200 Wedding Ceremony Songs You Need on Your Playlist

  • Publication date: 04/07/2023
  • Updated: 11/15/2024
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So, you're tying the knot, huh? First off, congratulations! Now, let's get down to business and talk about the tunes for your big day. When it comes to wedding ceremonies, there's no one-size-fits-all answer for how many songs you need. But, don't worry, we’ll help you sort it all out.

Typically, you'll need around 4 to 6 songs for the key moments of your ceremony. Here's the lowdown:

The Prelude: As guests arrive and settle in, you'll want some chill tunes playing in the background. Nothing too crazy, just something to set the mood.

The Processional: This is the big entrance for you and your wedding party. You'll need a song that's a real tearjerker - the kind that gives everyone the feels when you walk down the aisle.

The Recessional: Once you've sealed the deal with a kiss, it's time to strut out of there like a boss. Pick a tune that's upbeat and celebratory - something that screams "We just got hitched!"

The Postlude: As your guests file out, have a few tunes ready to keep the good vibes going.

Now, you might be wondering why choosing the right songs is so important. Well, music is the heartbeat of any event, and your wedding is no exception. The right tunes can make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy, while the wrong ones can be a real mood-killer. So, it's essential to pick songs that reflect your love story and set the right atmosphere. So, how do you choose the right songs? Here are a few tips to get you started:

  1. Go with your gut: Trust your instincts and pick songs that speak to your heart. You know what makes you and your partner tick, so let that guide you.
  2. Think about the lyrics: While a catchy tune is great, make sure the lyrics are wedding-appropriate too. You don't want Aunt Marge raising her eyebrows during the ceremony, do you?
  3. Get your partner involved: It's your special day as a couple, so collaborate and choose songs that resonate with both of you.
  4. Ask for help: If you're stumped, don't be afraid to ask your friends and family for suggestions. They might come up with some gems you hadn't even thought of!
  5. Consider a live musician or band: Sometimes, having a live performance can add a personal touch to your ceremony. Just make sure they can play the songs you've picked out!

Moving on to the best part - the checklist of the greatest wedding ceremony songs!

The Best Wedding Ceremony Songs Of All Time

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Photo by Danielle Love

Of course, what's "best" can be subjective, so take this list as a starting point and feel free to mix in your own personal favorites!

  1. "Canon in D" - Johann Pachelbel
  2. "A Thousand Years" - Christina Perri
  3. "Marry Me" - Train
  4. "All of Me" - John Legend
  5. "Can't Help Falling in Love" - Elvis Presley
  6. "At Last" - Etta James
  7. "Make You Feel My Love" - Adele
  8. "Marry You" - Bruno Mars
  9. "Thinking Out Loud" - Ed Sheeran
  10. "I Choose You" - Sara Bareilles
  11. "Your Song" - Elton John
  12. "Here Comes the Sun" - The Beatles
  13. "I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz
  14. "Perfect" - Ed Sheeran
  15. "You Are the Best Thing" - Ray LaMontagne
  16. "Just the Way You Are" - Bruno Mars
  17. "Come Away With Me" - Norah Jones
  18. "How Long Will I Love You" - Ellie Goulding
  19. "First Day of My Life" - Bright Eyes
  20. "Over the Rainbow" - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
  21. "You and Me" - Lifehouse
  22. "I Will" - The Beatles
  23. "Bless the Broken Road" - Rascal Flatts
  24. "From This Moment On" - Shania Twain
  25. "Grow Old With Me" - Tom Odell
  26. "Heavenly Day" - Patty Griffin
  27. "Latch" (Acoustic) - Sam Smith
  28. "Amazed" - Lonestar
  29. "You & I (Nobody in the World)" - John Legend
  30. "I Won't Give Up" - Jason Mraz
  31. "By Your Side" - Sade
  32. "XO" - John Mayer
  33. "Love Me Like You Do" - Ellie Goulding
  34. "Chasing Cars" - Snow Patrol
  35. "Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop" - Landon Pigg
  36. "Better Together" - Jack Johnson
  37. "La Vie En Rose" - Edith Piaf
  38. "The Way You Look Tonight" - Frank Sinatra
  39. "Hallelujah" - Jeff Buckley
  40. "Everything" - Michael Bublé
  41. "The One" - Kodaline
  42. "Love Never Felt So Good" - Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake
  43. "Endless Love" - Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
  44. "Lucky" - Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
  45. "When You Say Nothing at All" - Ronan Keating

Popular Wedding Ceremony Songs

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Photo by Jess Living

Choose songs that resonate with both of you and make your big day unforgettable!

  1. "Lover" - Taylor Swift
  2. "10,000 Hours" - Dan + Shay ft. Justin Bieber
  3. "Speechless" - Dan + Shay
  4. "Yours" - Russell Dickerson
  5. "Say You Won't Let Go" - James Arthur
  6. "Beautiful Crazy" - Luke Combs
  7. "Beyond" - Leon Bridges
  8. "Best Part" - Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.
  9. "Die a Happy Man" - Thomas Rhett
  10. "Golden" - Harry Styles
  11. "Tenerife Sea" - Ed Sheeran
  12. "Never Stop" (Wedding Version) - Safetysuit
  13. "Take My Hand (The Wedding Song)" - Emily Hackett ft. Will Anderson
  14. "You Make It Easy" - Jason Aldean
  15. "Love Someone" - Lukas Graham
  16. "This I Promise You" - *NSYNC
  17. "In Case You Didn't Know" - Brett Young
  18. "Ocean Eyes" (Acoustic) - Billie Eilish
  19. "Unconditionally" - Katy Perry
  20. "Always Remember Us This Way" - Lady Gaga
  21. "Put It All on Me" - Ed Sheeran ft. Ella Mai
  22. "Adore You" - Miley Cyrus
  23. "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" - Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend
  24. "Dancing With Your Ghost" - Sasha Sloan
  25. "My Love" - Jess Glynne
  26. "I Get to Love You" - Ruelle
  27. "H.O.L.Y." - Florida Georgia Line
  28. "No Matter Where You Are" - Us The Duo
  29. "Turning Page" - Sleeping At Last
  30. "Happily Ever After" - Case
  31. "Stand by You" - Rachel Platten
  32. "Rewrite the Stars" - Zac Efron & Zendaya
  33. "Only Love" - Ben Howard
  34. "Forever" - Lewis Capaldi
  35. "You Are Mine" - Spencer Combs ft. Holley Maher

Traditional Wedding Ceremony Songs

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Photo by Mary Talamantes

These tunes have been cherished by couples for generations and are perfect for creating a timeless atmosphere at your wedding:

  1. "Wedding March" - Felix Mendelssohn
  2. "Trumpet Voluntary" - Jeremiah Clarke
  3. "Air on the G String" - Johann Sebastian Bach
  4. "Ave Maria" - Franz Schubert
  5. "Bridal Chorus" - Richard Wagner
  6. "Ode to Joy" - Ludwig van Beethoven
  7. "Water Music" - George Frideric Handel
  8. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" - Johann Sebastian Bach
  9. "Claire de Lune" - Claude Debussy
  10. "Gymnopédie No. 1" - Erik Satie
  11. "The Four Seasons" - Antonio Vivaldi
  12. "Moonlight Sonata" - Ludwig van Beethoven
  13. "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" - Sergei Rachmaninoff
  14. "Panis Angelicus" - César Franck
  15. "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  16. "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" - George Frideric Handel
  17. "Cavalleria Rusticana" - Pietro Mascagni
  18. "Prelude in C Major" - Johann Sebastian Bach
  19. "Andante" - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  20. "Lohengrin Prelude" - Richard Wagner
  21. "Trumpet Tune" - Henry Purcell
  22. "Meditation" from Thaïs - Jules Massenet
  23. "Salut d'Amour" - Edward Elgar
  24. "Concerto in D Major" - Antonio Vivaldi
  25. "Romance" - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  26. "Liebestraum No. 3" - Franz Liszt
  27. "Serenade" - Franz Schubert
  28. "Adagio" - Tomaso Albinoni
  29. "Morning Mood" - Edvard Grieg
  30. "Nocturne in E-Flat Major" - Frédéric Chopin

Fun Wedding Songs For Ceremony

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Photo by Jess Living

Here's a list of fun songs for a wedding ceremony to add a touch of lightheartedness and joy to your big day!

  1. "Sugar" - Maroon 5
  2. "I Do" - Colbie Caillat
  3. "You Make My Dreams" - Hall & Oates
  4. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" - Whitney Houston
  5. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" - Stevie Wonder
  6. "Happy" - Pharrell Williams
  7. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen
  8. "On Top of the World" - Imagine Dragons
  9. "Dancing in the Moonlight" - Toploader
  10. "Ho Hey" - The Lumineers
  11. "Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder
  12. "Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves
  13. "I'm a Believer" - The Monkees
  14. "Love on Top" - Beyoncé
  15. "Accidentally in Love" - Counting Crows
  16. "Home" - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
  17. "You're My Best Friend" - Queen
  18. "Lovefool" - The Cardigans
  19. "The Way I Am" - Ingrid Michaelson
  20. "Kiss Me" - Sixpence None the Richer
  21. "Everything Is Awesome" - Tegan and Sara ft. The Lonely Island
  22. "Dog Days Are Over" - Florence + The Machine
  23. "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" - James Taylor
  24. "I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz
  25. "Banana Pancakes" - Jack Johnson
  26. "Shut Up and Dance" - WALK THE MOON
  27. "Friday I'm in Love" - The Cure
  28. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" - Stevie Wonder
  29. "Love and Marriage" - Frank Sinatra
  30. "Stuck in the Middle with You" - Stealers Wheel

Unity Ceremony Songs

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Photo by John Schnack

Pick any of these songs to add a meaningful touch to your special moment.

  1. "A Sky Full of Stars" - Coldplay
  2. "The Book of Love" - Peter Gabriel
  3. "You and I" - Ingrid Michaelson
  4. "Better Half of Me" - Tom Walker
  5. "I Will Follow You Into the Dark" - Death Cab for Cutie
  6. "To Make You Feel My Love" - Bob Dylan
  7. "Two Become One" - Paul McCartney
  8. "Harvest Moon" - Neil Young
  9. "1+1" - Beyoncé
  10. "Latch" - Sam Smith
  11. "You're Still The One" - Shania Twain
  12. "Annie's Song" - John Denver
  13. "The Luckiest" - Ben Folds
  14. "True Companion" - Marc Cohn
  15. "Stay With Me" - Sam Smith
  16. "All This Time" - OneRepublic
  17. "When I Fall in Love" - Nat King Cole
  18. "The Power of Love" - Celine Dion
  19. "I Choose You" - Ryann Darling
  20. "Feels Like Home" - Chantal Kreviazuk

Religious Wedding Songs To Sing At Ceremony

When choosing religious songs for your wedding ceremony, consider the specific faith or denomination, as well as the tone you'd like to set. Consult with your officiant or spiritual leader to ensure the songs are appropriate and meaningful for your ceremony. 

  1. "Amazing Grace" - John Newton
  2. "The Lord's Prayer" - Albert Hay Malotte
  3. "How Great Thou Art" - Carl Boberg
  4. "Be Thou My Vision" - Traditional Irish Hymn
  5. "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" - Thomas Chisholm
  6. "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" - Charles Wesley
  7. "You Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban
  8. "One Hand, One Heart" - Leonard Bernstein (from West Side Story)
  9. "Give Me Your Hand" (Tabhair dom do Lámh) - Traditional Irish
  10. "Ave Verum Corpus" - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  11. "All Creatures of Our God and King" - St. Francis of Assisi
  12. "O Perfect Love" - Joseph Barnby
  13. "The Prayer" - Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion
  14. "Bind Us Together" - Bob Gillman
  15. "In Christ Alone" - Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
  16. "Shout to the Lord" - Darlene Zschech
  17. "Here I Am, Lord" - Dan Schutte
  18. "Morning Has Broken" - Eleanor Farjeon
  19. "Blessed Assurance" - Fanny Crosby
  20. "This Is The Day" - Scott Wesley Brown

Country Wedding Songs For Ceremony

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Photo by Paisley

These songs would make a lovely addition to your ceremony!

  1. "From This Moment On" - Shania Twain
  2. "God Gave Me You" - Blake Shelton
  3. "Amazed" - Lonestar
  4. "Cowboys and Angels" - Dustin Lynch
  5. "Carrying Your Love with Me" - George Strait
  6. "When You Say Nothing at All" - Alison Krauss
  7. "I Cross My Heart" - George Strait
  8. "It's Your Love" - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
  9. "My Wish" - Rascal Flatts
  10. "When I Said I Do" - Clint Black & Lisa Hartman Black
  11. "Making Memories of Us" - Keith Urban
  12. "Raining on Sunday" - Keith Urban
  13. "I Need You" - LeAnn Rimes
  14. "Could I Have This Dance" - Anne Murray
  15. "Breathe" - Faith Hill
  16. "She's Everything" - Brad Paisley
  17. "Wanted" - Hunter Hayes
  18. "To Love Somebody" - The Bee Gees (covered by various country artists)
  19. "I Don't Dance" - Lee Brice
  20. "Love Like Crazy" - Lee Brice

Feel free to mix and match these songs with other tunes that reflect your taste and style. The most important thing is to create a wedding ceremony music playlist that resonates with you and your partner and sets the right tone for your special day. Happy planning!

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Natali Grace Levine Editor-in-Chief

Manages The Wezoree's content strategy
Writes and edits articles for the Inspiration Blog