Wedding ceremonies are emotional, supercharged events where music enhances the emotions. Popular gospel & soul wedding songs of love are energising, meaningful and personalised. Joyful soul-stirring music that can make or break the day! How many songs do you need?
Let me explain; emotional music such as gospel and soul wedding love songs, ballads and uptempo songs may not be familiar to you and your guests. However, the music adds a joyous ambiance and is the ultimate heartbeat of any wedding. Are you struggling to find alternative music for your wedding?
For any wedding ceremony—celebrant-led, church, or civil—you’ll typically need three to seven gospel and soul love songs. These songs are perfect for the guest’s arrival, bride/grooms entrance, and signing the marriage certificate. Traditional church weddings may also include two or three hymns for the congregation and exit.
Gospel Soul Wedding Songs of Love
Aint No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell
Entry/Exit song
Amplify your love with a dynamic soulful wedding song full of sweet emotion – Aint No Mountain High Enough. This classic wedding music is unforgettable. “Ain’t valley low enough, no river wide enough, to keep me from getting to you babe”.
Aint No Stopping Us Now – Macfadden & Whitehead
Opening dance
Aint No Stopping Us Now is a popular soul hit and the ultimate heart-warming wedding opening dance song. So, don’t be surprised if family and friends dance along too.
Anytime You Need A Friend – Mariah Carey
Entry/Opening dance
Anytime You Need A Friend is a heartfelt gospel hit from the bride to the groom or visa versa. ‘If you just believe in me. I will love you endlessly, oh. Take my hand. Take me into your heart. I’ll be there forever, baby. I won’t let go.’
At Last – Etta James | Gospel Soul Wedding Songs
Wedding aisle
At Last. It’s sexy bluesy lyrics will surely help you walk down the aisle in style. So, build romantic suspense with this romantic song. “At last, My love has come along, My lonely days are over and life is like a song“.
Always & Forever – Heatwave Gospel Soul Wedding Songs
Signing of marriage certificate
In addition, orchestrate soul wedding music such as Always & Forever is a unique for your playlist. Secondly, why not get a gospel & soul choir to serenade your partner with this special song. How does that sound?
Ave Maria church wedding song- Beyonce Knowles
Lighting of the candles or collect
This track of Ave Maria is a soulful wedding song variation of Schubert’s religious piece. It’s the perfect addition to a church wedding to unite everyone by marking the wonderful start of the rest of your married life.
Love Train – O Jays
Entry/Exit song
Love Train is a the ideal soulful wedding song for getting the party started. The lyrics say it all, “People all over the world join hands, love train love train”.
Halo – Beyoncé – Gospel Soul Wedding Songs
Wedding entry (processional)
Halo from Beyoncé the Queen of ‘pop’ R&B is a beautiful uplifting song. “ Everywhere I’m lookin’ now, I’m surrounded by your embrace, Baby, I can see your halo, You know you’re my saving grace.”
It Takes Two – Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston
First Dance/Dip-Kiss
It Takes Two Motown lyrics by the marvelous Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston is an alluring soul jam sound for a first dance. “One can have a dream, baby Two can make that dream so real”
Endlessly – Randy Crawford Gospel Soul Wedding Songs
Welcome wedding music
Be inspired by Endlessly, this irresistible wedding love song for your playlist. It’s a tune for your H2B and an excellent bridal march up the aisle with your dad. “Higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest sea. That’s how I will love you, oh, darling, endlessly”.
Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin wedding love songs
Welcome wedding music
Natural Woman the extremely amorous and sensual vocals from Aretha Franklin engage guests and your H2B. So, if you want a unique opening song at your marriage celebration, book a professional singer to sing: “You make me feel like a natural woman“.
Going to the Chapel – Dixie cups
Welcome wedding music
Going to the Chapel is a sweet Motown classic song. The lyrics of love are fun loving, enjoyable and lively. Imagine this sung live at your ceremony? “Spring is here, the sky is blue, birds all sing as if they knew, today’s the day we say, “I do”. And were gonna get married”!
My Guy – Mary Wells
First Dance
My Guy is an upbeat and sweet soul song that hits the right mark. Moreover, it enriches the party atmosphere. “Nothing you can say can tear me away from my guy, Nothing you could do, ’cause I’m stuck like glue to my guy“.
My Life, My Love My All – Kirk Franklin
Exit/Reception song
My Life, My Love, My All you can play at your church wedding ceremony or reception. Imagine as the newly-wedded couple walking up or down the aisle followed by your nearest and dearests.
Make It Happen – Mariah Carey
Wedding processional/recessional
Imagine a gospel choir accompanying you and your partner with Make It Happen as you enter the church location. ‘If you believe in yourself enough, And know what you want, You’re gonna make it happen (Make it happen)’.
Endless Love – Lionel Richie & Dianne Ross
Wedding recessional
Endless Love is blast from the past and the perfect recessional soul love song. It is a moving piece and an evocative slow jam to set the tone of your wedding day.
Love You I Do – Jennifer Hudson
Before reading /wedding vows
Looking for wedding ceremony music? Love You I Do is a jaw-dropping and fun signature tune. It is a modern take on a bride confessing and yearning for undying love. It is a crowd-pleaser.
Happy – Pharrell Williams
Wedding recessional
Happy is the perfect soulful wedding love song for your officiant to introduce at the tail end of your ceremony. It’s fun, funky and modern gospel sound brings happiness straight to the heart of your congregation.
Stand By Me –Ben E King
Wedding processional
Follow in the footsteps of Harry and Meghan Markle. Get gospel with the song Stand By Me. It was originally performed by the Kingdom Choir, this romantic melody works wonders on the guest’s emotions. An old-school slow jam for a sentimental moment!
Say A Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin
Signing of marriage certificate
Say a Little Prayer an upbeat classic wedding love song. The lovey dovey Motown lyrics written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick will have the congregation grabbing their tissues during the marriage service.
Signed sealed and delivered – Stevie Wonder
Signing the wedding certificate
Signed, sealed and delivered perfect soul wedding song for signing the wedding certificate. Together with your witnesses you can sign to sound of music. Even better, your guests do not sit in silence.
This Will Be (an Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
First Dance
This Will Be An Ever Lasting Love is a classic slow jam and R & B song . It will enhance your mood during the first dance. More importantly, entertains and gets everyone involved. Set the tone for your big day!
Kissing You – Des’ree
Wedding aisle
By incorporating Kissing You a powerful wedding love song, it’s a beautiful way to share and echo your love for one another. It is taken from the film Romeo and Juliet and adds a touch of elegance to your wedding.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
Time for reflection
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face song is taken from the film Misty. It creates a cosy atmosphere and invites guests to sit up straight in their seats and listen intently.
Until You Come Back To Me – Aretha Franklin
Before the ring exchange
Until You Come Back To Me validates your love for one another and share your happiness, hopes and new lives together with this special love song. Hire a gospel choir to add the perfect finish to the end of your wedding ceremony.
You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
Lighting of the candles or collect
You Raise Me Up is ideal for during the lighting of the candles or collect. It’s a spiritually uplifting song to reflect the mood of your religious wedding ceremony.
Hallelujah – Alexander Burke
Exchanging of personal vows
In addition, Hallelujah sung by Alexander Burke creates a joyous and romantic ambiance. That is so say, good spiritual music keeps you both featured as the main attraction: the focal point.
We Belong Together – BoysIIMen
Lighting of the candles or collect
Feeling nostalgic about ’90s love songs? Well, BoysIIMen is a slow soul jam that hits the spot at your wedding. Further more, it creates an overall feeling of authenticity and inspires enthusiasm in your guests. So, everyone will feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Your’e All I Need To Get By – Marvin Gaye
First Dance
Your’re All I Need To Get By is a memorable song to celebrate your first dance. You’ll be in 7th heaven and dash across the dance floor. What’s more, you’ll look like movie stars for guests to admire and adore.
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Entry/Exit song
Lovely Day is the perfect soulful wedding song to enhance your ceremony or kick off your celebration. The lyrics convey everything beautifully. ‘Then I look at you, And the world’s alright with me, Just one look at you, And I know it’s gonna be, A lovely day’.
When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
Welcome music
When A Man Loves A Woman is a classic soul song. So add this extra special to your gospel & soul playlist. In truth, this song fulfill your soul, soothe and entertain you. Get your guests hyped up!
How Deep Is Your Love – PJ. Morton
Welcome music
Without a doubt real love feels pure and authentic Bee Gee’s hit How Deep Is Your Love resonates this. Another thing, it’s a great choice for a spiritual wedding to get guests excited, and up on their feet!
If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
Signing of marriage certificate
Additionally, ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ adds the wow-factor to your wedding ceremony. Moreover, you’ll massively boost the mood and release any tense emotions.
Love x Love – George Benson
Exchanging of personal vows
Fancy a tissue issue song? The ideal show-stopper before or after you speak your vows. What’s more, this will capture every one’s attention. So, a storybook love song guarantees a happy tears moment and ending.
I belong to you – Brian Mcknight
Exchanging of personal vows
I Belong To You is the ultimate soul song, because it is a personal and emotional track. Once you’ve decided on a church wedding ceremony arrange the right songs with a “social music” feel.
My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder
Exchanging of personal vows
In addition, ‘My Cherie Amour’ is an enchanting song perfect for a choir, vocalist or even played on a harp. It makes your ceremony more special than ever before and it calms your emotions.
Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
First dance
In addition, ‘Higher and Higher’ is a classic R an B song for your wedding ceremony music. So, book a choir to sing it as you walk down the aisle. Better still, play it, as you enter the party ready for your first dance. This is a great tune to kick-start your big day.
Get Here – Oletta Adams Gospel Soul Wedding Songs
Exchanging of personal vows
Get Here is an amazing song to start your celebration, because it can be the moment when you hold your darlings’ hand. Basically, create fond memories for you and your guests.
Oh Happy Day – Edwin Hawkins Singers
Recessional song
Another classic black gospel song is “Oh Happy Day” by Edwin Hawkins Singers. Let it permeate throughout your soulful wedding ceremony. It helps lift you as newlyweds, gracefully across the threshold into heavenly married life.
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Wedding entrance
So, ‘Let’s Stay Together’ is a soulful classic. What’s more, it’s the perfect wedding love song for your playlist. You can walk up the aisle to your life partner in style. “(Let’s stay together. I’m, I’m so in love with you. Whatever you want to do. Is alright with me.). Source: genius.com
Gonna Be A Lovely Day – Kirk Franklin
Before reading of wedding vows
Gonna Be A Lovely Day by Kirk Franklin is a beautiful rendition of Bill Withers song. It’s uplifting and a great tune to play before your soulful wedding vows. “Just one look at you, then I know it’s going to be, a lovely day.”
The Greatest Love of All – Whitney Housten
Recessional song
In addition, The Greatest Love of All sung by Whitney Housten is one of the best gospel soul wedding songs of love ever. In fact, it was written and recorded to be the main theme of the 1977 film The Greatest, a biopic of the boxer Muhammad Ali.
Rescue Me – Fontella Bass
Wedding aisle
More often than not, “Rescue Me” by Fontella Bass adds an extra wow factor. This classic Motown and gospel soul wedding song of love can be performed by a soul singer or gospel choir.
You’re the best thing that ever happened – Gladys Knight.
Opening dance / pre-ceremony music
So, ‘You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened’ by Gladys Knight is a signature wedding tune to demonstrate your love for one another. What’s more, it’s the perfect edition to a gospel and soul playlist.
While you’re here…
Share your idea about wedding songs of love and pre-ceremony music in the comment box below.
Hello Clover,
I like many of the above choices. Definately Etta James. Will listen to them all shortly. It is marvellous sunday, with spare time galore.
Good afternoon Susanne, Thanks for your response about the wedding love songs. I’m pleased you like Etta James, she is one of my all time favourites too! Yes, we sure have plenty of spare time on are hands to enjoy this beautiful sunny Sunday. Have a good one and take care. Warm regards, Clover