Top 50 Offbeat & Indie Wedding Processional Songs for Oshkosh, Appleton, and Green Bay Couples
Top 50 Offbeat & Indie Wedding Processional Songs for Oshkosh, Appleton, and Green Bay

Indie, Acoustic, and Heartfelt Vibes to Walk Down the Aisle With Style
If you're planning a wedding in Wisconsin and crave something more unique than “Canon in D” or “Here Comes the Bride,” you're not alone. Today’s couples are ditching the traditional in favor of something a little more them. Whether your vibe is indie-folk, acoustic pop, or alt-rock ballads, this hand-curated list of Top 50 Offbeat/Alt Processional Songs is for you.
This isn’t your mother’s wedding playlist—and that’s exactly the point.
At Sound Sensations Entertainment, we love helping couples in Oshkosh, Appleton, the Fox Cities, Fond du Lac, and Green Bay design unforgettable moments. And there’s no bigger moment than that first step down the aisle. So why not make the music count?
Why Offbeat & Alt Processional Songs Hit Different
The wedding processional is more than a cue for guests to stand. It’s the emotional opening to your ceremony, a sonic preview of the love story you're about to tell. Alternative and indie music offers something special: intimacy, authenticity, and often poetic storytelling that hits you right in the feels.
Whether it’s acoustic Hozier, stripped-back Taylor Swift, or the earthy vulnerability of Noah Kahan, these songs are modern, raw, and real—just like your love story.
See & Listen to the Entire List of Top 50 Offbeat/Alt Wedding Processional Songs on Spotify here
The Top 50 Offbeat/Alt Wedding Processional Songs
Indie, Acoustic & Alt Vibes for the Aisle
- “Work Song” – Hozier
Soulful and haunting—a deep vow in song form. - “Forever” – Lewis Capaldi
Gentle and powerful, perfect for a slow walk toward forever. - “Northern Attitude” (Acoustic) – Noah Kahan
Raw, earthy, and unapologetically honest. - “Ophelia” (Acoustic) – The Lumineers
A whimsical, nostalgic tune for a woodland or boho ceremony. - “Turning Page” – Sleeping at Last
Used in Twilight, yes—but it’s truly transcendent and emotional. - “First Day of My Life” – Bright Eyes
The quintessential indie love anthem. - “You Are the Reason” (Acoustic) – Calum Scott
Heart-stopping and heartfelt. - “Homesick” – Noah Kahan
A beautiful message about finding “home” in a person. - “Cherry Wine” – Hozier
Poetic and stripped-down—great for an intimate ceremony. - “Ho Hey” (Slowed Acoustic or Violin Cover) – The Lumineers
A crowd favorite with a unique twist. - “If We Were Vampires” – Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Melancholic and deep—it’s a song about the value of mortality in love. - “The One” (Acoustic) – Kodaline
Tender and emotional, perfect for a modern romantic. - “Grow As We Go” – Ben Platt
An anthem for evolving love. - “Heaven’s Knife” – Josh Garrels
Spiritually resonant with soft acoustic charm. - “I Choose You” – Ryann Darling
A modern classic in the Christian indie space. - “Ends of the Earth” – Lord Huron
Ethereal and adventurous—great for outdoor weddings. - “Canyon Moon” (Acoustic) – Harry Styles
Sweet and nostalgic, with folk undertones. - “The Night We Met” – Lord Huron
Dreamy and hauntingly emotional. - “Lover” (First Dance Remix) – Taylor Swift
A slowed-down, strings-heavy version hits all the right notes. - “Falling Like the Stars” – James Arthur
Romantic with a hint of longing. - “Be My Husband” (Live Acoustic) – Damien Rice
Raw, soulful, and refreshingly honest. - “Forever Like That” (Acoustic) – Ben Rector
An upbeat acoustic number filled with joy. - “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” – Iron & Wine
Melancholic and beautiful, known for Twilight’s wedding scene. - “Crazier” (Acoustic Cover) – Taylor Swift
An underrated love song perfect for processions. - “Fire and Rain” – James Taylor
Timeless and emotional. - “Holocene” – Bon Iver
Layered, ambient, and emotionally complex. - “Green Eyes” – Coldplay
Intimate, understated, and deeply romantic. - “Bloom” – The Paper Kites
Whimsical and cinematic—like walking into a dream. - “Bloom” – Troye Sivan (Acoustic Version)
Contemporary, personal, and haunting. - “My Dear” – Kina Grannis
Pure vocal warmth and sweetness. - “Coffee” – Beabadoobee
Lo-fi and intimate with a quirky edge. - “Stick Season” – Noah Kahan
Poetic and nostalgic. - “Like Real People Do” – Hozier
Quiet vulnerability wrapped in soft guitar. - “Photograph” – Ed Sheeran
Familiar, tender, and loved by many. - “Take Me Home” (Acoustic) – Jess Glynne
Upbeat and filled with soul. - “Tenerife Sea” – Ed Sheeran
One of his most romantic tracks, underappreciated. - “Home” (Acoustic) – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
A jubilant, folksy celebration. - “Banana Pancakes” (Acoustic) – Jack Johnson
Casual, carefree, and utterly charming. - “Better Together” – Us The Duo
A sweeter take on Jack Johnson’s original. - “Rosyln” – Bon Iver & St. Vincent
For couples who love moodier melodies. - “Somewhere Only We Know” (Acoustic) – Keane
Emotionally stirring and recognizable. - “Everything” – Michael Bublé (Acoustic or Piano)
A timeless classic in a stripped-down style. - “Turning Out” – AJR
Quirky and heartfelt—great for nontraditional couples. - “I Get to Love You” – Ruelle
A show-stopping moment in any ceremony. - “All My Days” – Alexi Murdoch
Folk simplicity meets lyrical depth. - “So Are You to Me” – Eastmountainsouth
Acoustic purity in every note. - “A Life That’s Good” (Acoustic) – Lennon & Maisy
Simple, honest, and full of heart. - “To Build a Home” – The Cinematic Orchestra
Cinematic and gut-wrenching—in a good way. - “Unchained Melody” (Instrumental Acoustic Version) – Righteous Brothers
A nod to the past with modern flair. - “In My Life” (Acoustic or String Cover) – The Beatles
Nostalgic and timeless—always a good choice.
Tips for Using Alt Processional Songs
- Consider Instrumentals: Some lyrics may be too heavy or distract from the moment. Try acoustic or string covers to keep the mood without overshadowing the walk.
- Match Your Venue: Rustic barns (like
Poplar Creek Barn in Oshkosh) pair beautifully with acoustic or folk vibes.
- Tell a Story: Pick processional songs that tie into your relationship’s soundtrack—from your first concert to favorite road trip tunes.
Other Curated Ceremony Playlists You’ll Love:
- Bridgerton-Inspired Processional Songs
- Pre-Ceremony Country Love Songs
- Disney Instrumental Wedding Songs for Oshkosh Ceremonies
- Indie Folk Wedding Playlist for Rustic Venues
FAQ – Alternative Processional Songs
Can I use more than one processional song?
Yes! Many couples use one for the wedding party and another for the bride/groom entrance. It helps create contrast and build emotion.
What if my guests don’t know these songs?
That’s part of the charm! These songs feel fresh and deeply personal, even if unfamiliar. Add a note in your program or let your DJ/MC give it context.
Do these songs work for nontraditional couples?
Absolutely. This list is perfect for LGBTQ+ weddings, second marriages, and anyone who wants to skip the cookie-cutter vibe.
What venues pair best with alt processional songs?
Think Poplar Creek Barn, The Gibson Social Club, or any outdoor, barn, boho, or vineyard wedding venue in Wisconsin.
Final Thought
Your wedding isn’t just a ceremony—it’s a soundtrack. And at Sound Sensations Entertainment, we’re here to make sure every note resonates. Whether you want to walk down the aisle to Hozier or Harry Styles, we’ll help you craft a ceremony that sounds exactly like you.
Book a consultation with us today to start planning your perfect wedding soundtrack.
Follow our Spotify for more playlist inspo and behind-the-scenes magic.
Explore our full blog for cocktail hour, reception, and dance floor playlists.
Sound Sensations Entertainment – Oshkosh Wedding DJs & Ceremony Sound Pros Serving Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay & the Fox Cities.
Creating authentic, emotional, unforgettable wedding soundtracks—one couple at a time.
We Help Couples Create a Memorable, Fun & Engaging Experience!
Every Sound Sensations Entertainment DJs/MCs has at least 15 years of experience at more than 1500 events all over Northeast & Southeast Wisconsin. DJs Bob V, Nick C, Devon L, or Ed E would love to be a part of your day. Our DJ/MCs help couples create a memorable, fun & engaging celebration that keeps guests involved and engaged from the cocktail or social hour until the end.
Entertainment experiences are more than just a DJ showing up and pressing play. It’s also more than just knowing how to choose songs and mix them together. Being a Wisconsin DJ is about creating experiences and atmospheres for you and your guests. We don’t want to just provide the perfect music, we want to help you create a fun, engaging & memorable celebration that EVERYONE will REMEMBER. We want to create the perfect day with you.
What Do You Do Now?
Contact our amazing DJ team today to find out pricing and availability for your upcoming event. We offer wedding DJs, Event DJs, Photo Booth Rentals, Uplighting & Monograms, Slide Show Creation, Event Planning & Wedding Planning.
Let's schedule a quick Zoom chat & guide you through the planning process, share a few ideas about what's possible on your day including:
- Understanding Your Vision for your day & Your story
- Fun, Engaging Ideas for the cocktail/dinner hours
- A couple of fun introduction ideas
- How to keep the timing & flow of your celebration moving
- FUN ways to release guests to the buffet (if applicable)
- FUN Kissing Activities & FUN ways to Involve Kids (if applicable)
- We'll show you how to make sure the dance floor is packed from the beginning
- How to have a Memorable & FUN Celebration & MORE!
- We'll share all of this & more BEFORE signing a Contract/Agreement
Our service areas include NE Wisconsin including Appleton, WI, Oshkosh WI, Fond Du Lac WI, Green Bay WI, and everywhere in between.
We also travel to SE Wisconsin including Milwaukee, WI, Menominee Falls, WI, West Bend, WI, Richfield, WI, Pewaukee WI, Sussex WI, Hartland, WI and everywhere in between frequently.