Photo: McCory James and Jo Julia Ramsey of Elevate Photography

It’s the climax of a wedding ceremony–the moment after you say, “I do”– your family erupts in a wave of applause as you walk down the aisle together to your favorite tune. There are several classic selections for the recessional, including Etta James’ “At Last,” Antonio Vivaldi’s “Spring” or Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” but you can also choose a more modern, upbeat one that inspires your guests to stand up, cheer you on and get the party started! Here are a few of our favorites:

1. “1 + 1″ by Beyonce

2.  “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros 

3. “Whatever It Is” by Zac Brown Band

4. “You Make My Dreams” by Hall and Oates 

5.  “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

6. “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine 

7. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” by Barry White 

8. “Forever” by Chris Brown 

9.  “Stuck Like Glue” by Sugarland 

10. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift 

What do you think of these picks? Share your recessional song in the comments below!

Photos by (left to right): Image Singuliere; The Bird & The Bear Photography & Film

This week, we’ll be sharing our top music picks for various moments throughout the wedding day. The processional, or walk down the aisle, is such an important part of the wedding day, and the music played should feel special, romantic, emotional, and dramatic, all rolled into one. There are several classic selections for the processional, including “Canon in D” by Pachelbel, Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” and Clarke’s “Trumpet Voluntary,” but you can also choose a more modern song to play as you walk down the aisle. Here are a few of our more contemporary processional favorites.

1. “Ave Maria” by Beyonce

2. “Feels Like Home” by Chantal Kreviazuk

3. “Bittersweet Symphony (Instrumental)” by The Verve

4. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri

5. “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts

6. “In My Life” by the Beatles

7. “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

8. “A Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder

9. “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes

10. “I Do” by Colbie Caillat

What do you think of these picks? Share your processional song with us in the comments!

Photos by (clockwise from top): Lennon Photo; Onelove Photography; Carrie Wildes Photography; RJSTILLS

While having a ceremony program isn’t mandatory, it’s a nice way to introduce your family members and wedding party to your guests, plus explain the sequence of your ceremony. If you do choose to create a ceremony program, you can be as straightforward or creative as you like. Here are some of the most popular ideas:

Board: Instead of having a paper program, many couples are creating large boards (often chalkboards) featuring all of the pertinent ceremony information. The pros: This is a major paper saver and you won’t hear the constant turning of pages during your ceremony. The cons: Your guests won’t be able to take your program home as a keepsake.

Pamphlet or Booklet: The most common program format. You’ll be able to feature as much (or as little) information as you’d like and it makes a nice take-home for your guests.

Fan: Fun and functional, these programs work best at warm-weather, outdoor wedding ceremonies. It’ll help your guests stay cool, but be ready to hear the constant flapping of fans during your ceremony.

Something Different: We’ve seen a wide variety of unique programs, from vintage-inspired newspapers (see above), to nostalgic cootie-catchers, to passport-style booklets.

Are you doing something creative with your ceremony program? Let us know in the comments!

Even though having a flower girl or ring bearer is optional, including one of your favorite little ones is always a nice way to make them feel a part of your special day. Traditionally, their main job was to make it down the aisle, scatter floral petals or carry the rings on a pillow, but nowadays, brides are thinking beyond the petals and the pillows and letting them make their own grand entrance. Depending on your theme, here are seven alternative items your flower girl or ring bearer could carry (or walk) down the aisle with:

1. Bird’s Nest 

Perfect for any garden wedding, have you flower girl carry the rings in an artificial bird’s nest.

Photo: Live View Studios

Whether you’re saying your “I do’s” on a beach overlooking the crystal clear turquoise waters in the Caribbean or in an intimate chapel in Mexico, you might want to consider a few of these ceremony touches to make it one-of-a-kind:

1. Fans: Keep your guests cool with fans that double as your ceremony programs.

Photo: One Love Photography

2. Music: Consider a steel-drum band or a mariachi band for your entertainment.

Photo: Dino Gomez Photography

3.Refreshers: As your guests arrive to your ceremony venue, offer them an ice-cold signature cocktail or bottled water and as your guests leave, offer them a sweet treat like popsicles or freeze pops.

Photo: Kate Headley Photography 

For more inspiration, browse other destination wedding articles. Or are you ready to start planning your destination wedding? Get started now.