Everybody experiences the frustrating question: “What kind of music do you like?” Let’s be honest, you never know what to say. Am I right?
Choosing music for your wedding can be extremely hard, especially when you don’t know what kind of music your guests will like. One issue you’ll probably come across is, wanting specific music to adhere to your taste, and because it’s your day you want everything to be perfect. …BUT, you don’t want to displease your special guests!
One way to solve this problem is to send out your invitations and RSVP’s with a ‘Song Request’ card. Each guest will receive this card with the opportunity to request songs they enjoy. This way, you can choose your music for your playlist with less hassle.
However, you will find that you need more songs than you can think of on the top of your head. You may be stuck on what else to add to your playlist.
Don’t stress. Below we have 23 songs, categorised by genre, from a variety of time periods, for you to browse through. This way, you have the option to stick to ONE or TWO genres and create an atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
CLASSIC SOUL/ROCK
At Last – Etta James · 1960
POP
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri · 2011
Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley · 1969
Marry You – Bruno Mars · 2010
Make You Feel My Love – Adele · 2008
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles · 1967
R&B/SOUL
All of Me – John Legend · 2013
24K Magic – Bruno Mars · 2016
SOUL
You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne · 2008
ROCK
Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey · 1981
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison · 1967
In My Life – The Beatles · 1965
INDIE FOLK
Ho Hey – The Lumineers · 2012
COUNTRY-POP
From This Moment On – Shania Twain · 1997
My Wish – Rascal Flatts · 2006
R&B/POP
Crazy in Love – Beyoncé · 2003
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) – Beyoncé · 2008
This I Promise You – NSYNC · 2000
ALTERNATIVE INDIE/POP
How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding · 2012
BRITISH POP
Baby, I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys · 2006
BAROQUE POP (Baroque pop is a fusion genre that combines rock music with particular elements of classical music.)
Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Rey · 2013
BUBBLEGUM POP (Bubblegum pop is a genre of pop music with an upbeat sound contrived and marketed to appeal to pre-teens and teenagers)
Sugar, Sugar – The Archies · 1969
R&B
Let’s Get Married – Jagged Edge · 2000
Now, here are some more songs to sift through if you’re looking for something more specific!
Traditional Ceremony Wedding Songs
- Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel
- Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy
- Wedding March by Felix Medelssohn
- Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner
- Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke
- Spring from the Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi
- I Was Glad by Hubert Parry
- Alla Hornpipe from Water Music by George Frederick Handel
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Johann Sebastian Bach
Modern/Less-Traditional Ceremony Wedding Songs
- A Thousand Years by The Piano Guys
- Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland
- All You Need Is Love by The Beatles
- The Prayer by Josh Groban
- You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
- Sea of Love by Phil Phillips
- When I Say I Do by Matthew West
- Fairytale by Enya
- God Only Knows by The Beach Boys
- Bittersweet Symphony (music only) by The Verve
Grand Entrance Songs
- Beautiful Day by U2
- Viva La Vida by Coldplay
- Feel This Moment by Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera
- Celebration by Kool and the Gang
- We Will Rock You by Queen
- The Final Countdown by Europe
- Summer by Calvin Harris
- The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson
- Why Do Fools Fall In Love by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
- Get the Party Started by Pink
First Dance Songs-Traditional
- At Last by Etta James
- Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
- Amazed by Lonestar
- The Wedding Song (There is Love) by Paul Stookey
- When I Fall in Love by Nat King Cole
- Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley
- It Had To Be You by Tony Bennett
- Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers
- From This Moment On by Shania Twain
- I’ll Stand by You by The Pretenders
More First Dance Songs
- All of Me by John Legend
- Who You Love by John Mayer feat. Katy Perry
- Moon Song by Karen O
- Treasure by Bruno Mars
- Wanted by Hunter Hayes
- God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton
- Such Great Heights by Iron and Wine
- Like a Star by Corinne Bailey Rae
- To Make You Feel My Love by Adele
- The First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
Father-Daughter Dance Songs
- I Loved Her First by Heartland
- Gracie by Ben Folds
- Kind & Generous by Natalie Merchant
- My Girl by The Temptations
- Wildflowers by Tom Petty
- Daughters by John Mayer
- Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
- You’re the Inspiration by Chicago
- Walk With You by Edwin McCain
- Your Song by Elton John
Mother-Son Dance Songs
- In My Life by The Beatles
- Sweet Child O’ Mine by Taken By Trees
- What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
- Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
- I’ll Be There by Jackson 5
- Forever Young by Bob Dylan
- Across the Universe by The Beatles
- Stand By Me by Ben E. King
- You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
- Days Like This by Van Morrison
Songs for the Cake Cutting
- Sugar, Sugar by The Archies
- I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) by The Four Tops
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye
- Recipe for Love by Harry Connick Jr.
- Ice Cream by Sara McLachlan
- Better Together by Jack Johnson
- 1,2,3,4 by Plain White T’s
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole
- That’s Amore by Dean Martin
- I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
More Song Suggestions for Your Reception or Dancing
- Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
- Happy by Pharrell Williams
- XO by Beyoncé
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
- Ho Hey by The Lumineers
- When the Stars Go Blue by Ryan Adams
- Today Was a Fairytale by Taylor Swift
- Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
- Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
- Shout by The Isley Brothers
- I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
- Glad You Came by The Wanted
- In The Mood by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra
- Marry You by Bruno Mars
- Harlem Shake by Baauer
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye
- Royals by Lorde
- Love Never Felt So Good by Michael Jackson
- Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
- Love Shack by The B-52’s