Best Mariah Carey Wedding Songs: High-Romance and Diva Anthems

When you add Mariah Carey to your wedding playlist, you aren’t just adding pop music; you’re adding a vocal masterclass. With a record-breaking 19 number-one hits, Mariah has provided the soundtrack for every romantic “I Do” moment for over three decades. Whether it’s her signature five-octave range, her soulful 90s R&B, or her breezy modern hits, her music is designed for the big, cinematic moments that define a wedding day.

As a wedding DJ, I consider Mariah Carey the queen of the “Vocal Crescendo.” In 2026, the trend is “Diva Energy” – couples are leaning away from the quiet and understated, choosing instead to embrace the powerful, emotional “power ballads” that let everyone in the room feel the weight of the moment. These tracks are selected for their technical brilliance and their ability to make a wedding feel truly legendary.

Planning Your Mariah Moments

Mariah’s catalog is vast, spanning from gospel-tinged ballads to hip-hop-infused dance tracks. Consider these 2026 expert DJ tips:

• The “Visionary” Processional: For the ultimate “walking down the aisle” moment, “Vision of Love” remains a powerhouse choice. It’s slow, soul-stirring build provides the perfect pacing for a grand entrance. If you prefer something more delicate, the chime-like opening of “Music Box” creates a fairytale atmosphere that is pure magic.
• The “Gospel-Soul” Ceremony: If you want a song that feels like a blessing, “Thank God I Found You” (featuring Joe and 98 Degrees) or her live MTV Unplugged version of “I’ll Be There” are perfect. They offer a sense of gratitude and spiritual connection that resonates deeply during a ceremony or a unity candle lighting.
• The “Indelible” First Dance: For a first dance that is both nostalgic and deeply romantic, “Always Be My Baby” is the top choice in 2026. While technically a song about a lasting connection after a split, its catchy “doo-doo-doo” hooks and message of indefinite love have made it a favorite for couples who grew up in the 90s. For a more traditional slow dance, “Endless Love” (her iconic duet with Luther Vandross) is the gold standard for vocal excellence.
• The “Party-Starter” Reception: When it’s time to switch from dinner to dancing, “Fantasy” (specifically the remix with O.D.B.) is an essential floor-filler. It’s bubbly, infectious, and immediately sets a celebratory tone. For a late-night set with a bit more “edge,” “Emotions” allows your guests to try (and likely fail!) to hit those high whistle notes alongside Mariah.
• The “Sentimental” Send-Off: If you want your last dance to be a grand, emotional sing-along, “Hero” or “One Sweet Day” provides that “lights up, arms around each other” finale that leaves everyone with a beautiful memory.

Explore my curated list of Mariah Carey love songs below, categorized by their role in your day, from Processional Power Ballads to Reception Dance Anthems.

Mariah Carey’s Highest-Charting Billboard Hits

• #1 Vision of Love, 1990
• #1 Love Takes Time, 1990
• #1 Someday, 1991
• #1 I Don’t Wanna Cry, 1991
• #1 Emotions, 1991
• #1 I’ll Be There (featuring Trey Lorenz), 1992
• #1 Dreamlover, 1993
• #1 Hero, 1993
• #1 All I Want for Christmas Is You, 1994
• #1 Fantasy, 1995
• #1 One Sweet Day (with Boyz II Men), 1995
• #1 Always Be My Baby, 1996
• #1 Honey, 1997
• #1 My All, 1998
• #1 Heartbreaker (featuring Jay-Z), 1999
• #1 Thank God I Found You (featuring Joe and 98 Degrees), 2000
• #1 We Belong Together, 2005
• #1 Don’t Forget About Us, 2005
• #1 Touch My Body, 2008
• #2 Can’t Let Go, 1991
• #2 Endless Love (with Luther Vandross), 1994
• #2 Loverboy (featuring Cameo), 2001
• #2 Shake It Off, 2005
• #3 Without You, 1994
• #3 I Know What You Want (with Busta Rhymes featuring The Flipmode Squad), 2003
• #5 Make It Happen, 1992

Love Songs List

Emotions

Released in 1991 on the album Emotions

You’ve got me feeling emotions
Deeper than I’ve ever dreamed of
You’ve got me feeling emotions
Higher than the heavens above

All I Live For

Released in 2020 on the album The Rarities

Baby you’re all I live for
All I have
‘Til forever
Good or bad
Everything that I adore

Emotions

Released in 1991 on the album Emotions

I’m in love
I’m alive
Intoxicated
Flying high

#Beautiful

featuring Miguel
Released in 2013 on the album Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse

Shawty got grill, like Chipotle
Now my favorite meal be the shrimp lo mein
But still (you’re beautiful)

Dreamlover

Released in 1993 on the album Music Box

Dream lover come rescue me, Take me up take me down, Take me anywhere you want to baby now

I’ll Be There

with Trey Lorenz
Originally released in 1970 by R&B group The Jackson 5
Released in 1992 on the album MTV Unplugged

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter, Togetherness, well it’s all I’m after

My All

Released in 1997 on the album Butterfly

‘Cause I’ve drowned in you, And I won’t pull through, Without you by my side

Vision Of Love

Released in 1990 on the album Mariah Carey

I had a vision of love, And it was all that you’ve given to me

Without You

Originally released in 1970 by the rock group Badfinger
Released in 1993 on the album Music Box

What you should know, I can’t live, If living is without you

Thank God I Found You

featuring Joe and 98 Degrees
Released in 2000 on the album Rainbow

I will give you everything, There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do, To ensure your happiness

Fantasy

Released in 1995 on the album Daydream

There’s no beginning and there is no end, Feels like I’m dreaming, but I’m not sleeping, Fantasy

Hero

Not considered a love song as the song describes an inner power within all of us. However, a great song!

Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

Endless Love

with Luther Vandross
Released in 1994 on the album Songs

They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes
You’ll always be
My endless love

All I Want for Christmas Is You

Released in 1994 on the album Merry Christmas

I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you

Mariah Carey Spotify Playlist

Songs to Skip (Not Love Songs)

We Belong Together

Released in 2005 on the album The Emancipation of Mimi

To have you lying by my side, Right here, cause baby, (We belong together)

With You

Released in 2018 on the album Caution

But we muddle through
I don’t know what I’m supposed to do (Boy)
Oh baby, I’m in love, it’s true
With you, you, you

Always Be My Baby

Released in 1996 on the album Daydream

You’ll always be a part of me, I’m part of you indefinitely

Touch My Body

Released in 2008 on the album E=MC²

All around your waist, just a little taste
Touch my body, know you like my curves
C’mon and give me what I deserve and touch my body

One Sweet Day

Duet with Boyz II Men
Released in 1995 on the album Daydream
16 weeks at number 1, a record! Need we say more?

Together, One sweet day, Loving you always and I’ll wait patiently to see you in heaven

Shake It Off

Released in 2005 on the album The Emancipation of Mimi

Boy, I gotta (I gotta shake, shake you off)
Gotta do what’s best for me
Baby, and that means I gotta (shake you off)

Don’t Forget About Us

Released in 2005 on the album The Emancipation of Mimi

We were bigger than anything
Remember us at our best
And don’t forget about

I Know What You Want

with Busta Rhymes featuring The Flipmode Squad0
Released in 2002 on the album It Ain’t Safe No More

Baby, if you give it to me, I’ll give it to you
I know what you want, you know I got it

Loverboy

featuring Cameo
Released in 2001 on the album Glitter

Oh, baby, close your eyes
The way you’re looking at me
You’ve got me mesmerized
Something I can’t escape

Heartbreaker

with Jay-Z
Released in 1999 on the album Rainbow

You’re a heartbreaker
Dream maker, love taker
Don’t you mess around with me

Honey

Released in 1997 on the album Butterfly

And it’s just like honey (yeah)
When your love (when your love) comes over me (comes over me)
Oh, baby, I’ve got a dependency

Someday

Released in 1990 on the album Mariah Carey

Someday ooh someday
The one you gave away will be the only one you’re wishing for
Someday hey hey
Boy you’re gonna pay ’cause baby I’m the one who’s keeping score

I Don’t Want To Cry

Released in 1991 on the album Mariah Carey

Though I’ve given you my heart and soul (Given you my heart and soul)
I must find a way of letting go
‘Cause baby, I don’t want to cry

Can’t Let Go

Released in 1991 on the album Emotions

Something in your eyes
Captured my soul
And every night I see you in my dreams
You’re all I know
I can’t let go

Love Takes Time

Released in 1990 on the album Mariah Carey

Love takes time
To heal when you’re hurting so much
Couldn’t see that I was blind
To let you go

Have a favorite Mariah Carey song? Please share your song below in the comments.