Wedding Processional Songs & Recessional Ideas

A simple list of some of the pieces I’ve played on harp for weddings in the past, or pieces that I think would make great wedding processional songs or recessionals. I put in a little YouTube playlist at the bottom if you’d like to hear what they sound like. (Keep in mind that it’s not me playing in any of the videos.)

Wedding Processional Songs

Classical Processional Ideas:

• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desirings, by Johannes Bach processional or recessional
• Prelude in C, by Bach
• Canon in D, by Johannes Pachelbel
• Arioso, by Bach processional or Unity Candle
• Jupiter, from The Planets, by Holst
• Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming, by Theodore Baker
• Trumpet Voluntary, by Jeremiah Clarke processional or recessional
• Sheep May Safely Graze, by Bach

Contemporary Processional Ideas:

• Nothing Else Matters, by Metallica
• Edelweiss, by Rodgers and Hammerstein
• River Flows in You, by Yiruma
• Clocks, by Coldplay
• Fields of Gold, by Sting

Celtic Processional Ideas:

• Give Me Your Hand, traditional Irish
• Star of the County Down, traditional Irish
• Greensleeves, traditional English

Wedding Recessional Songs

Classical Recessional Ideas:

• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desirings, by Johannes Bach processional or recessional
• Trumpet Tune, by Henry Purcell
• Sonatina III, by Dussek
• Allegro Grazioso (Spring) by Vivaldi

Contemporary Recessional Ideas:

• The Throne Room, by John Williams (from Starwars Episode IV)
• Dawn, by Dario Marianelli (from Pride and Prejudice with Kira Knightley)
• Here Comes the Sun, by the Beatles
• You Are the Sunshine of My Life, by Stevie Wonder
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow, by Harold Arlen
• What A Wonderful World

Celtic Recessionals Ideas:

• Mari’s Wedding, traditional Irish
• The Star of the County Down, traditional Irish
• Bailey’s Fancy, by Kim Robertson (click to hear, not in YouTube playlist)
• Irish Blessing
• Be Thou My Vision, traditional Irish recessional or Unity Candle

Unity Candel or Special Music

Classical Unity Candel or Special Music Ideas

• Arioso, by Bach processional or Unity Candle
• Ave Maria, by Schubert

Contemporary Unity Candel or Special Music Ideas

• A Thousand Years, by Christina Perri
• Come Away With Me, by Norah Jones
• River Flows in You, by Yiruma
• The Prayer, by Celine Dion

Celtic Unity Candel or Special Music Ideas

• Be Thou My Vision, traditional Irish recessional or Unity Candle
• The Star of the County Down, traditional Irish
• Give Me Your Hand, traditional Irish
• Carrickfergus, traditional Irish

I’m not currently taking wedding ceremony jobs, but am happy to play for cocktail hours or wedding receptions!

Stephanie Claussen has been performing harp in Minneapolis & St. Paul since 2000.