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The members' favourite wedding songs for your big day
The Executive Guild of Toastmasters Wedding Music Guide
The members' favourite wedding songs for your big day
Weddings are wonderful occasions and made all that little bit more special by the music chosen for the day.
Music guides your guests through the wedding day with you: It signals the beginning of the joyful event, in fact it tells everyone when it's time to enjoy their meal, and perhaps most importantly cues when it's officially time to dance.
To try and help you craft the perfect playlist, the Executive Guild of Toastmasters have together selected the best wedding songs they are able to recall, all played at weddings they have officiated at.
All of these were chosen by different couples over the years for their weddings, selections that may suit you both for your special day, many songs they remember from each genre and decade.
Regardless of how many people you invite, if you've decided to throw a party for your nuptials, it should be bursting with joy, love, and all your favourite songs.
Whether your wedding is this year, next year, or some hazy day in the distant future, why not start a running list of the songs you want to hear? Work on it with your spouse-to-be and share it with your wedding planner, band, or DJ.
Think about tunes the two of you have enjoyed together over the course of your relationship, the love songs that get you all misty-eyed, and what you like to dance to. Consider which songs are family-approved, if that's important to you both, and which tracks are most likely to get your friends out of their seats.
Music plays a huge role in so many parts of a wedding day - it helps tell your story as a couple. It can add to those intimate moments throughout the day, create a warm ambiance and most importantly, get the party started!
Secretly, everyone looks forward to the reception, and a good one requires stellar entertainment to set the right tone and bring your dance floor to life.
There’s no better feeling than all your favourite people gathered in one room, bopping and singing, which is why you need an epic wedding music playlist.
Choose a mix of crowd-pleasers, singalong ballads, air guitar-worthy rock anthems, hip-hop beats, heartwarming romantic hits, and cherished golden oldies for an electrifying party atmosphere.
From the moment you walk down the aisle to your departure as newlyweds, wedding songs set the tone for your celebration.
Walking Down the Aisle
Walking down the aisle during the ceremony will be one of the most memorable experiences of your wedding day and perhaps even your life.
The right music can make the moment even more special.
Because even though all eyes will be on you, it never hurts to have a gorgeous tune playing in the background. (In fact, it'll make the experience that much sweeter!)
But with so many classic hits and modern chart-toppers to choose from, picking the best tunes can feel daunting.
From the opening processional to the first kiss, your ceremony music should feel like a seamless representation of your relationship.
A wedding processional should be filled with emotion, excitement and a little bit of magic, so you need a moving piece that matches the energy.
Here are some of our favourite traditional pieces to walk down the aisle to:
- Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel
- Ave Maria by Franz Schubert
- Nella Fantasia by Il Divo
- Bridal Chorus by Wagner
- Air on the G String by Johann Sebastian Bach
There is musical inspiration for everything from getting ready to cutting the cake and exiting in your getaway car.
Your own wedding DJ and/or band can also be helpful as you plan your song list, so be sure to tap into their expertise.
Your toastmaster will always suggest that you contact them for advice anyway, it’s a great idea.
Whether you're choosing a glamorous wedding theme or something more bohemian and whimsical, there's one thing your affair will need: A generous dose of romantic wedding songs that are all about love.
Let us be honest the best wedding songs bring out ALL the love in us the special recollections and feelings that make the reception feel like a giant love fest and these songs ensure that there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to hit the dance floor.
Naturally this list is endless, but these timeless love songs recalled by the wedding Toastmasters are in their opinion some of the best wedding songs of all time to help make your celebration one to remember for ever.
Best First Dance songs
- Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
- At Last - Etta James
- Perfect - Ed Sheeran
- Amazed - Lonestar
- Baby I'm Yours - Arctic Monkeys
- The One - Kodaline
- Stand by Me - Ben E. King
- Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
- All of Me - John Legend
- Pointless - Lewis Capaldi
What was, in their opinion the best remembered Wedding First Dance Song? Well, according to our members, it's 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Elvis Presley.
This song was the most popular with couples who married in 2023, some opted for the original crooned by the King, others went for a more modern cover version.
Modern Wedding Ceremony Song
If you want something playing as you are signing the register, or just as a piece of music that you both love and reflects your story, there is so much to choose from.
The Exec Toastmaster’s recollections here are full of love and meaning- and the tempo - smooth and upbeat to make sure they set an uplifting tone.
Plus, they all agree these are all songs that would sound great if played live by your wedding band.
“Live music adds a whole new dimension to your wedding ceremony,” says Eric, officiating for 35 years as a wedding toastmaster and founder of the Executive Guild of Toastmasters. “It definitely elevates the occasion and sets the mood for the rest of the day.”
Ceremony songs to consider
All of Me - John Legend
Lyrics we love: You're my end and my beginning / Even when I lose, I'm winning
Can’t Help Falling in Love - Hayley Reinhart
Lyrics we love: Oh, take my hand, take my whole life, too / For I can't help falling in love with you
1 + 1 - Beyoncé
Lyrics we love: We ain't got nothing but love / And darling, you got enough for the both of us.
May You Feel My Love - Adele
Lyrics we love: I could make you happy, make your dreams come true / Nothing that I wouldn't do / Go to the ends of the earth for you
How Long Will I Love You - Ellie Goulding
Lyrics we love: How long will I love you? / As long as stars are above you / And longer if I may
A Thousand Year - Christina Perri
Lyrics we love: Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years / I’ll love you for a thousand more
Wherever You Will Go - Charlene Soraia
Lyrics we love: If I could / Then I would / Ill go wherever you will go
I’m Yours - Jason Mark
Lyrics we love: But I won’t hesitate no more, no more / It cannot wait / I’m yours
Marry Me - Train
Lyrics we love: You wear white / I’ll wear out the words I love you any you’re beautiful
Turning Page - Sleeping at Last
Lyrics we love: I’ve waited a hundred years / But I’d wait a million more for you
Until I found You - Stephen Sanchez
Lyrics we love: I would never fall in love again until I found her / I said I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
Lyrics we love: And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70 / And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23
I Will Follow You - Toulouse
Lyrics we love: There isn’t an ocean too deep / A mountain so high it can keep / Keep me away / Away from my love
Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
Lyrics we love: Only you can set my heart on fire / What are you waiting for / Love me like you do
Modern Wedding Exit Songs
You’ve said your vows, and now it’s time to start the celebrations. These are songs often played that you can really have fun with, change the tone and get everyone in the party spirit. Plus, a selection of faster paced bold and ultra happy songs with vibrant melodies to inspire you.
Eric: “Most couples went for something ‘up lifting’ that guests could sing-along to. Weddings are a celebration and a happy event and the music choices at the right moment should reflect that.”
Adore You - Harry Styles
Lyrics we love: Honey (ah) / I’d Walk through fire for you / Just let me adore you
Greatest Day - Take That
Lyrics we love: Tonight, this could be the greatest night of our lives / Let’s make a new start / The future is ours to find
Marry You - Bruno Mars
Lyrics we love: It's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do / Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you
Sucker - Jonas Brothers
Lyrics we love: I’m a sucker for you / any road you take, you know that you’ll find me
Best Day of My Life - American Authors
Lyrics we love: Don’t wake me now / This is gonna be the best day of my life
Ho Hey - Lumineers
Lyrics we love: I belong with you; you belong with me / You’re my sweetheart
Feel So Close - Calvin Harris
Lyrics we love: I wear my heart upon my sleeve like a big deal / Your love pours down on me / Surrounds me like a waterfall
Praise You - Fatboy Slim
Lyrics we love: I have to celebrate you baby / I have to praise you like I should
Next to Me - Emeli Sandé
Lyrics we love: I know there's no need for me to panic / Cause I'll find him, I'll find him next to me
You’ve Got the Love - Florence + The Machine
Lyrics we love: Sometimes, I feel like saying, "Lord, I just don't care" / But you've got the love I need to see me through
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Lyrics we love: Because I'm happy / Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth / Because I'm happy / Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Dancing In The Moonlight - Top loader
Lyrics we love: Dancing in the moonlight / Everybody's feelin' warm and bright / It's such a fine and natural sight / Everybody's dancing in the moonlight
Crazy In Love - Beyoncé
Lyrics we love: If you ain't there, ain't nobody else to impress / It's the way that you know what I thought I knew / It's the beat that my heart skips when I'm with you
Lil Boo Thang - Paul Russell
Lyrics we love: Girl, you got me / I’m singing / It's like / Oh, ooh-oh, you got the best of my love
Eye Know - De La Soul
Lyrics we love: And on Mars where we could be all alone / And we make a song for two / Picture-perfect things and I sing of how (eye know I love you better)
Modern Wedding First Dance Songs
Toothpaste Kisses - The Maccabees
Lyrics we love: So with toothpaste kisses and lines / Stay with me, I’ll stay with you.
Us - James Bay
Lyrics we love: Tell me how cause I believe in something / I believe in us
Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars
Lyrics we love: I say / When I see your face / There’s not a thing I would change/ ‘Cause you’re amazing / Just the way you are
Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon
Lyrics we love: This woman is my destiny / Shut up and dance with me
Last Request - Paolo Nutini
Lyrics we love: Baby let’s get closer tonight / Grant my last request and let me hold you
Starving - Hailed Steinfeld
Lyrics we love: Don’t need no butterflies when you give me the whole damn zoo
I Will Wait - Mumford & Sons
Lyrics we love: Raise my hands / Paint my spirit gold / And bow my head / Keep my heart slow
Beyond - Leon Bridges
Lyrics we love: That the love is real, that the shoe might fit / She might just be my everything and beyond
1, 2, 3, 4 - Plain White T’s
Lyrics we love: The best that I've had / And I'm so glad I found you / I love being around you / You make it easy
Grow Old with Me - Tom Odell
Lyrics we love: Grow old with me / Let us share what we see / And oh the best it could be / Just you and I
Lovebug - Jonas Brothers
Lyrics we love: Hopeless, head over heels in the moment / I never thought that I'd get hit by this lovebug again
Lover - Taylor Swift
Lyrics we love: My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue / All's well that ends well to end up with you
All My Love - George Ezra
Lyrics we love: All my love is yours / All my time is ours
Speechless - Dan + Shay
Lyrics we love: And I’m speechless / You already know that you’re my weakness
You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne
Lyrics we love: When I say this love will never fade away / Oh, because / You are the best thing
Better Together - Jack Johnson
Lyrics we love: I’ll you one thing / It’s aways better when we’re together / It’s always better when we’re together
Always Forever - Cults
Lyrics we love: You and me always forever / We could stay alone together / You and me always forever
Young and Beautiful - Lana Del Rey
Lyrics we love: Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul? / I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will
The One - Kodaline
Lyrics we love: You make my heart feel like it's summer / When the rain is pouring down
Only Love - Ben Howard
Lyrics we love: Darling, you're with me, always around me / Only love, only love
Heartbeats - José Gonzalez
Lyrics we love: The colours red and blue / We had a promise, babe / We were in love
Other Classical Choices
Walking down the aisle
Handel - Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
Wagner - Bridal Chorus · Richard Wagner: Lohengrin
Handel - Eternal Source of Light Divine Eternal Source of Divine -
Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
Daniil Trifonov - Bach: Cantata BWV 147: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Transcr. Hess for Piano)
Pachelbel - Canon in D
Pachelbel - Canon in D Major - the original and best version.
Morricone - Gabriel’s Oboe
Hymns (for a church wedding)
Parry - Jerusalem
Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
How Great Thou Art
Signing the register
Fauré - Cantique de Jean Racine
Rutter - The Lord Bless You and Keep You
Franck - Panis Angelicus
Elgar - Salut d’amourMin
As the guests walk out
Mendelssohn - Wedding March
Widor - ‘Toccata’ from Organ Symphony No.5
Parry - I Was Glad
Reception music
Mozart - Divertimentos
Gershwin - Summertime
The Entertainer - n - The Entertainer
Delibes - The Flower Duet
First dance
Craig Armstrong - Glasgow Theme from Love Actually.Glasgowove Theme
Tchaikovsky - The Sleeping Beauty Waltz