Beyond the "I Do": 10 Ceremony Exit Song Ideas
- Abbi-Kaye Ellison
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
When one of my recent couples asked me—“What should we choose for our ceremony exit song?”
It struck me just how many of you are navigating this whole wedding planning journey for the first time and with very little guidance. Unless you’ve worked in the industry or been married multiple times (no judgment here. Love deserves as many chances as it takes!), chances are you don't know what you're doing! So in addition to actually planning the wedding, in depth research is also just another thing to add to the wed-min list.
From understanding the flow of the day to deciding how you want each moment to feel, it can be a lot. Each decision can start to feel like a high-stakes puzzle, especially when it comes to the music, which sets the tone more than people often realise.
That’s why I’m always more than happy to help. As a wedding singer with experience performing through all of these key moments. I’ve not only got the knowlegde, but a repertoire full of songs that work beautifully for each different moment. Such as today's topic: the all-important walk back up the aisle as newlyweds. Going off the typical layout of a wedding day (though there’s absolutely no rule that says you have to follow it), the exit procession song is pretty self-explanatory. It’s that magical and relieving point right after your celebrant or registrar has officially pronounced you as newlyweds. You’ve signed the papers, everyone who can is asked to rise, and your new surname, or fabulously concocted double-barrelled combo, is announced. The guests cheer, the bouquets are lifted, and you make (in some occasions dance) your way back down the aisle, hand in hand with your boo.
Naturally, since the ceremony is usually filled with slower romantic songs, it makes sense for the exit music to strike a balance between lovey dovey and celebratory. I like to see your ceremony exit almost like the entry into your new life. And of course the rest of your wedding day. So your exit song should feel like a joyful exhale, uplifting, romantic, and the perfect soundtrack for cheers, cute kiss photos, and the confetti moment that’s just around the corner. As a singer who specialises in jazz, swing, rock ‘n’ roll, '60s classics, and modern tunes with a vintage twist. And with this cheery romantic brief in mind. Here are the song suggestions I shared with my 2025 couple. (Snazzy Spotify links included so you can truly envision the vibes or make an inspired playlist!). Many of these suggestions could also work perfectly if you're opting to have a song that welcomes you into the Wedding Breakfast! Another celebratory musical moment typically honoured in a wedding day.
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole The biggest wedding exit song of the past few years I would predict. (Featured in the wedding scene in the Parent Trap!)
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison Works great especially if you have brown eyes, but not exclusive of course!
Pencil Full Of Lead - Paolo Nutini Modern, with vintage vibes guaranteed to have your guests singing the words - "Best of all I've got my baby!"
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen The perfect blend of romantic and rock n roll bop!
Burning Love - Elvis Presley The end credits from the original Lilo & Stich Movie, it gives fond farewell.
Don't Stop Believing - Journey/Jazzy Cover/Post-modern Jukebox Epic 80s love lyrics in a sophisticated style.
It's Not Unusual - Tom Jones You just KNOW you're guests are gunna do the Carlton Dance!
A more simplistic but equally as adorable love song.
The Beatles: still cool enough for the kids, yet your grandparents will give you a gold star too!
All About You - Mcfly Okay, this is one isn't the most upbeat and has 0 vintage vibes about it. But a real life request from a real wedding couple. Picture your kiss to the intro, with cheering. Followed by a chorus of your guests singing along - Chefs kiss!
It’s also worth noting that while these songs come from my personal repertoire, my packages, like most wedding singers', include custom song requests too. So if none of these feel quite right for your own big exit moment, think of them as a springboard for inspiration. At the very least hopefully, you'll now have a clearer sense of the kind of vibe you want to create as you step into married life! Happy song selecting! All the best, Abbi-Kaye (Viva la Vintage) For more wedding advice, song suggestions or wedding inspiration CHECK OUT POSTS:
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