The Ultimate Wedding Music Guide: What’s Hot, What’s Not, and the Top 20 Most Played Wedding Songs of All Time

Ah, wedding music—the secret ingredient that turns a lovely gathering into an unforgettable party. It’s the soundtrack to your first dance, the fuel for your dance floor madness, and the emotional rollercoaster that makes your guests cry during the vows and then bust out their best moves during the reception.

But let’s be real—choosing the right wedding music is no easy feat. You want songs that set the mood, get people dancing, and don’t make Grandma clutch her pearls in horror. So, let’s dive into the trending wedding music, the songs you should absolutely avoid, and the top 20 most played wedding songs of all time.

Trending Wedding Music in 2025

Wedding music trends are constantly evolving, and this year, couples are mixing it up with a blend of throwback classics, viral hits, and live music fusions. Here’s what’s making waves:

🎶 Throwback Tracks Are the New Power Moves – Nostalgia is in! Couples are bringing back 90s and early 2000s hits to get everyone on the dance floor. Think Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and Usher.

🎻 Orchestral Pop = Ceremony Goals – Forget the traditional wedding march—couples are opting for string quartet versions of pop songs. Imagine walking down the aisle to Taylor Swift’s “Lover” played by a violinist.

🎤 DJ + Live Music Fusion – Why settle for one when you can have both? DJs are teaming up with live musicians to create an immersive experience—think saxophonists jamming alongside house beats.

📱 Viral-Worthy Entrances – TikTok has officially infiltrated weddings. Couples are choreographing epic bridal party entrances to trending songs, ensuring their wedding goes viral.

🎧 The “This Is So Us” Playlist – Personalized playlists are huge. Couples are ditching generic wedding music and curating soundtracks that reflect their love story—from their first road trip song to the track they danced to in their kitchen.

Wedding Songs You Should Absolutely Avoid

Not all songs are wedding-appropriate. Some are awkward, some are overplayed, and some are just plain depressing. Here’s what you should keep off your playlist:

🚫 “Every Breath You Take” – The Police – Sounds romantic, right? Nope. It’s literally about obsessive stalking.

🚫 “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston – A beautiful song, but it’s a breakup anthem. Not exactly the vibe you want on your wedding day.

🚫 “Marry You” – Bruno Mars – The lyrics literally say, “It’s a beautiful night, we’re looking for something dumb to do.” Maybe not the best message for a lifelong commitment.

🚫 “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion – Titanic vibes? No thanks.

🚫 “The Chicken Dance” – Unless you want your wedding to feel like a kindergarten birthday party, skip this one.

🚫 “Single Ladies” – Beyoncé – Playing this at a wedding is basically telling your guests to stay single.

🚫 “Love Stinks” – J. Geils Band – Do I even need to explain this one?

🚫 “Gold Digger” – Kanye West – Just… no.

🚫 “You Give Love a Bad Name” – Bon Jovi – Maybe save this one for karaoke night.

🚫 “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC – Not the best way to describe marriage.

Top 20 Most Played Wedding Songs of All Time

These songs have stood the test of time and are guaranteed crowd-pleasers at weddings:

1️⃣ “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran 2️⃣ “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri 3️⃣ “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley 4️⃣ “At Last” – Etta James 5️⃣ “All of Me” – John Legend 6️⃣ “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran 7️⃣ “Unchained Melody” – The Righteous Brothers 8️⃣ “Endless Love” – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross 9️⃣ “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton 🔟 “Marry Me” – Train 1️⃣1️⃣ “I Choose You” – Sara Bareilles 1️⃣2️⃣ “Lover” – Taylor Swift 1️⃣3️⃣ “You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne 1️⃣4️⃣ “Stand by Me” – Ben E. King 1️⃣5️⃣ “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” – Stevie Wonder 1️⃣6️⃣ “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon 1️⃣7️⃣ “September” – Earth, Wind & Fire 1️⃣8️⃣ “Dancing Queen” – ABBA 1️⃣9️⃣ “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond 2️⃣0️⃣ “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” – Whitney Houston

Final Thoughts

Wedding music is more than just background noise—it’s the heartbeat of your celebration. Whether you’re slow dancing under fairy lights or jumping around with your best friends, the right playlist can make your wedding legendary.

So, curate wisely, skip the cringe-worthy tracks, and dance like nobody’s watching (except your photographer, who will definitely capture that questionable dance move).

What’s on your wedding playlist? 🎶💃🕺