Wedding Processional Songs Chosen by Real Brides & Grooms

Be inspired by these traditional and unique tunes for your ceremony processional songs.

Some couples decide to walk down the aisle to the tried-and-true wedding music, while others have string trios or acoustic guitarists perform classical music renditions of modern hits, and some brides and grooms chose their favorite wedding songs in all of their original glory. Get ideas for your own walk-down-the-aisle songs!

By Kelcy Christy

Photo: Amy Anaiz Photography

When it comes to choosing the music for your wedding, much thought is placed into decisions for the first dance, mother-son dance, father-daughter dance, and even the entire wedding reception playlist. What might get left on the back burner is the selection of songs for your wedding ceremony that will set the right mood for your event – including your wedding processional songs.

While many brides choose to walk down the aisle to traditional classical wedding songs, many other couples decide to go a more modern route for their wedding processional song inclusions. There isn't a right answer. You should ultimately select the processional song for you and your spouse-to-be, your wedding party, and your parents that best represent your personalities and the formality of your event.

The Best Wedding Processional Songs

We looked to some of our real weddings to discover what real brides and grooms chose for their wedding processional songs in recent years, as well as what they chose for their wedding party processional songs. Some couples chose the tried-and-true wedding music like classical wedding processional songs as they were walking down the aisle, while others had string trios or acoustic guitarists perform acoustic or string renditions of modern hits, and some brides and grooms chose their favorite song in all of their original glory – even some unique wedding processional songs that aren't featured in the processional music for many weddings.

If you're worried about selecting a song for your wedding processional that may go out of style – but you still want wedding ceremony music that is fresh and contemporary, choose modern tunes for the wedding ceremony music as your parents, grandparents, bridesmaids, and groomsmen take their places at the altar during the wedding party entrance, and have your bridal processional song for your grand entrance be a more traditional track.

For some wedding processional song ideas, see what 17 real brides and grooms chose for their nuptials, below. From classic favorites to modern-day hits, couples can't help falling in love with these wedding processional song ideas – whether performed in their original glory or by a string quartet or piano soloist. The wedding processional song selections chosen by these couples prove that "Here Comes the Bride" doesn't have to be your only choice – there are over a thousand song options to choose from, but these are some unique song ideas from real brides and grooms!

Wedding Processional Song Ideas

The best song for wedding processionals is a personal choice, but here are some of our couples' favorite wedding processional songs:

Modern-Day Favorites

Flower girls walking down aisle at wedding

For this wedding, the couples' parents and grandparents started walking down the aisle to the song "100 Years" by Five for Fighting, the bridal party walked to "You & Me" by Dave Matthews Band, the groom made guests laugh as he walked to "Back in Black" by AC/DC, and the bride walked to "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey. Photo by KingenSmith; From Real Wedding: Opulent Chicago Wedding with Elaborate Décor & Entertainment

Classic Rock Songs

Bride with cowboy father of bride walking down aisle

For this bride's Southern wedding, the bridal party took a walk down the aisle to "Landslide" by Stevie Nicks, and the bride to the song "When You Say Nothing At All," popularized by Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss. Photo by Vue Photography; From Real Wedding: Southern Lake House Wedding with Ivory & Green Color Palette

Touching & Upbeat Tunes

Black and white photo of bridal processional

"We had a string quartet play contemporary music, including songs by John Mayer and The Beatles as guests found their seats. The bridal party walked in to 'Your Song' by Elton John and 'Forever Young' by Alphaville and Jay Z," shares the bride. "Joey walked in to 'Viva la Vida' by Coldplay, and I walked in to 'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns N' Roses." Photo by Aaron Delesie Photographer; From Real Wedding: Snowy Spring Celebration in Aspen, Colorado

A Mix of Modern & Classic

Bride in blush wedding dress processional with father of bride

For this alfresco ceremony, family members walked to their seats to The Lion King song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John and "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. Groomsmen sauntered down to "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees and bridesmaids to "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars.

The bride's sister and maid of honor walked to "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King, flower girls and ring bearers to "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles, and the bride with her father to another song by the famous band, "Here Comes the Sun." Photo by KT Merry Photography; Planning & Design by Posh Parties; Venue: The Breakers; From Real Wedding: Soft-Hued Spring Wedding at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida

A Twist on Traditional

Bride laughing with bridesmaid in white dress

This bride's family entered to a rendition of "Marry Me" by Train performed by a guitarist and vocalist, groomsmen walked to "Your Song" by Elton John, bridesmaids in white bridesmaid dresses processed to "Over the Rainbow" performed by a small orchestra, and the bride walked in to the traditional "Canon in D." Photo by Aaron Delesie Photographer; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants; From Real Wedding: Elegant All-White Country Club Wedding with Natural Greenery

Classic Love Songs

Black and white photo of bride in front of church

"A string quartet played on the bluff for the ceremony and welcomed our guests," shares the bride. "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison was selected for the prelude, and the song chosen for the bridal party processional was "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole. "Although we have a wide range of music taste, I went the traditional route and walked down the aisle to Pachelbel's 'Canon in D,'" she adds. Photo by Carasco Photography; From Real Wedding: A Gorgeous Lakefront Ceremony & Tented Reception with Peach Details

A Popular Cover Song

Bride and groom hold hands before wedding

Following their First Look, Dana walked with her parents to the sounds of their wedding song, "Til There Was You." Photo by Christian Oth Studio; From Real Wedding: A Glamorous Indoor Garden Wedding in New York City

Personal & Meaningful Songs

Bride picks up wedding dress with father of bride

The bride, who was escorted by her father, chose songs with her beloved that had meaning to them as a couple. "The bridal party processed to an instrumental version of 'Take a Walk' by Passion Pit, which was playing when Fraser proposed," shares the bride of the unique song choice. "I walked to 'She's Got a Way' by Billy Joel." Photo by Laurie Bailey Photography; Planning & Design by Linda Howard Events; From Real Wedding: Shabby Chic Garden-Inspired Malibu, California Wedding

String Versions of Modern Tunes

Bride and groom kiss at villa wedding ceremony

Since the bride and groom didn't want their wedding ceremony music to be too formal, they included modern songs played by a string quartet: "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve for the processional as well as "Paradise" by Coldplay for the recessional. Photo by Yvette Roman; From Real Wedding: A Classic Wedding with Rustic Touches at a Villa in Santa Barbara

Blockbuster Movie Soundtracks

Lauren Kitt with father of bride at Nick Carter wedding

"Before I walked out, we played the Jaws title track to break the ice!" shares Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter's bride, Lauren Kitt. Other songs in the processional song soundtrack included tunes from Star Wars, Twilight, and the Legend of Zelda video game. Photo by Kris Kan; From Real Wedding: Backstreet Boys Nick Carter's Santa Barbara, California Wedding

1970s Favorites

Flower girls with fairy wings at bohemian wedding

For this couple's boho-chic wedding, an instrumental version of "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton was played for the processional. Photo by Amanda McKinnon Photography; From Real Wedding: Bride Wears Claire Pettibone Gown to Bohemian Outdoor Wedding

Marriage-Focused Lyrics

"I wanted the music to be personal, so I chose the song 'Marry Me' by Train to be performed for the processional," shares the bride, who was led on the arm of her father. Photo by Kortnee Kate; From Real Wedding: A Sophisticated Outdoor Wedding Celebration in Cincinnati, Ohio

Mix of Romantic & Fitting

Bride and groom in New York Jewish wedding

To complement the spirit of the reception venue – the American Museum of Natural History, the theme from Jurassic Park played for the bridal processional. On a more romantic note, the bride took a walk down the aisle to "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. Photo by The Day; From Real Wedding: Dinosaur Chic Celebration at The American Museum of Natural History

Piano Versions of Popular Songs

Aaron Zalewski and Brittney Palmer wedding ceremony

Brittney Palmer's bridesmaids processed as a soloist performed "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles on a grand piano. The bride glided toward her groom to a rendition of "Breathe Me" by Sia before meeting her groom, Aaron Zalewski, at the altar. Photo by Daniel Kincaid Photography; Planning & Design by Bluebell Events; From Real Wedding: UFC Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer's Sparkling Oceanfront Wedding

Timeless Melodies

Elaine Alden and Landry Fields son wedding processional

Bridesmaids preceded the bride to the sounds of a string trio playing "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" by Iron & Wine, and Elaine followed to the lyrics of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." "My son coming down the aisle in a wagon because he wasn't able to walk just yet is one of my favorite memories," shares basketball player Landry Fields of the emotional wedding processional. Photo by Christian Oth Studio; From Real Wedding: Model Elaine Alden and Basketball Player Landry Fields' NYC Affair

A Compilation of Love Songs

Bride walks down aisle with parents at wedding

Processional songs included the Hawaiian version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole, "I Will (Love You Forever)" by The Beatles, and "I Will Be Here" by Steven Curtis Chapman. "It's probably one of the most beautiful love songs I have ever heard," shares the bride of the latter selection. "Bryan and I were at a wedding a couple of years ago, and it was sung at the ceremony. It gives me goose bumps." Photo by KingenSmith; From Real Wedding: Elegant Ballroom Ceremony & Reception in Chicago, Illinois

2000s R&B

African American bride walks down aisle with father of bride

As Krystal was escorted by her father, a singer performed a soulful rendition of "Never Felt This Way" by Alicia Keys. "It was beautiful, and I recall looking at the man I love and thinking this is perfect – this is amazing!" shares the bride. Photo by Amy & Stuart Photography; Planning & Design by Sterling Engagements; From Real Wedding: Vibrant Purple & Blue Celebration at Union Station in Los Angeles

What are good songs to walk down the aisle to at your wedding?

All of the wedding processional song ideas from real Inside Weddings couples above could also be a great fit for you and your beloved. Other popular song choices include "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri, "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, classic wedding songs like "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley – or the cover by Haley Reinhart or the cover by Kina Grannis from Crazy Rich Asians, instrumental renditions of popular songs and instrumental wedding processional songs by Vitamin String Quartet or the Piano Guys, "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, "A Whole New World" from Aladdin, "Better Together" by Jack Johnson, and so many more.

For more ideas outside of wedding processional songs whether classical music or modern tunes, check out these unique songs for your walk down the aisle, and see what wedding songs other brides chose for their first dance and father-daughter dance songs. And be sure to see if your favorite wedding processional songs made Spotify's list of 50 most popular wedding songs for the ceremony, wedding reception, and more.

Opening photo by Amy Anaiz Photography; Bridal Salon: Bridal Reflections; Venue: Oheka Castle; From Real Wedding: San Francisco 49ers NFL Player Dontae Johnson's Castle Wedding in New York