recessionals
Ceremony closing music
Recessionals are hymns or pieces of music played as clergy, choir, or a wedding party exit at the end of a ceremony.
The term captures the formal withdrawal—the recession—from sacred or ceremonial space: The organist played one of the traditional recessionals as the bride and groom walked back up the aisle.
The singular recessional can also function as an adjective describing anything related to such a departure.
Religious song of praise
- anthemOfficial song of praise
- postludeConcluding musical piece
- benedictionFormal spoken blessing
- doxologyHymn of divine praise
chorale · canticle · processional · organ · choir · congregation · vespers · evensong
Formal moving line
- exitWay to leave
- marchRhythmic group walk
- departureAct of going away
- finaleConcluding part of performance
closing · aisle · cortege · formal · dignified · clergy · graduates · bridal party
Of wedding ceremonies
- aisleCorridor between seating sections
- newlywedsRecently married pair
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- organBody's working component
bride · groom · vows · chapel · altar · nuptials · confetti · bouquet
Act of starting
- diplomaAcademic completion document
- processionalCeremonial entrance music
- cap and gownCeremonial graduation attire
- graduatesDegree recipients
pomp and circumstance · valedictorian · convocation · ceremony · tassel · regalia · alma mater · academic
hymn
Religious song of praise
- anthemOfficial song of praise
- postludeConcluding musical piece
- benedictionFormal spoken blessing
doxology · chorale · canticle · processional · organ · choir · congregation · vespers · evensong · closing
procession
Formal moving line
finale · closing · aisle · cortege · formal · dignified · clergy · graduates · bridal party · officiant
bridal
Of wedding ceremonies
- aisleCorridor between seating sections
- newlywedsRecently married pair
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
organ · bride · groom · vows · chapel · altar · nuptials · confetti · bouquet · congregation
commencement
Act of starting
- diplomaAcademic completion document
- processionalCeremonial entrance music
- cap and gownCeremonial graduation attire
graduates · pomp and circumstance · valedictorian · convocation · ceremony · tassel · regalia · alma mater · academic · doctoral
- choral musicchoral music, choral works, choral arrangements, choral arrangement, choir arrangements
- church musicanthems, hymnal, masses, hymnbook, canticles
- sacred musichymns, hymn, anthem, anthems, gospel
- church hymnshymnal, hymnals, Catholic hymns, choral hymns, gospel hymns
- gospel musicgospel hymns, gospel quartet, mass choir, praise songs, gospel choir
- hymnsAmazing Grace, Old Rugged Cross, Morning Has Broken, hymn, hymnal
- recessional musicMusic closing a ceremony