The Best Romantic Wedding Songs for your Special Day
The wedding day is a special and memorable time for couples. It’s usually the most anticipated event in a couple’s relationship and planning it can be quite stressful. You want everything to be perfect, but that is easier said than done. There are so many aspects of the wedding day that must be considered, such as the dress code, catering, guests, and even the small details like songs for the reception. A successful wedding needs much preparation and attention to detail.
If you’re planning your own wedding or know someone who will soon get married, we have some helpful information about choosing the right songs for this very special occasion. Music plays an important part in setting the tone for any social gathering or event where people come together to enjoy each other’s company and share common interests. Music can uplift our spirits or put us in a reminiscent mood depending on what we choose to listen to at any given time.
These songs will help set the mood for your big day while also making sure everyone has a great time dancing throughout the night! Read on to learn more…
The Best Songs to Walk Down the Aisle to or for signing the register, during the service
You’ve got the dress and the venue… now all you need is the perfect song to walk down the aisle to. There are many classical pieces like Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major, but we’ve picked our classics we love.
There aren’t many moments in life as special and memorable as your wedding day. From saying “I do” to your final farewells as Mr & Mrs, there are so many wonderful moments that make up your wedding day.
And what better way to set the tone for your big day than with a killer playlist? Whether you want something light-hearted and fun or something a little more sophisticated and mature – we’ve got you covered! Here are some of our favourite songs to walk down the aisle to.
Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
“(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams in 1991. In addition to being one of Adams’s most popular songs, it became one of the most popular singles of all time, selling more than 15 million copies worldwide. Hundreds of artists and musicians have covered the love song.
Fleetwood Mac – Songbird
“Songbird” is a song by the British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac in 1977. A man is the subject of this lovely love song, which is sung to him by the woman who loves him most.
The Beatles – Here Comes the Sun
“Here Comes the Sun” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1969 album Abbey Road. As of August 2021, “Here Comes the Sun” was still the band’s most streamed song on Spotify, with over 700 million plays.
Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
“A Thousand Years” is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Christina Perri, for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1. The song was inspired by the relationship between Edward and Bella in the Twilight books and films.
Ellie Goulding – Your Song
English singer Ellie Goulding recorded a cover of the song “Your Song” for the reissue of her first album (Bright Lights), which is titled Lights. At Prince William and Catherine Middleton’s wedding reception at Buckingham Palace on April 29, 2011, Goulding performed ‘Your Song’ as the royal couple shared their first dance.
Bruno Mars – Marry You
Bruno Mars’ first studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), features ‘Marry You.’ Since its release, the recording has frequently been used as a proposal song, focusing on spontaneous marriage but it’s a great song to walk down the aisle to.
Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967 as a single. In this song, Louis sees past the bad things in life and shows his positive and true love for the world and mother earth.
Coldplay – Paradise
“Paradise” is a song by the British rock band Coldplay, released in 2011 as the second single from their fifth album, Mylo Xyloto. This song represents that we must never give up hope, even when we mature and lose our innocence.
Beyoncé – Halo
“Halo” is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé for her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008). This song is about a woman who has experienced enough hurt to erect barriers around himself is the subject of this tale. She is wary at the outset of new connections but, in time, she realises that the individual in question is the real thing.
Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
Jason Mraz wrote and recorded “I’m Yours” in 2008 as the first single off of his third studio album We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. It’s a lovely song about being head over heels for someone, and how you have to let go and just let it flow and see what happens.
Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There
“I’ll Be There” is the first single released on Third Album by The Jackson 5. Even if his ex-lover finds someone new, the man in this song offers her unwavering support and companionship. It is one of the most sentimental and loving songs of the period.
Labrinth & Emeli Sandé – Beneath Your Beautiful
“Beneath Your Beautiful” is a song by British musicians Labrinth and Emeli Sandé released in 2012. It’s a wonderful song about two broken souls struggling in this harsh world and seeking someone to save them. The song is a terrific combination of both hope and despair.
The Best First Dance Wedding Songs
First dances are an emotional time for a couple, but also a fun opportunity to throw in some quirky personal touches. There are no hard and fast rules about what songs you should choose for your first dance as these decisions are highly personal and depend on the tastes of the bride and groom. That said, there are some general rules that apply to almost all couples. If you’re thinking of choosing a song for your first dance, we have some great suggestions.
First dances can be one of the most memorable moments in a wedding reception, so it’s important to choose the right song. It can either help set the tone of the rest of the evening or it can become an awkward moment that everyone talks about for years afterwards! Here’s our list of the best first dance songs which will help you get off to a good start.
Sleeping at Last – 500 Miles
Ryan O’Neal performs a cover of The Proclaimers’ song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”, which is a cover of the same song. In place of a band, Sleeping at Last conveys the song in a more romantic manner by using a piano and removing the lines about being drunk with and “haverin’” with the love interest.
The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
Unchained Melody” is a 1955 song with music by Alex North but covered by the Righteous Brothers in 1965. This melody is one of the most sentimental slow-dance tunes. Every word is drawn out in a mournful lullaby fashion, creating a hypnotic beat. The words reflect deep, eternal love…but there is also sadness present.
Ed Sheeran – Perfect
“Perfect” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his third studio album, ÷ in 2017. Sheeran wrote the wedding song with the hope of growing old with his spouse and raising children. He set out to accomplish this by composing the most significant song of his career.
John Legend – All of Me
“All of Me” is a song by American singer John Legend from his fourth studio album Love in the Future in 2013. According to Legend, the song was inspired by his intense adoration for model Chrissy Teigen, to whom he proposed in 2011 and married in 2013.
Fred Astaire – The Way You Look Tonight
“The Way You Look Tonight” is a song from the film Swing Time that was sung by Fred Astaire in 1936. The song really captures the little things about the girl that gets him. Even though change is inevitable and they probably won’t be together forever, the time they shared will forever be remembered.
Etta James – At Last
At Last by Etta James (American R&B singer) was a cover song recorded in 1961. This song with its passionate vocals, sweeping orchestration, focus on finding that one true love and its classical feel is very popular for weddings and wedding receptions.
Janet Jackson – Escapade
“Escapade” is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her fourth studio album, Rhythm Nation 1814, recorded in 1989. This bouncy pop song is just about leaving your troubles behind and having some fun.
Alicia Keys – That’s When I Knew
This acoustic guitar-laced love song was recorded by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys in 2012. Keys created the song with a simple arrangement for her album Girl On Fire. She ignored current rhythm-driven trends in Pop music because she was focused on crafting a song, rather than anything else.
Lauryn Hill – Sweetest Thing
“The Sweetest Thing” (Featuring The Refugee Camp All-Stars) 1997 of the original soundtrack to the 1997 film Love Jones. The message this song is trying to convey is one of adoration for a person. You view everything a person does as perfect when you love them, and this song captures the feeling of young love.
Elton John – Your Song
Elton John created and recorded the song for his self-titled and second album in 1970. Despite its immaturity and naiveté, ‘Your Song’ remains one of his most enduring ballads because it was authentic at the time.
Sam Smith – Latch
On the ‘In the Lonely Hour’ album, you can find the acoustic version of ‘Latch,’ which is a less busy, simpler take on the original. In this song, he is describing how wonderful his lover is and how much he wants to spend the rest of his life with them. He’s asking if he can also depend on their love, whether their feelings are as strong as his own so it’s ideal as a wedding song about commitment.
Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
In celebration of his daughter Aisha Morris’s birth, “Isn’t She Lovely?” is a song by Stevie Wonder recorded in 1976. Morris is his first child and has become a singer herself. A child may be the subject of the song, but it could just as easily be dedicated to a lover or other great lady you know or even for the bridesmaids and mother of the bride.
Best Songs at the Wedding Reception to get everyone dancing
There are so many things to think about when planning a wedding reception; from your dress, food, and venue to the music. Music is an important part of the reception, as it sets the tone for the rest of the night and leaves guests with lasting memories.
Fortunately, there are a number of songs available that are perfect for a wedding reception for a boogie. From old classics to new hits that everyone will love, you’ll find something in this list of ideas for the best songs at a wedding reception!
If you want your guests to leave feeling happy, these songs are sure to get them dancing and leave them with great memories of your big day. With so many great options, you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect songs at your wedding reception.
Artist | Song | Year | Genre |
Van Morrison | Brown Eyed Girl | 1967 | Soft Rock |
The Jacksons | Blame It On The Boogie | 1978 | Disco |
ABBA | Angeleyes | 1979 | Pop |
Sister Sledge | We Are Family | 1979 | Disco |
Lipps Inc. | Funky Town | 1980 | Disco |
Prince | 1999 | 1982 | Funk |
Dexys Midnight Runners | Come On Eileen | 1982 | New Wave/Celtic Folk |
Evelyn King | Love Come Down | 1982 | Funk |
Culture Club | Karma Chameleon | 1983 | Pop |
Cameo – Candy (1986) | Candy | 1986 | R&B |
Whitney Houston | I Wanna Dance with Somebody | 1987 | Dance-pop/R&B |
Gun N’Roses | Sweet Child o’ Mine | 1988 | Hard Rock |
Mariah Carey | Fantasy | 1995 | Pop Soul |
Montell Jordan | This Is How We Do It | 1995 | New Jack Swing/R&B |
Toploader | Dancing in the Moonlight | 1999 | Pop Rock |
Outkast | Hey Ya | 2003 | R&B |
Usher | Yeah | 2004 | Hip Hop |
Pharrel Williams | Happy | 2013 | Soul-pop |
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars | Uptown Funk | 2014 | Funk-pop |
Justin Timberlake | Can’t Stop the Feeling | 2016 | Disco-pop |
Childish Gambino | Feels Like Summer | 2018 | R&B |
Kygo and Whitney Houston | Higher Love | 2019 | Tropical House |
Fireboy DML ft. Ed Sheeran | Peru | 2021 | Afrobeats |
Harry Styles | As It Was | 2022 | Synth-pop |
Burna Boy | Last Last | 2022 | Afrobeats |