Top & Best Wedding Songs in 2023 To Make Your Big Day Unforgettable

Picking the perfect playlist for your big day shouldn’t be hard. Whether you’re choosing your own music or working with a DJ, you want your wedding songs to be great. Some couples only think about songs for the reception, but you should also consider music for the wedding.

Our guide covers everything. We start with pre-wedding tunes for seating your guests and for the ceremony. Then come songs for every part of the wedding party and all-time favorite dance floor anthems. We want every song played to have meaning for you, so keep reading! From genres to specific artists, our easy-to-follow guide will simplify your planning process.

Getting Ready Wedding Songs

Getting ready for your wedding is supposed to be fun. For your pre-wedding songs list, you’ll want to pick upbeat music with a good beat. Pop music with great song lyrics for you and your besties to belt would be ideal. Spice up your routine and sing those jitters away with some fast-paced songs to psych you up.

1. Chapel of Love – The Chordettes
2. I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston
3. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
4. For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder
5. September – Earth, Wind & Fire
6. I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
7. Got To Be Real – Cheryl Lynn
8. Nowhere to Run – The Commitments
9. Sea of Love – Cat Power
10. When I Go – Slow Club

Wedding Ceremony Songs

You’ll need three different kinds of music for your ceremony. For the prelude, something classic like Pachelbel’s Cannon is perfect. For the wedding party processional, you could go with a typical instrumental piece or choose something modern. The same goes for the recessional: choose something triumphant or just plain fun. For some unusual ideas, check out this Country Wedding Song.

Related post: 90 Best Wedding Processional Songs for Your Ceremony in 2023

Prelude Songs

1. Moonlight Sonata – Beethoven
2. Harvest Moon – Neil Young
3. I and Love and You – The Avett Brothers
4. Yellow – Coldplay
5. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Ingrid Michaelson
6. XO – John Mayer
7. I’m With You – Vance Joy
8. Lover – Taylor Swift
9. Home to You – Sigrid
10. Marry Me – Train

Processional Songs

1. Arioso – Johann Sebastian Bach
2. Prelude in C – Johann Sebastian Bach
3. Thais Meditation – Jules Massenet
4. Butterfly Waltz – Brian Crain
5. Hymn for the Weekend – Coldplay
6. How Does a Moment Last Forever – Celine Dion
7. All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
8. Good Life – OneRepublic
9. I Run to You – Lady Antebellum
10.  I Do (Cherish You) – Mark Wills

Recessional Songs

1. No One – Alicia Keys
2. Best Day Of My Life – American Authors
3. All You Need Is Love – Beatles
4. Lovely Day – Bill Withers
5. September – Earth Wind & Fire
6. At Last – Etta James
7. On Top Of The World – Imagine Dragons
8. Marry Me – Jason Derulo
9. Stand By Me – John Newman
10.  Happy – Pharrell Williams

Wedding Party Entrance Songs

Make your big day perfect with unique entrance songs. Before the bride and groom walk down to the aisle, it’s the bridal party’s turn. The Wedding Entrance Songs are a great starting point if you need basic ideas. You can choose anything for the entrance songs, but top classical wedding songs are always a safe bet.

Related post: 70+ Epic Wedding Entrance Song Ideas to Kick off Your Dream Ceremony

1. Uptown Funk – Bruno Mars
2. Here For the Party – Gretchen Wilson
3. Thunderstruck – AC/DC
4. Good Life – Kanye West ft. T-Pain
5. Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions
6. Scream – Usher
7. I Love Rock and Roll – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
8. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
9. Stanky Legg – GS Boyz
10.  99 Problems – Jay-Z

Wedding Dance Songs

Get on the dance floor and let loose with the best dance songs of all time! You’ll need a few love songs for dancing with your soulmate. Some of the best slow dance songs are good for the Mother-Son and Father-Daughter dances. And don’t forget the all-important first dance! You can choose an old romantic classic or get more ideas from the First Dance Songs.

Related post: 80+ Best First Dance Wedding Songs to Set the Tone

First Dance Songs

1. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
2. Amazed – Lonestar
3. Lover – Taylor Swift
4. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
5. 10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber

Mother-Son Wedding Dance Songs

1. Forever Young – Rod Stewart
2. Mom – Meghan Trainor
3. Beautiful Boy – John Lennon
4. 93 Million Miles – Jason Mraz
5. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban

Father-Daughter Wedding Songs

1. I Loved Her First – Heartland
2. First Man – Camila Cabello
3. Daughters – John Mayer
4. Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine
5. Prettiest Girl in the World – Logan Mize

Mother-Daughter Wedding Songs

1. Blue – Beyoncé
2. Mother’s Daughter – Miley Cyrus
3. Where You Lead – Carole King
4. The Mother – Brandi Carlile
5. Mama’s Song – Carrie Underwood

Wedding Party Dance Songs

1. I’ll Be – Edwin McCain
2. Happy – Pharrell Williams
3. Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
4. Yeah – Usher
5. As Long as You Love Me – Backstreet Boys

Anniversary Wedding Songs

1. Anniversary – Tony Toni Tone
2. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
3. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
4. Forever and for Always – Shania Twain
5. That’s All – Michael Bublé 

Last Dance Wedding Songs

1. Mirrorball – Taylor Swift
2. XO – Beyoncé
3. A Sky Full Of Stars – Coldplay
4. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) – Luke Bryan
5. Girls Like You – Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B

Wedding Reception Songs

Usually, there are many different kinds of music at a wedding reception. Something lighthearted to welcome the guests and gentle instrumentals during the meal. Then, dance hits through the night. For more about popular songs for weddings, check out these Wedding Reception Songs. You can also learn more about R&B wedding songs and other top reception music.

Related post:
Best Wedding Reception Songs to Fill the Dancefloor on Your Big Day

45 R&B Wedding Songs to Set the Right Mood

1. I wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston
2. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
3. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
4. Suit and Tie – Justin Timberlake
5. Love You Like a Love Song – Selena Gomez
6. All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
7. Twist and Shout – The Beatles
8. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
9. Brick House – The Commodores
10.  I will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

6. Bouquet Toss Songs

So many wedding traditions feel old-fashioned nowadays. Perk up the bouquet toss with a twist. First, upgrade the wedding background music that usually accompanies the toss to a retro romantic tune. Then, make the toss a unisex affair. Let men and women try for the bouquet, and then celebrate the good times. After all, the ladies shouldn’t get to have all the fun!

1. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
2. Only Girl (In The World) – Rihanna
3. California Gurls – Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg
4. I Love It – Icona Pop (feat. Charli XCX)
5. Hey, Soul Sister – Train

Garter Removal Songs

One of the most fun wedding day traditions is the groom removing the bride’s garter. Any DJ wedding playlists will have a song specifically for the garter removal. However, you don’t have to stick with the traditional choice for your reception. Shake things up with a hiphop song or choose from a variety of genres to make this tradition your own!

1. Wild Thing – The Troggs
2. Another One Bites the Dust – Queen
3. Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood and the Destroyers
4. Keep Your Hands To Yourself – Georgia Satellites
5. Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard

Wedding Cake Cutting Songs

The cake cutting is often the highlight of the entire reception. If you decide to smash cake in each other’s faces, choose the traditional cake cutting song. If you decide to be more alternative, there are some perfect wedding songs that are a little more modern and fun. The thing about traditions is that it’s fun to turn them on their ear. Keep what you like and change the rest!

1. Cut The Cake – Average White Band
2. Stand By Me – Ben. E. King
3. Honey Bee – Blake Shelton
4. I Do – Colbie Caillat
5. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley

Your wedding songs don’t have to be like anybody else’s. You can make a choice for uniqueness, for change. From country music recessionals to alternatives to “The Bride Feeds The Groom,” we have you covered. Whether you want old romantic songs or hot new dance tunes, look no further. Our comprehensive song guide will help you pick the perfect music to accompany your big day. Who knows, maybe you’ll even start your own wedding trend!