Popular Song Choices For Your Wedding Recessional Music

Wedding Recessional Music

The wedding recessional music you choose can be a big decision for some couples. It will be the first song you hear as a married couple so it’s worth taking the time to get it right. Usually, as the celebrant has announced you as a newly married couple and your family and friends stand up to cheer you on as you leave the church or ceremony venue, that’s when the music will start. It is typically played all the way through and will continue to play as your guests leave as well. It is the music that will accompany the transition from the ceremony to the drinks reception.

Depending on what you like and the theme you are going for on your special day, you have lots of different options. Here, we are going to give you a run down of different choices you have when it comes to choosing the perfect music for your wedding recession.

Traditional Wedding Recessional Songs

These are the traditional wedding recessional songs - choices that have lasted through the ages. Although some of the examples may sound very grand and in some cases a bit over the top, remember, you could always have a single musician like a guitarist or harpist to do a mellower and softer rendition of the piece you like.

• Wedding march - Mendelssohn
• The arrival of the queen of Sheba - G. F. Handel
• The four seasons, Spring - A. Vivaldi
• Canon in D major - J. Pachelbel

You can a Spotify playlist of these songs here

Classical Wedding Recessional Songs

If you do like the traditional feeling of some of these songs but perhaps don’t want something so obvious, there are plenty of other options that hold the same classical air about them. These may not be the typical wedding recessional songs but they certainly sound great and contain that established and ceremonial feel to them.

• Clarinet Concerto in A major, l. Allegro - Mozart 

• Concerto for 2 flutes in C major, Allegro molto - Vivaldi

• Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, l Allegro - Mozart 

• The Washington Post - John Philip Sousa 

• Brandenburg Concerto no. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049: l. Allegro - Bach  

• Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050: l. Allegro - Bach  

• Sinfonia in C major, RV 112: l. Allegro - Vivaldi 

• Concerto for strings & continuo in C major, RV 113: lll. Allegro - Vivaldi 

• Sinfonia in E major, RV 132: l. Allegro - Vivaldi  

• Sinfonia in G major, RV 149: l. Allegro molto - Vivaldi 

• String Concerto in B-flat minor, RV 164: l. Allegro - Vivaldi  

• Concerto Grosso No. 10 in C major, Op. 6: lll. Allegro - Corelli  

• Viola Concerto in G Major, TWV 51:G9: ll. Allegro - Teleman 

• La Finta Giardiniera, K. 196: Ouverture. Allegro molto - Mozart  

• Flute Concerto No. 2 in D Major, K. 314 l. Allegro aperto - Mozart

You can find a Spotify playlist of these songs here

Contemporary Wedding Recessional Songs

Of course, some couples opt for something completely different when it comes to picking music for this time of the day. It is now becoming much more popular to choose a contemporary wedding recessional song. These can range from practically any era from the 1950s up to the present day. Perhaps you and your partner have a favourite song or artist that you would love to hear as a newly married couple. Below is a list of some songs that we have personally played and others that we think are lovely choices.

• Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac 

• Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie wonder 

• Beautiful day - U2

• You are the best thing - Ray Lamontagne 

• I’m yours - Jason Mraz 

• Celebration - Kool and the gang 

• Viva la Vida - Coldplay 

• Don’t stop me now - Queen 

• I believe in a thing called love - The Darkness 

• Shut up and dance - Walk the moon 

• Can’t stop the feeling - Justin Timberlake 

• Ain’t no mountain high enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrelll 

• Can’t take my eyes off you - Frank Valli 

• We found love - Rihanna 

• Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the waves 

• Best day of my life - American authors 

• Bless the broken road - Rascal Flatts 

• How long will I love you - Ellie Goulding 

• Marry you - Bruno Mars 

• You and me - Lifehouse 

• I do - Colbie Caillat 

• Crazy little thing called love - Queen 

• How sweet it is to be loved by you - James Taylor 

• For once in my life - Stevie Wonder 

• Lovely day - Bill Withers 

• You make my dreams come true - Hall & Oates 

• Sweetest thing - U2

You can find a Spotify playlist of these songs here

At the end of the day, it is completely up to you. After all, it’s your big day. We are always happy to accommodate special songs for the couple who we are playing for. You can see a selection of our videos here and if you have an any questions or if you are interested in booking some live music for your event, you can contact us here.

We are an Acoustic Duo that specialise in weddings, parties and corporate events - please visit us at www.octavas.co.uk