Top Wedding Ceremony Songs
So you're getting married, planning the ceremony, but now you're not sure what music to pick for this special moment.
Below is a short list of traditional and modern songs for each part of the ceremony:
Wedding Ceremony Music is played while your guests get seated and while you prepare for the big moment:
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri - beautiful female vocal with a grand crescendo backing track to get everyone in the mood - here is an interesting interpretation.
All Of Me - John Legend - melodic male vocal expressing the unstoppable surrendering of love in a relationship - nice points here.
Ave Maria - Schubert - as heard in Disney's Fantasia, this calm and classical Franz Schubert female vocal helps to focus all attention on the task at hand - more history here.
Better Together - Jack Johnson - mellow male vocal about knowing you are in the perfect relationship that gets the foot tapping and body swaying - as one interpretation mentions.
God Gave Me You - Blake Shelton - casual-tempo country male vocal about appreciation for his love and being together - interesting story here.
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz - Hawaiian-feel relaxing male vocal with a ukulele about accepting your own opinion in life.
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Bach - this non-vocal classical song with string and horn crescendos written in 1723, makes you feel like royalty.
Make You Feel My Love - Adele - a female vocal modern standard originally by Bob Dylan in 1997, to which Adele said “summed up exactly what I’d been trying to say in my songs... and it’s beautiful.”
Marry Me - Train - relaxing male vocal about taking a chance at love-at-first-sight.
Over The Rainbow Medley - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - this male vocal re-recording of the 1939 classic near-and-dear to us all, features the traditional Hawaiian ukulele styles of Iz with jazz and reggae - lovely read right here.
The 4 Seasons "Spring" - Vivaldi - the first concerto with three movements and written in 1720 by Antonio Vivaldi, Spring is a musical depiction of the season with violins and orchestra imitating birds and thunder storms. - learn more about this non-vocal song here.
Processional Music is played while bridal party is announced and can be used for your walk down the aisle:
Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride) - Wagner - when you think of a wedding, this non-vocal song is probably your first thought for walking down the aisle.
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel - premiering in London 1749, this bright and lively non-vocal interlude is another traditionally appreciated processional piece.
Only You - Joshua Radin - this Yazoo cover is a melodic love song with a soft male vocal guaranteed to make your eyes water.
Craig Armstrong - Glasgow Love Theme - written in 2003 for the move Love Actually, composer, Craig Armstrong, said this song "...seemed to reflect the unrequited love throughout the film."
Canon In D - Pachelbel - slower non-vocal classical piece with violin beginning great for bridesmaids to walk down the aisle.
How Long Will I Love You - Ellie Goulding - originally recorded by The Waterboys in 1990, this female vocal shines directly on a special spot for the one that means the most to you.
Can't Help Falling in Love With You (cover) - Haley Reinhart - after placing third on American Idol (Season 10), Haley turned this 1961 Elvis Presley hit into a jazzy female vocal that was chosen for an Extra Gum ad spot and gained millions of views globally... read more about the song here.
Here Comes The Sun - Sleepy Time Players - written in 1969 by George Harrison, to express relief during a brief vacation from life's drama, as the second song on Abbey Road, this violin and piano, instrumental cover will be sure to bring out the goosebumps.
Recessional Music is for the trip back up the aisle through your guests throwing rice or blowing bubbles, or holding flowers above your heads:
All You Need Is Love - Beatles, The - everybody knows and loves this all-male Beatles classic - here is a very interesting story from Rolling Stone Magazine about the band's first-ever live satellite performance.
Best Day Of My Life - American Authors - fun and upbeat male vocal about '...escaping reality and entering into that dream world.'.
Happy - Pharrell - lively male vocal about spreading happiness that you can't help but dance to.
I Do - Colbie Caillat - upbeat "sunny-day" pop female vocal about taking relationships to the next level.
Marry You - Bruno Mars - a catchy male vocal with a jogging tempo about taking a sporadic chance on love.
On Top Of The World - Imagine Dragons - this melodic male rock ballad telling us that no matter how hard things might get, to never take what you have for granted.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours - Stevie Wonder - now that the knot is tied, you walk out hand-in-hand to a classic Motown male vocal about being at the others mercy.
Wedding March - Mendelssohn - a non-vocal classical pipe organ piece written in 1842, typically associated with walking back up the aisle after your first kiss.
You Are The Best Thing - Ray Lamontagne - 2008 saw the release of this easy, Motown-vibe, jazzy male vocal that just makes you want to smile and strut.
You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates - released in 1980, this simple and direct, catchy and upbeat, classic male vocal is used in over half a dozen movies.
If you have a song suggestion for the Ceremony, Processional, or Recessional, let me know in the comments below. And do the same if you like or disagree with my breakdown of the songs!
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