25 Modern Songs For Walking Down The Aisle At Your Wedding
WARNING. This post is solely for the modern bride who constantly daydreams about how moving the moment will be when she walks down the aisle. No matter how you envisioned your wedding ceremony; whether it be accompanied with formal traditional music or more recent, modern contemporary music, the song that a modern bride will choose for the moment she walks down the aisle will be the first of many emotional moments on her wedding day. The typical modern bride been dreaming of this very special moment since she was a little girl. Perhaps she was a flower girl at a wedding and got to see how beautiful her sister was as a bride, or maybe one of her aunts. It was those experiences that most likely created those dreams that she would one day marry the man of her dreams and walk down the aisle wearing the most beautiful gown ever with her hair and makeup absolutely perfect. As your officiant says "All Rise", all of your guests will be focused on you, the bride, some with tears, but most all with a huge smile because they can see your utter happiness. A perfect moment like this calls for the most perfect song. You'll want to read on for some of my modern selections for walking down the aisle.
And for those modern brides and grooms who have found this blog post and need an even more detailed primer on how to plan the perfect mix of music for your wedding ceremony, <------ be sure to click over to this link for more information. For other things to consider when planning your wedding ceremony, <-------be sure to check out this link as well.
Download These Bride Processional Songs From My Spotify Right Now
I know you are very busy. I am well aware that the music is just one of the pieces of the big puzzle that is called your wedding day. I am here for you in more ways than one. I like to think that I cater to the modern bride and groom even more than a lot of other wedding DJs, epsecially after I designed a Spotify profile that continues to give wedding playlist inspiration to couples from all over the country. You'll be able to find this playlist as well as all the others you'll need. Just head over to Spotify right now and search for DJ Mike Bills.
"Your Song" | Ellie Goulding
Originally written and released by Elton John in 1970, Ellie Goulding would put her spin on it forty years later in such a dreamy fashion. Her cover of this classic song appeared on her 2010 debut album, Bright Lights. While the song did not chart in the United States, the song was certified platinum in the UK.
"Iris" | The Goo Goo Dolls
Back in the summer of 1998, the movie City Of Angels became quite the blockbuster. You can also find the song on their album Dizzy Up The Girl. "Iris" would break into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and peak at #1 on the Adult Top 40 chart.
"(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" | Bryan Adams
Back in the 80s, Bryan Adams was quite the rocker with songs like "Run To You", "Somebody", and "Cuts Like A Knife". But when the summer of 1991, he wrote one of the most romantic songs of the 90s that would appear on the Robin Hood soundtrack. You can find this song on my Behind The Music Post About The Biggest Songs From 1991. <----Click HERE. It should be of no surprise that this lovely ballad went all the way to Number 1 on the Hot 100 chart.
"Kiss Me" | Six Pence None The Richer
If you'd like to see another amazing playlist that was created for the modern bride and groom, be sure to check out My Selections For The Best Love Songs Of The 90s. "Kiss Me" hit the Billboard charts at the end of November 1998 and would peak at #2.
"My Future" | Billie Eilish
Well if you truly want some modern song ideas for how to walk down the aisle, you've certainly come to the right place. "My Future" was released during the summer of 2020 and would debut at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100. By August 15, 2020, the song would make it all the way to Number 1 on the Alternative songs chart.
Photo Credit: Mike Bills Entertainment
"Marry Me" | Train
Written by lead singer Pat Monahan, you can find this perfectly ideal "wedding song" on their 2010 album Save Me San Francisco. In 2012, country singer Martina McBride would record a duet of the song with Pat Monahan. It would be the original version that would get the most requests by my clients. The song would peak at #3 on the adult contemporary charts.
"Paradise" | Coldplay
Back in September of 2011, "Paradise" would be the second song to be released from the album Mylo Xyloto. Some of my clients have used "Paradise" as their ceremony recessional song. "Paradise" would eventually peak at #1 on the Adult Alternative chart.
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"| Roberta Flack
This worldwide smash hit by Roberta Flack was originally written and recorded as a folk song in 1957. Roberta Flack would record and release her version in 1972 scoring a #1 song on the Hot 100, as well as the adult contemporary chart. While it's the oldest song from my selections, I threw it on because it is utterly sexy and romantic.
"Heather" | Conan Gray
Here's another one of those truly "modern" songs you might walk down the aisle to. And I don't have to say if you are a bride named "Heather", this would be the perfect addition to your wedding day. The song was released in early September 2020, and is still in rotation on some alternative radio stations like World Class Rock, 105.5 The Bridge in Charleston, SC.
"Come Away With Me" | Norah Jones
And with all eyes on you, the DJ cues up this amazing song by Norah Jones. You start to gently walk down the aisle and begin to shed a few tears of joy. This title track from her smash hit album was released in the spring of 2002 as the fist single and would peak at #12 on the Adult Alternative songs chart.
Photo Credit: Mike Bills Entertainment
"That's When I Knew" | Alicia Keys
When was that you knew he was the one? Where were you when you realized that you wanted to marry this guy? Perhaps this song from Alicia Keys can help you. You can find it on her 2012 release Girl On Fire.
"Speechless" | Dan & Shay
You've found the man you are going to marry. You've found the dress that is sure to impress. You are going to be so gorgeous that your guests will be speechless, as well as him. "Speechless" is still in heavy rotation by a lot of my clients. The song was released in September of 2018 and would peak at #24 on the Hot 100, and #1 on the Hot Country Chart.
"Let's Fall In Love For The Night" | FINNEAS
He'll be falling in love with you as you walk down the aisle to the music and words of this modern love song from 2020. FINNEAS would release this song in the spring of 2020, and it would climb all the way to #17 on the Alternative songs chart.
"All Of Me" | John Legend
Chrissy Teigen might be one of the luckiest women alive. She's got one of the most romantic modern love songwriters as a husband! You are going to be marrying one of the luckiest guys on the planet. With over 1.8 billion views on You Tube and a song that spent 59 weeks on the Hot 100, "All Of Me" is one of the most requested songs by modern brides and grooms for all aspects of their wedding day.
"The Book Of Love" | Peter Gabriel
I absolutely love the way this song begins. It makes for the perfect transition from whichever song you chose for your bridal party to walk out to. Released in 2010, you should go and check out this song on Peter Gabriel's album Scratch My Back.
Photo Credit: Mike Bills Entertainment
"I'm Kissing You" | Des'ree
From the singer who brought you "You Gotta Be", this song is sure to put a smile on your face. If you are a modern bride and groom who have not laid eyes on each other, you'll both crack a smile and imagine kissing each other. But, there is still some business to take care of first. You'll be kissing each other very soon.
"This I Promise You" | Ronan Keating
Upon doing the research for this post, I thought Ronan Keating recorded a cover of the 2000 classic by N'Sync. However, this version is all his and it's truly beautiful. You should take a listen to it right now. For more of the Best Soft Rock Songs Of The 2000s. <----Click HERE.
"Songbird" | Fleetwood Mac
I once saw an interview with John McVie, the bass player for Fleetwood Mac and he said him and Lindsey Buckingham would shed tears as the band would end their sets with this song. The song was released on the B side of the "Dreams" from their mega album Rumours in 1977.
"A Thousand Years" | Christina Perri
So many modern brides since the release of the Twilight Saga have used this song for their wedding ceremony. While some opt for the Piano Guys version, there are lots who love the original version. "A Thousand Years" would peak at #7 on the Adult Top 40 chart.
Photo Credit: Mike Bills Entertainment
"First Day Of My Life" | Bright Eyes
For those modern brides who want a taste of Indie music in their wedding ceremony, this is a very popular choice. Released in March of 2005, the song would make its way onto the UK Indie chart in 2009.
"Can't Help Falling In Love" | Haley Reinhart
During the tenth season of American Idol, Haley Reinhart would come in 3rd place. In 2016, she'd release her album Better and would cover this 1960s classic from Elvis Presley.
"Rainbow" | Kacey Musgraves
If you asked me who my favorite modern country artist today in 2020 was I'd say without a doubt it's got to be Kacey Musgraves. And this comes from someone who never has been the biggest country music fan too. "Rainbow" can be found on Kacey's 2018 album Golden Hour and would peak in the Top 20 on both the adult contemporary and Hot Country chart.
"Here And Now" | Luther Vandross
It's such a shame that Luther Vandross is no longer with us, but he left us with such an amazing song that was released at the end of 1989. "Here And Now" would debut a few days before Christmas in 1989 and make it all the way to #6 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the adult contemporary chart.
"Only Time" | Enya
Over the years, I've seen this song performed by professional wedding ceremony musicians, but there are lots of modern brides who love to hear the original version by Enya. At the time of the publication of this post, it's been 20 years since the release of this signature song by Enya. "Only Time" would peak at #10 on the Hot 100, as well as #1 on the adult contemporary chart.
"Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" | Lauryn Hill
And we wrap up this selection of modern songs to walk down the aisle to with a cover by the lovely and talented Lauryn Hill. Originally recorded by Frankie Avalon in 1967, Lauryn Hill would record her version and release it on her 1998 album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill. For the modern bride who wants to walk down the aisle to a more R&B / hip-hop version of this classic, this might be the perfect song for you.
Ready To Speak To Mike Bills About Being Your Wedding DJ?
Wow. I hope you enjoyed reading over this post as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you. As I put this post together for you, I began to thank back at all the wedding ceremonies I've been a part of over the years. I've been so honored over the years that so many modern brides and grooms have put their trust in me over the years. As another engagement season gets ready to kick off, I would love to set up a time to speak with you about your wedding. I am very friendly to destination brides and grooms. All you need to do is click the link up above and you'll be taken to my contact form so that you can fill out some basic details. I look forward to speaking with you soon.