When I met Jazz and Mike I connected with them straight away, we immediately realised we had a lot in common. As Jazz said when I was fawning over how lovely their guests were and how I felt like I really fit in, we’re each other’s people. I even recommended my favourite fantasy book trilogy to Mike (fyi it’s called Mistborn) and he actually read it! It was The Best. I really love how Jazz and Mike chose to get married. They had a non-traditional wedding and did everything their own way, centring the wedding around their shared interests and their relationship. They got ready together, ditched the bouquets and traditional wedding gown thing, did photos before the ceremony (and sunset photos too because they’re legends) and had video games at the reception. I will never shoot another wedding like it because they made it so unique to them.

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.

The Four Tops - Baby I need your lovin’

This is one of my absolute favourite songs at the moment, it makes me melt and it’s the exact mood I’m going for when I shoot.

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 and has a history with.

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.

Wreckless Eric - 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 with the original. This is a great one for rockier couples.

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!