When it comes to choosing songs for your big day, it is okay to want to be a bit different. Yes, you can choose to play songs that are not as common as some conventional songs played at most weddings and still have a great wedding day.
The problem, however, is creating the list of the non-traditional wedding songs you can use for your special day. How do one curate the songs for your wedding playlist? What song ideas would make your wedding playlist even better than you think of it in your head?
The good news is, you don’t need to crack your head to answer that. For you, we curated the best non-traditional wedding songs you can infuse to make your special day more special for you and your guests.
Sit still, relax, and learn more.
36 Non-Traditional Wedding Songs for Your Wedding
You will also like these other popular wedding songs posts for the ultimate play list on your special day:
- Jamie Foxx Wedding Songs
- Wedding Cocktail Hour Songs For Your Playlist
- Wedding Send-off Songs To Memorably Exit Your Ceremony
Some non-traditional wedding songs you can add to your wedding playlist are:
1. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
Memorable Lyrics: I have died every day waiting for you/ Darling, don’t be afraid/ I have loved you for a thousand years/ I’ll love you for a thousand more
This all-time piece is ever soothing and romantic. This makes it a perfect choice for couple procession, first dance or other romantic couple moments during the wedding.
2. “Latch” by Disclosure ft. Sam Smith
Memorable Lyrics: I feel we’re close enough/ I wanna lock in your love/ I think we’re close enough/ Could I lock in your love, baby?
The cool and soothing melody of this song makes it a great choice for couple dance, or other romantic “couple moments” during the wedding event.
3. “Happy” By Pharrel Williams
Memorable Lyrics: Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof/ (Because I’m happy)/ Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth/ (Because I’m happy)
If your partner and you would like to shake up the crowd a bit, then you should try dancing to this song. This feel good song embodies the title, and it’s great to move the crowd.
4. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith
Memorable Lyrics: Guess it’s true, I’m not good at a one-night stand But I still need love
“Stay With Me” is perfect for the couples dance. Also, it is a great background choice as the couple exchange vows or rings.
5. “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal
Memorable Lyrics: Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey/ Ooh, the more I get of you, stranger it feels, yeah
This song from Seal was, and still is in the song books of most people, and is marked as a favorite. The slow and romantic rhythm makes it perfect for the wedding procession, or for the couple’s first dance.
6. “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers
Memorable Lyrics: I belong with you, you belong with me/ You’re my sweetheart/ I belong with you, you belong with me/ You’re my sweet
“Ho Hey” is perfect for couple entrance, recession or during the cake cutting moment.
7. “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton
Memorable Lyrics: If I could fall into the sky/ Do you think time would pass me by?/ ‘Cause you know I’d walk a thousand miles/ If I could just see you tonight
The instrumentals at the beginning of this song gives it a unique leverage. The beginning instrumentals and every part of the song makes it a great choice for the couple entrance or recession.
8. “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
Memorable Lyrics: And baby/ The way you move me, it’s crazy/ It’s like you see right through me/ And make it easier/ You please me, you don’t even have to try
The tempo is cool, making it perfect for couple dance or a slow dance session of the guests during an evening wedding party.
9. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John
Memorable Lyrics: And can you feel the love tonight?/ It is where we are/ It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer/ That we got this far
This song was part of the Lion King soundtrack. However, its cool tempo and lyrics makes it a great addition for weddings too. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” should be a must have in your wedding playlist.
10. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Memorable Lyrics: But I won’t hesitate no more, no more/ It cannot wait, I’m yours
This masterpiece by Jason works best for first dance or as a background song for cocktail parties or before guests arrive.
11. “The Book of Love” by Magnetic Fields
Memorable Lyrics: But I/ I love it when you sing to me/ And you/ You can sing me anything
12. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyonce
Memorable Lyrics: Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it/ If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
“Single Ladies” became a global anthem at some point and the reason is laid bare in the song— get married already! The song tilts towards being energetic, so it should be an inclusion in your playlist to make your guests leave their seats.
13. “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan ( Cover by Adele)
Memorable Lyrics: When the evening shadows and the stars appear/ And there is no one there to dry your tears/ I could hold you for a million years/ To make you feel my love
Adele’s soothing voice spiced up the already magical song, making the song a little close to being perfect! This song is great for a couple’s first dance, or any “mushy feeling” moments between the couples.
14. “Marry Me” by Train
Memorable Lyrics: Marry me/ Today and every day/ Marry me/ If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this café
If you are still not sure about a song to use for a couple’s procession then you must check this out.
15. “Time of My Life” by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Memorable Lyrics: I’ve been waiting for so long/ Now I’ve finally found someone to stand by me
The tempo and lyrics of this song scream happiness. Its features make “Time of My Life” great for couple dance or any other point during the wedding.
16. “Amazed” by Lonestar
Memorable Lyrics: Every time our eyes meet/ This feelin’ inside me/ Is almost more than I can take/ Baby when you touch me…
This classic by Lonestar is perfect for the couple’s first dance or couple procession.
17. “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
Memorable Lyrics: Come away with me and we’ll kiss/ On a mountaintop/ Come away with me/ And I’ll never stop loving you
The song is dynamic, so whether you choose it as your song for the couple’s first dance, or an additional song to your playlist on a calm evening depends on you!
18. “Kiss of Life” by Sade
Memorable Lyrics: There must have been an angel by my side/ Something heavenly came down from above/ He led me to you
This song has some energy, so it’s a great choice to make your wedding party livelier.
19. “Stupid Love” by Lady Gaga
Memorable Lyrics: You’re the one that I’ve been waiting for/ Gotta quit this crying/ Nobody’s gonna heal me if I don’t open the door
This interesting song often doesn’t make it to the traditional wedding playlist often, and that’s what makes it unique. The instrumentals make it a versatile fit for any part of your wedding.
20. “How Long Will I Love You” by Ellie Goulding
Memorable Lyrics: How long will I want you?/ As long as you want me to/ And longer by far
The romantic lyrics along with its soothing rhythm makes this piece perfect for exchanging vows, or for first dance.
21. “Everything” by Michael Buble
Memorable Lyrics: It’s you, it’s you, you make me sing/ You’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything
Buble is popular for singing one of the best romantic songs, and his song, “Everything” says everything about the excellent artist, and why it should be a must add to your wedding playlist. The song is perfect for after parties, or during the cocktail event.
22. “Always and Forever” by Luther Vandross
Memorable Lyrics: There’ll always be sunshine when I look at you/ It’s something I can’t explain just the things that you do
This song is perfect for couple entrance, first dance, and recession.
23. “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Memorable Lyrics: Alabama, Arkansas, I do love my Ma’ and Pa’/ Not the way that I do love you/ Well, holy moly, me oh my, you’re the apple of my eye/ Girl, I’ve never loved one like you
“Home” is perfect for a couple’s entrance or recession.
24. “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne,
Memorable Lyrics: And baby/ The way you move me, it’s crazy/ It’s like you see right through me/ And make it easier/ You please me, you don’t even have to try
If you are yet to find the perfect song for the procession, you should give this a try right away! The tempo of this song makes it a good choice for the couple’s dance too.
25. “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton
Memorable Lyrics: I feel wonderful/ Because I see the love light in your eyes/ And the wonder of it all
This classic is a great song choice for couple dance, or as an intro song to prepare the couple for an amazing dance.
26. “Neville’s Waltz” by Patrick Doyle
Although this is only instrumentals, the song is a great choice for couple entrance or recession.
27. “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
Memorable Lyrics: L is for the way you look at me/ O is for the only one I see/ V is very, very extraordinary/ E is even more than anyone that you adore…
If you are yet to find the perfect song for a romantic couple’s time or first dance, then check out this song by Nat King Cole. The rhythm is classic, making it a great addition to your wedding playlist.
28. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen
Memorable Lyrics: This thing called love/ I just can’t handle it/ This thing called love/ I must get ’round to it
This song is energetic, making it a perfect choice for an energizing couple’s first dance or a dance session with the wedding guests.
29. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
Memorable Lyrics: I see skies of blue/ And clouds of white/ The bright blessed day/ The dark sacred night
Although common, this old classic is not often explored for traditional weddings. This song would make a great plus to any wedding playlist.
30. “Falling in Love at the Coffee Shop” by Landon Pigg
Memorable Lyrics: I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much/ All of the while I never knew
31. “Budapest” by George Ezra
Memorable Lyrics: My acres of a land that I’ve achieved/ It may be hard for you to, stop and believe/ But for you oh, you oh, I’d Leave it all
The rhythm of this piece is cool and soothing, which makes it a great choice for couple dance, or as background music during a romantic dinner.
32. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
Memorable Lyrics: Take my hand/ Take my whole life too/ For I can”t help falling in love with you
This Presley’s all-time award winning song might be quite common for weddings, and there’s every reason why— it’s romantic, and seems to be the perfect wedding song. It is perfect for a couple’s first dance or during the exchange of vow or ring moment.
33. “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap
Memorable Lyrics: A moment, a love/ A dream, aloud/ A kiss, a cry/ Our rights, our wrongs
The tempo makes this song kind of energetic, making it a great choice for first dance (if both parties have the energy for heavy dancing), or during a guest dance session.
34. “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young
Memorable Lyrics: Because I’m still in love with you/ I want to see you dance again/ Because I’m still in love with you
35. “I Do” by Colbie Caillat
Memorable Lyrics: You make me wanna say/ I do, I do, I do, do-do-do-do-do-do-do
This song is fun-filled, so it’s a great choice to make guests start to dance.
36. “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz
Memorable Lyrics: When I look into your eyes/ It’s like watching the night sky/ Or a beautiful sunrise/ Well, there’s so much they hold
This song is perfect for exchanging vows or as a background track during the wedding’s cocktail party.
Final Thoughts
Making your wedding different from every other wedding so it holds a special place to you and your guests is possible, and you can pull it off. Using our list of the best non-traditional wedding songs and adding a couple of others, you will surely create a unique experience for everyone present at the wedding.
FAQs
Are There Any Rules for Selecting Songs for Your Wedding?
No, there are none. You only have to choose songs that are okay for your partner and you, and that go well with them you want to pass on at your wedding.
How Can We Carry Our Guests Along?
Unless most of your guests were at a wedding where someone played non-traditional songs all through, your best bet is to mix non-traditional songs with traditional ones. Remember, your guests should enjoy their stay at your party as much and you and your partner enjoy your wedding.
How do I know the perfect song for our first dance?
The best way to choose your first dance song is by listening to all the songs in this list and a couple of others, and choosing your best from the list.
