When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, engaged couples were filled with great uncertainty. Some have to wait until the government lifts restrictions in their state or country, others postponed their wedding until further notice, and others already decided to get married even if it means fewer guests. As a result, experts have foreseen a “wedding boom” that will happen throughout 2022 and, very likely, 2023.
If you’re planning your wedding, and you still need help with your playlists, we got you covered! These songs would be perfect for a first dance or for walking down the aisle. You could also use these tracks as ambient music while the guests are eating, signing the guest book, or just enjoying the wedding reception. You can find the entire playlist at the end of the post, too.
Not getting married? No problem! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and you can add these songs to a playlist to share with your significant other.
1. “Perfect Symphony” by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli
Something we know for sure about Ed Sheeran is that he’s the king of love songs. He’s been writing romantic tunes since the start of his career, but when he released “Thinking Out Loud” in 2014, everyone crowned it as THE wedding song. Then, Sheeran released “Perfect” in 2017, and it soon became a staple track for wedding playlists.
If you want to add an Italian touch to your first dance, you can pick “Perfect Symphony.” This remix of “Perfect” is a collaboration between Ed and Italian tenor singer Andrea Bocelli. “Perfect Symphony” is, dare we say, a more romantic take on the original song.
Other wedding songs by Ed Sheeran: “Lego House,” “Kiss Me,” “Thinking Out Loud,” “Photograph,” “Shape of You,” “Shivers,” and “Lay It All on Me” by Rudimental — with vocals by Ed —.
2. “Next to Me” by Imagine Dragons
Basically, “Next to Me” is a love letter to frontman Dan Reynolds’ wife, Aja Volkman. What makes this Imagine Dragons song ideal for your wedding is that it’s all about accepting your partner’s flaws. We all know life isn’t perfect, but if you have someone to share your life with, then life’s hardships become less of a burden.
With lyrics like “so thank you for taking a chance on me / I know it isn’t easy, but I hope to be worth it,” the song becomes an anthem of love and commitment, everything a marriage needs.
Other wedding songs by Imagine Dragons: “Not Today,” “Born to Be Yours,” “West Coast,” and “Follow You.”
3. “Paper Rings” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s Lover album is a celebration of all kinds of love, and “Paper Rings” is just the perfect wedding song. It describes how nothing matters as long as you’re with that special person. It also reflects on the process of falling in love with someone and how you’ll be there for them even in the worst of times. This dreamy bop will make anyone at your wedding get up and dance.
Other wedding songs by Taylor Swift: “End Game” — or basically the entire reputation album —, “Lover,” “It’s Nice to Have a Friend,” “invisible string,” “willow,” “Fearless (Taylor’s Version),” “Love Story (Taylor’s Version),” and “Stay Stay Stay (Taylor’s Version).”
4. “Finally // beautiful stranger” by Halsey
When previewing the track for fans at a private event, Halsey described “Finally // beautiful stranger” as “the first love song that I’ve ever written.” The song describes the first time the singer met their significant other. Another important theme in the track is letting go of insecurities and learning to keep your guard down when entering a relationship.
Halsey also talked about the process of writing this song, and they stated, “I was like, ‘I need a wedding song. I need a first dance song.’ I wrote it at home in my living room at two in the morning.” Definitely, you’ll have Halsey’s approval if you decide to use “Finally // beautiful stranger” as your first dance song.
Another wedding song by Halsey: “Ya’aburnee” — especially if you and your partner have children —.
5. “The Man You Love” by Il Divo
Il Divo has enchanted audiences all over the world for years, and this 2004 track, off their debut album, proves why. The multinational quartet is known for its love songs and powerful voices. Undoubtedly, you’ll find the perfect wedding song in any of their 10 studio albums. In “The Man You Love,” the singer vows to be the best partner they can be. Try not to cry while listening to it.
Other wedding songs by Il Divo: “Everytime I Look at You,” “Hasta Mi Final,” “Falling Slowly,” and “The Power of Love.”
6. “Breathe Gentle” by Tiziano Ferro and Kelly Rowland
Italian singer Tiziano Ferro joins forces with Kelly Rowland for this amazing track. The message in “Breathe Gentle” is about finding the perfect person after going through heartbreak. With lyrics like “I want to give you all of me, the underneath” and “the kissing moments, I thought were impossible,” Ferro emphasizes how he’ll treasure this love forever.
Other wedding songs by Tiziano Ferro: “Il Regalo Più Grande” and “L’Amore È Una Cosa Semplice.”
7. “Care For” by Blossoms
If you need a groovy ’70s-inspired love song, you’re in the right place. Blossoms’ members Tom Ogden and Joe Donovan used to work at a hotel in Stockport, England. There, they listened to a lot of, in Tom’s words, “feel-good wedding music.”
With “Care For,” Blossoms created their own wedding music, and this track will surely bring your guests together for a cool dance party.
Other wedding songs by Blossoms: “The Keeper,” “Oh No (I Think I’m In Love),” “Falling for Someone,” and “Like Gravity.”
8. “Love Interruption” by Jack White
If you and your partner have a flair for the dramatic, this song is the one. “Love Interruption” by Jack White gives love a dark twist, and the singer states all the negative things that may come with it. However, the sarcastic tone of the song implies that White will still let love in, no matter the cost.
Other wedding songs by Jack White: “Connected by Love” and “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” by The White Stripes.
9. “Life to Come” by The Killers
The Killers have a big array of love songs, but one that truly stands out is “Life to Come.” This track is a promise to your lover that you’ll be there for them no matter what happens. The lyrics “if you call my name, I will run whether or not it’s tonight or the life to come” capture the feeling of putting all your effort into the relationship.
Other wedding songs by The Killers: “Some Kind of Love,” “Dying Breed,” “Have All the Songs Been Written?” and “Deadlines and Commitments.”
10. “Still Want You” by Brandon Flowers
Of course, The Killers’ frontman, Brandon Flowers, also has some love songs of his own. “Still Want You” discusses current issues such as crime, climate change, and nuclear distress and how the couple’s love will remain in the face of those situations.
Another wedding song by Brandon Flowers: “Crossfire”
11. “Still Into You” by Paramore
One of the few Paramore love songs, “Still Into You” is a poppy track that still has the band’s essence in it. Lead singer Hayley Williams stated that “it’s about commitment to that one person that you just fall in love with […] and you have to work so hard to stay in love. It’s not an easy task. It’s not a walk in the park, if you will.” “Still Into You” describes the moments the couple lived together, and it is a testament to a great love that never changes.
Other wedding songs by Paramore: “The Only Exception,” “crushcrushcrush,” and “Love’s Not a Competition (but I’m Winning)” — a cover of Kaiser Chiefs’ song —.
12. “Lovestruck” by The Vamps
There’s nothing like falling in love with someone for the first time. If you want to relive that moment while you’re dancing with your partner, you must play “Lovestruck” by The Vamps for your first dance. The track mentions all the characteristics that make that person special as well as the things you’d do for that person.
Other wedding songs by The Vamps: “Risk It All,” “High Hopes,” “Married in Vegas,” “Chemicals,” and “Nothing but You.”
13. “Follow You” by Bring Me the Horizon
“Follow You” is arguably Bring Me the Horizon’s most romantic song. Lead singer Oli Sykes has stated that it’s “about being so in love with someone that nothing else matters.” Not even a zombie apocalypse could compete against the power of love!
Another wedding song by BMTH: “mother tongue” — especially if you and your partner speak different languages —.
14. “Waiting for Love” by Avicii
One of Avicii’s best songs, “Waiting for Love” is about desperately waiting and trying to find love. What could be better than playing this song after you found the one? “Waiting for Love” is also a track that will make everyone get up and dance.
Other wedding songs by Avicii: “Addicted to You,” “Our Love,” and “My Feelings for You.”
15. “Formidable” by twenty one pilots
Off Scaled and Icy, twenty one pilots’ “Formidable” is a track about not believing how great your partner is. In the song, frontman Tyler Joseph expresses his disbelief and gratitude for everything his wife Jenna is. He also promises to stay by her side forever. What else could you ask for?
Other wedding songs by twenty one pilots: “Tear in My Heart” and “Smithereens.”
16. “Saturday Sun” by Vance Joy
This upbeat track by Vance Joy is, in the singer’s words, “about meeting someone really great and not wanting to miss the chance of seeing them again.” Definitely, “Saturday Sun” will make all your guests happy, and it would be the perfect song if you get married on a Saturday!
Another wedding song by Vance Joy: “Take Your Time”
17. “The Lady in My Life” by Michael Jackson
The king of pop released this song in 1982, and 40 years later, it’s still great! “The Lady in My Life” shows Michael Jackson in all his glory. The raw vocals and the singer’s feelings make this track the perfect wedding song.
Other wedding songs by Michael Jackson: “Love Never Felt so Good” and “Baby Be Mine.”
18. “My Universe” by Coldplay and BTS
When Coldplay released Music of the Spheres last year, fans were ecstatic about the band’s collaboration with BTS. It’s no wonder that if you put two of the biggest acts in music together, you’ll get a hit. In this case, “My Universe” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and it became the first song by a British group to do so in US history.
The Max Martin-produced song deals with the complications some relationships bring. Lead singer Chris Martin stated that “My Universe” “is about someone being told they can’t love a certain other person, or can’t be with this race, or they can’t be gay, whatever it might be.” In the end, all that matters is that these two people love each other.
Other wedding songs by Coldplay: “Magic,” “A Sky Full of Stars,” and “Yellow.”
19. “Something I Need” by OneRepublic
“Something I Need” discusses the power of a relationship and how no matter the obstacles, strong couples stay together. This OneRepublic track is the perfect wedding song because of the lyrics “and if we only die once, I wanna die with you.” If you need help with your vows, you should definitely check this one out.
Other wedding songs by OneRepublic: “If I Lose Myself” and “Love Runs Out.”
20. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz has stated that this song “was not created as a love song between two people.” Nevertheless, its lyrics suggest otherwise, so this could be a great addition to your wedding playlist!
Other wedding songs by Jason Mraz: “Love Someone,” “I Won’t Give up,” and “The Woman I Love.”
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