The 18 Best Wedding Songs

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Last updated on January 19th, 2023 at 10:45 pm

There are few more important events in a person’s life than their wedding. A great soundtrack for both the ceremony and reception is an essential part of making the day special. There are thousands of songs to choose from, but here are the 18 best wedding songs.

The Best Wedding Songs

18. “Dynamite” – Taio Cruz

“Dynamite” is one of the only best wedding songs that’s a bit of an understated slow burn. While it’s not as instantly memorable or catchy as some of the other songs on our list, it’s still one of the best wedding songs.

The lyrics from Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” are ideal for couples who want to celebrate their love in a raucous, ecstatic way. Its message centers on the ability of love to upend the entire universe and transform people’s lives.

17. “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri

Since its 2011 debut, this beautiful love song has become a staple at weddings and proms. Christina wrote it for the soundtrack of the Twilight film Breaking Dawn Pt. 1.

“A Thousand Years” is one of the best wedding songs because of the catchy, memorable chorus. The song is great for anyone who wants something more meaningful than just another fast beat for dancing at weddings.

16. “No One” – Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys’ “No One” is a perfect wedding song because of its romantic vibe. It’s ideal for the background music at your reception, or you could use it to serenade your wife on your wedding day.

15. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is a worldwide phenomenon for a reason: he writes songs that grab you and get to the heart of whatever emotion he’s putting across. Many of his tracks could make a best wedding songs list.

2017’s “Perfect” is one of the most recent songs on the list, but it’s already used as a first dance song for many couples.

14. “Crazy in Love” – Beyonce

The first time Beyonce and Jay-Z worked together was on this song. It began their now iconic love affair, so maybe it can begin yours as well.

That crazy good hook is enough to get anyone on the dance floor.

13. “My Girl” – The Temptations

One of the best wedding songs from the 1960s is “My Girl.”

The Temptations, one of Motown Records’ most popular acts at the time, sang this gem.

Although it’s one of the older songs on the list, it’s still one of the best wedding songs your DJ shouldn’t overlook.

12. “September”– Earth, Wind, and Fire

This frothy 1978 disco-funk mood elevator is a must-play for wedding DJs all year long, not just in September.

Lyrically, the song recalls a memorable night when everyone was dancing like crazy and in love.

It turns out that these types of nights are much more likely to occur when “September” is playing.

11. “All of Me” – John Legend

What is the #1 wedding song? That’d be “All of Me” by John Legend. The song is about embracing imperfections and embracing who you are.

In 2013, John Legend performed the exultant piano ballad at his wedding to model Chrissy Teigen, the inspiration for the lyrics.

With such a heartfelt message, it’s no wonder it’s one of the best wedding songs to add to your playlist.

10. “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

2015’s most successful ’80s-funk inspired song recalls classics by The Gap Band, Morris Day and The Time, and Zapp.

With “Uptown Funk,” Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars created a timeless dance-floor destroyer that transcends mere pastiche and earns a permanent place in wedding history.

Don’t believe it? Just watch.

9. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

This 1967 duet is a must-have on any wedding playlist. Gaye and Terrell sing about how nothing can separate them, despite any challenges that may arise.

Both the 2000 movie Remember the Titans and the 2014 movie Guardians of the Galaxy had the Gaye/Terrell version on their soundtracks.

8. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake

This song is such a banger that there’s even an exclamation point in the title.

JT’s 2016 single from the soundtrack of Trolls is exactly the sort of feel-good song that is perfect for a wedding reception.

7. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” – Beyoncé

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It),” Beyoncé’s hit single from her 2008 album I Am… Sasha Fierce, is her most successful hit to date.

The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, becoming a top ten hit in more than 20 countries worldwide.

It also won two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Record of the Year at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.

“Single Ladies” has been touted as the ideal bouquet toss anthem.

6. “I Got a Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas

“I Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas is an upbeat, fun song that is perfect for dancing. It’s also a great sing-along.

5. “Happy” – Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams’ happy, energetic “Happy” is an ideal song to lift the spirits of anyone at a wedding reception. It’s one of the best wedding songs that just exudes joy.

4. “Marry Me” – Train

What are the most popular wedding songs for 2023? Train’s “Marry Me” is certainly towards the top of the list.

After all, what gal can resist the sweet, swooning croon of Adam Levine? In “Marry Me,” Levine makes all those forever promises that are in the air on a wedding day, and we believe him.

3. “The Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra

Few of the best wedding songs take a realistic look at love, but “The Way You Look Tonight” is one of them.

The narrator acknowledges that there will be days when you’re “awfully down,” but realizes no solace can compare to the eternal “glow” of how you look tonight.

“The Way You Look Tonight” is transcendent because it honors eternity while acknowledging the transient nature of romantic love.

2. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley

It’s difficult to go wrong with the king of rock n’ roll. Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss wrote “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in 1961 for the Elvis Presley film Blue Hawaii.

A perennial favorite for a couple’s first dance, this one is bound to get everyone out on the dance floor at the reception.

1. “Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (“Here Comes the Bride”) – Richard Wagner

What is the most famous wedding song? That’d be Richard Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” from his opera Lohengrin. It is unquestionably the most well-known and enduring piece of wedding music.

The Wagner “Bridal Chorus” is the ideal processional in terms of music. It moves along at a lovely, relaxed pace that is comfortable to walk to when going down the aisle.

No other song from the wedding repertoire makes everyone think, “here comes the bride!”

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