Expert Guide to Choosing Wedding Ceremony Music | Tips from Mikaela Kahn
Let me start off by saying, there is no right way to have a wedding. Just like your love is unique, no two wedding ceremonies are the same. If you want to limbo down the aisle or ride down the aisle on a gorgeous white stallion (epic) that is entirely your prerogative. Just know that whatever you choose will be perfect because it is your wedding day!
That being said, I do have some tips and tricks to help you figure out exactly how to pick your perfect ceremony songs. Let’s get to it.
Ceremony Breakdown
Traditionally, ceremonies are broken down into three main parts: the Prelude, the Processionals, and the Recessional.
- Prelude: Welcome music about 15-30 minutes before the ceremony starts, signaling everyone to find their seats.
- Processionals: The formal entrance of family, the wedding party, and the couple.
- Recessional: The formal exit of family, the wedding party, and the newlyweds.
*Optional Ceremony Traditions: You can also include background music to accompany a special tradition during the ceremony.
I recommended 3-4 songs for a full ceremony: 1-2 songs for the family & bridal party entrance (depending on the aisle length and number of people walking), 1 song for the grand entrance, and 1 song for the recessional.
Prelude Music
Mellow instrumental music, or chill music with vocals works great to set the mood as your guests arrive and take their seats. Think about how you want your guests to feel. Relaxed? Thoughtful? Excited? Dreamy? This is your opportunity to set the tone for your ceremony.
Ideas from my repertoire:
- Slow & instrumental piano
- Folky & ambient guitar
- Acoustic vocal versions of your favorite love songs
Processional Songs
This is when your ceremony begins and you make your way down the aisle. Typically, important family members like parents and grandparents walk first, followed by the bridal party, flower girls, ring bearers, or dogs of honor. Finally, one or both partners make their grand entrance down the aisle.
Pick songs with slow to medium tempos that you can walk to. Do you like classic ballads? Chill indie-folk? Soulful r&b? Acoustic pop? Do you and your person have “a song”? Think about the music you love that makes you feel something. Close your eyes and picture yourself walking down the aisle. If it makes you emotional or gets you excited, that might be your song!
Ideas from my repertoire:
- I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You – Elvis Presley
- How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
- Lover – Taylor Swift
- Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
- The Best Part – Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.
- River – Leon Bridges
- La Vie En Rose – Louis Armstrong
- XO – Beyonce
- First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
- Songbird – Fleetwood Mac
*Note: Don’t worry about walking exactly on the beat or timing everything to a specific recording. The beauty of having me play live means that I can time the songs to you! I will watch as you and your loved ones make your way down the aisle and end the music when you get to your spots for the ceremony. I can loop sections of songs to make them longer, cut sections out to make them shorter, and even turn an up-tempo song into a slow, beautiful ballad.
Recessional Songs
After you say your “I Do’s” and have your first kiss as a married couple, it’s time to celebrate! Choose a fun, upbeat song that gets you excited to dance off into the sunset together.
Ideas from my repertoire:
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
- Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
- You Are The Best Thing – Ray Lamontagne
- Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
- All Your’n – Tyler Childers
- Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
- Signed Sealed Delivered – Stevie Wonder
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Optional: Ceremony Traditions
Light instrumental accompaniment during a wedding ritual can make your ceremony flow seamlessly. Soft music under your knot tying ceremony, sand ceremony, prayer time, communion, etc. can combat awkward silence. Or perhaps, you’d like to have a moment of prayer to your favorite worship song or hymn. You don’t have to add music to your ceremony but it can be a lovely addition.
Ideas from my repertoire:
- Soft & instrumental
- Worship song or hymn
- Moment of meditation or prayer with light accompaniment
Need some more help?
Click HERE to download a free guide with even more tips and song inspiration.
Or send me a message and I’ll help you personally to plan your perfect ceremony music!
