Compendium De Musica Nuptialis
Here lies an entirely objective list of wedding appropriate music. An attempt has been made to be as comprehensive as possible (despite personal taste) with categorizations that hopefully represent each of the varied emotions that inevitably come on such a special day. When multiple versions of a song exist the least like a soggy duvet is suggested.
Note: This list is subject to influence, addition, rearrangement and revision without notice; so visit often or subscribe for the latest.
Savoring the Sappiness
- At Last – Etta James
- A Kiss To Build A Dream On – Louis Armstrong
- Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
- The Very Thought of You – Doris Day
- I Do – Boyz II Men
- You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
- Say You Say Me – Lionel Richie
- Come Away with Me – Norah Jones
- The Way I Am – Ingrid Michaelson
- All My Life – K-Ci & Jojo
- Let it Be Me – The Everly Brothers
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
- All I Do is Dream of You – Gene Kelly
- Lady – Kenny Rogers
- I Swear – All-4-One
- I Will Love You – Fisher
- Only You (And You Alone) – Ringo Starr
- Everything I Do (I Do it for You) – Bryan Adams
- For Sentimental Reasons (I Love You) – Nat King Cole
- For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder
- It Is You (I Have Loved) – Dana Glover
- Lucky – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
- (You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher – Jackie Wilson
- Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
- She’s Got a Way – Billy Joel
- That’s Why (I Love You So) – Jackie Wilson
- Put Your Arms Around Me – Natasha Bedingfield
- Just in Time – Jane Morgan
- The Way You Look Tonight – Sinatra, Bennett or Bublé
- Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
- You’re the First, My Last, My Everything – Barry White
- Your Song – Elton John
- Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison
- Hero – Enrique Iglesias
- I’ll Be There – Mariah Carey & Trey Lorenz
- La Vie en Rose – Louis Armstrong (Édith Piaf)
- You – Fisher
- Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
- I Choose You – Sara Bareilles
Ahh! Can’t Stop this Sap!
- Truly – Lionel Richie
- Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
- Wedding Song (This is Love) – Captain & Tennille
- Feels Like Heaven – Peter Cetera & Chaka Khan
- The Rose – Bette Midler
- Thank You for Loving Me – Bon Jovi
- This I Promise You – N’ Sync
- A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
- Stuck on You – Elvis Presley
- This is My Song – Petula Clark
Endearing Songs of Enduring
- Come What May – Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman
- Love Will Keep Us Alive – The Eagles
- Faith in You – The Dissidents
- Devoted to You – The Everly Brothers
- Count on Me – Bruno Mars
- Now and Forever – Richard Marx
- Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart
- Endless Love – Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey
- I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
- Marry Me – Train
- How Long Will I Love You? – Ellie Goulding
- My Kind of Love – Emeli Sandé
- A Love Before Time – Coco Lee
For the Fun-Loving
- Chapel of Love – Dixie Cups
- I Hear Bells – The Del Vikings
- Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
- I Say a Little Prayer for You – Glee Cast
- Then I Met You – The Proclaimers
- Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead
- I Wanna Be Your Man – Zapp & Roger
- I Feel Love – Donna Summer
- Let Me – Elvis Presley
Touch of Twang
- For My Wedding – Don Henley
- ‘Cause I Love You – Johnny Cash
- Faith in You – Randy Travis
- I Will be There for You – Jessica Andrews
- Annie’s Song – John Denver
- Love is Your Name – Steven Tyler
- Loving You Easy – Zac Brown Band
Electronica with Euphoric Euphemisms
- Everytime You Need Me – Fragma
Be-Boppin’ & Rockin’ (the Yacht)
- I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
- Love Song – 311
- You’re the Inspiration – Chicago
- Lady ’95 – Styx
- You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates
- Wedding Day – Beegees
- Livin’ For You – Boston
- Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
Cute, Odd & More
- All I Want is You – Barry Louis Polisar
- Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
- Real Love – Beatles
- Better Together – Jack Johnson
- If I had a Million Dollars – Barenaked Ladies
- Guilty – Russ Columbo
- He Needs Me – Shelley Duvall
- I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire – The Ink Spots
- These Words – Natasha Bedingfield
Classical, Musical, Opera & Instrumentals
- Sull’aria* (Duet No. 21) – Mozart (Le Nozze de Figaro)
- Haste to the Wedding – The Corrs
- The Kiss* – Trevor Jones & Randy Edelman (Last of the Mohicans)
- All I Ask of You – Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera)
- Gabriel’s Oboe* – Ennio Morricone (The Mission)
- Now We Are Free* – Hans Zimmer (Gladiator)
- River Flows In You – Lindsey Stirling (or Yiruma)
*they die
What About… ??
So, why didn’t this song or that make the cut? Here is a much-too-short and inadequate explanation of the convoluted requirements used to determine these songs appropriateness:
- The focus must be on love, faithfulness or gratitude – It’s actually quite sad that many of the songs typically played at weddings are about substance abuse, alcohol, lust, infidelity, heartbreak, absolutely nothing, or an animal of some kind.
- It must be devoid of inappropriate language – Because Grandma (if not the Bride) might still be disturbed by cursing, blasphemy, racial slurs and other derogatory lyrics (regardless of context).
- No funeral dirges! – Often found trying to sneak in under the guise of “Slow Dance”, these ballads to the terminally ill or chronically depressed do not belong anywhere near a wedding day; unless your goal is to drown your guests in mascara. If it never leaves the minor key, is painfully slow, or solemn enough to drudge along beside a casket to, leave it be (and off this list).
Obviously, this list is by no means complete and will continue to grow as I stumble upon or remember new and old music of worth. As the list grows it may be necessary to narrow the focus with the addition of new criteria; until then the list stands.
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