50 Wedding Exit Songs for the Recessional and the Grand Send-Off

What is the best exit song for a wedding?

The most popular ceremony exit song is "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder: it starts with an instantly happy horn line and says exactly what just happened. Close behind are "Marry You" by Bruno Mars, "Love on Top" by Beyoncé and "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen. For the grand exit at the end of the reception, "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" is the classic send-off.

Upbeat recessional songs

1. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", Stevie Wonder: the classic exit.
2. "Don't Stop Me Now", Queen: maximum joy.
3. "September", Earth, Wind & Fire: everyone claps along.
4. "Marry You", Bruno Mars: playful and celebratory.
5. "Love on Top", Beyoncé: key change after key change.
6. "I'm Yours", Jason Mraz: easy and happy.
7. "Best of My Love", The Emotions: disco sunshine.
8. "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)", Natalie Cole: a perfect walk back up the aisle.
9. "All You Need Is Love", The Beatles: the message of the day.
10. "Crazy in Love", Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z: the horns are made for an exit.
11. "Happy", Pharrell Williams: guests start clapping without being asked.
12. "Walking on Sunshine", Katrina and the Waves: bright and loud.
13. "Home", Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: a joyful, folky favorite.
14. "You Make My Dreams", Hall & Oates: a grin in song form.
15. "Lovely Day", Bill Withers: it was.

Modern wedding exit songs

16. "Sucker", Jonas Brothers: upbeat and devoted.
17. "CUFF IT", Beyoncé: a modern dance-floor hit.
18. "A Sky Full of Stars", Coldplay: big, bright and building.
19. "Daylight", Matt and Kim: a celebratory indie anthem.
20. "Somewhere Only We Know", Keane: soaring and sentimental.
21. "Shut Up and Dance", Walk the Moon: about the night you met.
22. "Can't Stop the Feeling!", Justin Timberlake: clean and bright.
23. "Dog Days Are Over", Florence + The Machine: a joyful build.
24. "Best Day of My Life", American Authors: says it all.
25. "Forever", Justin Bieber featuring Post Malone and Clever: a modern promise.

Classical and instrumental exit songs

26. "Wedding March", Mendelssohn: the traditional recessional.
27. "Toccata" from Symphony No. 5, Widor: the grand organ recessional.
28. "La Réjouissance", Handel: from Music for the Royal Fireworks.
29. "Hornpipe", Handel: from Water Music, lively and bright.
30. "Rondeau", Mouret: festive trumpets.
31. "Spring", Vivaldi: from The Four Seasons.

Country wedding exit songs

32. "Chicken Fried", Zac Brown Band: the simple, good things.
33. "Wagon Wheel", Darius Rucker: everyone sings along.
34. "Good Time", Alan Jackson: a line-dance-ready celebration.
35. "Take Me Home, Country Roads", John Denver: heading into a new life together.
36. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)", The Proclaimers: walk the aisle and then some.
37. "Body Like a Back Road", Sam Hunt: a laid-back groove.

Church and Christian exit songs

38. "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee": the hymn set to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".
39. "Oh Happy Day", The Edwin Hawkins Singers: a gospel celebration.
40. "This Is the Day": a short, joyful worship chorus.
41. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", Bach: gentle and bright.

Grand exit songs for the end of the night

42. "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes: the classic send-off.
43. "I Gotta Feeling", Black Eyed Peas: it was a good night.
44. "Shout", The Isley Brothers: the whole crowd jumps.
45. "Don't Stop Believin'", Journey: the sing-along finale.
46. "Mr. Brightside", The Killers: for the millennial crowd.
47. "Celebration", Kool & the Gang: end the way you started.
48. "We Will Rock You", Queen: stomp-clap through the sparkler tunnel.
49. "Viva la Vida", Coldplay: big and cinematic.
50. "Happy Together", The Turtles: a sweet, bouncy goodbye.

Unique wedding exit songs

If the usual picks feel too familiar, try "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees, "You're the One That I Want" from Grease, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, "Hey Ya!" by OutKast or "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra. Each one starts strong, which is exactly what a 30-second walk needs.

Funny wedding exit songs

For a couple who wants the guests laughing, "Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis turns the walk into a slow-motion victory lap, the Rocky theme "Gonna Fly Now" makes it a triumph and "The Final Countdown" by Europe adds drama. Pair a funny song with a simple, joyful second song for the wedding party, so the moment does not end on the joke.

Recessional vs grand exit: what is the difference?

The recessional is the music right after the ceremony, as the newly married couple walks back up the aisle, followed by the wedding party and the families. The grand exit, or send-off, is the moment at the end of the reception when guests line up with sparklers, bubbles or petals and the couple leaves. Most couples choose an upbeat song for both, but the recessional usually leans joyful and the grand exit leans sing-along.

How long should the exit song be?

The recessional walk takes only 30 to 45 seconds for the couple, but the wedding party and families follow, so plan for two to three minutes of music. For the grand exit, two minutes is plenty; ask the DJ to start the song as the doors open, not before, so the energy peaks while you are walking through the crowd.

Tips for a great wedding exit

• Start at the best part: most DJs and musicians can begin a song at the chorus or the hook.
• Pause before you walk: kiss, turn to the guests, then go. The photographer will thank you.
• Check church rules: some allow only hymns or classical music during the ceremony.
• Light sparklers early: give guests a minute before the music starts.
• Use the clean version: grandparents are in the front row.

A song written for your exit

Every song above was written for someone else. A personalized song can be about your wedding: your names, how you met, the proposal and the life you are about to start. Walking out to it, or leaving the reception to it, is a moment nobody else has ever had. See our lists of walking down the aisle songs, first dance songs and last dance songs, and our custom wedding song guide.

How to create your wedding song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, soul, country, swing and more.
2. Add both of your names.
3. Share three moments from your story, each with one concrete detail.
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 for your DJ or musicians, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Leave your wedding to a song that is only yours: create your wedding song and hear four previews for free.