couple first dance© Photo: iStock

40 ultimate wedding songs – from the ceremony to the first dance

Create the soundtrack to your big day

Lifestyle Features Editor
Updated: August 31, 2022

Music plays an important role in any wedding day, helping to provide the soundtrack to special moments including the bridal procession, the newlyweds’ exit from the ceremony, and of course – the first dance.

MORE: Cutting costs on wedding music is the worst thing brides and grooms could do – expert

While everyone has their own musical tastes and ideas of what will get their guests up on the dancefloor, you can’t go wrong with these classics, from acts including Elton John, Stevie Wonder and The Beatles. Get wedding inspiration and discover some of the top wedding songs that are not only romantic, but also guaranteed crowd pleasers…

WATCH: 10 of the most spectacular HELLO! exclusive weddings of all time

Best wedding songs for your ceremony

1. Jason Mraz – I'm Yours

2. Bruno Mars – Marry You

3. Adele – Make You Feel My Love

4. Christina Perri – A Thousand Years

5. The Beatles – All You Need is Love

Don't forget to choose music for your walk down the aisle

6. Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss Me

7. Elton John – Your Song

8. Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered

9. Elbow – One Day Like This

10. Louie Armstrong – What a Wonderful World

Best wedding songs for your first dance

1. Frank Sinatra – The Way You Look Tonight

2. Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling in Love With You

3. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud

4. Ray LaMontagne – You Are the Best Thing

5. John Legend – All of Me

6. Al Green – Let’s Stay Together

MORE: Royal wedding songs and performers chosen by Kate Middleton, Princess Eugenie & more

READ: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's emotional royal wedding song revealed

7. Ellie Goulding – How Long Will I Love You

8. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – Can't Take My Eyes Off You

9. Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight

10. Tom Odell – Grow Old with Me

© Photo: iStock

Choose a romantic or memorable first dance song

11. Lionel Richie and Diana Ross – Endless Love

12. Marvin Gaye – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

13. Jack Johnson – Better Together

14. Etta James – At Last

15. Ben Folds – The Luckiest

16. The Beach Boys – God Only Knows

17. The Temptations – My Girl

18. Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely

19. Hall and Oates – You Make My Dreams

20. James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go

Best wedding songs for your wedding reception

1. Foo Fighters – Everlong

2. Taylor Swift – Love Story

3. Dua Lipa – Love Again

Look for up-beat songs to get the party started

4. Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)

5. Madness – It Must Be Love

6. Spice Girls – Wannabe

7. Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love

8. Burt Bacharach and Hal David –  Say a Little Prayer

9. Shania Twain – Man! I Feel Like a Woman!

10. Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)

MORE: How to plan a wedding - the ultimate checklist every bride-to-be needs

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