I’ve been working on this post for a long time. I looove music, and so for ages I’ve wanted to put together a list of my favourite wedding songs. Some I’ve heard at weddings and thought, “holy crap this is amazing I need to tell someone”, and others are songs I’ve loved forever and think would make for great wedding day moments. You might notice that there’s no Ed Sheeran, Ronan Keating or Bruno Mars mentioned, I have nothing against those artists and I like their music, but I wanted to put together a list of less obvious choices. Of course, there are thousands of beautiful love songs out there and I’ve not even scratched the surface, so I’ll be updating this one indefinitely.
Hunters and Collectors - Throw your arms around me
Disclaimer - this song is straight up about sex but it’s an Australian anthem and everyone knows the words, if the dance floor is looking sparse but I need great dance floor footage, this is the song I request.
Father John Misty - Real Love Baby
“I want real love baby”. I love this one because it’s upbeat and infectious.
The Four Tops - Baby I need your lovin’
This is one one of those classics that everyone knows but usually they haven’t heard in a long time. It’s a bopper.
Rex Orange County - Loving is easy
Ok this one has swearing but it’s upbeat and fun and it’s probably the most modern song on this list
Hall and Oates - You make my dreams come true
It’s a classic, come on.
Van Morrison - Crazy Love
This is a soft and lovely song:
Yes I need her in the daytime, Yes I need her in the night, Yes I want to throw my arms around her, Kiss her hug her kiss her hug her tight. She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love.
Kate Miller Heidke - Space they cannot touch
I heard this at a wedding a few years ago, it was such a surprising, beautiful and touching aisle song. I cried and that’s really rare for me during a ceremony (shooting through tears isn’t ideal).
Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You
Look, it’s the song from Juno, it’s really cute, sue me.
Maybe I’m amazed - Paul McCartney
“Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you”
Heroes- David Bowie
It doesn’t get any better than this
Amy Shark - Adore
If you want a slow and intense burn this is it.
Matt Corby - Resolution
At one of my first ever weddings the bride and groom danced to this song like they were the only two people in the world and I’ll never ever forget it. Oh and 'You’ll be my resolution’ is basically what marriage is so there’s that.
The Emotions - Best of my love
I never get sick of this song, it’s a great one for a signing or after the ceremony when everyone is on a high.
Fontella Bass - Rescue Me
Same as above
The Four Tops - I can’t help myself
Same as above, I love soul ok.
Franki Valli and the Four Seasons - Can’t take my eyes off of you
Another classic that everyone knows and loves, and if you haven’t noticed, I love a horn section.
Simply the Best - Noah Reid’s cover of Tina Turner
That cover of 'Can’t help falling in love’ from Crazy Rich Asians is lovely but if you’re going to do a cover this one by Noah Reid from Schitt’s Creek is amazing. I had no idea there were such beautiful lyrics hiding under all that 80s power.
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - Ain’t no mountain high enough
I’m a big fan of wedding songs that are upbeat and uplifting, and it doesn’t really get better than this.
Semisonic - Closing time
For 90s kids, this is a nostalgic and romantic song that everyone knows the words to. Great one to end on for obvious reasons and everyone will be chanting “I know who I want to take me home.”
Thurston Harris - Little Bitty Pretty One
This is the song from Matilda, I guess it’s another nostalgia one but it’s a great one for a parent/child dance!
Norah Jones - Come Away With Me
Classy as for a slow dance.
Ray LaMontagne - You are the best thing
This song marks the best first dance I have ever witnessed. The couple weren’t keen on being the centre of attention so they asked their guests to join them for their first dance, then this song played, and it was the most beautiful thing, and I fell in love with all the different couples, some had been dancing together for decades, some were kids dancing with a parent, some new couples where this was their first big gathering together, and of course the bride and groom in the middle of it all. Since then it’s one of my favourite songs of all time.
Bright Eyes - First day of my life
I love this song because it’s about real love > romance, which is what All My Wednesdays is all about.
Bahamas - Whole Wide World
I first heard this song in Stranger Than Fiction (a great movie if you haven’t seen it) and I fell a bit in love. This is a great alternative and joyful wedding song.
Toploader - Dancing in the moonlight
It’s not a love song, but a love song to your friends and your day. Imagine this, an outdoor dance floor on a summer night, festoon lights and the moon overhead and soft grass under foot, all your closest friends are there and this song comes on and everyone erupts into their dorkiest dance moves. In my fantasy I break out into a saxophone solo. It’s a good time.
INXS - Never tear us apart
This song is absolutely epic, it’s a perfect song for couples with a good sense of humour who want to set the tone for a really fun night.
Natalie Cole - Everlasting Love
Holy crap I love this song. Great for coming back down the aisle or a joyous first dance, I’ll never get sick of it.
So those are some of my favourite potential wedding songs, but the only advice I can give for picking songs for your wedding day, choose music that makes you happy.
Oh, and choose a DJ/band that understand your taste and the atmosphere that you want to set on the day, that’s important too!
