The Top 2000s Love Songs to Play at Your Wedding

Looking for 2000s love songs? Every love story is unique, and so is every love song. However, finding the best wedding songs for your reception is no easy feat—especially when there are, quite literally, tens of thousands of options to choose from.

But if you prefer more contemporary music, consider incorporating some 2000s love songs into your wedding playlist. Besides, the early 2000s was basically the Golden Age of swoon-worthy tunes. In fact, some of the greatest hits—from Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" to Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together"—were released during this time. Plus, many of these chart-topping songs are still popular today. Read on for all of the top 2000s love songs to play at your wedding. After you've narrowed down your options, send 'em straight to your wedding band or ask your wedding DJ to add them to the setlist.

Bonus: Listen to our picks with The Knot's 2000s Love Songs playlist on Spotify.

1. "Crazy In Love," Beyonce ft. Jay-Z

Lyrics you'll love: "It's the way that you know what I thought I knew/It's the beat that my heart skips when I'm with you/But I still don't understand/Just how your love can do what no one else can"

Talk about #couplegoals. In 2003, now-husband-and-wife duo Beyonce and Jay-Z teamed up for the release of "Crazy In Love." You'll definitely want to send this one to your wedding DJ and strut your stuff like Queen Bey when the opening strains of this song start to play—it makes a great grand entrance song.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

2. "You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift

Lyrics you'll love: "Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find/That what you're looking for has been here the whole time"

Taylor Swift's chart-topping hit, "You Belong With Me," fuses pop and country flavors. The banjo instrumentals pair surprisingly well with the cheerful melody. The rom-com worthy official music video is also worth a watch—though you've likely seen it already.

3. "Make You Feel My Love," Adele

Lyrics you'll love: "When the rain is blowing in your face/And the whole world is on your case/I could offer you a warm embrace/To make you feel my love"

Adele's 2008 cover of "Make You Feel My Love" is emotional and raw—making it the perfect choice for your first dance. The piano instrumentals make it all the more beautiful.

4. "Fallin," Alicia Keys

Lyrics you'll love: "I never loved someone/The way that I love you"

Alicia Keys' debut single, "Fallin," is one for the books, from the poetic lyrics to the soul- and gospel-inspired elements. This song is a top pick for a first dance, but also makes a unique processional song.

5. "We Belong Together," Mariah Carey

Lyrics you'll love: "We belong together like peanut butter and jelly
Februaries and skellies, after parties and tellies"

"We Belong Together" puts Mariah Carey's killer pipes on full display. Today, the 2005 track remains a fan-favorite for wedding receptions.

6. "Bubbly," Colbie Caillat

Lyrics you'll love: "The rain is fallin' on my window pane/But we are hidin' in a safer place/Under cover, stayin' dry and warm/You give me feelings that I adore"

This Colbie Caillat track has an insanely catchy chorus, which pairs perfectly with the song's acoustic instrumentals. It's another great first dance song, or can be played during cocktail hour or dinner.

7. "Love In This Club," Usher

Lyrics you'll love: "Lookin' in ya eyes/While you on the other side/I can't take it no more, baby I'm comin' for you"

Get the party started by having your wedding band or DJ play "Love In This Club" by Usher at your wedding reception. The sultry R&B jam is sure to get everyone out of their seats and up on the dance floor.

8. "A Sky Full of Stars," Coldplay

Lyrics you'll love: "'Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars/I'm gonna give you my heart/'Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars/'Cause you light up the path"

This 2000s love song is a top pick to play at the end of the night—particularly if you're closing out your reception with a sparkler send-off!

9. "Come Away With Me," Norah Jones

Lyrics you'll love: "Come away with me and we'll kiss/On a mountaintop/Come away with me/And I'll never stop loving you"

This Norah Jones love song stems from the singer's 2002 debut album of the same name. The slow-paced ballad features Jones' signature soothing vocals, while the soft piano instrumentals add an extra-special and intimate touch.

10. "Hero," Enrique Iglesias

Lyrics you'll love: "I can be your hero, baby/I can kiss away the pain/I will stand by you forever/You can take my very breath away"

"Hero" by Enrique Iglesias was released more than 20 years ago (!) in 2001. Today, it remains a popular wedding song thanks to its rom-com-worthy lyrics.

11. "I'm Yours," Jason Mraz

Lyrics you'll love: "So I won't hesitate no more, no more/It cannot wait, I'm sure/There's no need to complicate/Our time is short/This is our fate, I'm yours"

This Jason Mraz love song has a signature bouncy rhythm that received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. The sweet lyrics and soft guitar instrumentals make it the perfect pick for your first dance.

12. "You're Beautiful," James Blunt

Lyrics you'll love: "You're beautiful/You're beautiful/You're beautiful, it's true"

The nostalgia-inducing song from British singer-songwriter James Blunt dates back to 2005, who was inspired to pen the song after seeing his ex-girlfriend on the subway. However, as the title suggests, the song is surprisingly sweet and romantic.

13. "If It's Lovin' That You Want," Rihanna

Lyrics you'll love: "If it's loving that you want/Then you should make me your girl, your girl/If it's loving that you need/Baby, come and share my world (Share my world)"

This upbeat Rihanna number may fly under the radar, but you'll still want to add it to your wedding reception playlist. Its fast-paced tempo will transport you back to the good ol' days of dancing in the club.

14. "A Moment Like This," Kelly Clarkson

Lyrics you'll love: "A moment like this/Some people wait a lifetime/For a moment like this/Some people search forever/For that one special kiss/Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me/Some people wait a lifetime/For a moment/Like this"

Any important moment is made even more dramatic when Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" is played. The 2002-era hit was the singer's debut single. The lyrics are sure to tug at your heartstrings, while the ballad's slow rhythm makes the song an ideal pick for a first dance.

15. "You and Me," Lifehouse

Lyrics you'll love: "'Cause it's you and me/And all of the people with nothing to do/Nothing to prove/And it's you and me/And all of the people/And I don't know why/I can't keep my eyes off of you"

One of Lifehouse's best-known songs, "You and Me" is a popular wedding song with its acoustic instrumentals and lovely lyrics.

16. "Just the Way You Are," Bruno Mars

Lyrics you'll love: "When I see your face/There's not a thing that I would change/'Cause you're amazing/Just the way you are/And when you smile/The whole world stops and stares for a while"

While this song first came out over a decade ago, it still feels as fresh as the day it was released. "Just the Way You Are" can serve as the soundtrack for a variety of wedding moments, from the prelude to the recessional, the grand entrance to the cake cutting.

17. "Everything," Michael Buble

Lyrics you'll love: "And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times/It's you, it's you, you make me sing/You're every line, you're every word, you're everything"

Michael Buble wrote "Everything" about his then-girlfriend Emily Blunt. The tender tune is made all the more special with acoustic instrumentals and Buble's signature soothing vocals. The song's upbeat rhythm makes it an ideal first dance song.

18. "She Will Be Loved," Maroon 5

Lyrics you'll love: "It's not always rainbows and butterflies, it's compromise that moves us along, yeah/My heart is full and my door's always open, you come anytime you want, yeah/I don't mind spending every day/Out on your corner in the pouring rain"

"She Will Be Loved" helped skyrocket Maroon 5 to stardom following its 2002 release. The tune combines flavors of pop rock, alternative rock and soft rock. The end result? A romantic, sentimental and beautiful track.

19. "Such Great Heights," The Postal Service

Lyrics you'll love: "They will see us waving from such great heights/Come down now, they'll say/But everything looks perfect from far away"

"Such Great Heights" by indie rock band The Postal Service fuses elements of EDM and alternative rock. The song gets raw and real about relationships, through triumphs, obstacles and everything in between.

20. "So High," John Legend

Lyrics you'll love: "Baby, since the day you came into my life/You made me realize that we were born to fly/You showed me everyday new possibilities/You proved my fantasies, what love could really be/Let's go to a place only lovers go/To a spot that we've never known/To the top of a cloud we're floating away"

This John Legend number is simply stunning. Featuring R&B and soul flavors, this 2000s love song is an amazing, underrated choice for your first dance as a married couple. Meanwhile, the beautifully-written lyrics can double as unique wedding vows.

21. "Chasing Cars," Snow Patrol

Lyrics you'll love: "We'll do it all/Everything/On our own/We don't need/Anything/Or anyone"

You've likely heard "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol at least once before. Thanks to its poetic lyrics, the alt-rock hit has become a timeless classic and ideal for a first dance.

22. "A Thousand Miles," Vanessa Carlton

Lyrics you'll love: "'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles/If I could just see you/Tonight"

This piano-driven anthem of longing and devotion is perfect for a wedding. You, your spouse-to-be and your guests will be belting out the lyrics the second you (or your wedding musicians) hit play.

23. "Maps," Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Lyrics you'll love: "Wait, they don't love you like I love you/Wait, they don't love you like I love you"

This standout love song from the 2000s deserves to be on every wedding playlist, especially if you're a fan of alternative indie rock.

24. "Because Of You," Ne-Yo

Lyrics you'll love: "And I know this much is true/Baby, you have become my addiction/I'm so strung out on you/I can barely move, but I like it"

Calling all R&B fans! This swoon-worthy 2000s love song by Ne-Yo is a must-have on your wedding playlist. Ne-Yo's soulful voice, paired with the song's catchy melody, is a throwback everyone will appreciate.

25. "I Wanna Be With You," Mandy Moore

Lyrics you'll love: "I wanna be with you, there's nothing more to say/There's nothing else I want more than to feel this way/I wanna be with you, yeah"

If you were obsessed with the movie Center Stage from the year 2000, then you'll probably recognize this cheesy-but-quintessential Y2K love song by Mandy Moore.