Top 100 Wedding Songs List: Past & Present Hits

Songs cement memories of your wedding day for you — as the wedding couple — and your guests. Here are the greatest wedding songs of all time modern and classic.

How do you choose the best one? I have some tips for you.

When picking your own wedding songs from timeless classics to present-day hits, you must consider the following 3 factors:

  1. What songs will make everyone happy – you and your guests?
  2. What style of music is preferred – hip hop, pop, rock, country, etc.?
  3. People like the songs that came out when they were in middle school and high school. Look at music when you and your guests were at that age.
Wedding couple's first dance on clouds
Photo Credit: M Place Productions @mplacepro

Tip

If you are just getting started planning the music for your wedding, see our wedding ceremony and reception songs.

As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of the greatest wedding songs! The songs below are a mix of modern and classic hits but are commonly selected for today’s wedding playlists.

Top 10 Wedding Songs of All-time

1. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley
Released in 1961 – Elvis, the king of Rock and Roll, slowed the tempo way down for this sensual love ballad. In 2017, Haley Reinhart’s cover of the song became extremely popular in the wedding circuit.

Other popular covers include Kina Grannis was featured in the movie Crazy Rich Asians and a personal favorite by Music Travel Love.

2. “At Last” by Etta James
Released in 1960 – The soulful Etta James captures the emotion of finding your forever love in song. “At Last” has stood the test of time. It’s amazing to think that this song came from her very first album.

3. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
Released in 2017 – Although this song is the newest song on the list, I believe it will be played for years to come. Sheeran is a global superstar and this song has the perfect love story.

4. “Marry Me” by Train
Released in 2010 – Train has the perfect message for the processional walk. Did you choose your groom’s processional song yet?

5. “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts
Released in 1995 – Although the song was originally produced by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rascal Flats turned it into a mega-wedding hit.

This song captures the gratitude for past relationships as the path to meeting one another through God.

6. “All Of Me” by John Legend
Released in 2013 – John Legend will go down as one of the greatest R&B artists of his time. “All of Me” highlights his talent with words. Love isn’t about perfection; it’s about the acceptance of one another’s defaults.

7. “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith
Released in 1998 – Brought from the big screen to the hearts of wedding couples and wedding guests for a love that will last forever.

8. “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
Released in 1967 – This song, sung by Louis Armstrong, gives a great vibe of happiness and causes us all to smile — unless you say “Good Morning, Vietnam” then all you think of is war. Be aware of this connection if your parents served in the Vietnam Conflict.

9. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
Released in 2011 – A wedding song played during the wedding of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart) in the Twilight series.

A very popular song played during the wedding ceremony as a processional but also as a first dance song too.  See other covers of this song too like The Piano Guys.

10. “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
Released in 1964 – The song resurfaced as a wedding song in 1991. It then was featured in “My Best Friend’s Wedding” in 1997.

Since then, the song can be played for the father-daughter dance, money dance, or any song shining the spotlight on the wedding couple.

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Tip

Pick songs to accent moments of your reception including a bride bouquet toss song and a wedding cake-cutting song.

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Greatest Wedding Songs: The List

I have scoured the Earth reviewing DJ wedding playlists, music charts, and popular streaming songs to bring you our list of the greatest wedding songs of all time.

What are the greatest wedding songs of all time? I have your list. My disclaimer is that the list is not bound by any specific era or genre like Rock, R&B, Country, or Jazz.

Before you comment about your favorite song not being on our list of top all-time wedding songs, please know that I chose only 100 songs. Yes, there are fantastic wedding songs not on my list.

Tip

The best wedding songs of all time surpass genre and style.

2020s Wedding Hits

  1. 2020 – Joy Of My – Life Chris Stapleton
  2. 2021 – Big Energy – Latto
  3. 2021 – Pepas – Farruko
  4. 2021 – Shivers – Ed Sheeran
  5. 2022 – Calm Down – Rema, Selena Gomez
  6. 2022 – Growing Old With You – Restless Road
  7. 2022 – I Was Born To Love You feat. Sierra Ferrell – Ray LaMontagne
  8. 2022 – I’m Good (Blue) – David Guetta, Bebe Rexha
  9. 2022 – Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis
  10. 2022 – Simply The Best – Billianne
  11. 2022 – Thank God – Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown
  12. 2022 – Tití Me Preguntó – Bad Bunny
  13. 2022 – Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez, Em Beihold
  14. 2022 – Watermelon Moonshine – Lainey Wilson
  15. 2023 – Baby Don’t Hurt Me – David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray
  16. 2023 – Dance The Night – Dua Lipa
  17. 2023 – Dance With You – Brett Young
  18. 2023 – I Choose You – Forest Blakk
  19. 2023 – In Your Love – Tyler Childers
  20. 2023 – JUMPIN – Pitbull, Lil Jon
  21. 2023 – Last Night – Morgan Wallen
  22. 2023 – Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell
  23. 2023 – Love You Anyway – Luke Combs
  24. 2023 – Popular – The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Madonna

Tip

Have all guests leave the reception hall to prepare for your send-off. Then, have a private last dance to a special song in an empty room.

2010s Must Plays

  1. 2010 – Baby – Justin Bieber, Ludacris
  2. 2010 – Club Can’t Handle Me – Flo Rida, David Guetta
  3. 2010 – DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love – USHER, Pitbull
  4. 2010 – Everytime We Touch – Cascada
  5. 2010 – No Hands – Waka Flocka Flame, Roscoe Dash, Wale
  6. 2010 – Super Bass – Nicki Minaj
  7. 2010 – TiK ToK – Kesha
  8. 2011 – Give Me Everything – Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer
  9. 2011 – Levels – Avicii
  10. 2011 – What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction
  11. 2012 – Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore, Ryan Lewis
  12. 2012 – Clarity – Zedd, Foxes
  13. 2012 – Starships – Nicki Minaj
  14. 2012 – We Found Love – Rihanna, Calvin Harris
  15. 2013 – Bloom – The Paper Kites
  16. 2013 – I Love It – Icona Pop, Charli XCX
  17. 2013 – Turn Down for What – DJ Snake, Lil Jon
  18. 2013 – Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony
  19. 2013 – Wake Me Up – Avicii
  20. 2014 – Fireball – Pitbull, John Ryan
  21. 2016 – Good As Hell – Lizzo
  22. 2016 – One Dance – Drake, Wizkid, Kyla
  23. 2019 – Higher Love – Kygo, Whitney Houston
  24. 2019 – Paper Rings – Taylor Swift
  25. 2019 – Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles

Tip

The most important songs chosen for your wedding ceremony are the songs played as the wedding party walks down the aisle. (See a list of upbeat and romantic songs for the processional.)

2000s Favorite Tracks

  1. 2000 – Ride Wit Me – Nelly, City Spud
  2. 2001 – One More Time – Daft Punk
  3. 2001 – The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
  4. 2002 – Rock Your Body – Justin Timberlake
  5. 2002 – Without Me – Eminem
  6. 2003 – Ocean Avenue – Yellowcard
  7. 2003 – Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
  8. 2003 – The Way You Move – Outkast, Sleepy Brown
  9. 2004 – One, Two Step – Ciara, Missy Elliott
  10. 2005 – Hips Don’t Lie – Shakira, Wyclef Jean
  11. 2005 – Lose Control – Missy Elliott, Ciara, Fat Man Scoop
  12. 2005 – Sugar, We’re Goin Down – Fall Out Boy
  13. 2005 – Temperature – Sean Paul
  14. 2006 – Glamorous – Fergie, Ludacris
  15. 2006 – Let’s Get Married (ReMarqable Remix) – Jagged Edge, Run
  16. 2007 – Don’t Stop The Music – Rihanna
  17. 2007 – Girlfriend – Avril Lavigne
  18. 2008 – Love Story (Taylor’s version) – Taylor Swift
  19. 2008 – You Belong With Me (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
  20. 2009 – Down – Jay Sean, Lil Wayne
  21. 2009 – Dynamite – Taio Cruz
  22. 2009 – Fire Burning – Sean Kingston
  23. 2009 – Hotel Room Service – Pitbull

Tip

All eyes are on you during your wedding day. At the reception, the highlight is your first dance. Choose a first dance song that means something to you.

1990s Tunes To Play

  1. 1990 – Poison – Bell Biv DeVoe
  2. 1990 – Thunderstruck – AC/DC
  3. 1993 – Shoop – Salt-n-Pepa
  4. 1995 – La Chona – Los Tucanes De Tijuana
  5. 1995 – This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
  6. 1997 – Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys
  7. 1998 – Believe – Cher
  8. 1999 – …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
  9. 1999 – All Star – Smash Mouth
  10. 1999 – All The Small Things – blink-182
  11. 1999 – Back At One – Brian McKnight
  12. 1999 – I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
  13. 1999 – Mambo No. 5 (a Little Bit of…) – Lou Bega

Tip

It’s your parents’ Big Day too. A popular moment during the reception to incorporate your parents is to have a dad and daughter dance and a mom and son dance. Choose a song with them. If your mom is your bestie, a mom and daughter dance is appropriate too.

1980s Not Forgotten Songs

  1. 1980 – You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall & John Oates
  2. 1981 – Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
  3. 1987 – Fishin’ In The Dark – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Tip

What music will play as your grand entrance and introduction song into the reception to set the tone from romance to epic?

1970s Biggest Wedding Hits

  1. 1970 – Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
  2. 1972 – Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
  3. 1973 – Dancing In the Moonlight – King Harvest
  4. 1974 – Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
  5. 1975 – Boogie Shoes – KC and the Sunshine Band
  6. 1975 – December, 1963 (Oh What a Night!) – Four Seasons
  7. 1975 – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
  8. 1978 – September – Earth, Wind & Fire
  9. 1979 – Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead
  10. 1979 – Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! – ABBA

Tip

After the ceremony is over, pick your song to exit the ceremony – also known as the recessional song.

1960s Timeless Classics

  1. 1965 – My Girl – The Temptations
  2. 1967 – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – M. Gaye, T. Terrell

Tip

When it’s time to party, play only the best party songs to get guests on the dance floor!

FAQs

A great wedding song captures the joy of love, excitement of the wedding day, and faith in the relationship.

The greatest wedding song may be a love song or a song that fills the dance floor with guests partying and dancing the night away.

Quite a debate can be had while deciding the best wedding songs. Many songs are played over and over and over. That doesn’t mean they’re necessarily the greatest wedding song.

Today’s wedding couples want a different experience than every other couple. What gives?

If you want to be different, do not select a song below as these are the most popular songs ever to be played at weddings.

If, however, you’d like to work for the crowd, choose from our list of the greatest wedding songs of all time. These songs will be known by every guest and will give you and them goosebumps.

This list is compiled from being veteran DJs, talking to wedding couples through social groups, and analyzing hundreds of wedding DJs’ playlists across the U.S. that provide wedding music.

Constant reviewing of wedding songs through the years that are both in current circulation and have stood the test of time.

The best wedding song ever is “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley. The song still gets played by many couples as their first dance song today!

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” has also been covered countless times including by Kacey Musgraves (from the ELVIS film), Haley Reinhart, Kina Grannix (from the Crazy Rich Asians film), Brooklyn Duo, Boyce Avenue, Music Travel Love, and countless others.

Another song in the running at a close second is “At Last”. It is a timeless classic wedding song about finding your forever love.

It must be the epitome of love. The song must express love for another as that is what a wedding is all about.

Getting married was a popular theme recently with Marry Me by Train, Marry You by Bruno Mars, and also not on the list Marry Me by Jason Derulo.

Movies also played a big role in the list of best wedding songs ever. Movies feature mega-hits like Armageddon with I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing and Swing Time with The Way You Look Tonight.

The most popular song to play during a wedding ceremony is the processional song – the song played as the wedding party, including the bride, walks down the aisle. The most popular wedding reception song is the first dance song.

Tip

Don’t forget about your wedding party. See our list of songs for bridesmaids and the list of songs for groomsmen.

11 Comments

    1. Hi Corina. You are correct. It is one of the greatest wedding songs of all time. However, as wedding couples get younger, I chose to have newer songs on the list since this was released in 1965. If I had a list of classic wedding songs, this would definitely be on the list!

  1. Back in my younger days, “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters was THE song you always heard at weddings. This is old school of course, like 70s.

    1. Yes, “We’ve Only Just Begun” is one of the great wedding songs and we have it on our list of 1970s wedding songs list!

  2. From a Christian artist and specifically for weddings, “Always Be Yours” by Scott Drury. “For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, until death do us part, I’ll love you with all of my heart”

  3. you may want to listen to this piece from “the Everly Brothers” and the song title is “all I want to do is dream….wow..i feel like sharing this site with my paddies in town..wow..what a lucky day on the web…

  4. I have two favorites that I would like to share (knowing they are not regularly played around the country but…) Buble’s “To love somebody” and a new one “Bigger than us” by Michael Rice. I’d take out Usher’s “Hey” (for graphic content maybe making grandmas heart rate go up and Bruno’s “Uptown funk”… fun song but too club scene for me. I do think your list is great and I thank you :) again this is just a personal thought and y’all made a great list :)

    1. Thank you, Rain for your song suggestions. We will consider a different song for Usher.

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