Wedding Playlist Guide for Planning Music

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.

wedding day playlist

Modern Wedding Day Playlist

  • 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.

DON’T FORGET – 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 their music tastes.

Updated Monthly!

Guests Arrive at the Ceremony – Prelude

View Top Prelude Songs

Pro Tip – Instead of having the bride’s family sitting to the left and the groom’s family sitting to the right, 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.

  • Love Is Alive – Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, 2023
  • Enchanted (The Wedding Violin Version) – Ana Done, 2023
  • Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto: I. Adagio Cantabile – Joshua Bell, 2023
  • Moon River – Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck, 2023
  • Here, There and Everywhere – David Leinweber, 2023
  • If I Ain’t Got You (Orchestral) – Alicia Keys feat. Queen Charlotte’s Global Orchestra, 2023
  • Faithfully (Instrumental Piano Version) – Laura Sullivan, 2023
  • You Are My Sunshine (Piano Wedding Version) – Paul Hankinson Covers, 2023
  • MARRY YOU – Tayler Holder, 2023
  • Simply The Best – Billianne, 2022

Wedding Party Walk Down the Aisle – Processional

View Top Processional Songs

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 Entrance X Can’t Help Falling In Love – James Wong, 2023
  • All the Small Things – SleepSpace, 2023
  • Songbird – Eva Cassidy, London Symphony Orchestra & Christopher Willis, 2022
  • In My Life – Kevin Kern, 2022
  • Yellow – Virgo Rising, 2022
  • What a Wonderful World – JJ Heller, 2022
  • Make You Feel My Love (Acoustic Instrumental) – Casper Esmann, 2022
  • When You Love Someone (Live) – Gretchen Peters, 2022
  • Endless Love – Boyce Avenue, Connie Talbot, 2022
  • Can’t Help Falling in Love (Arr. for Violin and Acoustic Guitar by Andy Poxon) – Anne Akiko Meyers & Jason Vieaux, 2022

(Partner) Bride Walk Down the Aisle

View Top Bride Entrance Songs

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.”

  • Kiss the Girl – Simon Casey, 2023
  • Wedding March Variation – Gabriele Bagnati, 2023
  • My Feet Don’t Touch the Ground – Bonner Rhae, 2023
  • All My Love – Cathartic Fall, 2023
  • Anywhere – Risk & Refuge, 2022
  • Lovin’ You (E. V. Mix) – B. Valentine feat. Dave Koz, 2022
  • The First Time – The Brave Collide feat. Brian McGrane & Chloe Agnew, 2022
  • Take My Name (Wedding Version) – Parmalee, 2022
  • Hold My Hand (Lady Gaga) [Piano Arrangement] – Alexandre Pachabezian, 2022
  • Marry Me (Ballad) – Jennifer Lopez, Maluma, 2022

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

View Top Unity Songs

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.”

  • This Is How We Learn To Fall In Love – Cinder and The Sea, 2023
  • Love You Anyway – Devon Gilfillian, 2023
  • Stumble Together – Matt Bednarsky, 2023
  • Perfect to Me – Josh Tatofi, 2023
  • Your Hands – Mae Estes, 2023
  • Our Forever – Spencer Crandall, 2022
  • The Akindele Wedding Song (Eternity) – Dynamic Media Services, 2022
  • Stay – Alicia Keys, Lucky Daye, 2022
  • Always Be Yours – Scott Drury, 2022
  • When You Married Me – Andrew Brien, 2022

Wedding Vows

Pro Tip – Write your own vows. It will make memories that last a lifetime and make your ceremony personalized.

  • Before I Met You – Dana Powell, 2023
  • Forest Blakk – I Choose You (Wedding Version), 2023
  • 24/7, 365 – Elijah Woods, 2023
  • Lucky Me – Jake Miller, 2022
  • You – Omar Cunningham, 2023
  • Here – Tom Grennan, 2023
  • Pointless – Lewis Capaldi, 2022
  • Worth It – Ryan Cabrera, 2022
  • Chance of a Lifetime (The Proposal) – Cory Singer, 2022
  • That’s What Love Is – Alexandra Kay, 2022

Recessional (Ceremony Exit)

View Top Recessional Songs

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.”

  • Run Away With Me – Cold War Kids, 2023
  • Beside You – James Blunt, 2023
  • That Part – Lauren Spencer Smith, 2023
  • Mine (Remix) – WANMOR, 2023
  • Wings – Jonas Brothers, 2023
  • Forever – Lee Fields, 2022
  • Thank God – Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown, 2022
  • I’m In Love With You – The 1975, 2022
  • Found It In You – Tiera Kennedy, 2022
  • First Day of My Life – Brooklyn Duo, 2022

Guests Exiting Ceremony

Pro Tip – Try to stick to a rigid timetable. The longer you take from the time the ceremony is over until the wedding party arrives at the wedding reception, the longer your guests are waiting to eat, or running up your bar tab for cocktail hour. Keep them waiting for the shortest amount of time.

  • Again and Again – Kathleen Regan, 2023
  • You & I – Rita Ora, 2023
  • whatever – Walk Off the Earth, 2023
  • I’ll Be – Celine Dion, 2023
  • Best of Me (2023) – Toad The Wet Sprocket, 2023
  • You Make My Dreams (Come True) – Wendlo, 2023
  • High On You – Sam Fischer, Amy Shark, 2023
  • No One’s Gonna Love You (Like I Do) – Taryn Papa, Zack Dyer, 2023
  • Little Bit More – Suriel Hess, 2022
  • Dancin’ In The Moonlight – Chris Lane, Lauren Alaina, 2022

Song Ideas Delivered Each Week

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Guests Arrive at Reception & Cocktail Hour

View Cocktail Hour Music Ideas

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.”

  • Baby Will You Love Me – MAJOR., 2023
  • If Only I – Loud Luxury, Two Friends, Bebe Rexha, 2023
  • Tension – Jeb Carty, Swae Lee, 2023
  • Stars – Pnau, Bebe Rexha & Ozuna, 2023
  • The Sweetest Thing – Pj Morton, 2023
  • More Than Yesterday – Two Friends & Russell Dickerson, 2023
  • Be The One – Bree Runway & Khalid, 2023
  • Chemical – Post Malone, 2023
  • Pineapple Sunrise – Beach Weather, 2023
  • I Feel Like Dancing – Jason Mraz, 2023

Grand Entrance and Introductions

View Top Entrance Songs

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

  • Unstoppable – Daniel Caesar, 2023
  • Dance with Everybody – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, 2022
  • What A Night – Flo Rida, 2022
  • Amazing – Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled, 2021
  • Fire Up The Night – Blake Shelton feat. HARDY, 2021
  • Crowd Go Crazy – John Legend, 2021
  • Lease On Life – Andy Grammer, 2021
  • Glorious – Unsecret, Goldford, 2020
  • Dreams – Phil Soda, GoodLuck, 2020
  • Champions – James Blunt, 2019

First Dance

View Top First Dance Songs

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.”

  • In Your Love – Tyler Childers, 2023
  • If You Were Mine – Miranda Lambert & Leon Bridges, 2023
  • Made (Wedding Version) – Spencer Crandall, 2023
  • Say Yes To Heaven – Lana Del Rey, 2023
  • Colourblind – Ed Sheeran, 2023
  • Dance With You – Brett Young, 2023
  • I’m Gonna Love You – Josh Tatofi, 2023
  • Perfect For Me – Bradley Marshall, 2023
  • way after forever – Vaultboy, 2023
  • Die For You (Remix) – The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, 2023

Dinner Music

View Wedding Dinner Music Ideas

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.”

  • Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Jason Morales, 2023
  • Drift Away – Jac Ross, 2023
  • Loving You – Cannons, 2023
  • Can’t Go – Dinner Party, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, 2023
  • Good Morning – PJ Morton, Susan Carol, 2023
  • This Is – Ella Mai, 2023
  • Woke Up in Love (Acoustic) – Kygo, Gryffin, Calum Scott, 2023
  • Flowers – Miley Cyrus, 2023
  • Palomino – First Aid Kit, 2022
  • Late Night Talking – Harry Styles, 2022

Cake Cutting

View Top Cake Cutting Songs

Pro Tip – If you want to help prevent the playful cake smashing, use forks for feeding each other.”

  • Sugar – Surf Curse, 2022
  • Stuck On You – Kem, 2022
  • Wedding Cake – dvsn, Ty Dolla $ign, 2021
  • Yummy – Justin Bieber, 2020
  • This Is Us – Jimmie Allen, Noah Cyrus, 2020
  • Make It Sweet – Old Dominion, 2018
  • Cake By The Ocean – DNCE, 2015
  • Sugar – Maroon 5, 2014
  • Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard, 1987
  • How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor, 1975

Bouquet Toss

View Top Bouquet Toss Songs

Pro Tip – Have more than one bouquet made for the bride – one to keep and one to toss.”

  • Mr Right – Mae Stephens, Meghan Trainor, 2023
  • Fly Girl – FLO, Missy Elliott, 2023
  • Da Girls – Ciara, 2023
  • Bridesmaids – Tyra Madison, 2022
  • Grrrls – Lizzo, 2022
  • Dope – John Legend, JID, 2022
  • Kings & Queens – Ava Max, 2020
  • Badass Woman – Meghan Trainor, 2019
  • Redesigning Women – The Highwomen, 2019
  • Girls Like You – Maroon 5, Cardi B, 2018

Garter Toss Songs

View Top Garter Toss Songs
View Top Garter Removal Songs
View Top Garter Placement Songs

Pro Tip – Attach the garter for tossing to a football, baseball, or other sports object so that the boys will want to catch the object with the garter.”

  • Toxic Las Vegas (Jamieson Shaw Remix) – Elvis Presley, Britney Spears, 2023
  • Good Ol’ Boys – Hayden Coffman, 2022
  • Boyz – Jesy Nelson, Nicki Minaj, 2021
  • I’m Single – Jake Paul, 2019
  • Death of a Bachelor – Panic! at the Disco, 2016
  • The Man – Aloe Blacc, 2013
  • Big Pimpin’ – Jay-Z, Ugk, 1999
  • Toss It Up – 2Pac, 1996
  • Bad Boys – Inner Circle, 1990
  • Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top, 1983

Father Daughter Dance

View Top Father Daughter Dance Songs

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.

  • Anything like you – Sam Derosa, 2023
  • Can She Have This Dance – Drew Baldridge, 2023
  • if father time had a daughter – Walker Hayes, 2023
  • Good Hands – Kylie Morgan, 2022
  • When God Made You My Father – Riley Roth, 2022
  • Good Hands – Johnny and Heidi, 2022
  • Grow As We Go – Mat and Savanna Shaw, The Piano Guys, 2021
  • My Father’s Daughter – Olivia Vedder, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, 2021
  • Like My Father – Jax, 2021
  • She’s Somebody’s Daughter (The Wedding Version) – Drew Baldridge, 2021

Mother Son Dance

View Top Mother Son Dance Songs

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’s Love – Soul Payn, 2023
  • No Prayer Like Mama’s – Jay Allen, 2023
  • I Love You Mom – Jackson Nance, 2022
  • He’s Her Life – Waylon Nihipali, 2022
  • She’s Magic – Mike Parker, 2022
  • Mother – Michael Bublé, 2022
  • My Hero – Westlife, 2021
  • Son Of A – Dillon Carmichael, 2021
  • Mama Ain’t Jesus – Jordan Rowe, 2021
  • That’s What Mamas Are For – Chris Lane, 2021

Wedding Party Dance

View Top Wedding Party Dance Songs

Pro Tip – The wedding party dance changes the focus from the bride and groom back to the dance floor. Consider having more of an uptempo song or a group dance song to get things started.

  • Beer With My Friends – Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion, 2022
  • Friends – Jesse McCartney, 2020
  • Family – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, 2019
  • Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton, 2015
  • Shut Up And Dance – Walk The Moon, 2014
  • Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars, 2014
  • Turn Down For What – DJ Snake, Lil Jon, 2013
  • Wobble – V.I.C., 2008
  • Cupid Shuffle – Cupid, 2007
  • Let’s Get It Started – Black Eyed Peas, 2004

Party Time!

View Best Party & Dancing Songs

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.”

  • Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell, 2023
  • Party People – Tucka, 2023
  • Make My Day – Coi Leray, David Guetta, 2023
  • Without You – Alesso, 2023
  • Dance The Night – Dua Lipa, 2023
  • Padam Padam – Kylie Minogue, 2023
  • JUMPIN – Pitbull & Lil Jon, 2023
  • El Merengue – Marshmello, Manuel Turizo, 2023
  • Lottery – Latto, LU KALA, 2023
  • TRUSTFALL – P!nk, 2023

Celebration Dance Of Longest Married Couple

View Top Anniversary Dance Songs

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.”

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

Last Dance

View Top Last Dance Songs

Pro Tip – Consider having a “”Last 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).”

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

Spotify Wedding Playlist

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, Editor, Music Lover

Meet Matthew (Matt) Campbell, the passionate wedding DJ and music expert behind My Wedding Songs. With years of experience in the industry and a keen ear for the latest trends, Matt knows just what it takes to create the perfect soundtrack for your special day. From classic love ballads to upbeat party anthems, his articles are jam-packed with insider tips and top recommendations that will have you and your guests on your feet all night long.

But Matt isn’t just a music aficionado – he’s also an active member of wedding planning and DJ communities, sharing his expertise and learning from other professionals along the way. Matt is the author of the Wedding Songs Planner and has articles published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. He is a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council and Vegas Wedding Chamber. You can listen to his tips as the host of the Wedding Songs Podcast. 

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