cover of the song made famous by American Authors. The classical cover is a reminder that your wedding day is one of the best days of your life.

The Man – Aloe Blacc

Released in 2013, Genre: Pop

The song is about how karma always comes back and to stand up and face the day.

Tip

If you want to have a unity ceremony to signify two becoming one, you can have a unity song to highlight the moment. Listen to a wedding unity ceremony playlist.

Marry Me – Jason Derulo

Released in 2013, Genre: R&B

A song about wanting to get your affairs in order so that you can ask proudly and loudly if someone will marry you.

Grow Old With You – Ortopilot

Released in 2012, Genre: Singer-Songwriter

The song was made popular in the film Wedding Singer by Adam Sandler. This is an acoustic cover and about wanting to take care of your lover for the rest of your life.

Marry Me – Train

Released in 2009, Genre: Pop Rock

A song about having love at first sight and feeling nervous to approach and starting your forever together.

When I Say I Do – Matthew West

Released in 2008, Genre: Christian

A song about wedding vows and being there for your lover through health and sickness and will be there for support until death do you part.

Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts

Released in 2004, Genre: Country

This is a song about thanking God for the life you led that ultimately led to meeting your one true love.

Tip

Your wedding party can have their own song too! Select a wedding bridesmaid song and a wedding groomsman song to walk down the aisle to.

Let’s Get Married (ReMarqable Remix) – Jagged Edge feat. Run

Released in 2000, Genre: R&B

A song about being lonely and not wanting to be lonely anymore and being ready for a commitment to your lover by getting married.

Yellow – Coldplay

Released in 2000, Genre: Rock

A song about how everything wonderful and love in your life is the color yellow including your lover.

Nothing Else Matters (Instrumental Version) – Apocalyptica

Released in 1998, Genre: Rock

An instrumental cover of the song made famous by Metallica about loving every moment with your special person and that nothing else matters.

Men In Black – Will Smith

Released in 1997, Genre: R&B

A song about men dressed in black suits ready to defend and protect the universe.

Real American – Rick Derringer

Released in 1985, Genre: Rock

Hulk Hogan’s, professional wrestler, ring entrance song. It is about fighting for the freedom of the American people.

Tip

Plan all of your ceremony songs with our guide to wedding ceremony music.

Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top

Released in 1983, Genre: Rock

A song about a man that is styling and profiling and living the high life.

Star Wars Main Theme – John Williams

Released in 1977, Genre: Classical

The main theme song for the first Star Wars film is about good overcoming evil.

Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme) – Bill Conti

Released in 1977, Genre: Classical

The theme song for the original Rocky movie is about a man overcoming the demons within and overcoming challenges.

James Bond Theme – The London Symphony Orchestra

Released in 1962, Genre: Classical

The theme song for the original James Bond film. The film is about a secret agent who solves all of the cases while being debonair, charming, handsome, and a womanizer.

Tip

Check out groom dedication songs to a new life partner.

If you have a favorite song for the groom’s processional? Be sure to comment down below the song!

Listen to our podcast episode about groom processional songs.

FAQs

You may not have the groom walk down the aisle at all. If it is a same-sex or gender-fluid ceremony, the wedding couple may walk at the same time or escort their parents one after the other.

A song will take up a bit more time as it adds to the length of the overall wedding service. If it is a coordinated dance routine, don’t let that be a surprise to your wedding planner or DJ. If you have live musicians perform, be sure to get a recording ahead of time so you can practice before the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner is a run-through, not practice.

Depending upon your religious and cultural traditions, the groom has some choices. From the subdued to the extravagant, the wedding processional is up to you and your preferences.

If your wedding is non-religious or secular, you can always be inspired by other traditions. The groom can have a parade of his groomsmen doing a dance down the aisle, ride in on a horse to the venue and altar (which works especially well for outdoor weddings), reverently walk down with his mother, or walk in from the side with the officiant.

Does the groom need processional music? That answer is up to the wedding couple. Groom processionals are fun to have his and her songs. For same-sex couples, who do not have traditional roles, it gives equality to the ceremony. For feminists, it not only highlights equality but allows the groom to have a voice.

The processional song for the groom shouldn’t be too different from the bridal processional song. It would be odd at best if the groom walked down the aisle to Back in Black by AC/DC and the bride walked down the aisle to Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. This is why having a conversation early on with your professional DJ is important. The timing of the song is also important. If the aisle is long, then the songs can be longer. If the aisle is relatively short, there could be a lot of awkward standing.

With a processional song, the groom will have the spotlight as he makes his way down the aisle. Match the groom’s personality with songs for rockers, folksters, cowboys, and wedding lovers. When choosing processional songs, keep in mind that venues may have restrictions on music, such as a Catholic Church. Many outdoor venues like parks require city permits for amplified sound.

DJ, Author, Music Lover

Matthew Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: 'Wedding Songs Planner' and 'The Wedding Music Toolkit'. Matt is the host of the 'Wedding Songs Podcast'. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the 'Wedding MusicLetter'. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world - Las Vegas.

2 Comments

  1. I think there is a song missing… Me and my groomsmen walked down the aisle to Salt-N-Pepa “Whatta Man”

    Reply

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