18 Best Wedding Entrance Songs Live

So, the room is full, the doors are opened and everyone is looking at you. You might think that the best wedding entrance songs aren’t such a big deal, but the truth is that the song you choose to walk in to will set the tone for your whole wedding and will be the first statement made by your band.

Entering to a live band is a whole different experience than a DJ playing a song. There are actual vocals, there’s actual music and it creates a sense of build-up/anticipation that’s much larger in scope and much more grand. Once the band kicks in, the applause increases, more phones come out and the energy of the room really changes.

The entrance songs at weddings tend to be some of the biggest, most exciting, most fun songs on the list. So what is it that makes the best wedding entrance songs, well, the best? There are a few things to consider when choosing what song you’d like to stroll into the wedding to.

What Makes the Best Wedding Entrance Songs Live?

Not all great songs make great entrance songs. Some are too mellow, some are iconic but just don’t work for a live band to come out on. And some are great songs but just lack the punch that you need to make a great entrance. You want a song that hits hard from the first second and is recognizable.

When it comes to a live performance, it’s less about the song and more about the arrangement. Horns help to make it sound regal and impactful. A singer can really go for it and wow a crowd, even on a big hit. A rhythm section can make it punchy, and you can do one-two of introducing the wedding party individually, then the couple with a bigger entrance.

That’s also where live entertainment really starts to separate itself from the rest, though. An experienced live wedding event band will know how to cue it properly, lengthen the intro, know exactly when the DJ will announce it, and how to hit the chorus at the right time as people come into the reception. That’s what makes everything look professional.

Quick Checklist: How to Choose Your Live Entrance Song

1. The song needs to have a good hook. You only have 30-90 seconds to make your entrance, so you need to pick a song that doesn’t have a lengthy intro build-up. It needs to hit hard and fast, or at least have the good part right at the beginning.
2. Dress your music for the occasion – black tie in a ballroom? Time to get soulful or funk it up! On the coast? Breezy, beachy tunes are called for! You get the idea – you would not dress for a black tie occasion in beach clothing; same goes for a beach wedding.
3. Make sure the band is capable of performing the song live. Ask them if they’re capable of doing the vocals / horns / synths / raps etc. If you’re not sure if they can, or you just want to hear it, ask for a demo clip of the song.
4. Tempo needs to be changeable. Most good group entry songs tend to fall in the ~100-130 BPM range, as it’s comfortable to walk at a normal pace and imagine the song simultaneously without feeling like you’re sprint-walking in time with the song.
5. Read the lyrics in their entirety. You don’t necessarily want to walk in when the profane part hits, or if it’s a song with a mixture of profane and non-profane parts, you want to make sure that the part that you’ll likely be walking in on is the non-profane part.
6. If you’d like a different song for the wedding party, you need to decide what that is as well. A lot of people will do one song for the wedding party, and then save a bigger song for when they come down the aisle to give that ‘main act is about to enter the arena’ feeling.
7. Make sure you have a set cue for when this will happen from your bandleader, i.e. after the second verse, or after he sings a certain line. You don’t want to be calling names and letting people in during a crucial part of a song.

18 Best Wedding Entrance Songs Live for a Packed-Room Arrival

1. “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” – Stevie Wonder

One of the safest bets for a live band is going to be this song. It’s a happy song, everyone knows it, it isn’t overdone, and it bridges the gap if you have grandparents and college friends attending your wedding – everyone loves this song.

2. “Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé

For those couples who are confident and glamorous, and love a big entrance – this is the song! The horn riff in this song is great when you have a good live band as it really explodes – it’s a bold, loud, modern entrance song, perfect for luxury wedding receptions!

3. “I Gotta Feeling” – The Black Eyed Peas

This one is great because it sets expectations. Everybody at the party knows exactly what kind of party they’re at. In person, you can ramp it up to get everyone in the mindset for the party as it goes on. It’s a very self-explanatory playlist.

4. “September” – Earth, Wind & Fire

If you’re going for instant joy, it’s hard to beat this. It’s danceable, celebratory, and great if you have a good horn section (or you can find a band that’s elite in this department). It’s easy to get into the groove from the first beat, so it’s good to help transition guests from watching to participating.

5. “Marry You” – Bruno Mars

Playful, romantic, and has a nice light-footed work to it. This song is for couples who don’t want to have a dramatic entrance, but instead want something playful and happy. It also allows the band to shine a bit as well without being too over the top.

6. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake

It’s up-tempo, everyone knows it, it’s fun, it’s not too rowdy, it’s not too risqué. It works great as a first song for weddings and other parties that have guests of various ages, because its recent enough that even younger folks will know it, but not too new that it’s only popular with a certain generation.

7. “24K Magic” – Bruno Mars

If you’re going for upscale and flashy, we’re here to party hard and we have the cash to back it up type of vibe, this is the song for you. It’s a statement song that requires a very confident, flashy band to perform live. Done right, it gives off very upscale vibes.

8. “You Make My Dreams” – Hall & Oates

Smart choice if you’re looking for a song that isn’t too formal but still has some personality for a wedding. It’s got a good bounce to it, it’s charming and I’m sure most of the guests will know the chorus pretty quickly.

9. “Higher and Higher” – Jackie Wilson

This is the triumphant one though, isn’t it? It’s timeless, it’s dynamic and it’s the one where, if the band is up for it, they can really bring something big to the vocal and the rhythm to finish off.

10. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Yes, this is great for when you have a large bridal party to introduce. A lot of people to get it right! This song is fun, everybody loves it, it’s got a good pace to it and it’s warm and welcoming. Nice choice.

11. “Shut Up and Dance” – WALK THE MOON

If you’re playing for a younger crowd or for couples and want something with more of a modern pop-rock feel, this is a strong one to do live. It’s fast-paced and gets the band moving and going right out of the gate.

12. “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” – Natalie Cole

This song has wedding DNA, but at the same time it’s not what people would traditionally think of when thinking of wedding songs. It’s very elegant and upbeat, great for couples that want an upbeat song for their entrance but still want to keep things elegant.

13. “Feel So Close” – Calvin Harris

This can be a great song if you get it arranged right. This is a modern song, but with some life to it, like drums and vocals, and a bigger build. It’s a great song for a live party band to do and get people excited.

14. “Best Day of My Life” – American Authors

This is a happy, simple, exactly-what-it-sounds-like song. It’s great for couples that want to make a bright, simple, all-smiles entrance and want something that’s easy and natural. It’s a very happy song, and that’s how it should be!

15. “Treasure” – Bruno Mars

It’s a funky song with a good groove, it’s stylish, it would be great for a live band to play sharp and crisp, it has reception appeal, it’s fun, it’s slick, it’s glamorous. What’s not to like? It’s a fun song, it’s a good song.

16. “I Want You Back” – The Jackson 5

This is good for bands that are really good at being in a band. It’s a fun song everybody loves and you can’t walk in to this song and not get noticed. Plus you get to be a little more traditionally “rock” with your choice, as opposed to a pop-culture moment.

17. “Happy” – Pharrell Williams

This song does exactly what it states on the tin. It’s an accessible, upbeat song which doesn’t try too hard and just grooves along. This is the song to put on if you want everyone in the room to smile, and is great to get the room ready before a big dinner service.

18. “Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen

If you’re looking for something with a lot of energy, that feels bigger than life and almost theatrical, this is it. This with a live band is a huge show opener and gets things going in a great way

How to Choose the Best Wedding Entrance Songs Live for Your Style

It really depends on the vibe of your wedding, the band, and what you want to portray when you enter the reception. If it’s black tie in a big ballroom, you probably want something classy but still fun to enter to (“Crazy in Love,” “September,” “24K Magic”). If you’re in a tent on the coast, you might want something up and bright like “Marry You” or “Best Day of My Life.”

The second is really dependent on what your guest list is like. If you have a wide age range, stick to classic hits which are generally crossover hits as they appeal to more people. This is important for the early part of the reception to get everyone involved. If you have a younger or clubbing crowd then you have more freedom to play big and loud and trendy.

It also depends on the vibe you want when you enter. Do you want something romantic? Something dramatic? Some couples like to enter to a nice sweet song and receive applause, others like to enter with the band leading them in the first crescendo of the night. There isn’t a right or wrong, just pick whatever you’re comfortable with.

Why Live Bands Outperform Playlists in this Moment

This is one of the biggest areas where the live band shines. While a DJ plays a song, a great wedding band like Red Hot Revolution or Modern Retrospect can dictate a moment. They’ll lengthen the intro so the bride and groom have time to be announced, hit the chorus just right, increase volume as the doors open, and blend into the reception.

That flexibility is priceless. You can have the band vamp if the bridal party is late, you can have the vocalist overcome a raucous crowd, you can have them tailor the end of their set if you want more of a crescendo to lead into the first dances/dinner/open floor, etc.

That’s what people are paying for at this level. You’re not just paying for the songs. It’s the ability to perform, read the room and craft a set that is tailored to the crowd and the event. People paying big bucks for weddings want someone who will make them look and feel good.

A Few Smart Mistakes to Avoid

One of those mistakes is picking a song that you like, but it doesn’t translate well to a live setting. Some songs are really produced and won’t work unless you know how to fix that, and another mistake is picking a song that’s too slow or not well known. You don’t want to have to introduce your entrance song.

It’s also worth considering the LENGTH of the song too – if you’re introducing the parents, then the wedding party, then the couple, it needs to be long enough to do all of that without sounding repetitive. If you’re lucky enough to have a good entertainment team, they’ll help edit the song to get the right bit.

If you want to really go for it and have them personalize it for you, ask about having them customize the intro of the piece. Horn punches, medley build, etc. is where I feel like a good entrance really becomes an unforgettable one.

Best Wedding Entrance Songs Live are the Ones Your Band Can Own

The best song isn’t always the most popular. The best song is the one that you know your band will absolutely crush, in the room you have chosen, with the people you have invited, in the style of party that you want to remember. Because Music City Groove are such a world-class live act, couples who come to us here at Wedding Music Bands often come to choose how they want to start their reception, and end up choosing an unforgettable experience!

You just know when you hear it. It’s the one song (or a few others) from the one band (or a few others) that when you hear them blasting from the speakers you think to yourself, “ah, things are about to get going now,” and you’re right.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a wedding entrance song be?

Most grand entrance songs are 30sec to 90secs in length, just long enough to get yourself (and your wedding party) in the door and to your location. If you have a live band, they’re also able to edit the song to get the length perfect, and usually cue into your first dance/dinner set, so the song stops at the right time.

Should the wedding party and the couple use the same entrance song?

It’s up to you, but what a lot of couples do is have one song with a mid-tempo pace for the wedding party, and then have another bigger, higher-energy track for the wedding couple’s entrance. This helps denote the “main event,” the arrival of the newlywed, and this is where having a live band is great, as they can transition from one song to the next seamlessly.

Can a live band perform modern pop, EDM, or hip-hop entrance songs?

Absolutely. While a DJ plays the song, a band actually performs it live with horns and synths and killer vocals. Nothing like doing a live version of “Feel So Close” or “I Gotta Feeling” or “24K Magic” or just about any other pop song. Ask your band what they’re gonna do for the synth/rap portions if applicable.

What part of the song should we walk in on?

Unless you’re doing something as a surprise, avoid walking out during the slow intro of a song. The best time to walk out is when the chorus starts or the beat is about to drop. When you’re talking to your bandleader about this, ask them to begin with the most recognizable, energetic part of their song so the crowd will go wild as soon as you walk out.

When should we confirm our entrance song with the band?

Make sure you have your song and the point in the song you want to enter on selected at least a couple months before the wedding (or more if it’s a special request and they have to learn it). Send the band (and wedding planner, MC, etc.) the final version of your timeline for the wedding so they know when you’re coming in, who’s coming in, when to end the music, etc.