40 Of The Best Prelude Songs for Wedding Ceremonies

There’s nothing like good music to set and maintain the mood at a wedding, one of the most meaningful celebrations in life. Ideally, every moment in the event should see some great musical accompaniment, from the bridal entry to the presentation of vows.

However, while the arrival of guests generally happens before the wedding starts, it’s arguably the best time to prepare the atmosphere with some prelude songs. Think of them as background music your guest can nod to as they wait or shuffle about and greet acquaintances.

So, maybe it’s your special day soon, and you’re out for some great tunes for the perfect prelude. We have compiled just what you need: the best prelude songs for wedding events. 

Top Prelude Songs for Weddings

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Let’s now see the best prelude tunes to get your guests in the wedding spirit.

1. “Love”  by Lana Del Rey

Memorable lyrics: /Doesn’t matter ’cause it’s enough/ To be young and in love/

This 2017 song from the album ‘Lust for Life’ is a reflection on being young and in love and will not fail to hit home with your guests.

2. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder

Memorable lyrics: /You are the sunshine of my life/ That’s why I’ll always be around/

The title of this song tells you the best kind of wedding to play it for: an outdoor wedding on a bright and sunny beach.

3. “Better Together” by Luke Combs

Memorable lyrics: /Sometimes we’re oil and water/ But I wouldn’t have it any other way/

This is a country ballad that piano lovers would absolutely like. It tells of a love that transcends differences and binds two souls together.

4. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong

Memorable lyrics: /And I think to myself/ What a wonderful world/

This marvelous piece from the Satch himself speaks of appreciation for the good things of life: trees, clouds, rainbows. It’s a great song for outdoor weddings. 

5. “Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn

This is a trumpet instrumental with a bit of an upbeat tone, great for wedding marches as well as preludes.

6. “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel

This is a piano and cello masterpiece that’s great for indoor weddings. Playing this in a large and exotic wedding hall gives the vibe of a royal wedding that will not fail to register with your guests.  

7. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley

Memorable lyrics: /Only fools, only fools rush in/ Oh, but I, but I, I can’t help falling in love with you/

The best version of this song remains the original one by Elvis Presley, and it has never lost its magic. If you want a more modern rendition, there are great covers from artists Haley Reinhart, Andrea Bocelli, and TwentyOne Pilots.

8. “I Do” by Colbie Caillat

Memorable lyrics: / You make me wanna say/ I do, I do, I do, do-do-do-do-do-do-do/

This is an upbeat track good for nodding heads. It’s about marriage, but according to Colbie, it is more about getting ready to tell the one you love how you feel.

9. “The Four Seasons (Spring)” by Antonio Vivaldi

This is a very popular tune and will definitely hit the right mental spot with your guests, especially lovers of orchestra. It’s great for adding that royal and exotic feel to your ceremony.

10. “Endless Love” by Luther Vandross ft. Mariah Carey

Memorable lyrics: /My love, there’s only you in my life/ The only thing that’s right/

This is a dramatic ballad from the 90s that you can play indoors, at a church wedding, or at a glamorous wedding hall ceremony.

11. “My Only One (No Hay Nadie Más)” by Sebastián Yatra ft. Isabela Merced

Memorable lyrics: /I see a thousand falling shooting stars and yes I love you/

This is a Latino pop duet song by two talented artists, and it’s the kind that your guest can gently swing to as they wait.

12. “Good As You” by Kane Brown 

Memorable lyrics: /The way you light up any room, girl/ You’re what this world should be/

This song doesn’t just make a great prelude track; its music video is also a rich source of inspiration for wedding ceremonies. 

13. “Easy” by Camila Cabello

Memorable lyrics: /Always thought I was hard to love/ ‘Til you made it seem so easy, seem so easy/

This song tells of loving someone despite their flaws. It’s a timeless number, and you might just catch some of your guests singing merrily along.

14. “The One” by Kodaline

Memorable lyrics: /Be fighting for no reason/ I wouldn’t change it for the world/

This is a great wedding prelude song from an Indie Irish band. It was written for a friend of one of the band members and tells of knowing ‘the one’ from the very first day.

15. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri

Memorable lyrics: /I have loved you for a thousand years/ I’ll love you for a thousand more/

This slow melody by Christina speaks of love that transcends time, and when you play it, expect the waterworks from some of your guests.

16. “Main Title from The Notebook” by Aaron Zigman

This soundtrack from a great motion picture is the perfect song to play for a wedding prelude, with its soulful piano notes that won’t fail to soothe. 

17. “Water Music (Hornpipe)” by George Frideric Handel 

This is a classical piece that’s great for almost any formal social occasion, especially weddings, and especially as a prelude song. 

18. “There You Are” by Zayn 

Memorable lyrics: /Only you know me the way you know me/  Only you forgive me when I’m sorry/

If you’re looking for an upbeat prelude track, this one is beautiful without being too mushy.

19. “Golden Hour” by Kasey Musgraves

Memorable lyrics: /All that I know/ Is you caught me at the right time/

This is a country song with a cherry, folky vibe to it, and it’s perfect for summer outdoor weddings, preferably by a beach. 

20. “Your Hands Are Cold” by Dario Marianelli 

This soundtrack tune may bring to mind the famously romantic scene from the movie; you will find that the motion picture is full of great wedding songs.

21. “Angel of Mine” by Monica

Memorable lyrics: /When I first saw you I already knew/ There was something inside of you/

This song is another 90s masterpiece you must try out. 

22. “Tenerife Sea” by Ed Sheeran 

Memorable lyrics: /You look so wonderful in your dress/ I love your hair like that/

This song has the usual touch of Ed Sheeran—poetic lyrics, an acoustic guitar tune, and a catchy beat. 

23. “Magic” by Coldplay

Memorable lyrics: /Call it true/  I call it magic/ When I’m with you/

This song combines the musical sound of Coldplay with its lovely and simple lyrics to create an awesome melody for wedding preludes.

24. “Maestro” by Hans Zimmer

‘Maestro’ is a marvelous tune from the movie, ‘The Holiday,’ and it makes a great wedding prelude song.

25. “Me Enamora” by Mau y Ricky

Memorable lyrics: /Why should I lie?/ If the truth is you have it all/

This song’s mix of Latin and Reggaeton influences will have your guests dancing merrily as they find their seats.

26. “Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett

Memorable lyrics: /Oh, if all I got is your hand in my hand/ Baby, I could die a happy man/

If you’re having a beach or countryside wedding, this melody is just the right touch.

27. “La Vie En Rose” by Louis Armstrong

Memorable lyrics: /This is la vie en rose/ When you kiss me heaven sighs/

This timeless number will strike all the right cords with Jazz lovers among your guests, and it works marvelously for historically-themed or vintage weddings. 

28. “All of My Days” by Alexi Murdoch

Memorable lyrics: / All of my days/ And I’ve been trying to find/ What’s been in my mind/

This mellow, chilled-out, jolly-paced, guitar-based melody is perfect for a low-key wedding ceremony. 

29. “XO” by Beyoncé

Memorable lyrics: /Your love is bright as ever/ Even in the shadows/

Queen Bey’s signature catchy pop/R&B touch makes this a number your guests will absolutely enjoy.

30. “The Only Exception” by Paramore

Memorable lyrics: /And that was the day that I promised/ I’d never sing of love if it does not exist/

This song of caution in speaking of love is one that your millennial guests will love.

31. “Moon River” by 2Cellos

The soulful sounds from the big violins will be like an elixir for your guests, especially when performed by a string quartet in a ballroom setting.

32. “The Theme from ‘The Search for Everything” by John Mayer

This tune is a great prelude song for outdoor bohemian-style weddings. 

33. “Ever Ever After” by Carrie Underwood 

Memorable lyrics: /Ever ever after (ever after, happily)/ Storybook endings, fairytales coming true/

Having a fairytale wedding? Then you can’t go wrong with this ‘Enchanted’ movie soundtrack by Carrie. 

34. “Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop” by Landon Pigg

Memorable lyrics: /Yes, there’s a chance that I’ve fallen quite hard over you/

This relaxed acoustic melody is the kind of tune that gets you remembering where you first met your special someone.

35. “Beyond” by Leon Bridges

Memorable lyrics: /Don’t wanna get ahead of myself/ Feeling things I’ve never felt/ 

This is the perfect song to take your married guests back to times when they were still figuring out their feelings for each other. 

36. “Harvest Moon,” by Neil Young

Memorable lyrics: /Because I’m still in love with you/ I want to see you dance again/

This is a calm melody that’s perfect for preludes in a moonlit wedding.

37. “Invisible String” by Taylor Swift

Memorable lyrics: /All along there was some/ Invisible string/ Tying you to me?/

This song about unrealized connections is great for outdoor summer weddings. 

38. “I and Love and You,” by The Avett Brothers

Memorable lyrics: /Three words that became hard to say/I and love and you/

This song has a retro country vibe and will make a great love song for preludes on countryside weddings.

39. “Real Love,” by The Beatles

Memorable lyrics: /Don’t need to be alone/ No need to be alone/ It’s real love/ 

This awesome Beatles tune is the perfect prelude tune to remind your guests that with real love, you are never alone. 

40. “Ave Maria,” by Beyoncé 

Memorable lyrics: /I found heaven on Earth/ You are my last, my first/  

You can never go wrong with some vintage Beyonce love melodies, and Ave Maria arguably takes the cake there. 

Summary

While we consider these the best choices for prelude songs, there are many more great prelude songs for wedding ceremonies. You should thus explore and discover others you may like. You will find that romantic TV shows and movies have some of the best ones out there.

FAQs

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