People often ask us to recommend some music for their Wedding Ceremony. We understand, choosing the music for such an important part of the Wedding Day can be daunting. Do you want to be unique or on-trend? Tradtional or modern? Quirky? Are there things you shouldn’t pick?
First of all, don’t stress, we think the music is meant to be the fun bit and there aren’t any wrong answers. We have played some wacky things in the past; the Muppets, Darth Vaders Theme, Heavy Metal… In our opinion, anything goes!
If you already have songs in mind but aren’t sure if they’re right for the Ceremony… Just do it! In our experience, it’s the personal connection to a song that makes it special, even if it isn’t particularly ‘Weddingy’.
If you’re still not sure what to choose then keep reading. As a general rule you want something slowish for the Bridal Entrance and something more upbeat for your exit music. Also don’t forget some background music while your guests arrive and for the gap in the Ceremony when you sign the Register and have a few photos. So here’s our top 10 Wedding songs of 2023…
10. A Thousand Years – Christina perri
Some people might question even putting this song on this year’s top 10 list as it would be easy to think it has been overplayed. We still love it though and we don’t really think that there has been an epic Wedding song to replace it since it was used in the Twilight films all those years ago. What do you think? Overplayed or a timeless classic?
9. Made you look – meghan trainor
When this came out we had to learn it, it’s so cute and cheeky, musically and lyrically. Wedding Ceremonies can sometimes be too ‘serious’ and some lighthearted music choices can break the ice and create the happy atmosphere you want. Perhaps not an ideal choice for the Aisle music (never say never though!) this one would work really well as a mood lightener in the middle of the Ceremony during photos or as some fun exit music.
8. Mr Brightside – The Killers
When you’re picking your Wedding Ceremony music it’s easy to remember the “big one” but people often forget that your exit music is just as important as your aisle song. Mr Brightside has always been a banger and sometimes you just want something upbeat and fun to kick off the drinks reception. This one isn’t for everyone as the lyrics are arguably not terribly ‘Weddingy’ but nonetheless it seems to be a popular exit choice and if you go for an instrumental version the lyrics aren’t really an issue.
7. Nothing else matters – Metallica
Metal fans and Wednesday aficionados will love this one as a unique choice for practically any point in the Ceremony. We LOVE LOVE LOVE the version that features in the hit Netflix series Wednesday. Even if you’re not a metal fan you can’t deny that this is a masterpiece of music. We love the love story behind it too, James Hetfield writing it for his girlfriend while he was missing her on tour. Gorgeous.
6. Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel
Tradition is a tricky one, in our opinion the Wedding March and Bridal March are outdated and overplayed. No one really wants them anymore. So, what do you do if you want to be a bit more traditional than having a pop song playing while you and your Bridesmaids walk down the aisle? Well, Pachelbel’s Canon in D is your answer. Unmistakably Classical and timeless in its simple perfection, Canon in D is a great choice if you want to inject a bit of class and tradition into your Ceremony without going for the classical default Wedding and Bridal marches.
5. The One – Kodaline
Very popular last year and still one that makes an appearance in drinks receptions on occasion. This is a classic in our opinion. While we have played this for Bridal entrances before we think that this song particularly shines as exit music. Besides, it’s really cute and the lyrics are lovely.
4. Young & Beautiful – Lana Del Ray
This one came at us from left field a bit, but when we were learning it we quickly fell in love. If you want a song to make you cry, this is it. It has all the feels and will create a super-emotionally charged Ceremony.
3. Learn To Fly – Foo Fighters
Another one to fill the exit music slot, not much to say about this one, it’s just good music. You can’t help but dance out to something like this. If you’re not a Foo Fighters fan, fair enough, but we think this is the perfect vibe for an exit song. Even if you don’t like this particular song, you can’t deny that its upbeat peppy feel is one hell of a way to finish a Ceremony.
2. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
Can’t beat Can’t Help Falling In Love, a little bit of Elvis in a Ceremony always goes down well. This classic has been cropping up on playlists more and more. Can’t Help Falling In Love is great for the all-important Bridal Entrance but also works really nicely for the Signing of the Register and background music while you’re having photos in the middle of the Ceremony.
1. I Giorni – Ludovico Einaudi
Inexplicably popular recently and we’re here for it. Elegant, refined, and classical sounding but not too much so as to send people to sleep (no offense classical music, we love you and you have your place!) Slow enough to calm even the most excited Bride down. This is an absolutely beautiful piece of music and if you’re struggling for something gorgeous to walk down the aisle to, you could certainly do worse than choose this.
honourable mention. perfect – ed Sheeran
Arguably a little overplayed and it seems like Ed Sheeran is a bit like Marmite at the moment, you either love him or have perhaps had a bit too much on your toast… BUT, even the haters surreptitiously shed a quiet tear when we play this at Wedding Ceremonies, so we think it deserves an honourable mention. (Don’t deny it, you know who you are…)