The wedding ceremony is one of the most powerful scenes of your wedding day. Your friends and family are all gathered in one place to watch you commit yourself to your very best friend. Such a beautiful moment should be backed by equally beautiful music. 

But as many couples learn, picking your wedding ceremony music can be a tricky challenge. In addition to deciding whether you want modern or traditional music, there are multiple moments that require unique songs, including:

• Mom’s Processional
• Bridesmaids Procession
• Bride’s Procession
• Rose/Sand Ceremony
• Recessional

Although we have music recommendations for each scene in our Planning Resources, we want to help by showing you 10 of the most popular wedding ceremony songs before you start planning. 

10 Popular Wedding Ceremony Songs

Here are 10 songs you should consider using in your wedding ceremony: 

Ode to Joy

Originally a poem written by Friedrich Schiller in 1785, “Ode to Joy” was immortalized in 1824 when Beethoven wrote it into his Ninth Symphony. Since then, “Ode to Joy” has stood the test of time by being performed at ceremonies all over the world. Upbeat and immediately recognizable, “Ode to Joy” is a terrific pick for any wedding. 

Marry Me

When Train released “Marry Me” in 2009, the song quickly climbed to slot 34 on the Billboard 100 list. It’s not hard to see why: A single listen uncovers the quiet passion that runs through the song, making it a perfect track for a contemporary wedding ceremony.  

Spring

You may not recognize “Spring” from Vivaldi’s “Four Season” by title alone, but you’ll certainly recognize its sound. It’s happy, upbeat progression makes it a popular choice as a processional or recessional.

Viva La Vida

Coldplay’s hit song “Viva La Vida” is beloved for its powerful, inspirational sound. Such an optimistic song is a great pick for your wedding day.  

You Raise Me Up

Originally released in 2002 by the Irish-Norwegian duo Secret Garden, “You Raise Me Up” was popularized the following year by American artist Josh Groban. For nearly two decades, “You Raise Me Up” has remained a popular wedding ceremony pick. 

The Way You Look Tonight

“The Way You Look Tonight” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936 for its use in the movie Swing Time, and its popularity has hardly waned over the last 80 years. Although the best-known version by Frank Sinatra is backed by the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, a smaller group of performers can illuminate the song’s soft passion.

Canon In D

Still #1 on the Wedding Music Hit Parade, this beautifully layered melody is instantly recognizable from being used in virtually every TV and movie wedding scene of the past 30 years.

What a Wonderful World

This lovely Louis Armstrong number is a charming combination of keyboards and strings, making it an ideal pick for the most intimate moments of your wedding ceremony.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

If you’re looking for something a little bit different from the tried-and-true wedding ceremony songs, Queen’s rock classic “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is an excellent choice. 

Best Day of My Life

Like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Best Day of My Life” is another upbeat contemporary track. This song by the American Authors is an excellent choice for the wedding ceremony’s recessional. The upbeat tune makes people want to dance, so it helps transition into the wedding reception.

Once you have your music picked out for your wedding ceremony, don’t forget to pick your wedding reception playlist.