List of Wedding Song Suggestions

Photo: iStock.com/wundervisuals

From classic to country and everything in between, there are endless options when it comes to musical choices for your wedding day. Because there are multiple opportunities for you to pick a special and personal song on the big day, we’ve compiled a list of our top wedding song picks in several categories, for all the big moments for you and your new spouse!

When you imagine yourself walking down the aisle towards the love of your life, what music do you picture playing in the background? For many, it’s a traditional instrumental song, but for some, it’s a more modern and upbeat tune! Take a look at this list of both classic and modern procession song ideas:

Ceremony Procession Song Ideas

Traditional Procession Songs:

  1. Johann Pachelbel – Canon in D
  2. Claude Debussy – Clair de Lune
  3. Ludwig Van Beethoven – Ode to Joy
  4. Franz Schubert – Ave Maria
  5. Richard Wagner – Here Comes the Bride (Bridal Chorus)

Modern Procession Songs:

  1. Extreme – More Than Words
  2. Ben Rector – White Dress
  3. Savage Garden – Truly Madly Deeply
  4. Phillip Phillips – Home
  5. Matt Nathanson – Wedding Dress

Congratulations, you’re officially married! Now comes another big event, your first dance as a married couple. Will you go with a timeless ballad or a more carefree and lighthearted song? Take a look at this list as a jumping off point, and be sure to discuss the song selection with your fiancée!

Pro tip: If you go with a more formal song that requires elegant or rehearsed dancing, look into taking a few dance classes together beforehand. You might think that you’re a fine dancer, but you don’t want to figure out you aren’t when everyone’s eyes are on you!

First Dance Song Ideas

Classic First Dance Songs:

  1. Diana Ross & Lionel Richie – Endless Love
  2. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
  3. Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight
  4. Céline Dion – The Power of Love
  5. Etta James – At Last
  6. Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
  7. Frank Sinatra – It Had to Be You
  8. Ben E. King – Stand By Me
  9. Van Morrison – Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
  10. Natalie Cole – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)

Modern First Dance Songs:

  1. John Legend – All of Me
  2. Train – Marry Me
  3. Keane – Somewhere Only We Know
  4. Beyoncé – Halo
  5. Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat – Lucky
  6. Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
  7. James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
  8. Rihanna – Love on the Brain
  9. Colbie Caillat – Fallin’ for You
  10. Lifehouse – Hanging by a Moment
  11. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud
  12. Bruno Mars – Marry You
  13. Haley Reinhart – Can’t Help Falling in Love
  14. Adele – Make You Feel My Love
  15. Kodaline – The One
  16. Ed Sheeran – Perfect
  17. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Over the Rainbow
  18. Parachute – She Is Love
  19. Lily Allen – Somewhere
  20. Boys Like Girls & Taylor Swift – Two is Better Than One
  21. Sam Smith – Latch (Acoustic)
  22. Leon Bridges – Beyond
  23. Ed Sheeran – Tenerife Sea
  24. Lukas Graham – Love Someone
  25. Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You

Country First Dance Songs:

  1. Chris Stapleton – Tennessee Whiskey
  2. Brett Young – In Case You Didn’t Know
  3. Florida Georgia Line – H.O.L.Y.
  4. Lonestar – Amazed
  5. Blake Shelton – God Gave Me You
  6. Faith Hill – Breathe
  7. Keith Urban – Making Memories of Us
  8. Alison Kraus and Union Station – When You Say Nothing at All
  9. Russell Dickerson – Yours
  10. Brad Paisley – Then
  11. Florida Georgia Line – Grow Old
  12. Dan + Shay – From the Ground Up
  13. Thomas Rhett – Die a Happy Man
  14. Lee Brice – I Don’t Dance
  15. Faith Hill – This Kiss
  16. Garth Brooks – To Make You Feel My Love
  17. John Michael Montgomery – I Swear
  18. Eric Church – Love Your Love the Most
  19. Shania Twain – You’re Still the One
  20. Tim McGraw – My Best Friend
  21. Dan + Shay – Speechless
  22. Luke Combs – Beautiful Crazy
  23. Dierks Bentley – Come a Little Closer
  24. Eli Young Band – Crazy Girl
  25. Rascal Flatts – Bless the Broken Road

Disney-Inspired First Dance Songs:

  1. Céline Dion – How Does a Moment Last Forever
  2. Phil Collins – You’ll Be in My Heart
  3. So This is Love – Ilene Woods
  4. Elton John – Can You Feel the Love Tonight
  5. Billy Crystal & John Goodman – If I Didn’t Have You

Another very special part of your wedding reception is the father-daughter dance. Finding the perfect song to accompany these irreplaceable relationships can be a tall order, so we’ve compiled our top 20 song suggestions to get you started. 

Pro tip: Make sure to read through all the lyrics of the song you choose before you settle on it. Artists usually don’t embark on songwriting specifically to fit the bill for this particular wedding occasion, so it doesn’t hurt to give the lyrics a read through for any awkward or strange lines.

Father-Daughter Dance Song Ideas

Traditional Father-Daughter Songs:

  1. Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
  2. The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
  3. The Temptations – My Girl
  4. Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl
  5. Frank Sinatra – The Way You Look Tonight
  6. Heartland – I Loved Her First
  7. Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
  8. Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
  9. Bob Carlisle – Butterfly Kisses
  10. Stevie Wonder – I Just Called to Say I Love You

Modern Father-Daughter Songs:

  1. Phil Collins – You’ll Be In My Heart 
  2. Taylor Swift – The Best Day
  3. John Mayer – Daughters
  4. Rascal Flatts – My Wish
  5. Josh Groban – You Raise Me Up
  6. Darius Rucker – It Won’t Be Like This For Long
  7. Kenny Chesney – There Goes My Life
  8. Tim McGraw – My Little Girl
  9. Lee Ann Womack – I Hope You Dance
  10. Trace Adkins – Just Fishin’

From sweet melodies to modern hits, the options for the music on your wedding day are truly unlimited! Take a look through our list of suggestions and top picks for your procession, first dance and the father-daughter dance and share your favorites in the comments below!