The Best Wedding Recessional Songs Ever
Otto Productions is one of the only entertainment companies in the Pittsburgh area that specialize in weddings receptions and wedding ceremonies. We bring our ideas using creativity and personalization to craft your wedding around you and your fiancee
The Recessional (D. Kennedy)
The Recessional takes place immediately after the bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife and presented to the guests (right after the big kiss!).
This is the joyous climax to one of your life’s most memorable moments. Typically you will be introduced, your recessional song will fire up, your honored guests will erupt in a wave of applause and hand in hand you will head out into your adoring throng.
While most couple’s choose a processional song that is traditional, elegant and low-key the recessional is an entirely different situation.
Think of this song as a bridge between the religious reverence and quiet tone of the ceremony and the party that is chafing at the bit just waiting to begin. The recessional music is usually an upbeat, celebratory tune, full of joy and happiness.
Obviously this selection is typically more jubilant, upbeat and celebratory than other music used during the ceremony. It is now time to rejoice and it’s perfectly alright to show this in your choice of music.
Points to ponder when considering a Recessional song:
Will this song be familiar to your guests?
Does it reflect our personality as a couple?
Will some segment of your crowd consider it offensive … and do you care?
Do you prefer one of the traditional favorites or would you like to make a statement with something more contemporary?
The possibilities are virtually endless and range from the tradition of Mendelssohn “Wedding March” from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to classic pop like Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed Delivered, I’m Yours” and the contemporary sound of Jack Johnson’s “Better Together.”
Classical Recessional Songs
If you’re looking for something traditional the top choice for the recessional is Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Close behind in second place it’s basically a tie between Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary. (Prince Charles and Diana used the latter as did Maurtis and Marilene of the Dutch royal family)
Other Classic choices:
Hornpipe from Water Music Suite – Handel
Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah
The Four Seasons – A collection of four violin concertos
Air on the G String – Johann Sebastian Bach
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – Handel
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 – Bach
Eine Klein Nachtmusik – Mozart
Gigue – Bach
La Rejouissance – Handel
Ode to Joy – from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
Rondeau – Wynton Marsalis
Trumpet Tune – Henry Purcell
Trumpet Tune in D Major – Jeremiah Clarke
Those are fine choices but this is a time where you can get creative so don’t stifle your imagination.
Many couples choose to use contemporary songs as part of their recessional. If that’s what you would like to do, consider playing James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good),” U2′s “Beautiful Day,” or our most popular recessional selection, Signed Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” from Stevie Wonder!
In most cases you will need only one song for your recessional.
Browse through the following list and let it inspire you with possibilities:
Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
All You Need Is Love – Beatles
When I’m 64 – Beatles
I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
At Last – Etta James
How Sweet It Is – James Taylor or Marvin Gaye
Love & Marriage – Frank Sinatra
This Will Be an Everlasting Love – Natalie Cole
Finally – Ce Ce Penniston (especially good if you’ve had a long relationship or engagement)
Sandstorm – Da Rude
Waiting For Tonight – J Lo
Celebration – Kool & the Gang
5th of Beethoven – Walter Murphy
Black And White – Micheal Jackson
I’m A Believer – Smashmouth or The Monkees
In My Life – Beatles
It Had To Be You – Harry Connick Jr
It’s the End of the World as We Know It – R.E.M.
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves
Tequila – The Champs (Glen Campbell was a member)
Highway to Hell – ACDC
Thunderstruck – ACDC
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
Signed, Sealed Delivered, I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
One More Time – Daft Punk
Love To – Mika
Let’s Get Loud – J Lo
Check It Out – Beastie Boys
Gonna Fly Now (Rocky Theme) – Bill Conti
Love Train – O’Jays
Love’s Theme (Instrumental) – Love Unlimited Orchestra
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Beautiful Day – U2
Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
You Shook Me All Night Now – ACDC
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
Welcome To the Jungle – Guns n Roses
Cruisin – Gwenyth Paltrow/Huey Lewis
Clocks – Coldplay
Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
Forever Young – Bob Dylan or Neil Young
Happy Together – The Turtles
Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley (Rick Roll your Wedding)
Roam – B-52’s
Wedding Day – Bee Gees
Stolen – Dashboard Confessional
We Are Family – Dream Girls
When I’m Gone – 3 Doors Down
With or Without You – U2
You’re My Best Friend – Queen
Would You Go With Me – Josh Turner
My Best Friend – Tim McGraw
You Belong To Me – Jason Wade
I Do – 98 Degrees
Stay Down – Luther Vandross
Stuck On You – Lionel Ritchie
Thank You for Loving Me – Bon Jovi
Her & Now – Luther Vandross
I’ll Be There For You – Bon Jovi
Too Late To Turn Back Now – Eddy Cornelius
L-O-V-E – Michael Buble
Like a Star – Corrine Bailey Rae
Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
Love Story – Taylor Swift
Love Is a Beautiful Thing – Phil Vasser
Miracle – Foo Fighters
Mud On the Tires – Brad Paisley
Paradise by the Dashboard Lights – Meatloaf
Better Life – Keith Urban
Can’t Help Falling In Love – UB 40
From This Moment – Shania Twain
When – Alan Jackson
Some Kind Of Wonderful – Huey Lewis
Just Like Heaven – Cure
Let My love Open The Door – Pete Townsend
Hero – Mariah Carey
Keeper of the Stars – Tracy Byrd
Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen
Come & Get Your Love – Redbone
Joy to the World – Three Dog Night
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Secret Garden – Bruce Springsteen
Final Countdown – Europe
Wouldn’t It Be Nice – Beach Boys
God Only Knows – Beach Boys
Your Precious Love – Marvin Gaye/Tami Terrell
I Melt With You – Modern Romance
Is This Love – Bob Marley
Here Comes the Sun – Beatles
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Hold My Hand – Hootie & the Blowfish
Crazy Game of Poker – O.A.R.
This Will Be Our Year – Zombies
Accidentally In Love – Counting Crows
Low Rider – War
Hero – Wallflowers
Here I Am – Leona Lewis
How Do I Breathe – Mario
Let’s Get Married – Jagged Edge
Promise – Ciara or Jagged Edge
So Amazing – Beyonce/Luther Vandross
Sweet Escape – Gwen Stefani
Truly Madly Deeply – Cascada
This I swear – Nick Lachey
The Good Life – Kanye West
The Arms Of One – Xscape
Until The End Of Time – Justin Timberlake/Beyonce
Crazy In Love – Beyonce
Get This Party Started – Pink
Hot In Here – Nelly
Angel – Shaggy
Party Like A Rockstar – Shop Boyz
Pon de Replay – Rhianna
Yeah – Usher
Temperature – Sean Paul
Way You Move – Outkast
Everytime We Touch – Cascada
Don’t Change – Musiq Soulchild
Forever – Mariah Carey/R Kelly
A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
This Years Love – David Grey
There She Goes – The La’s
