recessional music

The first song after you say “I do” should reflect the joyous mood of the moment. Choose a recessional song that’s celebratory and upbeat as you and your new spouse, followed by your wedding party, make your exit from the ceremony. Mendelssohn's Wedding March and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy are traditional wedding recessional songs; or, you can choose a livelier contemporary song that captures the spirit of the two of you.

We’ve gathered a list of upbeat recessional songs in a range of genres to help you choose the perfect tune for your happily-ever-after moment.

Photo: Babb Photo

Country

• “Love You Out Loud” by Rascal Flatts
• “This Kiss” by Faith Hill
• “Once In a Lifetime” by Keith Urban
• “Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Dixie Chicks
• “Our Song” by Taylor Swift
• “Ever Ever After” by Carrie Underwood
• “Will You Go With Me” by Josh Turner
• “I Love You” by Martina McBride

Folk

• “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray Lamontagne
• “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers
• “Here Comes The Sun” by George Harrison
• “Lover of the Light” by Mumford & Sons
• “Til Kingdom Come” by Coldplay
• “You and I” by Ingrid Michaelson

Indie

• “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service
• “You've Got The Love” by Florence + the Machine
• “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure
• “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
• “First Day Of My Life” by Bright Eyes
• “I Do” by Colbie Caillat
• “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
• “I Was Made For You” by She & Him
• “1234” by Feist
• “Ends of the Earth” by Lord Huron
• “Better Together” by Jack Johnson
• “Stuck On You” by Meiko
• “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons

Instrumental

• “Hallelujah Chorus” by George F. Handel
• “Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven
• “Spring” by Antonio Vivaldi
• “Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn
• “I Will Wait” by 2Cellos
• “Such Great Heights” by The Section Quartet
• “Island in the Sun” by Vitamin String Quartet
• “Get Lucky” by Vitamin String Quartet

Pop

• “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by George Michael
• “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher
• “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic
• “You're The One That I Want” by Olivia Newton John
• “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake
• “Love on Top” by Beyoncé
• “Sugar” by Maroon 5
• “Treasure” by Bruno Mars
• “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé
• “Verge” by Owl City ft. Aloe Blacc
• “Heartbeat” by Mat Kearney
• “Wake Me Up” by Avicii
• “Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities
• “This Must Be the Place” by The Talking Heads

R&B

• “Love Is a Beautiful Thing” by Al Green
• “If I Ain't Got You” by Alicia Keys
• “My First, My Last, My Everything” by Barry White
• “Happily Ever After” by Case
• “I Got You” by James Brown
• “Spend My Life With You” by Eric Benét ft. Tamia

Rock

• “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles
• “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys
• “Beautiful Day” by U2
• “Oh! You Pretty Things” by David Bowie
• “I'm a Believer” by The Monkees
• “You're My Best Friend” by Queen
• “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates
• “Daydream Believer” by The Monkees
• “One Love” by Bob Marley
• “I Believe In a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness
• “I Melt With You” by Modern English
• “Some Kind of Wonderful” by Grand Funk Railroad
• “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by James Taylor
• “Give a Little Bit” by Supertramp
• “This Will Be Our Year” by The Zombies

Soul

• “This Will Be” by Natalie Cole
• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
• “Baby, I Love You” by Aretha Franklin
• “Mercy Mercy Me” by Marvin Gaye
• “I Do” by The Marvelows
• “Coming Home” by Leon Bridges
• “I Will Go With You” by Donna Summer
• “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green