The Complete Wedding Music Guide: Choosing Songs from Ceremony to Reception
Music has a way of turning a moment into a memory — but when you start putting together your wedding runsheet, you may suddenly realise just how many musical moments there are to think about.
What should you walk down the aisle to? Do you need music for signing? What works for your reception entrance? And what about your first dance?
The good news is, you don't need to choose every song that plays throughout your wedding. Focus on the moments that mean the most to you, then let your musicians and DJ curate the rest around your musical taste, your guests and the atmosphere you want to create.
Here are some of the key moments to consider — plus a little inspiration from songs we love.
Ceremony songs - Walking Down the Aisle
Your processional is one of the most personal musical moments of the day. You might choose something romantic and timeless, a song connected to your relationship, or even an unexpected favourite reimagined acoustically or instrumentally.
A few songs we love:
Can't Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley
Goodness of God — CeCe Winans
A Thousand Years — Christina Perri
Turning Page — Sleeping At Last
Bless The Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
Until I Found You — Stephen Sanchez
I get to Love You — Ruelle
When God Made You — NewSong
Oceans — Hillsong Worship
LÀVELY tip: Pick a slower tempo song, which is more impactful and allows you to take your time. Also pay attention to the lyrics - pick a song that actually mean something for the two of you
Ceremony songs - Signing the Register
Signing usually takes a few minutes, making it a beautiful place for another meaningful song that didn't quite make the cut for your processional. Normally slow to medium tempo songs will work well here. But make sure to choose at least 2 songs, it sometimes takes longer than you think!
A few songs we love:
You’re Still The One — Shania twain
At Last — Etta James
Thinking out Loud — Ed Sheeran
La Vie En Rose
Love Someone — Lukas Graham
The Blessing — Elevation Worship
LÀVELY tip: If you are not sure what song to pick, leave this out to your musicians to pick the best song!
Ceremony songs - Walking Back Down the Aisle
You're married! So this is your opportunity to choose something joyful.
Your recessional doesn't have to be an obvious wedding song. Something upbeat, nostalgic or simply very you can make the moment even better.
A few songs we love:
Signed, Sealed, Delivered — Stevie Wonder
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) — Natalie Cole
You Make My Dreams Come True — Hall & Oates
Love on Top — Beyoncé
This is Amazing Grace — Phil Wickham
Best Day of My Life — American Authors
LÀVELY tip: Find the perfect moment in the song to make your exit. You don’t have to start the song from the beginning. Many songs really come alive at the chorus, so starting at the right point can make your walk back down the aisle feel even more joyful and celebratory. Your wedding musicians can certainly adjust the timing of the song accordingly!
Canapés & Dinner
Here's where we'd recommend not choosing every song.
Instead, tell your musicians what you enjoy — soul and jazz, acoustic pop, R&B, classics, contemporary favourites — and let them curate the set around your preferences.
You might give them inspiration such as:
We love Norah Jones, Stevie Wonder, Laufey and Daniel Caesar. We'd love something soulful and relaxed, with a little jazz influence.
That's often far more useful than handing your musicians a fixed playlist.
Reception Entrance
Your reception entrance sets the tone for what's coming next. It can be big and energetic, cool and stylish, or something fun that reflects your personalities.
A few songs we love:
September — Earth, Wind & Fire
You Make My Dreams — Hall & Oates
Crazy in Love — Beyoncé
Signed, Sealed, Delivered — Stevie Wonder
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) — Natalie Cole
First Dance
There's no perfect first-dance song.
If you already have your song, use it — even if it isn't traditionally associated with weddings. Otherwise, think about artists you both love, memories you've shared or simply a song that makes you feel something.
A few songs we love:
Beyond — Leon Bridges
Best Part — Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.
L-O-V-E — Nat King Cole
Can't Take My Eyes Off You — Frankie Valli
Until I Found You — Stephen Sanchez
You Are the Best Thing — Ray LaMontagne
And remember: if you're having your first dance performed live, you can often change the arrangement, tempo or feel to make the song work beautifully for the moment.
Parent Dances
For a father-daughter or mother-son dance, we'd look beyond generic “parent dance” lists.
Think about your relationship with that person. Is there a song from your childhood? An artist they introduced you to? Something your family always played at home?
That's often much more meaningful than choosing a song simply because it's traditionally used at weddings.
A few ideas:
What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong
You've Got a Friend — James Taylor
Isn't She Lovely — Stevie Wonder
You'll Be in My Heart — Phil Collins
Forever Young — Rod Stewart
And what about the rest of the night?
You don't need to plan it song by song.
Tell your musicians or DJ about your favourite artists and genres, songs you don't enjoy, a few must-plays, your guests and the atmosphere you're hoping to create.
Then let them do what experienced wedding entertainers do best: curate the music and respond to the room.
Whether that means a packed dancefloor or a relaxed evening of soulful live music, the soundtrack should feel like your celebration.
Choose the moments, not every song
If wedding music planning is starting to feel overwhelming, come back to the moments that matter:
Aisle → Signing → Recessional → Reception Entrance → First Dance → Parent Dances
Choose the songs you want to remember forever. For everything in between, share your taste and trust your musicians to bring it together.
Need more song inspiration?
Explore our full guide to choosing your wedding music, with more song ideas and tips for planning your soundtrack from ceremony to reception.
View the Wedding Music Guide:
Ceremony music guide
