Top 30 Best Wedding Songs of All Time
#30: “The One” (2015)
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Kodaline Love ballads are always a popular choice for a wedding, and for good reason. They’re beautiful, meaningful, and usually manage to bring at least some in the crowd to tears. “The One” is a great example of this. Kodaline is well-known for their emotive work, and here, they talk about being completely devoted to one’s romantic partner. Using beautiful imagery about summer, rain, and two hearts becoming one, they really paint a picture of a loving romance. The track is chock-full of heartfelt words set to moving music, so you can’t go wrong walking down the aisle or dancing with your new spouse to it.
#29: “Golden Hour” (2018)
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Kacey Musgraves Kacey Musgraves has the voice of an angel, and many of her songs are sure to make listeners swoon. Indeed, she’s no stranger to exploring love in tunes like “Butterflies” and “Love Is a Wild Thing,” which are from her “Golden Hour” album. But, our top pick of hers has to be the one after which said album is named. It’s beautifully simple, with lyrics that illustrate the joy of having someone who lights up your world to share life with. Just hearing “Golden Hour” makes us content and hopeful, which are two feelings a couple in love should definitely be experiencing on their wedding day.
#28: “We’ve Only Just Begun” (1970)
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Carpenters Here’s a pop-rock number with delicate vocals that deliver the chills. The title, “We’ve Only Just Begun,” pretty much says it all. A wedding day is, in one regard, a culmination of the relationship you’ve built with your partner thus far. But of course, it also represents a new chapter of the love story that’s just getting started. This moving track’s lyrics are both loving and optimistic, meaning the end result is perfect to accompany anyone on their journey to tying the knot. The Carpenter siblings gave us one of the most romantic songs out there — we don’t see why anyone would say no to incorporating it into their big day.
#27: “It’s Your Love” (1997)
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Tim McGraw & Faith Hill What’s better than a love song? Well, how about one performed by two people who really are in love? Faith Hill and Tim McGraw have several duets in their catalog, and “It’s Your Love” isn’t one of — if not the most — well-known of these by accident. Soft country numbers are a fantastic choice for a first dance, and the message in this one will surely resonate with any and all newlyweds. It seemingly conveys how spouses McGraw and Hill feel about each other, expressing the fulfillment that comes from finding your person in the process. In other words, it’s an ideal fit for a white veil occasion.
#26: “How Long Will I Love You” (2013)
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Ellie Goulding This tune was originally released in 1990 by the Waterboys. But it’s Ellie Goulding’s 2013 version, also featured on “About Time”’s soundtrack, that has stuck with us as a wedding contender. The words, about a love and devotion that’ll endure forever, are nothing short of touching, and Goulding’s delivery takes the emotion to the next level. Of course, it’s not the only track from a romance film’s soundtrack she’s given us — “Love Me Like You Do” from “Fifty Shades of Grey” is also absolutely gorgeous. Still, we think there’s just something about the energy permeating “How Long Will I Love You” that’s sure to elevate a first dance.
#25: “From This Moment On” (1997)
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Shania Twain Shania Twain can sing about heartbreak. But she also knows how to make a real impact and put a smile on our faces with numbers about pure love, like “You’re Still the One.” But, it’s “From This Moment On” that makes our hearts flutter the most, and compels us to sway on the dance floor with the love of our lives on that most special of occasions. The gentle, heartwarming music is enough to bring us to tears, but pair it with the heartfelt lyrics, and it’s no wonder we’re emotional wrecks. It basically plays out like a set of vows, making it a flawless choice for a day of love.
#24: “Bless the Broken Road” (2004)
Rascal Flatts Often, it’s the hard times in life that lead to something beautiful, and we can be grateful for the ups and downs that ultimately lead us to joy. That’s what “Bless the Broken Road” is all about. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s original is amazing, and many artists have since put their own spin on it. If you ask us, it’s the Rascal Flatts cover that should be blasting when one is dancing with their betrothed. The journey to finding love can be messy and turbulent. This delicate country pop hit knows that, but it also knows the destination is worth it. Playing it on one’s wedding day is a great way to show appreciation for your partner.
#23: “All My Life” (1997)
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K-Ci & JoJo Arguably the most popular song from K-Ci & JoJo is also their most romantic. The R&B ballad is unique, meaning it’s sure to appeal to couples who want to make their nuptials their own. It captures the bond that exists when your partner truly is your everything in life – can you feel our hearts melting? The artists make it clear they want to spend their lives with their one and only, and express how grateful they are that they’ve found their match. Not only is it a gorgeous declaration that captures what weddings represent, it’s also sure to get your guests ready to celebrate.
#22: “I Get to Love You” (2016)
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Ruelle If you’re looking for a tear-jerker to take your big day to the next level, allow us to suggest “I Get to Love You.” Ruelle sings about how it’s a surreal privilege to love the one you’re with forever. And isn’t appreciating and recognizing that very privilege an integrally special part of one’s wedding day? The musical styling here is straightforward and emotional, while Ruelle’s voice is nothing short of enchanting. The lyrics, for their part, will connect with virtually any audience, making this a fantastic ballad to use for any of the events surrounding those all-important “I do”’s.
#21: “You Are the Best Thing” (2008)
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Ray LaMontagne One of the greatest parts of finding the person you’re going to spend your life with is knowing you’ll have someone with you through thick and thin. This single is the musical representation of that, and what a breathtaking representation it is. Ray LaMontagne sings about how his troubles seem a lot smaller with the love of his life by his side, because that person is the greatest gift. There’s honesty and sincerity running through each lyric and note, which further bolster this stirring message. It’s also just a purely entertaining bop. If “You Are the Best Thing” isn’t a quintessential wedding song, we really don’t know what is!
#20: “Come Away with Me” (2002)
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Norah Jones Norah Jones knows as much as any songwriter about crafting a simple melody that is also unique and memorable. With “Come Away with Me,” she needs only a handful of notes and piano keys to weave a musical tapestry that showcases two lovers, riding off into the sunset together. Jones’s elegant serenade reminds listeners that love doesn’t always need a grandiose honeymoon. For a couple that wants nothing more than to escape the pressures of life and get lost in each other's arms, this sultry serenade is perfect. Just add one dance floor and one adorable peck on the lips, and you’ve got the perfect formula for a picturesque first waltz.
#19: “Marry Me” (2010)
Train “How we met” is a topic sure to come up at most weddings. With “Marry Me,” Train frontman Pat Monahan dreamily sings about one of those life-changing moments. The song’s narrator sees a beautiful stranger in a cafe, and he instantly imagines spending the rest of his life with her…if only he could overcome the insurmountable obstacle of saying “hi.” Monahan’s lyrics emphasize that “forever can never be long enough,” and they are a bittersweet reminder for a bride and groom to cherish every single instant that they get to share with each other. The music video features couples who reminisce about their distinctive meet/cutes. As the intro suggests, “Marry Me” might be the perfect soundtrack for two newlyweds’ first slideshow.
#18: “My Eyes” (2014)
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Blake Shelton feat. Gwen Sebastian Some say true beauty lies in its beholder, and “My Eyes” is Blake Shelton’s contribution to that idea. This country number focuses on the tunnel vision a person-in-love might experience when looking upon their love interest. Playful lyrics tease about getting drunk off her red-wine-colored lips and the irresistible magnetism he feels while hypnotized by her visual splendor. Frequently sung with Gwen Sebastian, Blake’s former pupil on “The Voice,” the melody lends itself to vocalists of any gender, and it’s easy to imagine young lovers singing it together. The song’s enamored protagonist references the scarcity of items that he “doesn’t want to take off” of his partner, making “My Eyes” a fun and tantalizing precursor to a wedding night.
#17: “The Only Exception” (2010)
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Paramore Love is hard. And surviving its hardships can easily make one a cynic. With an atypically restrained track off their album “Brand New Eyes,” Paramore members Hayley Williams and Josh Farro express concern regarding the supposed steadfast nature of true love. Feelings of doubt about the existence of eternal virtue, as well as fear of its loss once found, are distinctly exhibited in the song’s lines. However, these reservations and disbeliefs miraculously wash away when they meet “the only exception.” It’s a love letter to the person who makes you believe in fairytales, and an appreciation of the rocky road that brought the both of you together. Certainly, that’s food for thought that belongs on the table with any wedding cake.
#16: “I Won’t Give Up” (2012)
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Jason Mraz During a time of activism and emotional exploration for Jason Mraz, he penned “I Won’t Give Up,” another song that bows its head to the long and difficult journey on the way to “forever.” Mraz empties his sincerity into each note of this ballad, from the somber lows of the verse to the soaring highs to its gloriously uplifting chorus. He sings with a heavy soul that has endured all a lasting romance requires: compromise, sacrifice, and a profound willingness to learn about one’s partner and oneself. The video showcases couples both young and old, who we can imagine have heavily tested their relationships and come out the other side even stronger, and still clasping hands. It’s a truly inspiring projection of a couple’s future.
#15: “Lover” (2019)
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Taylor Swift Taylor Swift knows how to write about love in all its stages. She also knows how to take familiar phrases and twirl them elegantly into innovative poetry. “Please stand,” “borrowed and blue,” “all’s well that ends well,” are just a few commonalities spiced up in this song with fresh imagery and usage. She doesn’t just “take this man,” she takes his “magnetic force” with her guitar-string-scarred hand. “Lover” supposes that “happily ever after” is finding that person who you can live with and leave the Christmas lights up for too long. Were we to say, “the groom has found that person,” then it already sounds like we’re starting a best man’s toast.
#14: “I Choose You” (2014)
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Sara Bareilles Good luck getting this one out of your head after the reception. Why would you want to? Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles can really milk a melody out of words, turning the single syllables of “choose” and “you” into a heavenly ballet of falsetto. As she points out, those words are the first of a “lifelong love letter.” For the music video, Bareilles helped two actual couples propose to each other, including their engagements in the film’s final cut. With or without the backstory, “I Choose You” is sure to make a few aortas beat like they’re on a first date.
#13: “When A Man Loves A Woman” (1966; 1991)
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Percy Sledge; Michael Bolton Are you Team Percy or Team Michael? Let the Battle begin. Percy Sledge originally recorded this iconic soul track in the legendary capital of soul Muscle Shoals, and Michael Bolton resurrected the classic in 1991 with his unmistakable cavernous voice. Whichever version you prefer, both artists reach into the catacombs of their souls to give the words undeniably passionate life. Sledge performed the song to get his then-girlfriend to return to him, as he had no way of getting her back besides singing his heart out. What better way to make folks swoon than the sound of a man laying all his vulnerability on the line for the love of a woman?
#12: “Unforgettable” (1991)
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Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole Sometimes “I love you” doesn’t need three words: it just takes one. Recorded by Nat King Cole in 1951, “Unforgettable” received a virtual update in 1991, when Cole’s daughter Natalie covered the tune. The wizardry of modern technology edited old recordings of Nat King with new performances of Natalie, bringing the two together both on the record and onstage. The lyrics require no explanation as to why the subject is the apple of the singer’s eye; they are simply “unforgettable,” as inexplicably as “love” itself is ineffable. Given the backstory and the interpretive nature of the words, this song could just as easily be a father-daughter dance as a couple's first.
#11: “Make You Feel My Love” (2008)
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Adele Though Adele adamantly did not want a cover on her debut album, she changed her mind when she heard Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love.” Perhaps that’s a testament to the love song’s ability to say genuinely and succinctly what many others have tried. The singer of the lyrics pledges to endure all hardships, harbor any burdens, and journey as far as the world’s end for their lover. Adele knows exactly the right points to soften and to amplify her one-of-a-kind milky tone as she vocally navigates Dylan’s masterpiece. Her version’s sincerity and understanding of the source material could explain why it’s the version that pops up first after a Google-search, and why it’s likely to be a popular choice for any ceremony.
#10: “All of Me” (2013)
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John Legend It seems no wedding DJ’s repertoire is complete without this piano ballad on the list. “All of Me” promises all the happy endings, as it was written about one—songwriter John Legend composed the piece after being inspired by Chrissy Teigen, who at the time was his fiancée and is now his wife. The “Billboard Hot 100” number-one has skyrocketed in popularity for weddings and it is consistently a top contender for first dances. The song is nothing if not romantic, declaring love for both the smooth and the jagged parts of a partner’s soul. It boldly exclaims to want everything that you are, and to offer everything that I am in return. And what bride doesn’t dream of waking up every day to hear her so-called imperfections called “perfect?”
#9: “Unchained Melody” (1965)
The Righteous Brothers This is the refrain that argues “‘til death do us part” is not the end. When The Righteous Brothers’ recording of “Unchained Melody” was used in the 1990 film “Ghost,” it resurfaced on the music charts in popularity. Besides being part of a movie about love after death, the lyrics already allude to eternal themes, including imagery of flowing rivers and the sea, both undying and everlasting forces of nature. It intensely evokes the yearning one has for a lover and the emptiness felt in their absence. Despite multiple recordings, Bobby Hatfield’s vocals have stood the test of time, resonating like the chilling presence of a specter, and soaring like the clouds couples might look to on their special day.
#8: “Endless Love” (1981)
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Diana Ross & Lionel Richie No need to bring cheese for the crackers at your hors d’oeuvres table. We’ve got you covered. It’s glorious cheese though, palatably served with the mellifluous harmony of Diana Ross and Lionel Richie. It’s yet another excerpt from a movie soundtrack that’s earned an invite on many guest lists, perhaps because brides and grooms can’t resist the glorious feeling of imagining their stories as real-life romances. The dreamy duet has been tackled by many subsequent performers, including Shania Twain, Mariah Carey, and Luther Vandross. If you and your honey have some pipes and a little reception courage, maybe you can pick up the microphone and add your own names to that list.
#7: “Wonderful Tonight” (1977)
Eric Clapton One spouse may take forever to choose an outfit, while the other is happy to wait. And that’s the recipe for making love. Or so Eric Clapton thought, strumming his guitar and waiting on future-wife Pattie Boyd to dress for a party. He wrote down a song that he would later play onstage for her at one of his shows, the day after taking his vows. “Wonderful Tonight” is mellow and natural, tenderly observing that grace comes effortlessly when your audience is the one who holds your heart. Clapton’s words are a reminder that when romance is real, you and your paramour have the only four eyes that truly matter. Play this in the limousine at your own risk, as you may be charmed into skipping the reception all together.
#6: “Marry You” (2011)
Bruno Mars We’re going to the chapel and going crazy for this one. Bruno Mars captures the butterflies of a crazy night in Vegas with his electric hit, which has been inspiring proposals and flash mobs worldwide. The narrator exclaims to their main squeeze that, on a beautiful night, the smartest “dumb” thing to do is to get married. It doesn’t matter if it lasts after the morning; the singer’s only focused on embracing their irrepressible feelings in-the-moment. Jovial xylophone-like bells, along with anthemic vibrance in Mars’s voice, are sure to raise dancing juice and make guests feel like champagne bubbles come-to-life. Why do we love it? Who cares, Baby? Let’s spin that record and celebrate the fabled union of betrothal and spontaneity.
#5: “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” (1991)
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Bryan Adams Here’s a power ballad for those of us who believe in fairytales. Bryan Adams’ hit single from the “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” soundtrack has outlasted its parent movie and continues to make amorous eyes water. Spain, Italy, and the UK all hopped the bandwagon of adoration for the chart-stopper. The vocal performance resonates with fiery heart and stoicism that are sure to drown out both bad English accents and naysayers of love. Bryan Adams might be a factory for great wedding songs, as we almost bent our knees for “Heaven,” his glorious ode to the discovery of romantic paradise-on-Earth. Ultimately though, our beating ventricles fluttered for the auditory poetry that warmed even Stewie Griffin’s heart.
#4: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
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Elvis Presley Hail to the King, baby. Based on an 18th Century French melody, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” got the Elvis Presley treatment in the early 60s, and the result has been pure magic. His sultry vocals keep perfect time with the unraveling of tenderness in the song. Notes that feel soft and doting transform into compelling beats of fervor by the end. We dare you to hear Elvis propose, “take my hand [and] my whole life” and NOT crumble at the knees. After Elvis’s original recording, a session expert remarked that the superstar “seemed already aware that he’d created a classic.” Maybe, like the Blues, this aria needed not to be written, but only discovered.
#3: “A Thousand Years” (2011)
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Christina Perri 2011 not only made human/vampire love acceptable, but it also ushered in some of the greatest wedding songs in the modern era. On the heels of Bruno’s “Marry You” came Christina Perri’s psalm for a romantic destiny that has no beginning and no end. You don’t need to be a TwiHeart to appreciate the universal celebration of finally finding your soulmate and miraculously making them yours. The sonnet-like tempo syncs up perfectly with both the footsteps down the aisle and the beating hearts incited as they watch. Perri sounds like she was born to sing this song, which could be why even more couples are seemingly choosing “A Thousand Years” for their weddings than people who flocked to the movie it was written for.
#2: “At Last” (1960)
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Etta James We’re nearing the end of our countdown, and the video comments have spoken. There seems to be no shortage of love for Etta James’ definitive R & B recording, with its title appearing frequently on wedding music suggest-pages. The indelible number checks almost all the boxes of what the other songs on our list have to offer: it’s masterfully sung, intuitively emotional, and rousing in its ovation of two lost souls finding their place in the world together, at last. It’s no wonder that so many great artists have produced their own renditions. Still, “At Last” seems eternally bound to the voice of Etta James. We predict centuries of weddings-to-come will carry on to the sound of her soulful ode to love.
#1: “Perfect” (2017)
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Ed Sheeran Many would consider “Thinking Out Loud” to be the ideal wedding song. However, even Sheeran himself admitted to thinking another number one single was even more, well, “Perfect.” We can’t even write about this one without wiping tears from our eyes. Listening to “Perfect” is like watching the time capsule of two soulmates, as the throat-tightening lyrics equally fit both the moment they met and the moment they say “I do.” Though the story time travels over scenes of young love and the dream of a future family, it eventually pirouettes back to the present moment: two lovers, dancing in each others’ arms. We’re willing to bet that many newlyweds will remember the greatest night of their lives, with “Perfect” playing in the background.