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Choosing wedding songs can be a difficult and seemingly daunting task. How do you pick the perfect song for the perfect moment for the perfect day? We’re here to break it down for you and give you suggestions from some of our favorite experts in the field. This is the soundtrack to your wedding - make it memorable!
Erica of Aloha Erica says: First steps first: Open up Spotify. There are hundreds of playlists available for every genre. Like acoustic music? Search for “Acoustic Wedding Songs” playlist. Like Country music? Search for “Country Wedding Songs” playlist. Then just start listening. Listen in the car, listen while you work, listen whenever you can and when a song that speaks to you or that you like comes up, drag and drop it into YOUR playlist. Then start listening to your playlist. Songs will eventually start becoming clear to you and you’ll begin envisioning particular moments of your wedding day with music.
Connor Mass from Complete Weddings + Events says to not be concerned about how it will be perceived by your guests. “For example, there are so many couples who want to use a song for their first dance but may be concerned that it’s too played out. We guarantee that when you're on the dance floor together you won't be thinking about what's played out or what's in style but rather how you feel in that very moment. When it comes to picking music, just be you!”
We also got some awesome examples of songs from these seasoned experts:
Prelude:
Aloha Erica:
Take The World by Johnnyswim
Better Together by Jack Johnson
The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson
As Long As You Love Me by Sleeping At Last
Don’t Know Why by Norah Jones
Yellow by Coldplay
Complete Weddings + Events:
"Sign of the Times - Stripped" by Steve Horner
The amazing lady DJ crew over at Our DJ Rocks says this about choosing your song:
Some of our FAV suggestions come from finding songs that pull on your heart strings and then finding unique versions like: acoustic or instrumentals. Some of our FAV artists are Vitamin String Quartet, Brooklyn Duo, Duomo or Daniel Jang.
L&G Live likes keeping it old school with I Do (Cherish You) by 98 degrees
Here are some great suggestions for Groom and Bridal Party Entrance to Ceremony:
Aloha Erica:
How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding
Complete Weddings + Events:
"Here Comes the Sun" by Midnight String Quartet
Our DJ Rocks:
Wildest Dreams by Duomo
Can't Help Falling in Love by Kina Grannis
L&G Live:
This I Promise You by N*sync
Lover by Taylor Swift
As Long As You Love Me by Backstreet Boys
2 become 1 by Spice Girls
For the star of the show moment, the Bridal Processional:
Aloha Erica:
At Last by Etta James
I Choose You by Sara Bareilles
Marry Me by Train
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley
Complete Weddings + Events:
"At Last" by Brooklyn Duo
"Canon in D" by Brooklyn Duo
"Can't Help Falling in Love" by Kacey Musgraves
Our DJ Rocks:
You Are The Reason by Brooklyn Duo (OR the original by Calum Scott)
L&G Live:
From This Moment by Shania Twain
Amazed by Lonestar
You just got married! Let’s celebrate with a Recessional song:
Aloha Erica:
Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontague
Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves
Signed Sealed Delivered by Stevie Wonder
Complete Weddings + Events:
"Move Your Feet" by Junior Senior
L&G Live:
September by Earth Wind & Fire
For songs for your guests to listen to while they sip their libations: Cocktail Hour Music:
Aloha Erica:
Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
Anyone by Justin Bieber
Crazy In Love by Beyonce
Riptide by Vance Joy
Rolling In The Deep by Adele
I Want You Back by The Jackson 5
Many The Miles by Sara Bareilles
Waiting On The World To Change by John Mayer
This one’s for the dudes: Bridal Party Guys Introduction:
Complete Weddings + Events:
"Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses
L&G Live:
Late Night Talking - Harry Styles
And of course for the ladies, Bridal Party Ladies Introduction:
Complete Weddings + Events:
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston
L&G Live:
What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction
For a song to introduce your Full Bridal Party and/or Couple:
Complete Weddings + Events:
"Forever" by Chris Brown
"Bring Em Out" by T.I.
Our DJ Rocks has a comprehensive list of songs for your grand entrance here: https://ourdjrocks.com/wedding-entrance-songs/
But they love: Verge by Owl City
L&G Live:
Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
The Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga
Your First Dance is so special and sweet. Pick a song that means the world to you:
Aloha Erica:
Grow As We Go by Ben Platt
Perfect by Ed Sheeran
Beginning Middle End by Leah Nobel
Hawaiian Wedding Song by Elvis Presley
Complete Weddings + Events:
"First Time (feat. Dylan Matthew) - Acoustic" by Seven Lions
Our DJ Rocks:
Take The World, Johnnyswim
“Take The World, Johnnyswim is a viiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiibe! <3 Especially when there is intelligent lighting to make the moment LOOK just as emotionally as it FEELS.”
L&G Live:
I Swear by All 4 one
Stand by Me by Prince Royce
First Date by Acoustic Version Blink 182
You're The Inspiration by Chicago
A sweet moment between a father and daughter: The Father Daughter Dance:
Aloha Erica:
Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Complete Weddings + Events:
In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride
Our DJ Rocks:
One Call Away by Charlie Puth
L&G Live:
Slipping Through My Fingers by Abba
I Loved Her First by Tim McGraw
A touching moment between Mother and Son: The Mother Son Dance:
Aloha Erica:
I Turn To You by Christina Aguilera
Our DJ Rocks:
The Perfect Fan by Backstreet Boys
L&G Live:
Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey
You Are My Sunshine by Johnny Cash
The Anniversary Dance invites all of the married couples up to dance to honor their years of marriage. Pick a love song for the ages!:
Complete Weddings + Events:
"L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole
Our DJ Rocks says: This dance is a great time to allow all of the couples at your wedding to share in a celebratory dance! I would recommend going a little older for this one, since this dance typically ends with the longest married couple on the dance floor.
L&G Live:
Accidentally In Love - Counting Crows
Why cut your cake in silence when you can have a song playing in the background?:
Complete Weddings + Events:
"Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies
"Watermelon Sugar" by Harry Styles
Our DJ Rocks:
"ILYSM" by Lany
L&G Live:
Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney
The Garter Toss is so fun, pick a fun song to go with it!:
Complete Weddings + Events:
Stand Up by Ludacris ft. Shawnna
Our DJ Rocks has another amazing comprehensive list of fun and flirty garter toss songs: https://ourdjrocks.com/80-fun-flirty-garter-toss-songs/
This one’s for the ladies, the infamous Bouquet Toss:
Complete Weddings + Events:
2 Be Loved (Am I Ready) by Lizzo
Our DJ Rocks says “Are you the type that loves the idea of the bouquet toss and think that it’s a competitive sport? Or just want to have a moment with your friends? Here are some bouquet toss song suggestions for your wedding, some you’d guess would be on this list and some you may not have thought of yet.”
American Woman by Lenny Kravitz
Little White Church by Little Bit Town
Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Ani Difranco
Single Ladies by Beyonce
Spice Up Your Life by Spice Girls
Milksake by Kelis
Firework by Katy Perry
Girlfight by Brooke Valentine
Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper
Maneater by Nelly Furtado
Who Run the World by Beyonce
Ladies Night by Kool & Gang
Glamorous by Fergie
Like Virgin by Madonna
Gold Digger by Kanye West
Wishing and Hoping by Ani Defranco
Where Them Girls At by David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida
The Final Song With Guests is your chance to go out with a bang!:
Complete Weddings + Events:
"The Time (Dirty Bit)" by Black Eyed Peas
Our DJ Rocks:
Don't Stop the Party by Pitbull
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
If you're more traditional Save The Last Dance For Me by Buble or Don't Stop Believing by Journey. If you like country music, Friends in Low Places ALWAYS packs the dance floor.
L&G Live:
I Could Fall In Love by Selena
Still Into You by Paramore
We highly recommend ending the night with a Private Dance - it’s a chance to just breathe and take in the day with your love. Pick a favorite song between you and your boo:
Complete Weddings + Events:
"Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton
Our DJ Rocks:
Recently one of our couples chose Spin You Around by Morgan Wallen for their private last dance and it completely had us SWOONING!
L&G Live:
All My Life - K-Ci & Jojo
Our DJ Rocks advises that “Your day should be about the coming together of two families but also a celebration of your love... what it looks like and what it FEELS like. Use music as a tool to create that feeling from the time guests arrive, while they are enjoying conversations and beverages during cocktail hour and even during dancing!”
L&G live suggests that song choices should reflect how they feel about their relationship and the love they have for one another. A song that works for one couple doesn't necessarily work for another. These choices are for you and no one else so when others give their opinion you can absolutely take their advice into account, but at the end of the day if a song invokes such a strong emotional connection that it brings you to tears or reminds you of the first time you set eyes on your person then that is your song. Music is about emotion, connection, and communicating feelings when it's difficult to find the words. So if you're connecting with Lady Gaga but mom is insisting on Frank Sinatra, go with Gaga ;)
We love this advice, everything about your wedding should scream YOU. Be true to yourself in all of the things you choose to be at your wedding. This is a day all about you and your boo, not about your mom, your aunt, your cousin (or god forbid your maid of honor). It’s your wedding, not theirs. Choose music that is meaningful to you. It’s so special, especially after your wedding when that song comes on your drive home and invokes all of those memories from your beautiful day. Choose songs that make you happy. Have a favorite song for a special moment? Leave it in the comments!