When it comes to your big day, the right music can make all the difference. Whether you’re setting the mood for a heartfelt ceremony, creating a chill vibe for cocktails, or rocking the dance floor until the last song, finding the best wedding songs matters.
Choosing the best wedding songs might feel overwhelming. I get it! You’ve got to think about the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and of course, the reception. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Below, I have listed actual examples from couples from our 2024 weddings!
Ceremony: Setting the Tone
Processional (Walking Down the Aisle):
“Canon in D” – Johann Pachelbel (a true classic)
“I’m Kissing You” – Des’ree (modern and romantic)
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” – From Crazy Rich Asians (timeless and dreamy)
“I Knew I Loved You” – Mateo Oxley (Acoustic Piano)
“In Your Eyes” –Peter Gabriel (The String Quartet Channel)
Recessional (The Grand Exit):
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” – Stevie Wonder
“Best Day of My Life” – American Authors
“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” – Natalie Cole
“Happy Together” – The Turtles
“Børns” – Electric Love
You should of course select a song that tells your story as a couple. Hopefully these songs will give you a good starting point to find your own inspiration!
Cocktail Hour: Halftime
Cocktail hour is all about mingling and sipping on signature drinks. You’ll want a playlist that’s upbeat but not overpowering—background music that keeps the energy flowing. Here are my top cocktail-hour jams:
“Lovely Day” – Bill Withers
“10%” – Kaytranada
“Kiss of Life” – Sade
“Beyond” – Leon Bridges
“Oye Como Va” – Celia Cruz & Tito Puente
“Harvest Moon” – Poolside
“Be My Baby” – The Ronnettes
“Doo Wop (That Thing)” – Lauryn Hill
“This Must Be The Place” – Talking Heads
“Better Together” – Jack Johnson
You can pick one vibe or mix it up like I did in the list above. Just keep it chill and upbeat and your guests will love it!
Dinner: Chill Yet Upbeat
Dinner is the perfect time to slow things down a bit. You’ll want songs that set a relaxed tone but still keep the love alive. Here’s what I recommend:
“Master Blaster (Jammin)” – Stevie Wonder (Gets everyone pumped for reception)
“I Love You – Always Forever” – Betty Who
“Give Me The Night” – George Benson
“Never Too Much” – Luther Vandross
“Beyond The Sea” – Bobby Darin
“What You Won’t Do For Love” – Bobby Caldwell
“Feeling Good” – Nina Simone
“Let’s Stay Together” – Al Green
“Strawberry Letter 23” – The Brother Johnson
“Dreams” – Fleetwood Mac
This playlist is a mix of classics from Motown, Classic Rock, and some 80’s RnB Pop. You can always add more modern tunes that fit a dinner vibe.
Reception: Let The Festivities Begin
Now comes the part where the party starts. Whether it’s getting Grandma to shake it or letting your besties unleash their best moves, the reception playlist is where you pull out all the stops.
First Dance:
“Adore You” – Miley Cyrus
“All My Life” – K-Ci & JoJo
“You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
“A Pedir Su Mano” – Juan Luis Guerra
“Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
Parent Dances:
Mother-Son:
“The Perfect Fan” – Backstreet Boys
“Forever Young” – Rod Stewart
“A Song for Mama” – Boyz II Men
Father-Daughter:
“Yours” – Post Malone
“Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
“What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
Open Dance Floor:
Here’s where you let loose:
“HOT TO GO!” – Chapelle Roan
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston
“September” – Earth, Wind & Fire
“Yeah!” – Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris
“Twist & Shout” – The Beatles
“Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)’” – C&C Music Factory
“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
“Cuff It” – Beyoncé
“Levitating” – Dua Lipa
“Titi Me Pregunto” – Bad Bunny
From throwbacks to modern bangers, these tracks will keep the party going all night long.
Final Song: Ending on a High Note
The last dance is just as important as the first. It’s the grand finale that sends everyone off with smiles and sore feet. Here are some crowd-pleasing finales:
“Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey (epic sing-along vibes)
“Closing Time” – Semisonic (a classic closer)
“I’ve Had (The Time of My Life)” – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
- Last Dance – Donna Summers
This post was all about the best wedding songs for your special day!
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