Congratulations, you're getting married! With an extra congratulations as you've decided to have live music as part of your day, specifically, your ceremony. As you've already (and rightly so) realised that while pre-recorded tracks offer a familiar backdrop and can be cute. With your wedding ceremony typically being the most romantic and emotional part of the day. Having live music and/or a live wedding singer injects an unparalleled level of personalisation and intimacy like no other.
Now that one epic decision has been made. We then get to the fun yet sometimes equally as daunting task of: selecting the songs for your wedding singer to sing for the ceremony. As for some of you lovebirds, you may already have your own song choices in mind, a soundtrack of you and your boos love story already saved as a Spotify playlist. But for a lot of people, to actively have to come up with a set lists worth of songs to feature in this pivotal moment of the day, can be a task! Especially if you and your partner in this modern age have no definite or conflicting music tastes.
Well, here's where I'm here to help! Now, as a vintage style wedding singer myself, the suggestions I put before you, are not only for those of you who have a particular love for vintage music. But also for the finance's out there who just want to find some beautiful and dare I say it, perhaps less overused, song choices for their ceremony.
The case made before you is that: while any love song can be meaningful, there's something undeniably special about vintage music or modern songs with a vintage style. They evoke a sense of timeless elegance and romance, perfectly suited for such a momentous occasion.
With Elvis Presley's - Can't Help Falling In Love With You taking the top spot (and slightly contradicting my earlier "overused" statement) for the most requested wedding song last year. According to the @hitcheduk annual national survey. There's definitely something to consider here. But what if you don't want to walk down the aisle to a song that came out before you were even born?!
Well, here's where I've again, got you covered. Not only have I curated a list of my top favourite vintage, love songs to incorporate into your ceremony. But there's a whole catalog of jazzy and vintage VIBES songs from after the millennium within my own wedding singer repertoire, that work just as perfectly for your perfect "I Do" moment.
Additionally, most of these song choices can also be used for other key romantic moments of the wedding day, such as
The First Dance or Wedding Breakfast Entrance!
VINTAGE CEREMONY SONG IDEAS
Can't Help Falling In Love With You - By Elvis Presley As mentioned, the most popular ceremony tune of recent times, despite being released in 1961! And for good reason. I personally have an arrangement inspired by this Ukulele cover by Twenty One Pilots but any of the plenty other versions that exist would work beautifully!
Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You - Frankie Valli (Acoustic). A stripped back version of the 60s dance floor filler, when you listen to the lyrics, truly is a love song at heart. This particular acoustic arrangement inspired by Lauryn Hill, would be gorgeous for either the signing of papers, photo opportunities or exit procession.
L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole (Acoustic/Olivia Ong Version) Because what's more cute than literally spelling out that your day is all about love?!
I Only Wanna Be With You - Dusty Springfield (Acoustic/Vonda Shepherd Version) Another 1960s classic has a message clear and strong, "I Only Wanna Be With You" which if you think about it, is what your wedding day is literally all about.
I Wanna Hold Your Hand - The Beatles (Acoustic Version) For you fellow Beatle maniacs, this particular arrangement from The Beatles Jukebox Musical - Across The Universe has such a gorgeous build up to it, that it would be a lovely crescendo for the ceremony entrance.
At Last - Etta James No acoustic or alternative cover versions needed to for this particular song. It's a love song that's stands the test of time, so is the perfect choice for your own ever lasting love story.
Someone To Watch Over Me - Ella Fitzgerald (Amy Winehouse) A song that's all about finally finding "the one" for you, regardless of the odds.
The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra (Rod Stewart) Arguably one of the most romantic songs ever written. And if it's good enough to be Monica and Chandlers (from Friends) "song" then it's good enough for you!
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers The wedding song of many (and my own) grandparents. Iconic and timeless, therefore the perfect song choice to get yourselves and the family feeling wholesome and emotional (if that's what you want of course!).
VINTAGE VIBES CEREMONY SONG IDEAS
Sunday Morning - Maroon 5 (Jazz Version) A song that's all about finding and enjoying those perfect little moments in life together, the cafe bossa jazzy style of this song still it gives that timeless feel.
Still Into You - Paramore (Post-Modern Jukebox) Thanks to the genius' that are Post-Modern Jukebox and Scott Bradlee, you can walk down the aisle to your favourite emo love song, while keeping a touch of 40's vintage class.
Only Love Can Hurt Like This - Paloma Faith A real life song request from a modern couple of mine, this powerful love balled by Paloma has a 1950s feel.
Our Day Will Come - Amy Winehouse The queen of combining vintage vibes with modern love. This upbeat cutesy song would be a gorgeous way to exit your ceremony or to have while you sign the register papers and/or pause for photos.
Do I Wanna Know - Arctic Monkeys (Acoustic) With their whole AM album inspired by 1950s rock and roll aesthetic, the melody and lyrics in this 2010's indie anthem, when stripped back is actually a surprisingly gorgeous love song.
Beauty & The Beast - Disney (Post-Modern Jukebox) As the Disney classics generation is now all grown up, there's no wonder that lots of couples are requesting Disney songs for their own fairytale love stories. Why not take the vintage feel even further with this dreamy jazzy PMJ version too?
Sun Rise - Nora Jones A staple in the modern jazz lounge scene, this song would be lovely background music while your guests mingle and find their seats pre-ceremony.
Tennesse Whiskey - Chris Stapleton Another re-life request, but for a First Dance. This blues-y country vibe would also be a lovely ceremony entrance choice.
There you have it!
A curated selection of vintage and vintage-inspired ceremony songs that are sure to make your special day, specifically, your ceremony even more romantic. Remember, these songs are all just suggestions and a starting point. The perfect ceremony song choices are as unique as your own love story! If you'd love to delve even deeper into my own retro inspired wedding repertoire, then you're more than welcome to get in touch and join the vintage vibes tribe on my socials @vivalavintagesinger. www.vivalavintagesinger.com All the best, Abbi-Kaye (Viva la Vintage) x
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