Wedding Playlist Guide for Planning Your Music

Updated February 28, 2024 | Author: Matthew Campbell

A complete wedding day music playlist set for common moments.

Congratulations on your engagement!

What songs do I need for my wedding day? Below is a list of events during a wedding day that is commonly set to music – in chronological order! Don’t worry. We got you.

Pro Tip

Provide your song suggestions to your DJ or band at least 2 weeks before your big day. They need time to prepare their playlist to match your music tastes.

wedding day playlist

Pro Tip

You can have songs with vocals for walks down the aisle. However, during the actual ceremony like the vows and unity, try to have instrumental songs to not take away from the wedding.

Modern Wedding Day Playlist

Updated Monthly!

  • Discover 10 new songs for common wedding events.
  • Exact songs only appear once in the list.
  • Relax – you will only find songs that aren’t overplayed (yet).
  • Want more suggestions? Each moment will link to a more complete list.

Pro Tip

Instead of having designated sides where family and friends sit, have guests sit on both sides. This way families get to intermingle before the I do’s and one side doesn’t dominate the other in size.

Guests Arrive at the Ceremony – Prelude

View Top Prelude Songs

  1. Kiss the Rain – HAUSER, 2024
  2. Love Is – Ingrid Michaelson & Jason Mraz, 2024
  3. Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You – Music Travel Love ft. Bugoy Drilon, 2024
  4. Nothing Sweeter – Naomi Sharon, 2024
  5. Ain’t Love Somethin’ – Sam Booker, 2023
  6. Joy of My Life (Instrumental) – Guitar Tribute Players, 2023
  7. Enchanted (The Wedding Violin Version) – Ana Done, 2023
  8. Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto: I. Adagio Cantabile – Joshua Bell, 2023
  9. Moon River – Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck, 2023
  10. If I Ain’t Got You (Orchestral) – Alicia Keys feat. Queen Charlotte’s Global Orchestra, 2023

Pro Tip

Do you know the official order of the processional? 1. Parents of the Groom, 2. Mother of the Bride, 3. Grandparents of the Bride, 4. Grandparents of the Groom, 5. Bridesmaids & Groomsmen, 6. Best Man, 7. Maid and/or Matron of Honor, 8. Groom, 9. Officiant, 10. Ring Bearer & Flower Girl, 11. Bride or Bride & Father.

Wedding Party Walk Down the Aisle – Processional

View Top Processional Songs

  1. Forever – Noah Kahan, 2024
  2. NOTHING NEW (I DO) – Wedding Version – Brandon Lake, 2024
  3. The Dance (Acoustic Sessions) – Iam Tongi, 2023
  4. Flower Girl (Wedding Version) – Molly Lovette, 2023
  5. Mercy (from “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” Score) – James Newton Howard, 2023
  6. Made For Me – Muni Long, 2023
  7. Gonna Love You – Parmalee, 2023
  8. Grow Old With You – Brent Morgan, 2023
  9. Wedding Entrance X Can’t Help Falling In Love – James Wong, 2023
  10. Songbird – Eva Cassidy, London Symphony Orchestra & Christopher Willis, 2022

Pro Tip

All eyes are on you as the bride. No matter how nervous, SMILE. Tell a joke, or watch funny videos before walking down the aisle. It will help relieve the stress of the moment.

Partner 2 (Bride) Walk Down the Aisle

View Top Bride Entrance Songs

  1. Lighthouse – Calum Scott, 2024
  2. Rest of Your Life – David J, 2024
  3. Patience – Madilyn Paige, 2023
  4. Landed – Ruelle, Aron Wright, 2023
  5. I’m Gonna Love You – Jessie James Decker, 2023
  6. Wedding March Variation – Gabriele Bagnati, 2023
  7. My Feet Don’t Touch the Ground – Bonner Rhae, 2023
  8. All My Love – Cathartic Fall, 2023
  9. Take My Name (Wedding Version) – Parmalee, 2022
  10. Marry Me (Ballad) – Jennifer Lopez, Maluma, 2022

Pro Tip

A wedding is more than a joining of two people. It is a joining of families. Incorporate the mothers and/or fathers into the unity ceremony to represent two families banding together.

Unity Ceremony (Candle, Sand, Rope, etc.)

View Top Unity Songs

  1. LOML – Shaé Universe, 2023
  2. This Is How We Learn To Fall In Love – Cinder and The Sea, 2023
  3. Love You Anyway – Devon Gilfillian, 2023
  4. Stumble Together – Matt Bednarsky, 2023
  5. Perfect to Me – Josh Tatofi, 2023
  6. Your Hands – Mae Estes, 2023
  7. Our Forever – Spencer Crandall, 2022
  8. Stay – Alicia Keys, Lucky Daye, 2022
  9. Always Be Yours – Scott Drury, 2022
  10. When You Married Me – Andrew Brien, 2022

Pro Tip

As the Newlyweds and wedding party are the first people to exit, immediately start the receiving line so that all wedding guests are thanked for coming and also get to meet both families on the way out.

Recessional (Ceremony Exit)

View Top Recessional Songs

  1. Good Day – Forrest Frank, 2024
  2. Dreaming – Marshmello, P!NK, Sting, 2023
  3. You Plus Me – Plain White T’s, 2023
  4. Run Away With Me – Cold War Kids, 2023
  5. Beside You – James Blunt, 2023
  6. That Part – Lauren Spencer Smith, 2023
  7. Mine (Remix) – WANMOR, 2023
  8. Wings – Jonas Brothers, 2023
  9. Thank God – Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown, 2022
  10. I’m In Love With You – The 1975, 2022

Pro Tip

Wedding guests are attending your wedding expecting to have a good time. Have the music reflect the type of event you want to portray ~ fun, exciting, classy, free-spirited, etc.

Guests Arrive at Reception & Cocktail Hour

View Cocktail Hour Music Ideas

  1. Love On – Selena Gomez, 2024
  2. Purple Irises – Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton, 2024
  3. Tiny Moves – Bleachers, 2024
  4. Selfish – Justin Timberlake, 2024
  5. Strong Enough – Jonas Brothers, Bailey Zimmerman, 2023
  6. We Should Get Married – Dan + Shay, August 25, 2023
  7. Baby Will You Love Me – MAJOR., 2023
  8. Stars – Pnau, Bebe Rexha & Ozuna, 2023
  9. The Sweetest Thing – Pj Morton, 2023
  10. Be The One – Bree Runway & Khalid, 2023

Pro Tip

Be sure your music entertainer builds excitement before your grand entrance. Don’t enter after a slow song.

Grand Entrance and Introductions

View Top Entrance Songs

  1. We Are One – 3 Are Legend, Bryn Christopher, 2024
  2. Unstoppable – Daniel Caesar, 2023
  3. Dance with Everybody – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, 2022
  4. What A Night – Flo Rida, 2022
  5. Amazing – Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled, 2021
  6. Fire Up The Night – Blake Shelton feat. HARDY, 2021
  7. Crowd Go Crazy – John Legend, 2021
  8. Lease On Life – Andy Grammer, 2021
  9. Glorious – Unsecret, Goldford, 2020
  10. Dreams – Phil Soda, GoodLuck, 2020

Pro Tip

Whether you are on the East Coast or West Coast, go from the grand entrance right into the first dance. It makes for a great transition and keeps the celebration going.

First Dance

View Top First Dance Songs

  1. Space In My Heart – Enrique Iglesias, Miranda Lambert, 2024
  2. First Dancin’ – 2 Lane Summer, 2024
  3. All the Way – Shane Smith & the Saints, 2024
  4. Spin You Around (1/24) – Morgan Wallen, 2024
  5. Best Friend – Pacific Skyway, 2024
  6. Let’s Fall In Love – Raheem DeVaughn feat. Kenny Allen & H.M.P., 2023
  7. Time With You – Johnny and Heidi, 2023
  8. I’m Gonna Love You – Josh Tatofi, 2023
  9. Perfect For Me – Bradley Marshall, 2023
  10. way after forever – Vaultboy, 2023

Pro Tip

Dinner time is the best time for the family to talk and catch up. It’s best to not have the music blasting. At the same time, don’t put everyone to sleep too.

Dinner Music

View Wedding Dinner Music Ideas

  1. LOVE NEVER FELT LIKE THIS – MAX, 2024
  2. Three Little Birds – Kacey Musgraves, 2024
  3. Beautiful Day – Keyon Harrold, Pj Morton, 2024
  4. Soul Bossa Nova – Grace Kelly feat. Sean Jones, 2023
  5. Falling For You – Niko Moon, 2023
  6. Waterfall (I Adore You) – Yebba, 2023
  7. A Night To Remember – beabadoobee, Laufey, 2023
  8. Evergreen – Teddy Swims, 2023
  9. Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Jason Morales, 2023
  10. Loving You – Cannons, 2023

Pro Tip

If you have more than one male role model in your life, have one cut-in and join the dance. If no male role models in your life, you can have a mother daughter dance.

Father Daughter Dance (Person of Honor)

View Top Father Daughter Dance Songs

  1. For The Both of Us – Dan + Shay, 2023
  2. Can She Have This Dance – Drew Baldridge, 2023
  3. if father time had a daughter – Walker Hayes, 2023
  4. Good Hands – Kylie Morgan, 2022
  5. When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth, 2022
  6. Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi, 2022
  7. Grow As We Go – Mat and Savanna Shaw, The Piano Guys, 2021
  8. My Father’s Daughter – Olivia Vedder, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, 2021
  9. Like My Father – Jax, 2021
  10. She’s Somebody’s Daughter (The Wedding Version) – Drew Baldridge, 2021

Pro Tip

The dance will mean more to your mother. Make her feel special by offering her a special note, gift, or memento to remember your day.

Mother Son Dance (Person of Honor)

View Top Mother Son Dance Songs

  1. Dance Like No One’s Watching – Gabby Barrett, 2024
  2. Sun/Son – Jhené Aiko, 2024
  3. Perfect Day – Al Green, 2023
  4. Mother’s Love – Soul Payn, 2023
  5. No Prayer Like Mama’s – Jay Allen, 2023
  6. I Love You Mom – Jackson Nance, 2022
  7. He’s Her Life – Waylon Nihipali, 2022
  8. She’s Magic – Mike Parker, 2022
  9. Mother – Michael Bublé, 2022
  10. Mama Ain’t Jesus – Jordan Rowe, 2021

Pro Tip

Do not plan the whole party playlist or be too restrictive in your music choices to the music entertainer. They are professional and should know what will fill the dance floor and be able to read the crowd and make adjustments accordingly.

Party Time!

View Best Party & Dancing Songs

  1. TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé, 2024
  2. Dance You Outta My Head – Cat Janice, 2024
  3. yes, and? – Ariana Grande, 2024
  4. Can’t Get Enough – Jennifer Lopez, 2024
  5. Lovin On Me – Jack Harlow, 2023
  6. Bops Goin Brazy – Tyga, 2023
  7. Sunshine (My Girl) – Wuki, 2023
  8. Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell, 2023
  9. Party People – Tucka, 2023
  10. JUMPIN – Pitbull & Lil Jon, 2023

Pro Tip

A memorable way to fill the dance floor is to celebrate the longest-married couple at your wedding. You can also offer a memento to the couple like a corsage and a boutonniere.

Celebration Dance Of Longest Married Couple

View Top Anniversary Dance Songs

  1. Best Friends – Eric Paslay, 2023
  2. Remember The Time – The Teskey Brothers, 2023
  3. Porch Swing – Taylor Hicks, 2023
  4. Never Not Loving You – Johnny and Heidi, 2022
  5. That’s How Love Is Made – The War and Treaty, 2022
  6. Love You Still (abcdefu romantic version) – Tyler Shaw, 2022
  7. How Deep Is Your Love – Barry Gibb, Little Big Town, Tommy Emmanuel, 2021
  8. You’re Still The One – Teddy Swims, 2020
  9. Our Song – Willie Nelson, 2020
  10. Our Song – Tank, 2019

Pro Tip

Consider having a private last dance. This is when you invite all guests outside the reception venue to prepare for the final send-off. Then, dance to a second first dance song with just the wedding couple in the room (along with the photographer).

Last Dance

View Top Last Dance Songs

  1. Out Of Reach – BoyWithUke, 2023
  2. The Best Is Yet to Come – Tom Walker, 2022
  3. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Ron Pope, The National Parks, 2022
  4. C’est La Vie – Surfaces, Thomas Rhett, 2021
  5. Closing Time – The Chardon Polka Band, 2020
  6. Memories – Maroon 5, 2020
  7. Incredible – James TW, 2019
  8. The Best Is Yet To Come – Drake White, 2018
  9. Save The Last Dance For Me – Michael Buble, 2005
  10. Bye Bye Bye – *Nsync, 2000

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How is the playlist compiled?

Matt is commonly in Facebook planning groups speaking to engaged and recently married couples. Plus, he is checking new songs released, wedding DJ playlists, and top-streamed song lists. This playlist is the most current songs to add to your wedding day playlist.

About Matthew Campbell

DJ, Author, Music Lover

matt

Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.

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