Choosing your ceremony songs means choosing the few minutes when everyone holds their breath. Before any list of ideas, one principle: a beautiful ceremony is a personal one.
Look for meaning, not trends
A ceremony celebrates your story and your union. It works when it feels like you, not when it follows a trend. Before searching for "the most popular wedding songs", ask yourselves:
- Which song marked your story? The one from when you met, a trip, a concert together.
- Which track do you both genuinely love?
- Which song says what you feel as you walk in?
That emotional resonance is what brings the tears, far more than the latest trending track.
Don't be afraid to be original
Your ceremony happens in front of your loved ones, but it should feel like you. You are the ones who should smile when you see the photos in ten years. If some guests don't get your choice, that's fine: it is not about pleasing them, it is about pleasing yourselves. You are inviting everyone into your world.
And often, the unexpected choice is the one that sparks questions, smiles and memories. It is also what makes people remember your wedding.
Think about your line-up
Few people think of this: a song has to work with the musicians you have booked. We are often asked for the music from Bridgerton, for example: those are string arrangements. If violins really matter to you, book a line-up that has them. That is not what JamBag offers.
On the other hand, most songs can be rearranged and played our way. It is a slightly technical question, hard to judge if you are not a musician: we talk it through during our call and decide together what will work best. Our job is to make sure the music brings the emotion you want, and strengthens your moment.
Keep the music calm
For the ceremony, we recommend an acoustic solo or duo, without percussion: the moment should stay peaceful. Percussion, bass and energy will come with the drinks reception.
Our ideas for the entrance
- A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
- Can't Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley
- Perfect, Ed Sheeran
- Make You Feel My Love, Adele
- La Vie en rose, Édith Piaf, for a French touch
- Until I Found You, Stephen Sanchez
- Your Song, Elton John
- Yellow, Coldplay
- My Heart Will Go On, Céline Dion
- Die with a Smile, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
For the rings and readings
Here the music accompanies without taking over, often in a stripped-back version, sometimes instrumental.
- Just the Two of Us, Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers
- Best Part, Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.
- All of Me, John Legend
- Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran
- Stand by Me, Ben E. King
- The Scientist, Coldplay
- More Than Words, Extreme
- What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
- Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol
- Birds of a Feather, Billie Eilish
For the exit
The exit is an explosion of joy: a song everyone knows, that makes people clap and throw petals.
- I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), The Proclaimers
- Don't Stop Me Now, Queen
- Marry You, Bruno Mars
- Twist and Shout, The Beatles
- Home, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Queen
- Viva la Vida, Coldplay
- Happy, Pharrell Williams
- Ho Hey, The Lumineers
- For me formidable, Charles Aznavour
Two last tips
- Listen to the whole lyrics. Check what the song is really about, and make sure it doesn't carry a sad theme despite its solemn feel. The symbolism matters: it's your moment.
- If you'd like to hear a version before the day, just ask: it's possible, and we discuss it together during the preparation.
All these songs are part of our ceremony repertoire. And if yours isn't there, we can learn it for you.
Carl, for JamBag
