Wedding Processional Songs Chosen by Real Brides & Grooms

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.

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

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

"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

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.

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

"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

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

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

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

"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

For this couple's boho-chic wedding, an instrumental version of "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton was played for the processional. For more ideas, discover a list of '70s wedding songs! Photo by Amanda McKinnon Photography; From Real Wedding: Bride Wears Claire Pettibone Gown to Bohemian Outdoor Wedding

"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

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

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

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

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

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. For more ideas, listen to these R&B wedding songs!Photo by Amy & Stuart Photography; Planning & Design by Sterling Engagements; From Real Wedding: Vibrant Purple & Blue Celebration at Union Station in Los Angeles

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.