Despite all evidence to the contrary, wedding music doesn’t always have to be of the tired, “near, far, wherever you are” variety. In fact, these days you can even customize your ceremony music with a hipper, wittier playlist that’s reflective of your personalities. Take the JK Wedding March video I posted sometime ago as an example.

Having said that, I thought I’d provide you with a smattering of alternative songs that you can rock out to when you say your “I Do’s”. I‘ve also written down suggested uses for each song but go ahead and mix & match – have a fast song for your first dance, sing a duet during the exchange of vows — it’s always the unexpected little twists that make each wedding stand out from the rest.

Love Will Keep Us Together (Nickelback)

I will, be there to share forever
Love will keep us together
I said it before and I’ll say it again
While others pretend
I need you now and I need you then
Just stop, ’cause I really love you

Granted, Captain & Tenille’s sunshiny version of this Neil Sedaka song is a classic but Aussie rock band Nickelback gives it a cool, modern edge you & your guests won’t be able to resist bobbing your heads to.

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Play during: your first dance, table-hopping

Real Love (Regina Spektor)

From this moment on I know
Exactly where my life will go
Seems that all I really was doing
Was waiting for love

This is a beautiful, almost haunting version of John Lennon’s Real Love as interpreted by singer-songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor. I can almost imagine a bride walking down the aisle as the song gently plays in the background.

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Play during: bride’s entrance, exchange of vows, first dance

The Luckiest (Ben Folds)

And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know
That I am
I am
The luckiest

One of musical genius Ben Folds’ loveliest, underappreciated gems is this earnest ode to a loved one. “I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you” just about says it all.

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Play during: bride’s entrance, first dance

I Was Made For You (She & Him)

‘Cause I have been waitin’ for a long, long time
For a boy like you
I won’t be waitin’ any more cause I know
Baby, baby
I was made for you

Indie singer-songwriter M. Ward & actress Zooey “hipster poster girl” Deschanel’s project band She & Him’s charming pop love song sounds like it came straight from the sixties. The bouncy melody and Deschanel’s joyful vocals are guaranteed to make your guests head to the dance floor.

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Play during: first dance, reception

Falling Slowly (The Frames)

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time…
Falling slowly sing your melody
I’ll sing along

The tender, Academy-Award-winning acoustic duet by Glenn Hansard & Marketa Irglova was made famous by the movie Once. This is a slightly more upbeat version as interpreted by the Frames, Hansard’s band.

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Play during: first dance, reception

Young Folks (The Kooks)

I can tell there’s something goin’ on
hours seems to disappear
everyone is leaving, i’m still with you
It doesn’t matter what we do
where we are going too
we can stick around and see this night through

I’m sure most of you are by now, familiar with the popular and catchy Peter, Bjorn & John hipster anthem “Young Folks”. This is the Kooks’ more laid-back version and is a cool duet to sing together or dance to.

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Play during: first dance, reception

How Deep Is Your Love (The Bird & The Bee)

I believe in you
You know the door to my very soul
Youre the light in my deepest darkest hour
You’re my saviour when I fall

Yes, it’s that one by the Bee Gees. But before you turn up your nose on me, you *must* listen to this breathtaking version by The Bird and the Bee.

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Play during: bride’s entrance, first dance, reception

Love You Madly (CAKE)

I don’t want to doubt you
Know everything about you
I don’t want to sit across the table from you
Wishing I could run
I want to love you madly
I want to love you now

This is an awesome, feel-good love song by alternative rock band CAKE with a crazy funk-pop vibe that’s guaranteed to get everyone on their feet.

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Play during: first dance, reception

The Way I Am (Ingrid Michaelson)

If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I’ll make it better.
Cause I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am.

The beauty of this song lies in the sweet, honest lyrics about growing old with a loved one (“I’d buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair, Sew on patches to all you tear” – now that just makes me cry), in the snappy, clap-your-hands beat and simple, bare-bones musical accompaniment, and in Ingrid Michaelson’s warm, pillow-soft vocals.

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Play during: first dance, reception

Love Me Like The World Is Ending (Ben Lee)

This is the first day of the future
And all I want is you
I wear a pair of socks you left here
And I know, I know, I know nobody can ever fill your shoes.

I absolutely can’t make a playlist without indie rock poster boy Ben Lee in it and in this song here, aptly enough he makes a plea for everlasting love with an infectious, almost-anthemic pop song that radiates with joy, warmth, and positivity. Isn’t that how all wedding music should be?

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Play during: recessional, first dance, reception

Love Among The Stars (The Cherry Orchard)

A love like ours was meant to be…and all these stars shine just for you and me
This is how it should be, you and me yes you and me
Love among the stars, love among the stars

If the sugary lyrics I quoted above doesn’t make your heart melt, then maybe the breezy, summery boy/girl vocal harmonies and Bacharach-influenced pop orchestrations will. It’s just the right amount of sappy, sweet but not cloying.

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Play during: first dance, reception

More to follow next week!

~ Cynthia

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1. More wedding playlists
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3. A wedding made of paper (and then some)
4. James Reyes: The Drama of Wedding Gowns
5. Color palette inspirations for your wedding