42 Wedding Processional Songs for the Bridesmaids, Parents, Flower Girl and More

What songs are played during a wedding processional?

Most ceremonies use two or three pieces: one for the family and wedding party, sometimes a short one for the flower girl and ring bearer, and a separate song for the bride. Classical favorites for the party include Purcell's "Trumpet Tune" and Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze"; modern couples often choose "Angel" by Jack Johnson or "Better Together". For the bride's own entrance, see our full list of walking down the aisle songs.

Classical processional music

1. "Trumpet Tune", Henry Purcell: bright and ceremonial.
2. "Sheep May Safely Graze", Johann Sebastian Bach: gentle and flowing.
3. "Hornpipe", from Handel's Water Music: stately and cheerful.
4. "La Réjouissance", from Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks: festive.
5. "Salut d'Amour", Edward Elgar: a love song for strings or piano.
6. "Meditation", from Massenet's Thaïs: tender violin melody.
7. "The Swan", Camille Saint-Saëns: graceful cello.
8. "Arioso", Bach: slow and serene.

Songs for bridesmaids to walk down the aisle

9. "Angel", Jack Johnson: soft and sweet.
10. "Wonderful Tonight", Eric Clapton: a classic slow walk.
11. "Better Together", Jack Johnson: relaxed and happy.
12. "Lucky", Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat: a sweet duet.
13. "I'm Yours", Jason Mraz: easygoing for a beach wedding.
14. "There She Goes", Sixpence None the Richer: bright and joyful.
15. "Go the Distance", from Hercules, as an instrumental: a Disney nod.
16. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", from The Lion King, as an instrumental.
17. "Thinking Out Loud", Ed Sheeran, as a string cover.
18. "Riptide", Vance Joy: upbeat ukulele for a relaxed ceremony.
19. "Ho Hey", The Lumineers: folk and foot-tapping.
20. "La Vie en Rose", Louis Armstrong: elegant and romantic.

Processional songs for parents and grandparents

21. "In My Life", The Beatles: about the people who shaped you.
22. "What a Wonderful World", Louis Armstrong: warm and familiar.
23. "Stand by Me", Ben E. King: for the family who always did.
24. "Forever Young", Rod Stewart: a blessing from one generation to the next.
25. "The Way You Look Tonight", Frank Sinatra: classic for the grandparents.
26. "Unforgettable", Nat King Cole: smooth and timeless.

Flower girl and ring bearer songs

27. "You Are My Sunshine": sweet and recognizable.
28. "You've Got a Friend in Me", from Toy Story: perfect for a ring bearer.
29. "Pure Imagination", from Willy Wonka: whimsical.
30. "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", from Cinderella: for a little flower girl.
31. "Rainbow Connection", Kermit the Frog: charming and gentle.
32. "Isn't She Lovely", Stevie Wonder, as an instrumental.

Church hymns for the processional

33. "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee": sung to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".
34. "Morning Has Broken": gentle and fresh.
35. "Be Thou My Vision": an Irish hymn of devotion.
36. "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven": a joyful wedding favorite.
37. "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling": a classic hymn about love.
38. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness": a hymn many families know.

Country processional songs

39. "Your Love Amazes Me", John Berry: a 90s country favorite.
40. "Me and You", Kenny Chesney: simple and sweet.
41. "Love Me Tender", Elvis Presley: gentle and familiar.
42. "Wanted", Hunter Hayes: modern country romance.

What is the order of the wedding processional?

A traditional American processional usually goes: the officiant, the groom (sometimes with the best man), the grandparents, the groom's parents, the mother of the bride, the groomsmen and bridesmaids in pairs or one by one, the maid of honor, the ring bearer and flower girl, and finally the bride with her escort. Many couples change the order to suit their families, so treat this as a starting point.

How many processional songs do you need?

• Prelude: 20 to 30 minutes of soft music while guests are seated.
• Family and wedding party: one song, looped or extended to fit everyone.
• Flower girl and ring bearer: optional, a short song or the same piece.
• Bride: a separate song that changes the mood when the doors open.
• Recessional: an upbeat song for walking back out; see our wedding exit songs.

How to time the processional

Each pair of walkers needs about 15 to 20 seconds, so a wedding party of eight takes roughly two minutes. Ask your musicians or DJ to fade the party's song at a natural break and pause for a beat before the bride's song begins: that silence is when everyone stands.

Processional songs for the groom

Some grooms walk in to their own song rather than standing at the front. For ideas, see our list of groom entrance songs.

Instrumental processional songs

Almost any pop song can become a processional in a string quartet or piano arrangement, which keeps the mood formal while still feeling personal. "Thinking Out Loud", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Isn't She Lovely" all work beautifully without lyrics.

A processional written for you

For a truly personal entrance, a personalized song can tell your story as you walk: your names, how you met and the promise you are about to make. It can also become your first dance song later in the evening; see our first dance songs for more ideas.

How to create a wedding song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, classical, pop, country and more.
2. Add both of your names.
3. Share three moments from your story.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Walk in to your own story: create a song and hear four previews for free.