60 Modern Wedding Songs For Your First Dance & More

From the ceremony to the reception and your first dance, music will play a big part in your wedding day, which is why we’ve pulled together the ultimate list of modern wedding songs to inspire your playlists.

There are a few key music choices you’ll have to make throughout the day. To start, you’ll need a song for walking down the aisle, a background song for when you sign the register during the ceremony, and another song to make your exit to. And while you might want something serene and emotional for your vows, you may want to select a more upbeat modern love song for your exit tune.

“Your exit is not just a moment, it’s a crescendo to start the celebration,” says Kieran James of Rock My Reception. “My advice would be to always keep this song choice upbeat and optimistic; save the tear-jerkers for the ceremony entrance or the first dance.”

And talking of the first dance, it’s always best to select a song here that is personal and meaningful to you as a couple but if nothing springs to mind, listen to some of our suggestions for modern first dance songs. From popular wedding songs to something a bit more unusual, there may be something in there that will inspire you.

“We’re seeing lots of newer songs that are becoming really popular for the first dance,” adds Tim Sentance, director at Boujee Music. “Beyond by Leon Bridges is romantic, soulful and has enough of a beat to make it easy to dance to, while Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez was only released a couple of years ago so still feels fresh but is reminiscent of an Elvis classic.

“The same goes for This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole – it’s got an old-school sound and a joyous energy that’s really popular with couples who aren’t keen on doing a classic slow dance,” he adds.

Hop to the section that’s best for you using the links below!

• Modern Wedding Ceremony Songs
• Modern Wedding Exit songs
• Modern First Dance Songs
• Modern Songs for Wedding Videography

Modern Wedding Ceremony Songs

If you want something playing as you’re signing the register – modern wedding music that you love or which reflects your story – there are so many options out there. Our choices here are full of love and meaning, and we’ve kept the tempo smooth and upbeat to make sure they set an uplifting and joyous tone.

“A Star is Born has given us some beautiful modern ceremony songs, with Shallow and Always Remember Us This Way being my picks,” says Tim. “Calum Scott’s You Are The Reason is also a favourite for me and for lots of couples at the moment.

“For a nod to a well-known song, check out Simply the Best (from Schitt’s Creek) by Noah Reid – a new take on a classic that your guests may well not have heard.

Some couples choose to have live music played during their ceremony and these contemporary hits would all work perfectly for that, too.

“Live music definitely adds a whole new dimension to your wedding ceremony,” suggests Kieran. “It’s the wow factor that elevates the mood and set the tone for the rest of the day.”

• All of Me – John Legend
• Can’t Help Falling in Love – Haley Reinhart
• 1+1 – Beyoncé
• Make You Feel My Love – Adele
• How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
• A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
• Wherever You Will Go – Charlene Soraia
• I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
• Marry Me – Train
• Turning Page – Sleeping At Last
• Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez
• Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
• I Will Follow You – Toulouse
• Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
• Invisible String – Taylor Swift 

Modern Wedding Exit Songs

You’ve said your vows, and now it’s time to start the celebrations. This is a song you can really have fun with, use to switch up the tone and get everyone in the party sprit. We’ve crafted a selection of faster paced, bold and ultra-happy songs with vibrant melodies to inspire you.

“I’d always go for something uplifting that guests can sing along to,” suggests Kieran. “Weddings are a celebration and a happy event and the music choices at the right moment should reflect that.” 

“At the risk of repeating myself, This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) captures the celebratory, just-got-married feeling perfectly,” adds Tim. “Love on Top by Beyoncé is also a fun, upbeat song that instantly sets the party mood. Or, for something understated, On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons is cute and charming, too.”

• Adore You – Harry Styles
• Greatest Day – Take That
• Marry You – Bruno Mars
• Sucker – Jonas Brothers
• Best Day Of My Life – American Authors
• Ho Hey – Lumineers
• Feel So Close – Calvin Harris
• Praise You – Fatboy Slim
• Next to Me – Emeli Sandé
• You’ve Got The Love – Florence + The Machine
• Happy – Pharrell Williams
• Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
• Crazy in Love – Beyoncé
• Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell
• Eye Know – De La Soul 

Modern First Dance Songs  

If you’re looking for modern first dance wedding songs that are packed with meaningful lyrics, we’ve got a whole host of gorgeous options that you’ll love. They’re ideal for encouraging your friends and family onto the dancefloor, too.

Your first dance is a really special moment and one that you’ll always remember so take the time to pick something you’ll love forever!

“Personally, I can’t get enough of Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton,” says Tim. “From the opening guitar twangs it just oozes soul and Chris’s voice is rich and silky smooth. As a modern first dance, it has a really nice tempo to sway to, but it’s not too slow or exposed.

“For a song that’s gone under the radar as a modern first dance (you heard it here first!), give Best Part by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R a listen. It’s romantic with a bit of groove, their voices are both so beautiful and raw, and the lyrics are romantic through and through,” he adds.

Ahead, our pick of the best modern first dance songs…

• Perfect – Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé
• Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees
• Us – James Bay
• Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
• If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
• Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
• Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
• Last Request – Paolo Nutini
• Starving – Hailee Steinfeld
• I Will Wait – Mumford and Sons
• Beyond – Leon Bridges
• 1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s
• Lover – Taylor Swift
• Best Part – Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R
• Grow Old With Me – Tom Odell
• Lovebug – Jonas Brothers
• Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys
• I Get to Love You – Ruelle
• You Are the Reason – Calum Scott
• Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton

Modern Songs for Wedding Videography

If you’re creating a wedding video, you’ll want to pick some background music that you love. Many couples will include their first dance song, but there’s so much out there to choose from, including modern songs about marriage, if you want something different.

Ideally, you’ll pick a song that has some changes in tempo to reflect the different parts of your day, or you could choose a collection of songs that work well together, and which set the tone.

• Today Was a Fairytale – Taylor Swift
• All My Love – George Ezra
• Speechless – Dan + Shay
• You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
• Better Together – Jack Johnson
• Always Forever – Cults
• Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Rey
• The One – Kodaline
• Only Love – Ben Howard
• Heartbeats – José Gonzàlez

Looking for something completely different? Here are our favourite unexpected first dance songs!