How To Choose The Best Wedding Songs

Choosing the best wedding songs for you can be a daunting task. Luckily, this post has a ton of suggestions and resources.

When it comes to music choices throughout your wedding, you can surely go down a path that is hard to come back from. You’ll likely have a DJ or band for your reception, but when it comes to the big moments, the wedding songs that are played will be up to you. For example, you’ll probably want to choose the perfect songs for when you walk down the aisle, cut the cake, or have your first dance together.

There are so many opportunities for your wedding songs to showcase your personality, and the songs that you choose are totally up to you and your partner. There is no right way or wrong way to pick your wedding songs, as long as they feel authentic to your style. If you like country songs, go that route. If you’re into rock, choose rock songs. I’ll give you permission right now to go with the music that feels right.

This post has a few different elements to it. For starters, I’m going to lay out the moments of your wedding that will likely need music. From there, I’m going to suggest some popular wedding songs or relevant links that will fit those moments. These are just suggestions, and not a one-size-fits-all recommendation. They are popular, but might not be for you. Go with what you like, first and foremost.

Let’s get into it!

WEDDING SONGS FOR BEFORE YOUR CEREMONY (AKA PRELUDE)

You might be wondering why you would want music to be played before your ceremony (also known as the prelude part of your wedding).

Well, it sets the mood for your guests. Plus, it gives waiting guests a little ambiance to enjoy. Most weddings will choose mellow background music to play at this point. Jazz and classical songs are popular. If you know a guitar player, you may want to see if they are comfortable playing live for guests as they walk into the ceremony. If not, ask your DJ or venue to play something that is easy to listen to.

I’m not going to list out popular songs for your prelude, because there are so many routes you can choose from. I will, however, provide this link from Brides that showcases popular prelude songs, and their lyrics.

CHOOSING WEDDING SONGS FOR YOUR PROCESSIONAL

Wedding songs for your processional could be a post in and of itself.

From the entrance of the groom and his guys, the flower girls and ring bearers, to the bride walking down the aisle in a grand fashion, there are lots of opportunities to play different songs. I’ve been to weddings where every single slice of the processional had it’s own song. I’ve also been to weddings where everyone had the same song except the bride.

At my own wedding, everyone had the same song, including me. I fell in love to an instrumental version of Elton John’s “Our Song”. Because our wedding party was small, I wanted the whole song to play on repeat until we were all up front.

Wedding Forward has a great link with 35 Processional Songs, as well as a little blurb about each one. It’s a wonderful resource for you to check out.

WEDDING SONGS FOR YOUR RECESSIONAL

Recessional songs is a super fun category.

The time immediately after the ceremony is incredibly joyful. You’re past the ceremony, and you’re now married. Guests are excited for the party to start, and you can breathe a sigh of relief. This time in your wedding needs music that is upbeat and cheerful. For example, our recessional song was Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling”. It was a somewhat meaningful song for us (we like to work out to it), so it was fitting.

Wedding Wire has a post about fun wedding recessional songs if you want to check it out.

MUSIC FOR YOUR COCKTAIL HOUR

While you’re taking pictures with your honey, what will your guests listen to as they are grabbing drinks and settling in?

It’s important to have some background noise while guests enjoy cocktail hour, so give them a little entertainment. You could base the music off of your venue (think country music if you’re getting married at a ranch), or just your personal preference (coffee house, Top 40). Try to pick some music that will be enjoyed by most of your guests and isn’t too overpowering.

Wedding Forward has awesome cocktail hour playlist suggestions here.

SONGS FOR YOUR INTRODUCTIONS / RECEPTION ENTRANCE

Much like picking a great song for your ceremony exit, how about you have fun with your entrance into the reception?

Your guests will be excited to see you, and will likely be encouraged to stand up or clap while you come in. For my wedding, my husband really wanted a song from the movie “Blues Brothers” to play, so we picked the one that plays in this scene. It set the tone of joy and excitement, and made everyone smile.

Weddings Online has a list of 75 entrance songs provided in this link.

SONGS FOR WHEN YOU CUT YOUR CAKE

Oh, the cake cutting. If you want to know my real thoughts about it, check out this recent post on awkward wedding moments.

Now, of course, you might not have a cake. You might have cupcakes or other desserts. In which case, it’s totally okay to skip this tradition. However, cutting the cake signals to guests that dessert is on it’s way, and they are welcome to leave without feeling rude. So, if you’d like to cut something, and need a song to it, you have options.

At our wedding we had “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies play while we cut the cake. Green Wedding Shoes has listed out other “sweet” choices in this post here.

WEDDING SONGS FOR YOUR FIRST DANCE

Again, wedding songs for your first dance is a topic I can totally delve into.

Your first dance song should be very, very personal to you. Not only should it be one that you enjoy, but it should be dance worthy. For some couples, you may have a “song” that is true to you. If so, practice dancing to it with your partner. Make sure it’s something you want to showcase to the others who will be watching you.

Our first dance song was Brad Paisley’s “Today”. It wasn’t that popular or played out at the time. It had moments of fast tempo so we could show off our dancing skills, and slow moments, too. The words of the song fit us, and we agreed on it.

Some other considerations for your first dance song can be found in this Wedding Forward post.

WEDDING SONGS FOR THE MOTHER / SON DANCE

Much like the couple’s first dance, the song that plays during a mother/son dance should be personal to the people dancing.

There are tons of options for songs about mothers and sons, but the tempo or verses may not fit you and your mom. Some moms are also into a slower dance, while others are comfortable with a faster pace. My husband danced with his mom to “When I Grow Up To Be A Man” by the Beach Boys. It was a little unconventional, but it was a sweet seeing them dance together.

When choosing a song for the mother/son dance, think about these options from Minted.

WEDDING SONGS FOR THE FATHER / DAUGHTER DANCE

Ah, the father/daughter dance. This is always a really special moment to watch, isn’t it? Is it just me? Well, I definitely feel the feels when I see daddies dance.

There are plenty of songs that were created just for father/daughter dances. Some are sappy, some are happy, but lots of different songs work. It all depends on what feels right for a bride and her father. My own father passed away before my wedding (see my post about it, here), so I danced with my mother to “My Girl” by the Temptations. It was happy, fun, and joyful. It worked for us.

Some other gems for the father/daughter dance are listed in this post from Minted.

SONGS FOR YOUR BOUQUET TOSS

I have lots of thoughts about bouquet tosses, and you can read about them in this post. The basic gist is that if you want to toss your bouquet at your wedding, you should. If not, it’s all good.

Personally, I feel like Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” was kind of meant for this moment, but there are definitely other contenders that aren’t so on-the-nose. The point of tossing the bouquet is to get your single wedding guests up and on the dance floor, ready to catch what you throw. It should be fun, light-hearted, and a song that you enjoy.

If you’re tossing your bouquet, consider songs from this list Mike Staff Productions put together.

SONGS FOR A GARTER TOSS

Oh, the garter toss. This is even more controversial than the bouquet toss.

This tradition gives me visions of Ginuwine’s “Pony” and other cringe-worthy songs playing, while grandma sits in the background. Some folks will opt for something at little racy, a little risqué, for a garter retrieval and subsequent throw. Go with your gut on this one. And, feel free to skip it altogether if it doesn’t seem right for your wedding.

Some songs that will work for a garter toss are listed in this post from Brides.

A SONG FOR THE END OF YOUR WEDDING

The last song of the night at weddings is often overlooked.

Guests are tired, weary, and many of them have gone home by this point. The song that you send them off with is important. At my wedding, I wanted to play N’Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye”, but the band changed it to Prince’s “Purple Rain”, which was still a sweet ending. My advice is to choose a song that is well liked, easy to dance to, and fun for your last song.

Here are some great “Good Bye” songs from Entertainment Nation.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Wow, there are so many links about wedding songs in this post, I hope it didn’t overwhelm anyone. Use what you like, forget what you don’t like, and don’t stress or worry too much about the choices. Music is a wonderful compliment to your guest’s experience, but it’s not the first or last thing they will think about when they remember your wedding. Happy wedding planning!

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Traditional Wedding Dances: Which Ones Are Right For Your Wedding?

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