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2023 Wedding Music Trends & Ideas

Updated: May 17, 2023

Brides and grooms are always asking me, "What should I pick for my recessional? What are other couples choosing?" I'm happy to help!



First of all, what's a recessional?

Simply put, it's the song that's played as you walk back up the aisle. It's often upbeat, to go hand-in-hand


with the celebratory feeling of the moment. Traditionally, you'd hear classical wedding pieces like Mendelssohn's Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream or Handel's Entrance of the Queen of Sheba, but these days our couples are mixing it up and including modern pop favorites.


Without further ado, here are the most popular recessionals from 2022, the last 5 years, and 20 amazing songs that you haven't thought of yet!



The 4 Most Popular Recessionals in 2022

  1. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles

  2. You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne

  3. All You Need is Love - The Beatles

  4. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole


The Most Popular Recessionals of the Last 5 Years

  1. Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles

  2. You Are The Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne

  3. All You Need is Love - The Beatles

  4. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole

  5. Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder

  6. Marry You - Bruno Mars

  7. Don’t Stop Believing - Journey


20 Recessionals That You Hadn't Thought of That REALLY Get the Party Started


For a Modern Bridgerton Feel, have your Ariana Strings quartet play:


  1. Wildest Dreams - Taylor Swift (Tell your musicians to start at the Bridge)

  2. Electric Love - Borns

  3. Firework - Katy Perry

  4. Sucker - The Jonas Brothers

  5. Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake

  6. Happy – Pharrell Williams

  7. We Found Love – Rihanna and Calvin Harris

  8. Rather Be – Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne

  9. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars

  10. Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon

  11. I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness


For a Fun Throwback with Bridgerton Spin, have your Ariana Strings quartet play:


  1. How Sweet It Is (To Be Love By You) - Marvin Gaye

  2. Viva La Vida - Coldplay

  3. Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

  4. All My Loving - The Beatles

  5. Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher – Jackie Wilson

  6. God Only Knows – The Beach Boys

  7. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You — Frankie Valli (Tell your musicians to start at the Bridge)

  8. Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest

  9. Joy to The World - Three Dog Night (No, this isn't the one you hear at Christmas. It's a funky one you'll recognize and it's a LOAD of fun!)

Which song do you plan to have get the party started? Comment below!


Feel free to take some inspiration from Sara & Luigi's epic celebration from July, brought together by the incredible team at Wildflower Events. Vendor team below:




Photographer: Alicia Ann Photography

Planning & Design: Wildflower Events & Design, Lindsey

Videographer: Millside Wedding Films

Florist: Earth Blossom Flowers

Venue: The Wadsworth Mansion Caterer: David Alan Hospitality Group

Makeup: Transcendent Makeup

Hair: Simply Gorgeous by Erin

Band: Wilson Stevens Band Cocktail Hour Music: Ariana Strings Quartet

Invitation Suite & Signage: On Three Designs

Escort Installation: Phillips Designs

Cake: Cakes

Linens: La Tavola

Rentals: Peak Event Services

Tent: Taylor Rental

Bridal Gown: Anne Barge from The Plumed Serpent

Bridal Shoes: Christian Louboutin Jewelry: Cartier Groom's Tux: The Black Tux


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