10 Meaningful Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To

1.<em>&nbsp;The Prayer</em> by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli

Musical Genre: Classical Crossover

This inspiring song is a prayer for guidance, wisdom, and peace. Performed by two of the most admired voices in music, the piece weaves in and out of English and Italian while displaying the fullness of Dion and Bocelli’s vocal talents. The song ends softly yet powerfully as the singers join voices in a way that seems to soar up to the heavens in prayer. 

Lyrics you’ll love:

“I pray You’ll be our eyes

And watch us where we go

And help us to be wise

In times when we don’t know

Let this be our prayer

When we lose our way

Lead us to a place

Guide us with Your grace

To a place where we’ll be safe”

2. Ave Maria by Christina England Hale

Musical genre: Classical 

This gorgeous yet humble request for the Virgin Mary’s prayers sets the Hail Mary to a moving arrangement written by celebrated composer Franz Schubert. A staple of Roman Catholic weddings, this song is often performed in Latin and has been recorded by such other artists as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, and Barbara Bonney (in German). 

 Lyrics you’ll love:

“Ave Maria / Hail Mary

Gratia plena / Full of grace

Maria, gratia plena /Mary, full of grace

Maria, gratia plena / Mary, full of grace

Ave dominus / Hail the Lord

Dominus tecum / The Lord is with thee

Benedicta tu in mulieribus / Blessed art thou among women

Et benedictus / And blessed

Et Benedictus fructus ventris /And blessed is the fruit of thy womb

Ventris tuae, Jesus / Thy womb, Jesus

Ave Maria / Hail Mary

Ave Maria/ Hail Mary

Mater Dei /Mother of God

Ora pro nobis peccatoribus / Pray for us sinners”

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Drew Coffman

3. <em>Be Thou My Vision</em> by Audrey Assad

Musical Genre: Christian hymn

 This gripping hymn is of Irish origin and is believed to date back to the 6^th century. With music that starts slowly and then progresses into a percussion-based beat, the lyrics declare steadfast faith in God while asking God for wisdom and His constant presence throughout life. 

One especially moving verse speaks of the importance of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven over any earthly riches--a wonderful reminder as you enter into a covenant with the one you love, but is only a mere reflection of God's love for his church. 

 Lyrics you’ll love:

 “Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord

Thou my great Father and I, Thy true son

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise

Thou mine inheritance, now and always

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art”

4. How Great Thou Art by Pentatonix (featuring Jennifer Hudson)

Musical genre: Christian Hymn 

 For a more exuberant walk down the aisle, this jubilant a cappella rendition of this well-known hymn rouses guests to clap their hands and tap their feet. 

This rendition focuses only on the first two verses and the refrain of the hymn, recalling Psalm 8 in its praise for all of God’s wonderous creations. It's also a lovely prayer to sing in your heart as you walk down the aisle towards one of the biggest blessings in your life, praising God for his greatness. 

 Lyrics you’ll love:

 “O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art, How great Thou art

Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee

How great Thou art, How great Thou art”

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/David Thomaz

5.<em>&nbsp;Nobody Loves Me Like You</em> by Chris Tomlin

Musical Genre: Worship, Contemporary Christian 

 If you’d prefer a more contemporary worship selection, this song of praise begins with soft words and chords in reflecting on Jesus’s love all around us. 

The song then grows more upbeat, building to a hands-in-the-air-worthy chorus that praises the Lord. 

 Lyrics you’ll love:

 “Story, I could’ve had a really different story

But You came down from heaven to restore me 

Forever saved my life

Nobody loves me like You love me, Jesus

I stand in awe of Your amazing ways

I worship You as long as I am breathing

God, You are faithful and true

Nobody loves me like You”

6. When I Say I Do by Matthew West

Musical Genre: Contemporary Christian

 This lovesong embraces you from the beginning with its quiet piano introduction that leads into words linking God with love, and recalling God’s plan to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). 

The lyrics also recite traditional wedding vows, promising devotion “in sickness and in health…’til death do us part.”

 Lyrics you’ll love:

 “And I have never been so sure of anything before

Like I am in this moment here with you

And now ‘for better or for worse’

Are so much more than only words

And I pray every day will be the proof

That I mean what I say when I say ‘I do’

Yeah I mean what I say when I say ‘I do’”

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Isaiah Rustad

7. <em>Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)</em> by Hillsong UNITED

Musical Genre: Worship, Contemporary Christian 

This mesmerizing worship song bases its message of faith on the unconditional trust St. Peter showed when he stepped out of a ship and walked on stormy waters toward Jesus (Matthew 14:28-29). 

Further uniting the theme of faith, Jesus, and water, the lyrics to this song were finalized while the band visited a waterfall for inspiration.

 Lyrics you’ll love:

 “You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find you in the mystery

In oceans deep my faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine”

8. Love Has Come by Matt Maher

Musical Genre: Worship, Contemporary Christian

If you’re looking for a worship song with a cheerful Irish folk music beat, this song won’t disappoint. This song speaks of angels, prophets, God’s grace, and Jesus’s redeeming sacrifice as it rejoices that love has come down to show us the way in peace.   

 Lyrics you’ll love:

“God of covenant divine

Lead us to the end of time

Beyond sorrow, beyond fear

Beyond pride and earthen tears

Word of God enthroned

Dwell in us forevermore

Love has come to show the way

Halleluiah, peace be with us

Love has come to show the way”

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Nick Karvounis

9.<em>&nbsp;When I Said I Do</em> by Clint Black &amp; Lisa Hartman Black

Musical genre: Country

 Longtime country-music lovers may remember this heart-tugging hit by Clint Black and his wife Lisa Hartman Black. In this song, Black and his bride tenderly reminisce on the words they spoke at their wedding ceremony and continue to live by. Making this couple’s lyrics more touching is the fact that they remain a couple, celebrating their 28^th wedding anniversary this year.   

Lyrics you’ll love:

 “I know there’s a lonely heart in every lost and find

But forever you and I will be the ones

Who found out what forever means

When I said I do, I meant that I will

‘Til the end of all time

Be faithful and true, devoted to you

That’s what I had in mind, when I said I do”

10.  From the Ground Up by Dan + Shay

Musical genre: Country

 If you prefer a more contemporary country song, this duo’s romantic ballad is perfect for your wedding processional. This emotional wedding song was written in honor of the singers’ grandparents, whose respective marriages lasted over 65 years. 

The lyrics also speak to brides’ fathers with the words: “I’ll be the man your dad hoped that I’d be.” More than just sentimental, this song also strikes a practical chord by encouraging couples to stick together through any bad times ahead. 

 Lyrics you’ll love:

“This life will go by in the blink of an eye

But I wouldn't wanna spend it without you by my side

The clouds are gonna roll

The earth's gonna shake

But I'll be your shelter through the wind and the rain

And we'll build this love from the ground up

Now 'til forever it's all of me, all of you

Just take my hand

And I'll be the man your dad hoped that I'd be”

Regardless of genre or pace, the song you choose for your walk toward the altar should be special to you and your future spouse, reflecting your feelings and aspirations. God bless your holy union!   

Dolores Smyth writes on faith and families. Her work has appeared in numerous print and online publications. You can read more of her work on Twitter @LolaWordSmyth. 

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Shardayyy Photography