Best Walking Down the Aisle Songs
From romantic to wacky, here are the best walking down the aisle songs.
When it comes to the best songs to walk down the aisle to, you have a world of choices. Do you go old school and stick with the “Wedding March?” Or do you pick a special song for you and your spouse, maybe your first dance or something that played on a first date? Or do you go completely wild and select something that makes everybody want to dance and party?
Regardless of your choice, the song you select will create a lasting memory, not just for you but for everyone closest to you on your big day (parents, grandparents, wedding party, etc.). Several big songs will play throughout the day—your first dance, the dance with your parents, etc.—but the music to walk down the aisle is the first and perhaps most important one.
While you have a vast selection of walk down the aisle songs from which to choose, you will likely wish to select something that fits your wedding theme. While no rule says you can’t saunter down a grand cathedral’s aisle to Big & Rich singing “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),” it’s certainly unconventional. In that type of setting, most people generally select an instrumental or acoustic orchestration.
However, as always, this is your big day, and the most important thing is to make sure it’s special and memorable for you. Bride walking down the aisle songs can be simply something you select as background accompaniment, or they can be of monumental importance and represent your walk into a new future with the person you love.
One final note about selecting songs to walk down the aisle, don’t forget about the pace of the tune. Traditionally, a slower song is played to allow the entire wedding party enough time to enter and take their places comfortably. However, you may have other plans and want to sing, dance, and electric slide down the aisle. It’s all good, as long as you pick a song that’s appropriate to your desired pace.
So, what song best describes your hopes and dreams for your new future? Whoa, that’s a loaded question, and you already have a lot on your mind. Let us help take some of the burden off your shoulders. Read on to discover some of the all-time great wedding songs to walk down the aisle, and a few playful options, as well.
Romantic songs to walk down the aisle to
“Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride),” composed by Richard Wagner
Ok, fine, this one is a little obvious. However, there’s an excellent reason this song deserves to be on this list. There’s something powerful about tradition, and when those opening chords hit, “Dunnn dunnn duh dunn dunnnn,” everyone knows to clam up, turn their heads, and focus exclusively on the bride. It’s an emotional moment for everyone in attendance. So, when it comes to songs to walk down the aisle to, you always have this powerhouse in your back pocket.
“Can’t Help Falling in Love,” performed by Kina Grannis
There’s a reason Elvis Presley is nicknamed “The King,” the guy was a hitmaker. The song “Can’t Help Falling in Love” originally appeared on the album “Blue Hawaii” and was featured in the movie of the same name. Hundreds of artists have covered this song in genres ranging from thrash metal to reggae. The one we’re suggesting is an acoustic version by singer-songwriter Kina Grannis, which was featured in the 2018 movie “Crazy Rich Asians.”
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” performed by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole
This song shouldn’t work. It’s an acoustic version of a Kermit the Frog song accompanied only by a flippin’ ukulele. A ukulele! It shouldn’t work. In fact, the potential was there for this song to be one of the most annoying tunes ever. Instead, it’s amazing. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s lovely voice and melodic strumming create a beautiful ode to dreams and life’s potential. It’s a gorgeous song, and we’re tearing up a little just thinking about it.
“Canon in D Major,” composed by Johann Pachelbel
This staple at weddings opens with a laconic, almost depressingly slow bass strumming. It doesn’t take long before the bass is joined by some violins that still, for nearly a minute, feel entirely out of place at a joyous occasion. Then, the tone changes, and the piece springs to joyful life as the instruments masterfully play over and around one another in several repeating patterns that exude delight and happiness.
“Crazy Love,” performed by Van Morrison
Here’s another song that’s been covered multiple times by multiple artists. However, we believe that you can’t do better than the original. Van Morrison’s quiet voice gives the song a haunting romanticism, and the simple, repeated refrain implies a love that (despite being a little crazy) will go on and on.
“Perfect,” performed by Ed Sheeran
The story of this song’s creation is as romantic as the song itself. Ed Sheeran wrote “Perfect” in one afternoon after spending the morning with fellow musician Cherry Seaborn, whom he would later marry. That’s extremely impressive for what is a nearly flawless song (also, it takes guts to name something “Perfect”). The song effortlessly captures the rush of young love and the moments where that emotion feels overwhelmingly amazing. Walk down the aisle to this song, and there won’t be a dry eye in the house.
Nontraditional songs to walk down the aisle to
“Superman Theme,” composed by John Williams
We rode pretty hard for the “Bridal Chorus” six songs up, but if you really want to turn everyone’s head with some remarkable opening cords, you can’t do much better than John William’s main theme to the 1978 movie “Superman.” The song starts with a lone French horn. Then a rolling timpani drum precedes a crescendo of the entire orchestra that lets everyone in attendance know you’re willing to leap tall buildings in a single bound to get married. You already feel like a superhero on your big day; why not complement that feeling with a super theme?
“Chasing Cars,” performed by Snow Patrol
This haunting, lyrical song has a slow pace that’s perfect for a processional, and it builds to a huge crescendo that creates a showstopping entrance for a bride. The lead singer of Snow Patrol, Gary Lightbody, described the song as “the purest love song” he’d ever written. “There’s no knife-in-the-back twist,” he said in a Rolling Stone interview. “When I read these lyrics back, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s weird.’ All the other love songs I’ve written have a dark edge.”
“Come Away with Me,” performed by Norah Jones
“Come Away with Me” is a slow, elegant blend of jazz and blues melodies. As Jones imploringly sings, “come away with me in the night,” she’s describing a romantic getaway where the destination is less important than the fact that a couple takes the journey together. We’re not sure you can find a better musical metaphor for marriage.
“Only You,” performed by The Flying Pickets
While “Only You” by Yaz (or “Yazoo” to our friends across the pond) is a classic torch song, the synth-heavy 1982 original may give your wedding a bit of a “1980s middle school dance” vibe. Instead, we recommend The Flying Pickets version. This 1983 a cappella rendition retains the romance of the original while also being a little slower and a little more festive.
“Iris,” performed by The Goo Goo Dolls
This band’s name (lifted from an advertisement in True Detective magazine for a “Goo Goo Doll,” whatever that is) is so lame that even its members agree. “The first name was bad, so we moved on to another bad name, got 15,000 fans, and were afraid to change it,” bassist and vocalist Robby Takac explained to Forbes. Regardless of the silly band name, “Iris” is a lovely song about how love and companionship can envelop and safeguard you from an otherwise indifferent world.
“One Love,” performed by Bob Marley
Can a single song change the world? Sort of. Bob Marley released the reggae version of “One Love” in 1977 as a call for unity and peace on Earth. Did it work? Well, there’s still plenty of worldwide conflicts, and that’s a bummer. On the other hand, “One Love” has been used to raise money for several causes, including UNICEF and coronavirus relief, and people still use the expression (referencing the song) to signal support for unity and inclusion. So, the song certainly made an impact on the world. Plus, if you want to add a beachy, relaxed feeling to your wedding, you can’t do much better than “One Love.”
“La Vie En Rose,” performed by Edith Piaf
Perhaps beach vibes aren’t your thing. May we interest you in post-war Paris? “La Vie En Rose” translates to “life in pink,” which is analogous to seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. While Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose” conjures a feeling of reconstruction and hope, the song itself is entirely about the overwhelming love one partner feels for another. “Il me parle l’a tout bas, Je vois la vie en rose.” (“He speaks to me softly, and I see life in pink.”) If, however, you want your wedding to feel like you’re being pulled from an “Inception” trance, you’ll need to go with another Piaf hit, “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.”
“Happy,” performed by Pharrell Williams
In case there was any question about how you and your partner feel on your big day, this Pharrell Williams hit will remove all doubt. Ubiquitous when first released in 2013, the song has left a cultural imprint as something that you just can’t help but smile too. Crank up “Happy” as your music to walk down the aisle, and you may have a hard time keeping everyone in attendance from dancing.
“Bittersweet Symphony,” performed by The Verve
“Bittersweet Symphony” provides an ethereal (and very 1990s) vibe to an aisle walk that’s a bit of a 180-degree turn from “Happy.” The song opens with a sample from a symphonic version of The Rolling Stones song “The Last Time.” Full disclosure, although the song feels romantic, the lyrics get a little dark (“Cause it’s a bittersweet symphony, this life. Trying to make ends meet, you’re a slave to the money, then you die.”) and are semi-inspired by lead singer Richard Ashcroft losing his father at age 11. So, you’ve been warned.
Country songs to walk down the aisle to
“Cowboy Take Me Away,” performed by The Chicks
The song opens with Natalie Maines’ longing voice—accompanied only by Martie Seidel’s fiddle and Emily Robison’s banjo—singing that she wants to “walk and not run … skip and not fall … look at the horizon and not see a building standing tall.” It’s a moving ballad about the desire for emotional connection and being swept off one’s feet. When it comes to that ol’ wedding songs walk down aisle feeling, you can’t do much better.
“To Make You Feel My Love,” performed by Garth Brooks
Here’s another song that’s been covered by a host of artists. However, what many people don’t realize is that this version is also a cover. “To Make You Feel My Love” was written by Bob Dylan, who released the song on his 1997 album, “Time Out of Mind.” Garth Brooks slowed the pace and cranked up the country to create a beautiful melody about the longing of love.
“From The Ground Up,” performed by Dan + Shay
This song sprung from a casual conversation between bandmates Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, where they realized that both of their grandparents had been married for 65 years. Inspired by these long-lasting marriages, Dan + Shay created an homage to their grandparents and their desire to share the rest of their lives with their partners.
“Forever And Ever, Amen,” performed by Randy Travis
This song might not be as stately as some (ok, all) of the entries on this list, but most people aren’t looking for stately when it comes to country music. Despite the peppy pace and twangy guitar, this is one heck of a romantic tune as Travis repeatedly reassures his partner that his love will last forever. “If you wonder how long I’ll be faithful, I’ll be happy to tell you again. I’m gonna love you forever and ever.” Amen.
For more help selecting romantic songs to walk down the aisle to, and for all your wedding service and reception needs, please contact us to learn more about our Dallas wedding venues and to schedule a tour.