Live at Farnham Estate, Cavan (pic by Colin Colleran)
Wedding Singer Éire’s Top Ten Wedding Songs of ’22
Wow!! What a year it’s been. It feels so good to be back at it in full swing. And by the looks of it 2023 and 2024 are going to be bumper years too. So, while I had a few days to myself and for the fun of it I recently took a look back at what Wedding Songs my couples chose for the start of their Wedding Ceremony and which songs they danced down the aisle to as a married couple.
I discovered a lot while taking a retrospective look through this years diary.
1.) it was such a busy year – thankfully. 2.) My Wedding Couples have great taste in music and 3.) the variety in song choices is almost endless.
So let me share with you the Top 5 Entrance and Exit songs taken from over 120 wedding ceremonies (Jan-Dec)
Coming in at Number 1… Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
Let’s be honest, this is a wedding classic and suits any type of wedding ceremony. It sounded great in City Hall Dublin for Caroline’s entrance – have a listen here
This was followed closely by ‘This I Promise You’ (Ronan Keating)
The lyrics of this one are just perfect for a wedding entrance song. “My Love, here I stand before you. I am yours now, from this moment on…” Need I say anymore?
Songs 3, 4 & 5 all had the same count so in no particular order… (although Number 3 is my favourite of these)
Dreams (The Cranberries)
One of the many things I love about performing at wedding ceremonies is I get the chance to experiment with some songs. Bringing a song like Dreams right back to it’s basics with just guitar and vocals is always a treat for me. It helps the lyrics and melody to shine. Here’s an example of how you can change the vibe of a song – have a listen
Church Wedding Ceremony in Lanesboro, Longford.
God’s Plan (Derek Ryan)
Keeping it country at Number 4 and this one is well suited to Church Wedding Ceremonies. “…it was all part of God’s Plan my love. You are my woman and I am your man…”
Since its release in 2013, How Long Will I Love You (Ellie Goulding) has been a really popular song for wedding ceremonies. And just when I think people have forgotten about it, it start popping up again in my client emails. Be warned your guests may react emotionally to this one 🙂
But it doesn’t end there. Oh no… here are ALL the other Entrance songs I performed this year
Better (Tom Baxter) / Canon In D / The Vow (Ruth Anne) / Everlong (The Foo Fighters) / Simply The Best (Schitts Creek version) / Heaven (Bryan Adams) / Cosmic Love (Florence & The Machine) / This Is The Day (Scott Wesley Brown) / Feels Like Home (Chantal Kreviazuk) / Red Is The Rose (trad) / You & Me (Lifehouse) / In A Country Churchyard (Chris de Burgh) / Grow Old With Me (Tom Odell) / A New Day Has Come (Celine Dion) / The Voyage (Christy Moore) / Beautiful Crazy (Luke Combs) / Beautiful In White (Shane Filan) / All of Me (John Legend)
Perfect (Ed Sheeran) / A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) / Higher Love (Steve Winwood) / La Vie En Rose (Louis Armstrong) / At Last (Etta James) / I Guess I’m in Love (Clinton Kane) / The One (Kodaline) / Book of Love (Peter Gabriel) / Tightrope (The Greatest Showman) / Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles) / I Get To Love You (Ruelle) / Somewhere Only We Know (Keane) / Future Days (Pearl Jam) / You Are The Reason (Calum Scott) / Here With Me (Marshmello & CHVRCHES) / Truly Madly Deeply (Savage Garden) / Feeling Like The Stars (James Arthur) / Tenerife Sea (Ed Sheeran) / Walk Beside Me (Celtic Woman)
Take these songs and many more suggestions with you on the move with this playlist I’ve compiled on Spotify.
My Top 5 Recessional Songs for Leaving your Wedding Ceremony
“But what about leaving the ceremony as a married couple?” I hear you ask…
When it comes to choosing a song for this part of your wedding day I always advise my couples to pick something that is uptempo and has an overall happy vibe to it. It’s important to remember that your guests will be cheering and applauding as you walk down the aisle with your new husband or wife so you will want a piece of music that will carry over all of the celebratory cheer. And…(drumroll please)… Here’s what my 2022 couples asked for the most. (with a full list further down)
Number 1: Dreams (The Cranberries)
A fantastic song and one that resonates with people of all ages. As I mentioned earlier – this is my favourite song for the past few years and I sing it at literally all my gigs so I’m very happy to see it at number 1. Here’s a more up tempo recording for you.
Number 2: Take My Hand (Picture This)
Again, a great song and this one always gets people moving and tapping their feet as the leave the church or ceremony room. The song has great energy and I think all your guests will recognise it.
Number 3: Friday I’m In Love (The Cure)
Reserved for Friday weddings only 🙂
Number 4: You Make My Dreams Come True – Hall Oates
Old school but I love it. “What I want you got, it might be hard to handle”.
It’s an interesting one to perform too
Number 5: Baby I Love You (Ramones)
Every single one of your wedding guests will be dancing and singing to this one.
Don’t panic! If my top 5 aren’t to your liking then have a look at all the other songs I’ve performed this year
Beautiful Day (U2) / I Will Wait (Mumford & Sons) / Into The Mystic (Van Morrison) / I’m On Top of The World (Imagine Dragons) / Paradise (George Ezra) / Mr. Blue Sky (E.L.O.) / Grow Old With Me (Tom Odell) / Hello My Love (Westlife) / September (Earth, Wind & Fire) / Dancing in The Moonlight (Toploader) / Burning Love (Elvis Presley) / Stand By Me (Ben E. King) / Oh Happy Day (Gospel) / Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Lick The Tins) / Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole)
Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles) / Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Stevie Wonder) / I’m Gonna Be – 500 Miles (The Proclaimers) / How Bizarre (OMC) / God Bless This Broken Road (Rascal Flatts) / Unconditional (Picture This) / The One (Kodaline) / Forever and Ever, Amen (Randy Travis) / She’s Electric (Oasis) / Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen) / Lord of The Dance (Patrick Feeney) I’m A Believer (The Monkees)
For more suggestions, help and advise when it comes to planning your wedding ceremony music check out my Song Lists page