Most Popular Wedding Songs

Bryan Belrad
Among the many jobs I've had over the last few years, one of my favorites was as a D.J. The reason being that D.J.s have a fantastic job - they get to go to other people's weddings, and actually get paid to be at the party. What's more, there is no job more critical to the 'fun' of a reception than the D.J. A good D.J. can greatly enhance the most special day in a new couple's life; a great one can build memories that will last a lifetime for everyone present.

As more and more people move their marriage ceremonies out of the church and into the scenic settings where they will hold their receptions, the role of the D.J. becomes ever more important, and offers the new couple even more options. No longer restricted to organ music, and no longer constrained by many of the traditional rules, many a bride-to-be is also giving thought to changing the music she'll walk down the aisle to.

The most popular song, by far, is still the traditional "Bridal March from a Midsummer Night's Dream", but, if you're more of a mind to do something a bit less '17th Century', here's the Top 20 songs many other couples are going with:

#20 - I Could Not Ask for More, Edwin McCain

#19 - With Arms Wide Open, Creed

#18 - You're the Inspiration, Chicago

#17 - Hero, Enrique Iglesias

#16 - I Swear, John Michael Montgomery

#15 - Can't Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley

#14 - Just the Way You Are, Billy Joel

#13 - From This Moment On, Shania Twain & Bryan White

#12 - I Don't Want to Miss a Thing, Aerosmith

#11 - At Last, Etta James

#10 - How Do I Live, Trisha Yearwood

#9 - Breathe, Faith Hill

#8 - The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra

#7 - Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion

#6 - I Do It For You, Bryan Adams

#5 - What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong

#4 - Amazed, Lonestar

#3 - Wonderful Tonight, Eric Clapton

#2 - It's Your Love, Tim McGraw

And the #1 alternative song for the Bridal March:

Hanging By a Moment, by Lifehouse

There's a trick to that last one. The song changes dramatically in the middle, so a D.J. has to be on the ball to nail it just right. But, if you can pull it off, you can use the 2nd half of the song for an unforgettable retreat from the Altar.

Now, many of these songs are also some of the most popular for the legendary 'first dance'. In fact, many couples choose to use the same song for both the wedding and the first dance, something like a theme song for the whole wedding.

As a D.J., though, might I suggest, to make your wedding truly memorable, as the culmination of your entire relationship so far, that you make your first song Your Song, the first song that you danced to together as a couple? It doesn't matter if it's corny. Can you think of a better way to bring that first romantic moment back to the present than by dancing your first dance as husband and wife to the same song that made you a couple? Remember, your wedding is about celebrating your love for one another, not just impressing your new in-laws. It's all about you. Do what's right for you, and enjoy!

Published by Bryan Belrad

The mind behind Zero Sum Theory, author of best-selling fiction and non-fiction, see what else he's up to on Facebook.  View profile

  • Many couples opt to make their special day even more special by using non-traditional music.
  • A good D.J. can also be your Master of Ceremonies - use the skills you're paying for.
  • Remember: your wedding is all about YOU. Do what makes you happy.
The traditional Bridal March is actually part of the score to one of Shakespeare's plays, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". It is literally the 17th Century equivalent to using a song from a movie soundtrack.

4 Comments

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  • Bob1/27/2010

    Get a real musician.

  • Carol Bengle Gilbert6/25/2008

    Its fun to keep up on things like this, now that I don't go to so many weddings anymore.

  • mimpi6/23/2008

    I will have to check this out! Nicely written!

  • jj6/20/2008

    Interesting topic, as well as appropriate and timely; Kim has finally (mostly) decided on a date. Our target date is October 21st, but as that's a Tuesday it may be the weekend before or the weekend after.

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