50 Best Modern Wedding Songs for Contemporary Couples

From the ceremony to the reception and your first dance, music can play a big part in your wedding day – especially modern wedding songs. Many couples love having a mixture of live music and playlists or a DJ – you can select whatever works for you and for your budget.

There are some key music choices to make throughout the day. You can have a song for walking down the aisle, something else as a background to the ceremony and then another song to exit to. “At most of the weddings we perform, we are asked to play during the ceremony, with two acoustic guitars and harmonies with both vocals,” says Kieran of Rock My Reception.

“The benefit of having live music at any part of the ceremony is that we can time the music with proceedings. There is no fading out of recordings – so it’s much more personal and elegant.”

While you might want something serene and emotional for your ceremony, you might want to select a more upbeat modern love song for your exit tune. As Kieran explains: “It's not just a moment, it's a crescendo to start the celebration! The newly announced couple are given a round of applause as they get ready to exit. My advice? Keep it upbeat and optimistic; save the tear-jerkers for the entrance or the first dance.”

Talking of first dances, it’s great to select a modern wedding song that is personal and meaningful to you, but if nothing springs to mind, listen to some of our suggestions and have a thorough read through of the lyrics. There may be something there that feels really poignant to you, or you could have a chat with your wedding band to get some unique inspiration.

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

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

Modern Wedding Ceremony Songs

If you want something playing as you are signing the register, or just as a piece of music that you both love and reflects your story, there is so much to choose from. 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 tone.

Plus, these are all songs that would sound great if played live by your wedding band. “Live music adds a whole new dimension to your wedding ceremony,” says Kieran. “It's the WOW factor that elevates the mood and sets the mood for the rest of the day.” 

1. All of Me – John Legend 

Lyrics we love: You're my end and my beginning / Even when I lose, I'm winning

2. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Hayley  Reinhart

Lyrics we love: Oh, take my hand, take my whole life, too / For I can't help falling in love with you

3. 1 + 1 – Beyoncé

Lyrics we love: We ain't got nothing but love / And darling, you got enough for the both of us.

4. May You Feel My Love – Adele 

Lyrics we love: I could make you happy, make your dreams come true / Nothing that I wouldn't do / Go to the ends of the earth for you

5. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding 

Lyrics we love: How long will I love you? / As long as stars are above you / And longer if I may

6. A Thousand Year – Christina Perri

Lyrics we love: Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years / I’ll love you for a thousand more

7. Wherever You Will Go – Charlene Soraia 

Lyrics we love: If I could / Then I would / Ill go wherever you will go

8. I’m Yours – Jason Mark

Lyrics we love: But I won’t hesitate no more, no more / It cannot wait / I’m yours

9. Marry Me – Train 

Lyrics we love: You wear white / I’ll wear out the words I love you any you’re beautiful 

10. Turning Page – Sleeping At Last 

Lyrics we love: I’ve waited a hundred years / But I’d wait a million more for you

11. Until I found You – Stephen Sanchez

Lyrics we love: I would never fall in love again until I found her / I said I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into 

12. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran 

Lyrics we love: And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70 / And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23

13. I Will Follow You – Toulouse 

Lyrics we love: There isn’t an an ocean too deep / A mountain so high it can keep / Keep me away / Away from my love 

14. Like You Do – Ellie Goulding 

Lyrics we love: Only you can set my heart on fire / What are you waiting for / Love me like you do 

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, change 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.

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

15. Adore You – Harry Styles

Lyrics we love:  Honey (ah) / I’d walk through fire for you / Just let me adore you

16. Greatest Day – Take That

Lyrics we love: Tonight this could be the greatest night of our lives / Let’s make a new start / The future is ours to find

17. Marry You – Bruno Mars 

Lyrics we love: It's a beautiful night, we're looking for something dumb to do / Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you

18. Sucker – Jonas Brothers 

Lyrics we love: I’m a sucker for you / any road you take, you know that you’ll find me

19. Best Day Of My Life – American Authors 

Lyrics we love: Don’t wake me now / This is gonna be the best day of my life

20. Ho Hey – Lumineers 

Lyrics we love: I belong with you, you belong with me / You’re my sweetheart 

21. Feel So Close – Calvin Harris

Lyrics we love: I wear my hear upon my sleeve like a big deal / Your love pours down on me / Surrounds me like a waterfall 

22. Praise You – Fatboy Slim

Lyrics we love: I have to celebrate you baby / I have to praise you like I should 

23. Next to Me – Emeli Sandé

Lyrics we love: I know there's no need for me to panic / ‘Cause I'll find him, I'll find him next to me

24. You’ve Got The Love  – Florence + The Machine 

Lyrics we love: Sometimes, I feel like saying, "Lord, I just don't care" / But you've got the love I need to see me through

25. Happy – Pharrell Williams 

Lyrics we love: Because I'm happy / Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth / Because I'm happy / Clap along if you know what happiness is to you

26 Dancing In The Moonlight – Toploader 

Lyrics we love: Dancing in the moonlight / Everybody's feelin' warm and bright / It's such a fine and natural sight / Everybody's dancing in the moonlight

27. Crazy In Love – Beyoncé

Lyrics we love: If you ain't there, ain't nobody else to impress / It's the way that you know what I thought I knew / It's the beat that my heart skips when I'm with you

28. Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell

Lyrics we love: Girl, you got me / I’m singing / It's like / Oh, ooh-oh, you got the best of my love

29. Eye Know – De La Soul 

Lyrics we love: And on Mars where we could be all alone / And we make a song for two / Picture-perfect things and I sing of how (eye know I love you better)

Modern Wedding First Dance Songs

If you are looking for a first dance song that is packed with meaning and love for you as a couple, we have got a list of gorgeous contemporary songs that you’ll love. They are ideal for dancing too, and for inviting your friends and family to join you on the dance floor. 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 for a lifetime.

30. Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees

Lyrics we love: So with toothpaste kisses and lines / Stay with me, I’ll stay with you. 

31. Us – James Bay

Lyrics we love: Tell me how ‘cause I believe in something / I believe in us

32. Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars

Lyrics we love: I say / When I see your face / There’s not a thing I would change/ ‘Cause you’re amazing / Just the way you are 

33. Shut Up and Dance – Walk The Moon

Lyrics we love: This woman is my destiny / Shut up and dance with me 

34. Last Request – Paolo Nutini 

Lyrics we love: Baby let’s get closer tonight / Grant my last request and let me hold you 

35. Starving – Hailed Steinfeld 

Lyrics we love: Don’t need no butterflies when you give me the whole damn zoo

36. I Will Wait – Mumford & Sons

Lyrics we love: Raise my hands / Paint my spirit gold / And bow my head / Keep my heart slow

37. Beyond – Leon Bridges 

Lyrics we love: That the love is real, that the shoe might fit / She might just be my everything and beyond

38. 1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s 

Lyrics we love: The best that I've had / And I'm so glad I found you / I love being around you / You make it easy

39. Grow Old With Me – Tom Odell 

Lyrics we love: Grow old with me / Let us share what we see / And oh the best it could be / Just you and I

40. Lovebug – Jonas Brothers 

Lyrics we love: Hopeless, head over heels in the moment / I never thought that I'd get hit by this lovebug again

Modern Wedding Videography Songs

If you’re creating a wedding video, you want to pick some background music that you love. Many people opt to include their first dance song, but if you want something different, there is lots to choose from.

Ideally you’ll pick a song that has some changes in tempo to reflect the different sections of your big day, or you can choose a collection of songs that work well together and set the right tone for your video. 

41. Lover – Taylor Swift 

Lyrics we love: My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue / All's well that ends well to end up with you

42. All My Love – George Ezra

Lyrics we love: All my love is yours / All my time is ours

43. Speechless – Dan + Shay

Lyrics we love: And I’m speechless / You already know that you’re my weakness

44. You Are The Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne

Lyrics we love: When I say this love will never fade away / Oh, beacuse / You are the best thing 

45. Better Together – Jack Johnson 

Lyrics we love: I’ll you one thing / It’s aways better when we’re together  / It’s always better when we’re together 

46. Always Forever – Cults 

Lyrics we love: You and me always forever / We could stay alone together / You and me always forever

47. Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Rey

Lyrics we love: Will you still love me when I got nothing but my aching soul? / I know you will, I know you will, I know that you will

48. The One – Kodaline 

Lyrics we love: You make my heart feel like it's summer / When the rain is pouring down

49. Only Love – Ben Howard 

Lyrics we love: Darling, you're with me, always around me / Only love, only love

50. Heartbeats – José Gonzàlez

Lyrics we love: The colours red and blue / We had a promise, babe / We were in love

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