Some of my favorite songs to play at weddings are folk songs. They contain so much emotion in their performances which makes your wedding memorable. Discover a list of folk songs perfect for your wedding day.

Quick Tips

When choosing folk songs for your wedding, you must consider the following 3 factors:

1. What is the song’s tempo to determine the dance style?
2. What is the meaning of the song and is it appropriate for your wedding?
3. What moment of the wedding ceremony or reception will the song play?

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of folk wedding songs. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s couples.

Song Ideas by Wedding Moments & Vibe

Ceremony Songs

Songs to ply as guests arrive at the reception or accent any moment like the unity ceremony and vows.

All My Love – Cathartic Fall
Anything – JJ Heller
Everything to Me – Ivan & Alyosha
Forever – Ben Harper
I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You – B. Dylan
Love Is – Zach Winters
Make These Colors Real – Hush Kids
Nothing Can Keep Me from You – The Sweeplings
One For Me – Mary Hopkin
Simply The Best – Billianne
Stumble Together – Matt Bednarsky
Take The World – JOHNNYSWIM
That’s The Way Love Goes – H. Carll, A. Moorer
Till Death Do Us Part – Lily Hormel
Valentine’s Day (Acoustic) – David Tribble
Wedding Blessing – Adelyn & Ava
Wedding Song (There Is Love) – Noel Paul Stookey
What a Wonderful World – Sawyer Fredericks
When You Love Someone (Live) – Gretchen Peters
You and I – SYML and Charlotte Lawrence
You’re the One (Acoustic) – Luca Fogale

Processional Songs

Songs to play for walking down the aisle as the ceremony begins.

Belong with You – The Light the Heat
Bride – Aria & Oaken
Chances – Fox and Bones
Forever & Back – Anders Sohn
Forever and for Always – Jarrod Morris
I Will Spend My Whole Life – Imaginary Future, Grannis
I’d Be Your Man – Parker Twomey
I’ll Be with You – Matt + Abi
Marry Me – The Wicks
Rest of Our Lives – The Light the Heat
Someone Like Me (Wedding Version) – July Moon

Upbeat Cocktail Songs

Songs to play as guests arrive at the reception and to keep the mod up as they enjoy your signature drinks.

Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell
Bubbly – Colbie Caillat
Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
Half of forever – Henrik
Hey Ho – The Lumineers
If I Say That I Love You – Foster
L O V E L O V E – Jeremy Lister
Meant For Me – Alisan Porter
Not Just Any Old Love Song – Luke Cerny
Only Love – Ben Howard
Simple Thing – Jonathan Wilson
Sunshine – Leucadia
Sweet Talk – Iron & Wine
Turning Onto You – First Aid Kit
Understand My Love – Brandon Mills
Until You – AHI
Where You Are – The National Parks
Wild World – Yusef/Cat Stevens
You’re the One – Rhiannon Giddens

Background Music

A list of love songs to play as smooth background songs during dinner or as the meal is served.

All The Gold – Alivan Blu
Before You – Fortunate Ones
Bloom – The Paper Kites
Colors – Langhorne Slim
Forever From Now – Sheffield
Give All – Jon Danforth
Higher Love – James Vincent McMorrow
Hold You – Amos Lee
I And Love And You – The Avett Brothers
I Just Love You – Roo Panes
If I Didn’t Love You – Ben Abraham
Let It Be Me – Ray LaMontagne
Lover’s Lullaby – Sweet Tea Project
Lucky Star – Last Birds
One and Only – Garrett Kato
Perfect to Me – Josh Tatofi
Sea Of Love – Langhorne Slim, Jill Andrews
Soul Mate – flora cash
Steal My Heart Away – The Paper Kites, Ainslie Wills
This Beautiful Life – Ocie Elliott
Timber! – The National Parks

First Dance Songs

A list of songs to play for the newlyweds for their spotlight dance.

Better Part of Me – SYML, Sara Watkins
Dance With Me – Phillip Phillips
Easy Together – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
Heart’s On Fire – Passenger
Helplessly I Fell – Jim Lord
Home – Josh Beeman
I Chose You – Caleb Edens
In Spite Of Ourselves – John Prine and Iris DeMent
The First Time – The Brave Collide
The Mountain Song (First Dance Version) – Tophouse
Touching Heaven – JOHNNYSWIM
You Have Stolen My Heart – Brian Fallon

Reception Dance Songs

A list of songs in the folk genre to get guests dancing.

All I Want Is You – Barry Louis Polisar
All the Ways – The Secret Sisters, Ray LaMontagne
Closer To Fine – Indigo Girls
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
I Got You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
I Hope You Dance – The Hound + the Fox
I Want To Spend It With You – The Satellite Station
No Matter Where You Are – Us The Duo
Peach Fuzz – Caamp
Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
Touch of Grey – Grateful Dead

Last Dance Songs

How do you want to end your big day and exit as the reception ends? Here are a few hints.

Good Riddance – Ron Pope, The National Parks
If I Can’t Take You With Me – Heather Stewart
Love You ‘Till the End – The Pogues
Welcome Home – Fox and Bones
When You Say Nothing At All – Alison Krauss

Do you have a favorite folk song for weddings? Please share it below in the comments!