Wedding Recessional Songs: Ceremony Exit Songs Our Couples Chose
By Ryley Smithson, Tennyson Events · Updated October 2026
The most popular wedding recessional song on our run sheets is "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole, chosen by 6 of our couples. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)", "You've Got the Love" and "You Make My Dreams (Come True)" follow with 4 each.
These come from the ceremony run sheets of 183 weddings we've played, 2017 to 2026, mostly 2024 to 2026. 93 couples named a recessional song, with 100 picks across 75 different songs. Listen to every recessional song we've played: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4n6FF6vCXH8B2KKTqDQnxY
The most popular ceremony exit songs
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole (chosen by 6 couples)
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) – Stevie Wonder (chosen by 4 couples)
You've Got the Love – Florence + The Machine (chosen by 4 couples)
You Make My Dreams (Come True) – Hall & Oates (chosen by 4 couples)
Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (chosen by 3 couples)
You're My Best Friend – Queen (chosen by 3 couples)
White Room – Cream (chosen by 2 couples)
Miracles Happen (When You Believe) – Myra (chosen by 2 couples)
Carry You Home – Alex Warren (chosen by 2 couples)
Come and Get Your Love – Redbone (chosen by 2 couples)
Kiss Me – Dermot Kennedy (chosen by 2 couples)
Everywhere – Graham BLVD (chosen by 2 couples)
Can't Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli (chosen by 2 couples)
adore u – Fred again.. and Obongjayar (chosen by 2 couples)
More recessional and wedding exit songs
In the order they sit in our playlist: 21 Questions (instrumental) – 50 Cent · Adore You – Miley Cyrus · All You Need Is Love – The Beatles · Alright – Supergrass · Angel – Akon · At Last – Etta James · Baby I'm Yours – Arctic Monkeys · Beautiful Things – Benson Boone · Belong Together – Mark Ambor · Best of My Love – The Emotions · Beyond – Leon Bridges · Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish · Breathless – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds · Burning Love – Elvis Presley · Can You Feel the Love Tonight · Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader · Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin · Everything – Michael Bublé · Feel the Love – Rudimental, John Newman · From Now On – The Greatest Showman Ensemble · HandClap – Fitz and The Tantrums · Heaven Is a Place on Earth – Belinda Carlisle · Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles · Hoppípolla – Sigur Rós · I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do – ABBA · I Don't Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith · Let Love Rule – Lenny Kravitz · Listen to the Music – The Doobie Brothers · Lola's Theme – Pete Tong · Lovely Day – Bill Withers · Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra · Music Sounds Better with You – Neil Frances · Paradise – George Ezra · Canon in D – Pachelbel · September – Earth, Wind & Fire · Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon · Stuck on You – Meiko · Tongue Tied – Grouplove · What I Like About You – The Romantics · Crazy in Love – Beyoncé, JAY-Z
What makes a good recessional
Look at the list above. The recessional is the loudest, happiest moment of the ceremony, and our couples lean upbeat and soulful. Nothing slow shows up near the top.
Match the energy to the relief. You've just married. The song says "we did it". A mid to up-tempo song with a clear beat suits a recessional better than a ballad, because the guests clap along as you walk out.
Choose a song with a strong opening. The couple walks the moment the celebrant announces you. A song that grooves from the first beat works better than one with a slow intro, so the music is ready when you turn to walk.
Think about what plays next. One or two songs is good here. After the recessional song finishes, I usually swap straight into the drinks playlist outside.
Timing and cut points
The recessional is short. You walk, the bridal party follows, guests clap.
Start at the best bit. We can start your song at the chorus or a high point, so it begins exactly as you turn. Starting at the first chorus or a clear lift usually suits an exit better than starting from the beginning of the track.
Plan the length. The walk out usually takes under two minutes, so a 3 to 4 minute song normally gets a fade, or you can let it play on while guests mingle.
Check the version. Radio, album and extended versions differ. Tell us which one you want and we'll play exactly that. Digital vinyl means we can play exactly the songs you want.
Recessional or exit song?
They are the same moment. "Recessional" is the walk out of the ceremony, and people also search for wedding exit songs and wedding party recessional songs. The send-off at the end of the night is a different moment, covered in our last song of the night guide.
Anything upbeat works well, as long as it hits on the drop. I really love seeing confetti and stuff. Anything jump-up and happy is great. You don't have to go EDM and banging, and the classics are always a winner.
Quick answers
What is the most popular wedding recessional song?
"This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole was chosen by 6 of our couples, ahead of three songs on 4 each.
What are good wedding ceremony exit songs?
After the top four, "Home", "You're My Best Friend", "White Room" and "Kiss Me" all appear on our run sheets.
What song do you play when the wedding party walks out?
The same recessional song plays for the couple and the bridal party following them. We can cue it at a high point so it starts as you turn.
How long should a recessional song be?
The walk is usually under two minutes, so we cue or fade a longer track.
Can I use a modern track instead of a classic?
Yes. Couples chose recent songs like "Carry You Home" and "adore u" alongside classics.
Plan the whole ceremony
See our ceremony music guide, the walk down the aisle songs and the signing songs. The Adelaide wedding songs hub links every moment, and wedding DJ hire explains how we handle ceremony and reception together.