A wedding cannot take place without music. It’s important to have the right music for every moment of your wedding, from the ceremony to the first dance to the dinner reception to the afterparty.
This list of top wedding song ideas is perfect for anyone compiling a “Top Wedding Songs” soundtrack or playlist, creating a primary wedding music playlist for your DJ, or just looking for the best wedding songs, 2022 album music or not.
What Song Is Played Most At Weddings?
It is difficult to say which song is played most at weddings as it can vary depending on the location, culture, and personal preferences of the couple getting married.
However, some popular songs that are commonly played at weddings include “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, “Marry You” by Bruno Mars, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith, and “All of Me” by John Legend.
1. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” is a classic love song originally recorded by Elvis Presley in 1961. The song is a ballad that tells the story of falling deeply in love and being unable to resist the feeling. The song’s melody is based on the French song “Plaisir d’amour”, which was composed in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. The song was featured in the film “Blue Hawaii” in which Elvis Presley starred.
It’s become a timeless classic and a favourite choice for many couples as its sweet and romantic lyrics and melody make it perfect for a wedding setting. It’s often used during the ceremony as the bride walks down the aisle or during the first dance.
2. “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
“Marry You” is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars, released in 2010. The song is an upbeat, pop and R&B track that captures the excitement and joy of getting married. The lyrics express the singer’s desire to take advantage of a spontaneous moment and propose to his partner, with lines like “It’s a beautiful night, we’re looking for something dumb to do” and “I just wanna say, yes, I wanna marry you”.
The song was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, and CeeLo Green.
The song is a very popular choice for weddings and receptions, its catchy and upbeat nature makes it perfect for a first dance or even as the last song of the reception. it’s become a modern classic and a favourite choice for many couples. It’s upbeat and fun, it’s sure to get guests up and dancing on the dancefloor.
3. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
“A Thousand Years” is a song by American singer-songwriter Christina Perri. It was released in 2011 as a single from the album “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. The song was written and produced by Christina Perri and David Hodges.
The song is a slow, emotional ballad that tells the story of a couple’s love lasting through time. The lyrics express the singer’s longing for her lover and the depth of her love for him. The song has been covered by many artists and has been used in various movies, TV shows and commercials.
The song has become a popular choice for wedding ceremonies and receptions, particularly for the first dance or during the ceremony, as the lyrics reflect the couple’s love and commitment to each other. Its mellow and emotional melody and lyrics make it a perfect fit for a romantic and intimate setting.
4. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” is a song by the American rock band Aerosmith. It was released in 1998 as a single from the soundtrack of the film “Armageddon”. The song was written by Diane Warren, who also wrote many other hits for other artists.
The song is a power ballad that expresses a lover’s desire to never miss a moment with their significant other, with lyrics like “I don’t want to close my eyes, I don’t want to fall asleep, cause I’d miss you baby and I don’t want to miss a thing”. The song features a prominent guitar riff and soaring vocals from lead singer Steven Tyler.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings, particularly as a first dance song or during the ceremony. The song’s emotional and powerful lyrics and melody make it a perfect fit for a romantic and intimate setting. The song’s message of never wanting to miss a moment with the one you love resonates with many couples and is a perfect way to express the depth of their love for each other.
5. “All of Me” By John Legend
“All of Me” is a song by American singer-songwriter John Legend. It was released in 2013 as a single from his fourth studio album “Love in the Future”. The song was written by John Legend, Toby Gad and John Stephens.
The song is a ballad that expresses the singer’s love and devotion to his partner, with lyrics like “What’s going on in that beautiful mind, I’m on your magical mystery ride and I’m so dizzy, don’t know what hit me, but I’ll be alright”. The song features John Legend’s powerful and emotive vocals, accompanied by a piano-based melody.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings, particularly as a first dance song or during the ceremony. The song’s romantic and heartfelt lyrics and melody make it a perfect fit for a romantic and intimate setting. Many couples choose this song to express their love and devotion to each other. The song has also been covered by many artists in different languages, becoming a classic of the 21st century.
6. “Here Comes the Bride”
“Here Comes the Bride” is a traditional bridal march, also known as the “Wedding March,” composed by Richard Wagner in 1858. It is typically played as the bride walks down the aisle during the wedding ceremony. The piece, originally written as part of the opera “Lohengrin,” is often played on an organ or piano, but can also be performed by a string quartet or other ensemble.
The song “Here Comes the Bride” is a traditional music that has been used for many years at weddings, it’s usually played as the bride walks down the aisle, signifying the start of the ceremony. It’s one of the most recognizable songs associated with weddings, and it’s often used in popular culture, including movies, TV shows, and commercials.
7. “Canon in D”
“Canon in D” is a piece of music composed by Johann Pachelbel in the late 17th century. It is a type of canon, which means that it is a piece of music in which a main melody is repeated by different voices at different times. The melody of “Canon in D” is primarily played by the violin and is accompanied by a simple bass line played by a cello or bass.
It’s one of the most popular pieces of classical music and is often played at weddings, particularly during the ceremony or as the wedding party enters the reception. It’s often used as a processional song and its melodic and harmonic structure creates a sense of unity and harmony, making it a perfect fit for a wedding setting. The song has been arranged and covered by many artists in different genres, making it a classic of all time.
8. “Marry Me” by Train
“Marry Me” is a song by the American rock band Train. It was released in 2010 as a single from the band’s fifth studio album “Save Me, San Francisco”. The song was written by lead singer Pat Monahan, Amund Bjørklund and Espen Lind.
The song is an upbeat, pop-rock track that captures the excitement and joy of getting married. The lyrics express the singer’s desire to propose to his partner and make a lifetime commitment to her. The song features a catchy melody and upbeat tempo, accompanied by guitar-based instrumentation.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings and receptions, particularly for the first dance or as the last song of the reception. It’s upbeat and fun, it’s sure to get guests up and dancing on the dancefloor. The song’s message of making a lifetime commitment to one’s partner resonates with many couples and is a perfect way to express the depth of their love for each other.
9. “I Loved Her First” by Heartland
“I Loved Her First” is a song by the American country music band Heartland. It was released in 2006 as a single from the band’s second studio album “I Loved Her First”. The song was written by Craig Wiseman and Tim Nichols.
The song is a country ballad that tells the story of a father’s love for his daughter, and how he must let go of her as she gets married. The lyrics express the singer’s feelings of pride and sadness as he watches his daughter walk down the aisle. The song features a tender melody and emotive vocals, accompanied by guitar-based instrumentation.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings, particularly during the ceremony or the father-daughter dance. The song’s message of a father’s love for his daughter resonates with many couples, and it’s a perfect way to express the depth of their love for each other. Many fathers choose this song to dedicate to their daughters on their wedding day.
10. “I Choose You” by Sara Bareilles
“I Choose You” is a song by American singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. It was released in 2013 as a single from her fourth studio album “The Blessed Unrest.” The song was written by Sara Bareilles. The song is an upbeat, pop and R&B track that captures the excitement and joy of getting married.
The lyrics express the singer’s desire to choose her partner, with lines like “I choose you and I’ll choose you, over and over and over without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat, I’ll keep choosing you”. The song features Sara’s powerful and emotive vocals and a piano-based melody.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings and receptions, particularly for the first dance or during the ceremony. The song’s message of choosing one’s partner over and over again resonates with many couples and is a perfect way to express the depth of their love for each other. Many couples choose this song as it’s upbeat and fun, but also emotional and heartfelt.
The first dance song is also an important choice for many couples. Some of the popular songs include:
“At Last” by Etta James
“At Last” is a song by American blues and R&B singer Etta James. It was released in 1960 as a single from her album “At Last!”. The song was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren.
The song is a classic ballad that expresses the feelings of finally finding true love, with lyrics like “At last, my love has come along, my lonely days are over and life is like a song”. The song features Etta James’ powerful and emotive vocals and is accompanied by a band that includes piano, guitar, and horns.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings, particularly as a first dance song or during the ceremony. The song’s message of finally finding true love resonates with many couples and is a perfect way to express the depth of their love for each other. It’s a timeless classic that has been covered by many artists and is considered one of the greatest love songs of all time.
“I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice
“I Don’t Dance” is a song by American country music singer Lee Brice. It was released in 2014 as a single from his fourth studio album “I Don’t Dance”. The song was written by Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, and Kyle Fishman. The song is an upbeat country track that captures the excitement and joy of getting married.
The lyrics express the singer’s willingness to dance for his partner, with lines like “I don’t dance, but here I am, spinning you round and round in circles, it ain’t my style, but I don’t care, I’d do anything with you anywhere”. The song features a catchy melody and upbeat tempo, accompanied by guitar-based instrumentation.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings and receptions, particularly for the first dance or as the last song of the reception. It’s upbeat and fun, it’s sure to get guests up and dancing on the dancefloor. The song’s message of being willing to do anything for one’s partner resonates with many couples and is a perfect way to express the depth of their love for each other.
“Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
“Perfect” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released in 2017 as a single from his third studio album “÷ (Divide)”. The song was written by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé.
The song is a romantic ballad that expresses the singer’s love and devotion to his partner, with lyrics like “I found a love for me, darling, just dive right in and follow my lead, well I found a girl, beautiful and sweet, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me”. The song features Ed Sheeran’s emotive vocals and guitar-based instrumentation.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings, particularly as a first dance song or during the ceremony. The song’s romantic and heartfelt lyrics and melody make it a perfect fit for a romantic and intimate setting.
Many couples choose this song to express their love and devotion to each other. The song has also been covered by many artists in different languages, becoming a classic of the 21st century. The version of “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé is also very popular.
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
“Thinking Out Loud” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released in 2014 as a single from his second studio album “x (Multiply)”. The song was written by Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge. The song is a romantic ballad that expresses the singer’s love and devotion to his partner, with lyrics like “We found love right where we are when my hair’s all but gone and my memory fades, and the crowds don’t remember my name when my hands don’t play the strings the same way, I know you will still love me the same”. The song features Ed Sheeran’s emotive vocals and guitar-based instrumentation.
The song has become a popular choice for weddings, particularly as a first dance song or during the ceremony. The song’s romantic and heartfelt lyrics and melody make it a perfect fit for a romantic and intimate setting. Many couples choose this song to express their love and devotion to each other. The song’s message of love lasting through time resonates with many couples and is a perfect way to express the depth of their love for each other.
It’s worth mentioning that many couples opt for a mix of classic and contemporary songs that reflect their tastes and personalities. Also, Many times the couple will choose a song that has a special meaning to them or that reminds them of a special moment in their relationship.
It’s also important to note that the choice of songs can vary based on the culture and tradition of the couple. Many traditional weddings may include specific cultural songs or dances as part of the ceremony or reception.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many popular songs are commonly played at weddings, each with its unique message and style. Some popular choices include classic songs like “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, “Here Comes the Bride” and “Canon in D”, as well as more recent hits like “Marry Me” by Train, “I Choose You” by Sara Bareilles, “At Last” by Etta James, “Perfect” and “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran.
The choice of songs can vary based on the culture and tradition of the couple, as well as their tastes and preferences. It’s important to choose a song that has a special meaning to the couple or that reminds them of a special moment in their relationship. Whatever the song is, it should be able to reflect the couple’s love and commitment to each other.
Click here if you are looking for a wedding DJ to play your favourite songs on your big day.