processional

Processional is an adjective meaning relating to or used in a procession. As a noun, a processional can refer to the ceremony itself or to the music that accompanies a procession. In religious services, a processional denotes the entry of clergy, choir, and participants from the entrance toward the sanctuary, often led by a processional cross or banners and accompanied by organ, choir, or brass. The term describes both the event and the music that accompanies it; the music is often called processional music or a processional hymn.

In weddings, the processional typically refers to the music and sequence by which members of the wedding party enter the ceremony space, culminating in the bride’s entrance. The choice of pieces varies by tradition and setting and can include organ, strings, or contemporary arrangements.

Beyond liturgy and weddings, processional can describe anything pertaining to a ceremonial march or formal entrance, including processional routes or spaces designed to accommodate an orderly arrival of participants. It is often contrasted with recessional, which refers to the music and movement at the ceremony’s conclusion as participants depart.

The term derives from Latin procedere, to advance, and has long been used in English to describe formal entries in both religious and secular contexts.