Your Complete Guide to Wedding Music

Live music elevates and energizes any event. Find wedding-ready recommendations from International Musicians League (IML), which serves professional musicians and inspires audiences with accessible live music. 

Supporting the nation's leading wedding and event bands, all IML sponsored bands are customizable to fit the needs of any event, at a sensible price. Find out more information and book your band here.

Complete Guide to Wedding Music

 

Ceremony:

If your wedding is classic, you may choose traditional tunes such as Pachelbel’s Canon. Want a personal touch? There are so many choices for sentimental songs or upbeat recessionals - just be sure to make it your own and pick something you both love!

“Here Comes the Sun” - The Beatles

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

“Stand by Me” - Ben E. King

“Fly Me to the Moon” - Frank Sinatra

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” - Elvis Presley

“First Day of My Life” - Bright Eyes

“What a Wonderful World” - Louis Armstrong

“Thinking Out Loud” - Ed Sheeran

“Say You Won’t Let Go” - James Arthur

“Higher Love” - James Vincent McMorrow

“Better Together” - Jack Johnson

“A Thousand Years” - Christina Perri

“Make You Feel my Love” - Adele

“Home” - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

“Lucky” - Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

“Green Eyes” - Coldplay

“All You Need Is Love” - The Beatles

“Canon in D” - J. Pachelbel

“Meditation” - J. Massenet

Entrance:

Your big entrance to the reception is so special! You’ll be introduced as a married couple for the first time. This moment also offers the chance to introduce your wedding party. Whether you’re imagining a fun dance off or take the opportunity for a sweet memory, you want your intro song to be FUN as it sets the tone for your reception.

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” - Marvin Gaye

“Feels” - Calvin Harris ft. Katy Perry & Pharrell

“I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” - The Proclaimers

“Bring Em’ Out” - Jay-Z & T.I.

“You’re My Best Friend” - Queen

“Forever” - Chris Brown

“This Will Be” - Natalie Cole

“Walking On Sunshine” - Katrina and The Waves

“Sexyback” - Justin Timberlake

“Dancing in The Moonlight” - King Harvest

“I Gotta Feeling” - Black Eyed Peas

“Sexy & I Know It” - LMFAO 

First Dance:

The first dance is the one tradition we don’t see fading anytime soon. It’s such a sweet moment between you and your other half. Whether you want a tearjerker (I’m not crying, you’re crying!) or a swing dancing classic, make sure this moment is all about you two.

“At Last” - Etta James

“Perfect” - Ed Sheeran

“Wonderful Tonight” - Eric Clapton

“All of Me” - John Legend

“Fly Me To The Moon” - Frank Sinatra

“Moondance” - Michael Buble

“You Are The Best Thing” - Ray La Montagne

“Tennessee Whiskey” - Chris Stapleton

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” - Elvis Presley

“Thinking Out Loud” - Ed Sheeran

“The Rest of Our Life” - Tim Mcgraw, Faith Hill

“Everything” - Michael Buble

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” - Lauryn Hill

“Just The Way You Are” - Billy Joel

“Die A Happy Man” - Thomas Rhett

“September” - Earth, Wind, & Fire

Parent Dances:

Your big day is so special for your parents. Their baby is getting married! You and your dad share a sense of humor? Your mom is Phil Collins’ #1 fan? Whatever it is, these songs are sure to make everyone smile.

“Stand By Me” - Ben E. King

“My Girl” - The Temptations

“Sweet Pea” - Amos Lee

“Simple Man” - Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Days Like This” - Van Morrison

“The Best Day” - Taylor Swift

“Never Alone” - Lady Antebellum

“Because You Loved Me” - Celine Dion

“Daughters” - John Mayer

“You Are The Sunshine of My Life” - Stevie Wonder

“Mother Like Mine” - The Band Perry

“You’ll Be In My Heart” - Phil Collins

“You Raise Me Up” - Josh Groban

“In My Life” - The Beatles

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

“The Way You Look Tonight” - Frank Sinatra

“Landslide” - Fleetwood Mac

“Brown Eyed Girl” - Van Morrison

“When You Need Me” - Bruce Springsteen

“I Got You Babe” - Cher

"Your Song" - Elton John

“You’ve Got A Friend In Me” - Randy Newman

 Cake Cutting:

This sweet (pun intended!) moment is all about dessert! Pairing the cake cutting with a fun song about sugar is the perfect way to put a smile on your guests faces.

“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” - Four Tops

“Sugar Sugar” - Archies

“LOVE” - Nat King Cole

“Better Together” - Jack Johnson

“How Sweet It Is” - James Taylor

“Build Me Up Buttercup” - Foundations

“Love Train” - O’Jays

“Sugar” - Maroon 5

“Kiss Me” - Sixpence None The Richer

 Reception:

Your reception is finally here and you’re ready to hit the dance floor! You definitely need a playlist full of crowd-pleasers. Mixing classics with Top 40 is a great way to get everyone, from your grandfather to your 6-year old niece, on the dance floor.

“24K Magic” - Bruno Mars

“Valerie” - Amy Winehouse

“Proud Mary” - Tina Turner

“There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” - Shawn Mendes

“Crazy In Love” - Beyonce

“The Middle” - Zedd, Maren Morris

“September” - Earth, Wind, & Fire

“Shape of You” - Ed Sheeran

“Kiss” - Prince

“Cheap Thrills” - Sia

“Shut Up & Dance” - Walk The Moon

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” - Whitney Houston

“PYT” - Michael Jackson

“Uptown Funk” - Bruno Mars

“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” - Stevie Wonder

“This is How We Do it” - Montell Jordan

“Get Lucky” - Daft Punk

“Shake it Off” - Taylor Swift

“ABC” - The Jackson 5

“Something Just Like This” - The Chainsmokers & Coldplay

“Happy” - Pharrell Williams

"Tiny Dancer" - Elton John

“The Best Is Yet To Come” - Frank Sinatra

“Can’t Stop The Feeling” - Justin Timberlake

“No Diggity” - Blackstreet

“Twist & Shout” - The Beatles

"Havana" - Camila Cabello

“Superstition” - Stevie Wonder

“Rather Be” - Clean Bandit + Jess Glynne

“Respect” - Aretha Franklin

“Despacito” - Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber

“Don’t Stop Believing” - Journey

“Wagon Wheel” - Old Crow Medicine Show

 For more wedding day music ideas, visit Top Requested Wedding Songs Across the USA.