How to Pick Wedding Entrance Songs
Pick wedding entrance songs that match your vision. Discover 30 popular entrance songs that will start your ceremony off on the right foot.
Wedding entrance music can do a lot more than simply fill the silence. It can establish the emotional undercurrent of the entire ceremony. At Green Light Bands, we know that a good entrance song is not just a matter of playing a song that has name recognition. It needs to be music that fits your personality as well as your pace as you walk down the aisle.
Don’t leave making a decision on your entrance song until the last minute. That can lead to a less-than memorable entrance. We are here to help you find an entrance song that is true to who you are as a bride and groom.
Step 1. Get a Handle on your Wedding’s Vibe and Story
Start by looking at the character of your wedding as a whole. Is it a formal, traditional affair or do you lean towards the modern and unorthodox? Reflect on your own history. Some couples are drawn to songs from their courtship, while others want something that speaks to whether they are romantic, spiritual or perhaps a bit humorous. The best entrance songs have a personal quality to them.
You should also think about the room you’ll be in. A classic number or a modern take on one might be well received by a multigenerational crowd, while a younger set of guests might be more in tune with some soulful R&B or contemporary indie-folk. It’s a matter of being authentic without losing respect for your audience.
Step 2. Let the Tempo Dictate your Walk
Your walking speed and the length of your aisle have a lot to do with what works. A song that’s paced too fast will have you hurrying down the aisle, while one that is too slow will create awkward pauses. In a standard church with a 30 to 50 foot aisle, you are likely taking off at about one or two steps a second. That puts you in a well-paced 60-120 BPM range.
The solution is to time yourself as you walk to see if the pace fits the music. If you’re walking too fast or too slow, the track is not right. You want the music to fit a normal walk down the aisle. A rehearsal with your band or DJ is a good way to sort out any kinks in the timing ahead of time.
Step 3. Make the Call on Live Versus Recorded
There is a difference in the delivery and flexibility of these two options.
Pre-recorded music tracks offer a consistent playlist, but it can seem impersonal, and leaves you with no music at all if the sound system fails.
Live music presented by live musicians brings an energy that can’t be matched by recorded music. An exclusive string quartet or one of our bands at Green Light Bands can put a little extra emotion into the performance and will not mind adjusting the tempo if you happen to be walking a bit quicker than planned.
Take the band Liquid Blue for example. As a premier cover band, Liquid Blue has the ability to read the room and turn a “same old same old” processional into something everyone will remember, whether they’re doing an arrangement as a full live band or offering acoustic music. Their musicians have a lot of experience complementing the emotional mood of the day. Whether you opt for a live wedding band to perform the processional or an amazing electric string quartet, just make sure they have rehearsed your pick and are familiar with your stride.
Liquid Blue Wedding Cover Band
Step 4. Think about the Length and How it Ends
Sixty to ninety seconds is the norm for an entrance song; enough to be satisfying but not so long as to lose momentum. Anything longer may be overdoing a good thing.
A professional DJ or wedding band should fade the music out until it reaches a lower volume as you get to the altar. This offers a cleaner transition instead of a sudden halt to the music. Some couples choose to begin the music partway through a song, skipping the opening and getting right to the best part. Others prefer to have two separate songs, one for the entrance of the wedding party and another for the bride or groom. There is an art to making sure your songs complement one another with a clean audio transition from one to the next.
The Metro Music Club Band is an exclusive of Green Light Bands, and offers a seamless experience that defines quality ceremony music. The band knows how to use sound to build and let release tension in a way that makes an entrance seem polished, not rushed or awkward.
Metro Music Club Provides Beautiful Wedding Music
Popular Wedding Entrance Songs for Every Style
We have put together 30 options here, a blend of the classic, modern, and the unorthodox, that make for fine processional music:
- “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy
- “Here Comes the Bride” by Richard Wagner
- “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel
- “Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke
- “Bridal Chorus” from Lohengrin by Richard Wagner
- “The Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn
- “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
- “All of Me” by John Legend
- “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
- “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
- “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
- “At Last” by Etta James
- “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
- “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
- “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
- “Daughter” by Pearl Jam
- “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service
- “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes
- “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver
- “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” by Iron & Wine
- “Hoppípolla” by Sigur Rós
- “Budapest” by George Ezra
- “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon
- “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
- “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
- “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
- “Good as Hell” by Lizzo
- “Levitating” by Dua Lipa
- “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
- “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie
Wedding Entrance Songs for the Bridal Party
Couples commonly choose a song for the bridesmaids and groomsmen before moving on to a separate song for the bride’s entrance. An energetic music track or an instrumental pop hit is usually a good pick for the wedding party; “Don’t Stop Me Now” or “Hoppípolla” are a couple of popular choices.
If you hire a live band, they can handle the shift from the bridal party to the bride without any problem. Glitterati, a high-energy group from Green Light Bands, is particularly good at these special moments. They can go from upbeat processional music to a more intimate song for the bride, keeping the ceremony’s energy flowing naturally and turning what could be a formality into part of the day’s emotional arc.
Glitterati High Energy Wedding Band
Etiquette and Best Practices
Selecting the right song is certainly important, but only half of the equation. The key is execution.
Copyright Restrictions and Venue Limitations
While most venues have licenses for the most popular songs, it’s always best to check. If a DJ is playing a recorded song, they need to have a legal copy. Don’t rely on Spotify if you’re going to play music for a public performance. And if you hired live musicians, make sure they have time to get set up and perform without conflicting with other vendors’ timelines.
Technical Sound Check
A professional sound check is not optional. One wants to verify levels, test any volume fades and have a backup plan in place. Paul Cave & The Platinums of Green Light Bands have the professional experience to see to it that every detail is in order, from the first note of the entrance to the reception. They will coordinate with the rest of the team so there are no hitches.
Paul Cave: Amazing Wedding Crooner
Song Selection for Guests of All Ages
The music you choose sets the tone for the entire event. It’s considerate to pick music that’ll be appreciated by guests of all ages. Don’t use any music that has explicit or contentious lyrics, but instead choose celebratory or romantic songs. A classical arrangement or a jazz standard will do nicely. Or if you are undecided between the contemporary and the traditional, a good live band can put their own spin on a modern pop tune or add some current flair to a piece of classical music.
Some Wedding Entrance Songs with a Distinctive Flair
You don’t need to be predictable. For music as lovely but less common, try one of the following:
- Sigur Rós’ “Hoppípolla” for an ethereal, joyful feel
- Bright Eyes with “First Day of My Life,” which is tender and intimate
- Pearl Jam’s “Daughter” if you want something with power and emotion
- “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová (haunting in its beauty)
- The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights” for a modern, uplifting tone
- Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” to be stripped-down and vulnerable
- Iron & Wine’s “Flightless Bird, American Mouth,” a delicate and moving piece
In shunning the usual wedding clichés, these still carry the emotional heft an entrance should have. They are particularly suited to a smaller, more personal ceremony where the music does not feel like a performance.
DJ or Live Band: Which One Offers the Best Entrance Music?
DJs offer variety and flexibility. A DJ is your best bet for consistency and reliability when it comes to the entrance. The variety they offer allows for smooth transitions and on-the-spot adjustments to volume and tempo.
Live bands or musicians offer an energy that recorded music cannot. Whether you hire a string quartet, solo guitarist, acoustic trio, or a full music ensemble, they create an energy that a recording lacks. The authenticity of live music can make your entrance an artistic statement rather than just another item on the agenda. However, don’t underestimate the setup and rehearsal time they’ll need.
Many couples use both a DJ and a live ensemble (such as a string quartet) by letting the musicians handle the ceremony and entrance music, which provides emotional impact, and a DJ for the reception when things turn to dancing. However, hiring a full, live wedding band to provide the music for all parts of the day not only adds energy and atmosphere, but means you’ll only need to hire one group instead of two or more.
What to Watch Out for
Choosing a song you don’t really love. Don’t pick a song you’re not fond of just because it’s a standard. You’ll be hearing it over and over in the planning stages, and be on record indefinitely, so make sure it’s a song that truly resonates with you.
Ignoring tempo and pacing. Watch the tempo. If the pace of the song does not match your walk, it’ll be awkward. Put it to the test.
Assuming your sound system will work. Technical failures do happen. Always have a backup plan and a sound check scheduled.
Picking a song that’s too long. Be careful of picking a song that runs too long. Entrance music should be short. Anything longer than two minutes can seem like an eternity.
Choosing a song with the wrong lyrics. Put some thought into the lyrics. A sad or breakup song may be fine under different circumstances, but it’s not a good message for your grand entrance.
Not making your wishes clear with your musician or DJ. Finally, make sure your DJ or musician is very clear on what you expect as far as timing and any special requests go. You don’t want any surprises on your wedding day.
Putting it All Together on Your Wedding Day
When the moment finally comes and your song is cued, everything needs to be executed flawlessly.
Coordinate with your ceremony coordinator. Your ceremony coordinator ought to be the one to give the signal to the band or DJ to begin, making sure your photographer is in position and the guests are all seated.
Have a backup plan. Have a contingency in place. If the audio goes down, your musician needs to know whether to continue playing or stop, and your wedding coordinator must be prepared to step in.
Do a final walk-through. Take time for a final walk-through. A walk-through can be done the morning of or the day before your wedding. Play your chosen song and walk down the aisle one last time. This is the only way to be absolutely sure the tempo is what you want it to be. Feeling confident that the music is right can remove stress.
Take a breath. In the grand scheme of things, your entrance is only going to be about 60 to 90 seconds. If you’ve done the preparation it’s now time to let the music do its work.
There’s a personal touch to how one goes about selecting an entrance song. The song you choose will be etched into your wedding story. It will be something your guests will recall and your videos will hold onto forever.
You want to hire a DJ or live band that understands both the technical and emotional side of ceremony music. Green Light Bands offers world-class talent that knows how to make a wedding moment memorable. Their roster is full of live bands that will give your entrance authenticity as well as DJs capable of a seamless audio transition. Talk with them to see how they can turn your entrance into exactly what you’ve envisioned your whole life.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wedding Entrance Songs
How many songs are required for a wedding entrance?
It’s typical to have one for the entrance of the bridal party and another for the bride or couple’s entrance. However, some will use a single song for the entire processional. It comes down to your individual taste and the size of your wedding party. Standard processional music lasts about 2-4 minutes on average, which allows for some leeway with instrumental music arrangements or fade-outs.
Processional music versus a wedding entrance song: what’s the difference?
The processional is the music for the wedding party as they walk down the aisle. The entrance song is reserved for the bride or wedding couple at the very end. Some couples like to change the song partway through to build some drama and mark the high point of the ceremony. Others are happy to keep the same song running through it all.
Is it necessary for the wedding party to have a separate song from the wedding couple?
That’s totally up to you. Using two different songs can generate some anticipation for the bride’s or couple’s entrance. On the other hand, sticking with a single music track makes things simpler and offers a steady flow of music. If you decide on two different songs, you’ll want to factor in your venue’s acoustics and whether your band or DJ can make the switch between the two without any problems.
Any advice on picking a song that fits your personality?
First, decide if you want your ceremony to be romantic, classic, modern, or something more eclectic. Look for songs that resonate with you personally, perhaps from a favorite artist or one that has meaning in your relationship. Once you’ve chosen a song, check the rhythm against the length of your aisle. Listen to an acoustic or instrumental version and see how it sounds in the room, and whether it sets the proper tone for your guests.