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:
- What songs will make everyone happy – you and your guests?
- What style of music is preferred – hip hop, pop, rock, country, etc.?
- 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.
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.
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
- 2020 – Joy Of My – Life Chris Stapleton
- 2021 – Big Energy – Latto
- 2021 – Pepas – Farruko
- 2021 – Shivers – Ed Sheeran
- 2022 – Calm Down – Rema, Selena Gomez
- 2022 – Growing Old With You – Restless Road
- 2022 – I Was Born To Love You feat. Sierra Ferrell – Ray LaMontagne
- 2022 – I’m Good (Blue) – David Guetta, Bebe Rexha
- 2022 – Next Thing You Know – Jordan Davis
- 2022 – Simply The Best – Billianne
- 2022 – Thank God – Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown
- 2022 – Tití Me Preguntó – Bad Bunny
- 2022 – Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez, Em Beihold
- 2022 – Watermelon Moonshine – Lainey Wilson
- 2023 – Baby Don’t Hurt Me – David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray
- 2023 – Dance The Night – Dua Lipa
- 2023 – Dance With You – Brett Young
- 2023 – I Choose You – Forest Blakk
- 2023 – In Your Love – Tyler Childers
- 2023 – JUMPIN – Pitbull, Lil Jon
- 2023 – Last Night – Morgan Wallen
- 2023 – Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell
- 2023 – Love You Anyway – Luke Combs
- 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
- 2010 – Baby – Justin Bieber, Ludacris
- 2010 – Club Can’t Handle Me – Flo Rida, David Guetta
- 2010 – DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love – USHER, Pitbull
- 2010 – Everytime We Touch – Cascada
- 2010 – No Hands – Waka Flocka Flame, Roscoe Dash, Wale
- 2010 – Super Bass – Nicki Minaj
- 2010 – TiK ToK – Kesha
- 2011 – Give Me Everything – Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer
- 2011 – Levels – Avicii
- 2011 – What Makes You Beautiful – One Direction
- 2012 – Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore, Ryan Lewis
- 2012 – Clarity – Zedd, Foxes
- 2012 – Starships – Nicki Minaj
- 2012 – We Found Love – Rihanna, Calvin Harris
- 2013 – Bloom – The Paper Kites
- 2013 – I Love It – Icona Pop, Charli XCX
- 2013 – Turn Down for What – DJ Snake, Lil Jon
- 2013 – Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony
- 2013 – Wake Me Up – Avicii
- 2014 – Fireball – Pitbull, John Ryan
- 2016 – Good As Hell – Lizzo
- 2016 – One Dance – Drake, Wizkid, Kyla
- 2019 – Higher Love – Kygo, Whitney Houston
- 2019 – Paper Rings – Taylor Swift
- 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
- 2000 – Ride Wit Me – Nelly, City Spud
- 2001 – One More Time – Daft Punk
- 2001 – The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
- 2002 – Rock Your Body – Justin Timberlake
- 2002 – Without Me – Eminem
- 2003 – Ocean Avenue – Yellowcard
- 2003 – Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
- 2003 – The Way You Move – Outkast, Sleepy Brown
- 2004 – One, Two Step – Ciara, Missy Elliott
- 2005 – Hips Don’t Lie – Shakira, Wyclef Jean
- 2005 – Lose Control – Missy Elliott, Ciara, Fat Man Scoop
- 2005 – Sugar, We’re Goin Down – Fall Out Boy
- 2005 – Temperature – Sean Paul
- 2006 – Glamorous – Fergie, Ludacris
- 2006 – Let’s Get Married (ReMarqable Remix) – Jagged Edge, Run
- 2007 – Don’t Stop The Music – Rihanna
- 2007 – Girlfriend – Avril Lavigne
- 2008 – Love Story (Taylor’s version) – Taylor Swift
- 2008 – You Belong With Me (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
- 2009 – Down – Jay Sean, Lil Wayne
- 2009 – Dynamite – Taio Cruz
- 2009 – Fire Burning – Sean Kingston
- 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
- 1990 – Poison – Bell Biv DeVoe
- 1990 – Thunderstruck – AC/DC
- 1993 – Shoop – Salt-n-Pepa
- 1995 – La Chona – Los Tucanes De Tijuana
- 1995 – This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
- 1997 – Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys
- 1998 – Believe – Cher
- 1999 – …Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
- 1999 – All Star – Smash Mouth
- 1999 – All The Small Things – blink-182
- 1999 – Back At One – Brian McKnight
- 1999 – I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
- 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
- 1980 – You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall & John Oates
- 1981 – Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
- 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
- 1970 – Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
- 1972 – Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
- 1973 – Dancing In the Moonlight – King Harvest
- 1974 – Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
- 1975 – Boogie Shoes – KC and the Sunshine Band
- 1975 – December, 1963 (Oh What a Night!) – Four Seasons
- 1975 – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
- 1978 – September – Earth, Wind & Fire
- 1979 – Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead
- 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
- 1965 – My Girl – The Temptations
- 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
Tip
Don’t forget about your wedding party. See our list of songs for bridesmaids and the list of songs for groomsmen.
What about Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers? I thought that would make your list for sure!
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!
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.
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!
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”
Thank you Jennifer. We will add the song to our list of Christian songs!
Amazing list thanks for sharing this.
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…
Hi Wakanda. Yes, it is a great song and on our list of 50s wedding songs above.
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 :)
Thank you, Rain for your song suggestions. We will consider a different song for Usher.