Music-inspired ngagement shoot with vintage records Ideas & Advice Engagement shoot with vintage records

eleGALA tip

Get your guests out of their chairs and on the dance floor with these popular songs from throughout the ages:

“September”
-Earth, Wind & Fire
“Crocodile Rock”
-Elton John
“Listen to the Music”
-Doobie Brothers
“Don’t Stop Believin’”
-Journey
“You Shook Me All Night Long”
-AC/DC
“Livin’ on a Prayer”
-Bon Jovi
“I Got a Feeling”
-Black Eyed Peas
“Single Ladies”
-Beyoncé
“Just Dance”
-Lady Gaga
“Raise Your Glass”
-Pink

did you know?

Get weekly wedding tips delivered to your inbox when you sign up for GALA Weekly Bridal News.

Popular Ceremony and Reception Songs

Personalize your wedding from start to finish with memorable music and meaningful songs.

These categorized lists of popular wedding songs, both traditional and non-traditional, will help you build the ideal playlist for your ceremony and reception.

Popular Wedding Songs – Prelude Songs

  • “Adagio from Sonata in E-Flat”” – Mozart
  • “Air” (from Water Music) – Handel
  • “Air On The G String” (from Orchestral Suite No. 3) – Bach
  • “Allegro from Brandenburg Concerto #4 in G” – Bach
  • “Nocturne In E Flat, Op. 9 No. 2” – Chopin
  • “Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun” – Debussy
  • “So This Is Love” (instrumental “Cinderella”) – David, Hoffman, Livingston
  • “Waltz” (from Sleeping Beauty Act 1) – Tchaikovsky

Popular Wedding Songs – Processional Songs

  • “Winter Largo, Four Seasons” – Vivaldi
  • “Oboe Concerto” – Handel
  • “Bridal Chorus” – Wagner
  • “Canon in D” – Pachabel
  • “Overture” (from Royal Fireworks Music) – Handel
  • “Air” (from Water Music) – Handel
  • “Trumpet Voluntary” – Jeremiah Clark
  • “To A Wild Rose” – MacDowell
  • “Pathetique Sonata” – Beethoven
  • “Gymnopedie, No. 1” – Satie

Popular Wedding Songs – Traditional Bride’s Entrance Songs

  • “Bridal Chorus” – Wagner
  • “Canon in D” – Pachabel
  • “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles
  • “Guitar Concerto in D Major” – Vivaldi
  • “Winter Largo, Four Seasons” – Vivaldi
  • “Trumpet Voluntary” – Jeremiah Clark
  • “Air” (from Water Music) – Handel
  • “Overture” (from Royal Fireworks Music) – Handel
  • “Canzon V” – Giovanni Gabrieli
  • “See The Conqu’ing Hero” – Handel
  • “Larghetto” (from Xerxes) – Handel
  • “Oboe Concerto” – Handel
  • “Toccata” – Monteverdi
  • “Te Deum” – Charpentier
  • “Trumpet Tune” – Purcell
  • “Trumptet Concerto in D” – Telemann
  • “Promenade” – Mussorgsky
  • “To A Wild Rose” – MacDowell
  • “Pathetique Sonata” – “Gymnopedie, No. 1” – Satie

Non-Traditional & Modern Bride’s Entrance Songs

  • “Hey Soul Sister” – Train
  • “You and I” – Ingrid Michaelson
  • “Only You” – Joshua Radin
  • “Love and Some Verses” – Iron & Wine
  • “Hearts & Bones” – Paul Simon
  • “Rhythm of Love” – Plain White T’s
  • “I Found a Reason” – Cat Power
  • “The Dress Looks Nice on You” – Sufjan Stevens
  • “They Bring Me to You” – Joshua Radin
  • “Oh, It is Love?” – Hellogoodbye

Popular Wedidng Songs – Recessional Songs

  • “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” – Stevie Wonder
  • “All You Need is Love” – The Beatles
  • “This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)” – Natalie Cole
  • “Autumn – Four Seasons” – Vivaldi
  • “First Movement from Brandenburg Concerto #1 in F” – J.S. Bach
  • “Hornpipe” (from Water Music) – Handel
  • “La Rejouissance” (from Royal Fireworks Music) – Handel
  • “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” (from Soloman) – Handel

Non-Traditional & Modern Recessional Songs

  • “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
  • “5 Years Time” – Noah & The Whale
  • “Higher Love” – Steve Winwood
  • “Wouldn’t it be Nice” – The Beach Boys
  • “Somebody Like You” – Keith Urban
  • “Is This Love” – Bob Marley
  • “Beautiful Day” – U2
  • “Two of Us” – Beatles

Popular Wedding Songs – First Dance Songs

  • “Amazed” – Lonestar
  • “From This Moment” – Shania Twan & Bryan White
  • “At Last” – Etta James
  • “When You Say Nothing At All” – Allison Krause
  • “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
  • “It’s Your Love” – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
  • “Cross My Heart” – George Straight
  • “Way You Look Tonight” – Frank Sinatra
  • “True Companion” – Marc Cohen
  • “Here and Now” – Luther Vandross
  • “Everything I Do” – Bryan Adams
  • “What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
  • “I Finally Found Someone” – Barbra Striesand & Bryan Adams
  • “Truly, Madly, Deeply” – Savage Garden
  • “You Had Me At Hello” – Kenny Chesney
  • “Unchained Melody” – Righteous Brothers
  • “Could I Have This Dance” – Anne Murray
  • “It Had To Be You” – Harry Connick, Jr.
  • “I Do, Cherish You” – 98 Degrees/Mark Wills
  • “Because You Loved Me” – Celine Dion
  • “To Make You Feel My Love” – Garth Brooks
  • “Unforgettable” – Natalie Cole
  • “Keeper Of The Stars” – Tracy Byrd
  • “Endless Love” – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
  • “Breathe” – Faith Hill
  • “You and I” – Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle
  • “Love of a Lifetime” – Firehouse
  • “All The Way” – Celine Dion & Frank Sinatra
  • “Valentine” – Martina McBride & Jim Brickman
  • “For You” – Kenny Lattimore
  • “Warm Love” – Van Morrison
  • “In Your Eyes” – Peter Gabriel
  • “When I Fall In Love” – Natalie Cole
  • “You Are So Beautiful” – Joe Cocker
  • “Always & Forever” – Heatwave
  • “Love Of My Life” – Jim Brickman
  • “Give Me Forever” – John Tesh & James Ingram
  • “Have I Told You Lately” – Rod Stewart
  • “I Swear” – John Michael Montgomery
  • “Just The Way You Are” – Billy Joel
  • “Love Of My Life” – Sammy Kershaw
  • “Angel Eyes” –- Jeff Healy Band
  • “Into The Mystic” – Van Morrison

Non-Traditional & Modern First Dance Songs

  • “Question” – Old 97’s
  • “Only You” – Joshua Radin
  • “Marry Me” – Train
  • “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
  • “Northern Sky” – Nick Drake
  • “You Are the Best Thing” – Ray Lamontagne
  • “Ice Cream” – Sarah MacLachlan
  • “Somebody Like You” – Keith Urban
  • “Crash” – Dave Matthews Band
  • “No One’s Gonna Love You” – Band of Horses
  • “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
  • “Wild Horses” – The Sundays
  • “Trouble” – Ray Lamontagne
  • “Love Song” – The Cure
  • “Kiss Me” – Sixpence None the Richer
  • “You’re Just Too Good To Be True” – Lauryn Hill

Our list of R&B Wedding Songs has even more great first dance songs!

Popular Wedding Songs – Father/Daughter Dance Songs

  • “Because You Loved Me” – Celine Dion
  • “Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle
  • “Daddy’s Hands” – Holly Dunn
  • “Daddy’s Little Girl” – Al Martino
  • “Daughter of Mine” – John McDermott
  • “Have I Told You Lately” – Rod Stewart
  • “Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
  • “Hero” – Mariah Carey
  • “My Girl” – Temptations
  • “My Special Angel” – Bobby Helms
  • “Sunrise Sunset” – Fiddler On The Roof
  • “The Men In My Little Girl’s Life” – Mike Douglas
  • “Through The Years” – Kenny Rogers
  • “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler
  • “Turn Around” – Harry Balafonte
  • “Wild World” – Cat Stevens
  • “I Wish You Love” – Dean Martin

Non-Traditional & Modern Father/Daughter Dance Songs

  • “Forever Young” – Bob Dylan
  • “The One Who Knows” – Dar Williams
  • “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses (or Cheryl Crow version)
  • “Changes” – Ozzy Osbourne

Popular Wedding Songs – Mother/Son Dance Songs

  • “A Song For My Son” – Bobby Morganstein
  • “A Song For Mama” – Boyz II Men
  • “Because You Loved Me” – Celine Dion
  • “I Am Your Child” – Barry Manilow
  • “I Wish You Love” – Natalie Cole
  • “Through The Years” – Kenny Rogers
  • “Times of Your Life” – Paul Anka
  • “You’re The Inspiration” – Chicago
  • “What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
  • “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler

Popular Wedding Songs – Last Dance Songs

  • “Take Me Home Tonight” – Eddie Money
  • “As Times Go By” – Jimmy Durante
  • “Goodnight Sweetheart” – Spaniels
  • “Always & Forever” – Heatwave
  • “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” – Green Day
  • “Hit The Road Jack” – Ray Charles
  • “I’ve Had The Time Of My Live” – B. Medley/J. Warnes
  • “Joy To The World” – Three Dog Night
  • “Let’s Get It On” – Marvin Gaye
  • “My Way” – Frank Sinatra
  • “Save The Best For Last” – Vanessa Williams
  • “The Last Dance” – Frank Sinatra
  • “That’s What Friends Are For” – Dionne Warwick
  • “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
  • “Last Dance” – Donna Summer
  • “Na Na Hey Hey” – Steam
  • “Theme From New York, New York (Remastered Album Version)” – Frank Sinatra
  • “Taking You Home (LP Version)” – Don Henley
  • “Summer Wind (Remastered Album Version)” – The Frank Sinatra Collection
  • “What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong

Got any to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you! Send us an e-mail - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

How to tune a guitar.