Let’s be real for a second. Most wedding receptions start with a predictable, slightly awkward energy where the bridal party isn't quite sure if they should dance, walk, or just disappear into the buffet line. It’s a weird transition. You've just finished the solemn, "I do" part of the day, and now you’re trying to pivot into a full-blown party. The music makes or breaks that shift. If you pick the wrong entrance songs for groomsmen, you end up with four guys in rented tuxedos shuffling awkwardly to a song that peaked in 2012. It’s painful to watch.
Finding a track that actually fits the vibe of your specific group of friends is harder than it looks. You want something that says "the boys are here" without sounding like a frat party from fifteen years ago. Or maybe you do want the frat party vibe. That’s the thing—it’s personal. But there are rules to this game that most people ignore until they’re standing behind a curtain waiting for their names to be called.
Why Your Music Choice Actually Matters
Music is the literal heartbeat of a wedding reception. When the DJ grabs the mic and says, "And now, please welcome the groomsmen," the energy in the room either spikes or craters. Research in psychoacoustics—basically the study of how sound affects human behavior—suggests that "high-arousal" music (fast tempo, loud volumes) can instantly trigger a physical response in a crowd. It gets people's heart rates up.
If you pick a mid-tempo song that everyone has heard a thousand times, people stay in their seats and keep checking their phones. But if you hit them with something unexpected or high-energy, the guest's attention snaps to the floor. It sets the stage for the couple's entrance. The groomsmen are essentially the hype men for the groom and, eventually, the newlyweds. If the hype men are boring, the main event feels less impactful.
Honestly, a lot of guys overthink it. They try to be "cool" and end up picking a song that’s too niche. No one knows the beat, and the rhythm is impossible to walk to. You need a hook. You need a beat that even your Great Aunt Martha can tap her foot to, even if she has no idea who the artist is.
The Classics That Still Work (And Why)
Some songs are classics for a reason. They have a universal "buy-in." When "Bring ‘Em Out" by T.I. starts, everyone knows exactly what time it is. Jay-Z’s "Public Service Announcement" has that same effect. It’s the horns. Humans are programmed to respond to brassy, loud fanfares.
Then you have the rock anthems. "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC is practically a cliché at this point, but it works every single time. Why? Because the build-up is legendary. If your groomsmen are more the "beer and barbecue" type than the "champagne and caviar" type, rock is usually the safer bet. It feels more authentic to who they are.
Dealing with the "Cringe" Factor
We have to talk about "The boys are back in town." Please, just don’t. It’s been done. It’s been done at every wedding since 1976. Unless your groomsmen are literally a 70s cover band, it feels a bit dated. The goal is to find something that feels fresh but familiar.
Consider "Right Back It Again" by A Day To Remember if you want something with a pop-punk edge. Or if you want to lean into the suave, Oceans Eleven vibe, go with "A Little Less Conversation" (the JXL Remix). It’s stylish. It’s fast. It makes a group of guys look like they actually know how to wear a suit.
💡 You might also like: Converting 50 Degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius: Why This Number Matters More Than You Think
How to Coordinate the Walk Without Looking Like a Bad Flash Mob
The biggest mistake groomsmen make? Not knowing when the beat drops.
Talk to your DJ. Seriously. Tell them exactly where you want the music to start. You don't want thirty seconds of a quiet intro while the guys are just standing there looking at each other. You want to enter right as the chorus hits or when the beat kicks in. It’s all about the timing.
Some groups try to do a choreographed dance. Look, unless you all have a background in musical theater, maybe skip the full routine. It usually looks forced. Instead, give each guy a "signature move" or just tell them to walk with some actual confidence. High-fives are fine. A quick toast with a drink is fine. Just don't let them walk in single file like they're headed to a middle school assembly.
Breaking Down Genres for Every Type of Group
Not every wedding is the same. A black-tie event at a museum requires a different energy than a tent wedding on a farm.
For the High-Energy Crew:
Think Hip-Hop or High-Octane Rock.
- "All I Do Is Win" - DJ Khaled (Classic hype)
- "Power" - Kanye West (That chanting intro is gold)
- "Humble" - Kendrick Lamar (If the crowd is younger)
- "Seven Nation Army" - The White Stripes (Impossible not to stomp to)
For the "We Don't Take Ourselves Seriously" Group:
Sometimes the best entrance songs for groomsmen are the ones that lean into the humor of the situation.
- "The Imperial March" from Star Wars (A bit nerdy, but always a hit)
- "Stayin' Alive" - Bee Gees (Requires a specific kind of strut)
- "Danger Zone" - Kenny Loggins (Perfect for the Top Gun fans)
- "Ghostbusters Theme" - Ray Parker Jr.
For the Suave and Sophisticated:
- "Suit & Tie" - Justin Timberlake
- "Classic" - MKTO
- "Uptown Funk" - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (Overplayed? Maybe. Does it work? Yes.)
The Logistics Most People Forget
People forget about the acoustics of the room. A song that sounds great in your AirPods might sound like distorted mud in a high-ceilinged ballroom. Bass-heavy tracks can sometimes get lost if the sound system isn't top-tier.
📖 Related: Clothes hampers with lids: Why your laundry room setup is probably failing you
Also, consider the length of the walk. If the entrance path is only twenty feet, you’re only going to hear about 15 seconds of the song. If the path is long, you need a track that has a sustained energy level. Nothing is worse than the song hitting a "quiet part" right when the last two guys are halfway to the head table.
Let’s Talk About Explicit Lyrics
This is a big one. You might love a certain track, but does your grandmother want to hear the F-word blasted through a professional PA system while she’s eating her salad? Probably not. Always, always use the radio edit. Even if you think your crowd is "cool," unedited tracks at a wedding often feel out of place and slightly awkward. It breaks the "wedding bubble."
Real-World Examples of What Worked
I saw a wedding last year where the groomsmen came out to the "Succession" theme song. It was hilarious because the group was all brothers and cousins who were, frankly, a bit competitive. The guests who knew the show loved it, and the guests who didn't just thought it was a cool, dramatic piece of music. That’s the sweet spot—internal jokes that still work for the general public.
Another group used "Mo Money Mo Problems." It was a summer wedding, everyone was already a few drinks in, and the nostalgia hit perfectly. It wasn't about being "tough" or "cool"; it was just a great vibe.
Nuance: What Most "Expert" Blogs Get Wrong
Most wedding blogs give you a list of 50 songs and tell you to "pick one." They don't tell you that the song choice should actually reflect the relationship between the groom and his friends.
If these are your college buddies, pick a song that reminds you of those late nights. If they’re your childhood friends, maybe something nostalgic from the decade you grew up in. The "best" song isn't the one that’s trending on TikTok; it’s the one that makes that specific group of guys smile when they hear the first three notes.
There’s also the "Groom Solo" factor. Sometimes the groomsmen enter to one song, and then the music shifts for the groom’s individual entrance. If you’re doing this, make sure the songs are in the same key or at least have a similar BPM (beats per minute). A jarring transition from a slow country song to a heavy metal track will give your guests sonic whiplash.
Actionable Steps for Your Big Entrance
If you’re the one tasked with picking the music, or if you’re the groom trying to coordinate your best men, here is the move-forward plan.
👉 See also: Christmas Treat Bag Ideas That Actually Look Good (And Won't Break Your Budget)
1. Audit the Group Vibe
Are your guys shy? Don't pick a song that requires "performance." If they’re extroverts, give them something they can really lean into.
2. Test the "Walkability"
Put the song on. Walk across your living room. Is the beat too fast? Are you sprinting? Is it too slow? Are you doing a funeral march? You want a natural, confident stride—somewhere around 100-120 BPM is usually the sweet spot for a standard walk.
3. Coordinate with the DJ Early
Don't wait until the night before. Send the Spotify link or the specific file to your DJ at least two weeks out. Specify the "Start Time" (e.g., "Start at 0:45 when the bass kicks in").
4. Keep it Under 60 Seconds
Unless you have 15 groomsmen, you don't need three minutes of music. Most entrances are over in 30 to 45 seconds. Make sure the "meat" of the song happens within that window.
5. Practice the "Fade Out"
Ask the DJ how they plan to transition into the next song. A smooth crossfade is much better than a sudden "stop" followed by silence.
At the end of the day, the groomsmen entrance is the "warm-up act." It’s meant to be fun. It’s the moment where the formality of the ceremony finally breaks and the celebration begins. Pick a song that feels like a celebration, make sure the guys know the plan, and then just let it happen. The best entrances aren't the ones that are perfect; they’re the ones where everyone—including the guys walking—is actually having a good time.
Focus on the transition between the groomsmen and the groom's own entrance to ensure a seamless flow. Ensure the volume is balanced so the DJ’s introductions are clearly heard over the music. Verify that the venue’s sound technician has tested the levels in an empty room versus a full one, as bodies absorb sound and can muffle the high-end frequencies of your chosen track.