Pick a song to play as you exit the wedding ceremony after the I dos and you are officially married. What song will you play to set the tone for the reception?
Quick Tips
When picking out the song to leave the ceremony as a married couple, you must consider the following 3 factors:
1. Does the song have a special meaning to both of you? 2. What is the tempo of the song (fast or slow) to determine the mood of the walk? 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 recessional songs. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s couples. Besides new and trending, additional lists are grouped by genre to match your taste in music.
Exit Songs by Mood
Upbeat
Most couples prefer a recessional song that is upbeat and happy. This sets the tone for the reception that it will be fun.
A Sky Full Of Stars – Coldplay
Accidentally In Love – Counting Crows
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Jennifer Hudson
All You Need Is Love – Katy Perry
Beautiful Day – U2
Belong Together – Mark Amber
Beside You – James Blunt
Best Day Of My Life – American Authors
Better – Khalid
Brand New – Ben Rector
Brasstracks – Always Be My Baby
Carry You Home – Alex Warren
Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
Dreaming – Marshmello, P!NK, Sting
Electric Love – Børns
Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac
Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
Forever – Chris Brown
Forever And For Always – Shania Twain
Good Day – Forrest Frank
Good Life – Onerepublic
Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher – J. Wilson
Classic Romance
These songs give a sense that the couple is in love. The songs have been out for a while and will be recognized by the most number of guests.
At Last – Etta James
Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? – Chris Botti, Sting
Modern Romance
A list of newer songs that celebrate the couple’s love through a song. I added a few unique hits too that I discovered talking with recently married couples.
10,000 Hours (Piano Remix) – Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
All My Life – Sailr
All Your’n – Tyler Childers
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
Can’t Help Falling in Love – Kina Grannis
Carry Me Away – John Mayer
Cowboy Take Me Away – The Chicks
Evermore – Hollow Coves
Finally Mine – Juliet Roberts
First Day Of My Life – Bright Eyes
For a Lifetime – Ryann Darling, Cory Ard
Forever From Now – Sheffield
Grow As We Go – Ben Platt
Grow Old – Florida Georgia Line
Higher Love – James Vincent McMorrow
I Am Yours – Andy Grammer
I Get to Love You – Ruelle
Keep Her – Johnny and Heidi
Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
Made for You – Jake Owen
Marry Me – Train
My Love Will Follow You – Dave Barnes
Take My Name – Parmalee
Thank God – Kane Brown, Katelyn Brown
This Is It – Scotty McCreery
We Are Man And Wife – Michelle Featherstone
Yours – Ella Henderson
Traditional & Elegant
Here is a list of songs that either have the classical music feel or newer songs that have an elegance to them for more formal ceremonies.
Canon in D – Brooklyn Duo
Hand in Hand – David Arkenstone
Highland Cathedral – Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
River Flows in You – Hauser
Trumpet Tune – Henry Purcell
Wildest Dreams – Duomo
Acoustic
Enjoy a few songs with only the musicians and an instrument. These also add more romantic drama to the moment that the ceremony is over.
Brand New Day (Acoustic 2020) – Joshua Radin
Forever And Ever, Amen – Ronan Keating, Shania Twain
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Music Travel Love
No Matter Where You Are (Wedding Version) – Us The Duo
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. The recessional song is played after the “I Dos” as you leave the altar and exit.
The recessional order is as follows after the announcement of the newlyweds: 1. Wedding couple 2. Flower person and ring bearer 3. Wedding Party 4. Persons of Honor 5. Parents 6. Grandparents 7. Guests.
The wedding recessional song ends the ceremony but not the wedding. Next is the receiving line (if desired) where the wedding couple thanks each guest for coming.
Don’t forget, the party! Yes, and we have more song lists for epic dance parties and more at your reception.
I have always had a love for music and the way it makes you feel. My passion grew for wedding celebrations with years as a wedding DJ. Now, as a wedding music planner, I research popular and unique wedding songs to create personalized playlists for couples and help wedding pros curate crowd-cheering music. Let's get the party started! - Read More About Me
