Best wedding entrance songs: 33 tracks for brides to walk down the aisle to

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bride entrance songs

Choosing a song to walk down the aisle to is not an easy task. Every bride wants that picture-perfect entrance moment — the dream dress, the flawless hair and makeup, and the perfect bridal entry song to send you on your way. 

You may have already chosen wedding music for other key moments of your day — like your guests' arrival or the perfect father-daughter wedding dance — but your grand entrance is a very exciting moment and deserves careful consideration. Do you want to make a big statement or stick to something classic? Traditional or modern? Upbeat or sentimental? Live musicians or the OG version on speakers? Having all eyes on you can be terrifying, but a well-chosen bridal entry song can ease your nerves and guide your walk down the aisle. 

As the UK’s favourite wedding registry and honeymoon fund, we spend a lot of time chatting to engaged and married couples. We’ve asked them and the experts from Rock My Wedding, what to consider when choosing music to walk down the aisle to, along with ideas for the best bride entry songs.

A groom puts a ring on bride's finger.

How long should a bride entrance song be?

‘While an average song is 3-5 minutes long, the average time for someone to walk down the aisle is about 30 seconds, depending on the length of the aisle and walking pace.’ says Jennifer Read-Dominguez, editor of Rock My Wedding, ‘As a general rule, a bride's entrance song should ideally be around 2 minutes long to match the time it takes to walk down the aisle.’

It’s a good idea to do a timed test run (or test walk!). It’s important not to rush this at your venue to see how long it will take you to get from A to B. This could be as simple as walking from the back of the room to the front. Or, depending on your venue, you may have a more complicated route — stairs, corners, and uneven terrain if you’re outside. Once you’ve done that, add on 20-80 seconds (depending on the size of your bridal party) to allow for anyone walking ahead of you, and you’ll know how long you need your bridal entry song to be. Jennifer suggests, ‘If your timed walk is shorter or longer than your track, you can adjust the length of the wedding entrance song by selecting a specific section of the song or arranging for it to fade out at the right moment.’ 

If you plan to have multiple processional groups proceeding you down the aisle (like parents, the wedding party, and their partners), you may want to consider having different songs for each. If you do this, Jennifer recommends choosing wedding entry songs that complement each entrance.’ And don’t forget, you can let your wedding entrance music play for a little bit before you start walking to build anticipation. We are all about that drama!

How do you pick a wedding entrance song?

This bit is so individual to you. ‘Choosing a wedding entrance song is all about setting the tone for your ceremony and reflecting your personal style as a couple.’ says Jennifer, ’Start by considering the mood you want to create or think about songs that hold special meaning in your relationship or evoke the emotions you want to feel in that moment.’ Maybe it’s a song that means something special to you and your fiancé. Maybe it’s the one that sets the mood you’re looking for your big entrance. Or maybe you’re just looking for bloody beautiful walking-down-the-aisle songs that will make you cry (we love happy tears!).

Jennifer Read-Dominguez also advises being mindful of the length of your aisle and the size of your wedding party to ensure the wedding entrance music flows smoothly. 'Ultimately, the best entrance song is one that suits you and your wedding style and fits the vision for your special day.’

There is one rule to bear in mind when choosing your bridal entry song: if you’re having a registry office wedding or a civil ceremony, you will have to avoid any kind of religious music due to legal constraints — so hymns are out. But most other things are fair game! Whatever it is that you’re after, check out our list of the top wedding entrance songs to get a few ideas!

newlyweds first dance

Best wedding entrance song

Every bride is different, and so there is no one-size-fits-all solution when picking the best wedding entrance music for your wedding. But there are some all-time favourites out there! To get you started, we have come up with 33 suggestions for bride entrance songs, with options for every type of bride.

Walking down the aisle songs that will make you cry

1. Make you feel my love – Adele

If there’s one woman you can always count on to hit you right in the feels… it’s got to be Adele. And this is one of the most emotional wedding entrance songs to walk down the aisle to that we can think of.

2. A thousand years – Christina Perri

Fess up — were you team Edward or team Jacob? Whatever your feelings about the Twilight saga and sexy vampires that glitter in the sun, you can’t help but be seduced by this devastatingly beautiful song that was originally written for the films. These days it’s one of the most popular modern bride entrance songs around.

3. Kissing you – Des’ree

From sparkly vampires to star-crossed lovers (and a young Leo di Caprio dressed up as a knight in shining armour). Yep, this was the love theme from Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet. It’s the ultimate romantic tear-jerker, and the slow pace is perfect for walking down the aisle.

4. Godspeed – James Blake

Now, we’re not saying that James Blake is a wizard… but also, we’re not NOT saying it. There’s some kind of magical connection between his piano keys and our heartstrings that we can’t quite explain. Stripped back and hauntingly beautiful, if you’re looking for a walking-down-the-aisle song that will make you (and your guests) cry, then you’re onto a winner here. This is 100% one of the most romantic wedding entrance songs...

5. Songbird – Fleetwood Mac

Dreamy, romantic, and full of soul, this beautiful song is quite simply, a masterpiece. Just imagine walking down the aisle, into the arms of your love to the lyrics ‘I love you, I love you, I love you like never before.’

6. She – Elvis Costello

If John Hughes was directing your wedding, you can bet he’d pick a song like this one for your big bridal entrance moment. It’s unabashedly sentimental and all about you. It gives strong Notting Hill vibes, and we are here for it.

7. Your song - Elton John

It’s a little bit funny, but also super romantic. This EJ classic wedding entrance song is light-hearted and would be a total winner. When that piano intro kicks in, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

bride and groom celebrating with rose petal confetti
bride walking with her veil down and bouquet in hand

Upbeat wedding entrance songs

8. Lovely day – Bill Withers

We dare you to listen to that groovy opening riff without a great big grin on your face. We’ve tried. It’s impossible. And those lyrics are pretty darn perfect too… ‘Just one look at you, and I know it’s gonna be a lovely day.’ I mean, come on!

9. I’m yours – Jason Mraz

We love this one for a relaxed, beach ceremony in the sun — it’s got such a chill summer vibe. We think it’s perfect for a boho bride, walking barefoot down the aisle in the sand. Dreamy.

10. Here comes the sun – The Beatles

One of the bridal entrance songs that gives us a proper case of the warm and fuzzies. It’s pure and lovely and optimistic, and it’s The Beatles! What more could you want? Guaranteed happy tears all round.

11. At last – Etta James

Serene, voluptuous, and unapologetically sexy, if you’re looking for the perfect bride entrance music to debut your dream wedding gown, you can’t go wrong with Etta James.

12. XO – Beyonce

Trust Queen Bey to gift us with this perfect walking-down-the-aisle song. It feels euphoric. Like being alive and in love and making the most of it all. We just love this one.

13. Marry you – Bruno Mars

It has wedding bells in the background! Go for this one if you’re looking for a wedding entrance song that is the ultimate feel-good tune, and guaranteed to get everyone geared up for a good time. If you’re the type of bride who doesn’t take herself too seriously, this is a great choice.

14. My girl – The Temptations

This golden oldie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that works for every generation. We love it as a song to walk down the aisle to, especially if your dad’s giving you away. It’s perfect for that bittersweet symbolic moment when he hands you over to your fiancé.

bride and groom first dance in front of church

Traditional and classical songs to walk down the aisle to

15. Wedding march – Wagner

If you find yourself wondering what the traditional wedding song is when the bride enters— the one that goes, ‘Here comes the bride…’. Then the wedding or bridal march from Wagner’s opera Lohengrin is probably the one you’re thinking about. This wedding entrance song is iconic, utterly gorgeous, and instantly recognisable — a solid choice. And hey, if it’s good enough for Meghan and Harry…

16. Canon in D – Pachelbel

Another classic song to walk down the aisle to, Pachelbel’s Canon in D starts soft and low, then builds up the layers into an elegantly soaring crescendo. If you’re dreaming of a string quartet, this is a perfect choice.

17. Ave Maria – Schubert

If you’re having a church ceremony, this one is a lovely choice. Stash your soprano soloist in the church’s balcony (don’t worry, they’ll get over not being the centre of attention), and it will sound like an angel is serenading you down the aisle. Simply heavenly.

18. Trumpet voluntary – Clarke

Feel like a queen as you walk down the aisle to this stately bridal entrance song. This wedding entrance song is grand, regal, and guaranteed to make your guests sit up and pay attention!

19. The flower duet – Delibes

If you’re looking for a beautiful song to walk down the aisle to, you can’t do much better than the flower duet by Delibes. Ideal if you’re going big on florals, it’s got a feminine, romantic feel that’s perfect to send you floating towards your love.

20. Clair de Lune - Debussy

Classic songs to walk down the aisle to don’t come much more gorgeous than Clair de Lune by Debussy. Soft and sentimental, it’s the ultimate romantic piece for the piano.

bride and groom kiss during civil ceremony
Minimal wedding tablescape with candles and subtle flowers

Alternative but still romantic wedding entrance songs

21. One day like this – Elbow

When it comes to the best bride entrance songs, Elbow understood the assignment. This one feels cool, calm, and collected, yet instantly uplifting.

Pro tip: it works beautifully played live with a string quartet!

22. Sweet disposition – Temper Trap

For a cool, indie vibe, how about Temper Trap? It’s a little bit off the beaten track, so you can be confident that your guests won’t have heard it used as a wedding aisle song before. It’s also a stone-cold banger, so it’s a yes from us.

23. The one – Kodaline

Another slightly off-beat indie love song, this one’s perfect if you’re an alternative bride looking for something a bit different when picking your song to walk down the aisle to.

24. Starlings – Elbow

Starlings has a beautiful, serene opening that works perfectly for walking down the aisle. Approach with caution, though, and check it works with the timings for your walk — it’s also got a few big blasting moments on the brass to make sure everyone’s awake and paying attention!

25. Love me like you do – Ellie Goulding

The ultimate pop power ballad from the one and only Ellie Goulding. This has an epic feel about it — like walking on air. Perfect for a bride entrance song!

26. A whiter shade of pale – Procol Harum

Released in the Summer of Love in 1967 and every bit as magical today, this is one of those pieces of music that just… does things to people. We don’t know how or why. It’s just special.

Pro tip: We recommend the instrumental version as a walking-down-the-aisle song (the lyrics can be a bit weird).

27. There she goes – The La’s

If you’re looking for bridal entry songs with a cool Brit-pop vibe, we love this one. It’s light and airy and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

dark rustic wedding table decorations

Rock songs to walk down the aisle to

28. Marry me – Train

‘Forever can never be long enough for me to feel like I’ve had long enough with you.’ — the most perfect opening lyrics. If Marry Me by Train is not one of the best wedding songs to walk down the aisle to that you’ve ever heard in your life, we’ll eat our favourite wedding fascinator.

29. Love reign o’er me – The Who

This bride entry song has one of the most beautiful, powerful intros we’ve ever heard. Perfect for building up the anticipation for your big entrance. And the lyrics work beautifully too. If you’re after more of a 90’s era grunge sound, Pearl Jam did a stunning cover of it — it’s a strong recommend from us!

30. Nothing else matters – Metallica

Ok, we know what you’re thinking. Choosing Metallica songs to walk down the aisle to? Really? But hear us out. This is actually a really beautiful, emotionally charged rock ballad. The lyrics are kind of an ‘us against the world’ vibe. And if you’re worried about giving your granny a shock, don’t be. The whole opening is acoustic; the heavier sounds don’t kick in till around the 2-minute mark, which, for most bride entrances, will work perfectly.

31. Wild horses – The Rolling Stones

What could be more rock and roll than walking down the aisle to the Rolling Stones? And this one is hands down the most romantic song the Stones ever released — rock and roll AND romantic. Sounds like you’re onto a bridal entrance song winner.

32. Thank you – Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin may not be known for their love songs, but this one is simply beautiful. Uplifting and full of hope — imagine walking down the aisle to this lyric: ‘If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. When the mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me.’ 

33. Wild thing – The Troggs

Ok, so it’s going to take a special kind of bride to pull this one off as a bride entrance song. But we know you’re out there somewhere — you groovy chick, you. This is for the kind of bride who plans to dance down the aisle. Barefoot. With flowers in her hair. Do your thing, wild lady — we think you’re awesome!

bride is walking towards happy bridesmaids
wedding bouquet in front of out of focus newlyweds

And that’s all you lot — best bride entrance songs for your BIG moment on your BIG day! Fancy listening to them to get a feel? Well, we’ve got you — check out our Spotify playlist.

What do you think? Did we miss any? If you liked these, check out our Wedding Music 101: your guide from wedding ceremony to wedding reception. And while you’re in wedding planning mode, start your Prezola wedding gift list today!

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