The Best Wedding Songs for Every Part of Your Day
“If music be the food of love, play on.”
William Shakespeare, providing the best musical quote for all our discussions today! After all, what is a wedding without music!?
The best wedding songs can set the mood, feed the atmosphere, heighten the special moments and provide a soundtrack you’ll treasure for life, so asking ‘how to choose your wedding music’ is a vital part of the planning process! From years of choosing the best music for a wedding ceremony, finding the best songs to get the party started at a wedding, and selecting the best track for a first dance, we’re well practiced at helping our couples find the best wedding songs for each and every part of a wedding day. So we’re putting that practice into a complete guide of the best wedding songs just for you.
Top 3 Songs for a Wedding Ceremony
A great song for a wedding ceremony, especially your ceremony entrance song, is all about timing. In the top spot, a gent from our home county who dominated the charts and the wedding scene:
Perfect by Ed Sheeran
The tempo is great for a wedding entrance and the sentiment equally suited. It’s romantic, it’s poetic and such a gorgeous way to begin a wedding ceremony, whether religious, civil or celebratory.
Classical music has long had a home in a wedding ceremony. If the tradition of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March isn’t your thing, Pachelbel's Canon has long been a popular, classical, alternative. But for our top three, we love a classical take with a modern spin. Thanks to Bridgerton, everyone now knows the vitamin string quartet’s talent for taking popular songs and giving them a classical twist, a style that is SO well suited to a wedding ceremony. So, number two on our list is:
I Will Always Love You performed by Vitamin String Quartet
This take on the Dolly Parton classic is ultra romantic while being perfectly understated. Having your own string quartet play this as part of your ceremony, or playing the Vitamin String Quartet version is sure to move every guest! The VSQ take on any of your favourite songs will likely make it the most gorgeous addition to your ceremony, whether you’re in need of a song for your ceremony entrance, songs for the signing, or for your recessional.
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole
This is one of our favourites for a recessional. The ceremony is coming to a close, all that’s left for you to do is exit the ceremony to the sound of your friends and family’s cheers, officially newlyweds! This track will have you dancing down the aisle and leading your guests into a true celebratory drinks reception.
The Best Songs for your First Dance
Ultimately, the very best song for a first dance is one that means something to you. We love to hear a story behind the song, a time in your lives that it reminds you of. It shows when the track is special. But you can also use the first dance as a time to have a bit of fun, maybe an upbeat track and full routine is more your style as a couple, if so, don’t be afraid to go for a first dance song that’s a little different! But if you’re looking for a more classically romantic first dance feel, then our favourites from weddings over the last few years are listed here for a little first dance song inspiration!
At Last by Etta James.
A timeless classic, so stunning, so simple, so elegant.
Baby I’m Yours by the Arctic Monkeys
It’s giving effortlessly cool.
Everything by Michael Bublé
You can’t help but dance to this. Sway, smile, and fully surrender to the Bublé!
Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay
Our couple rocked this, with confetti canons and a dancefloor flooded by friends and family soon after!
Our Top 3 Songs for Getting the Party Started
The follow up to your first dance is an equally important decision. You want to choose a song that is going to get the party started, we’re talking all killers, no fillers! Here’s the best three songs we’ve seen to get the party started at your wedding.
September by Earth, Wind & Fire
Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon
You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon
and a bonus fourth, Crazy in Love by Beyoncé feat. Jay Z
All of these tracks pack a punch, coming straight in with the good stuff that will have your guests racing to the dance floor!
And don’t forget the amazing moments in between! Whether you’re opting for live music or a playlist, you’ll want to choose some brilliant tracks for your drinks reception and to play in the background of your dinner. Think about the atmosphere you’re looking to create; acoustic covers are perfect for a laid back summer vibe, something classical brings the Bridgerton energy ideal for a stately home reception, some jazz is perfect for a sophisticated cocktail hour, and a Sax player with DJ can bring a touch of Ibiza to any celebration!
The best wedding songs are ultimately the ones that mean something to you. The music on yoour wedding day is the start of a soundtrack for your married life ahead, so have fun choosing the music that’s going to make you feel best on your special day.
V&C x