44 Piano Wedding Songs for Your Big Day

Add these songs to your ceremony or reception playlist.
Best Piano Wedding Songs for Your Big Day
Photo: Myronovych / Shutterstock
Melanie Haid
by Melanie Haid
Updated Sep 03, 2024

Is there anything more enchanting than the sound of ivory keys playing piano wedding songs as you walk down the aisle? If you and your partner are fans of the classic, soothing sounds of wedding piano music, these instrumental wedding songs will be the perfect additions to your playlist. We highly recommend that you hire a pianist to perform these songs live during your event, though they're also available on Spotify or YouTube if you opt for a recording. Either way, our top wedding ceremony songs for piano are sure to bring an even more romantic ambiance to any part of your big day.

If you're still on the hunt for the perfect musician, band or DJ to play your wedding, look no further than The Knot Marketplace. You can search hundreds of music pros, and select the vendors to play wedding ceremony music for your special day.

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

"Engagement Party," Justin Hurwitz

This instrumental soundtrack from 2016's acclaimed musical movie, La La Land features beautiful piano pieces, many of which are without lyrics. "Engagement Party" is also a fitting title for a wedding song! Add this to your prelude playlist, or play it during cocktail hour or dinner. It'll sound great played by a wedding DJ or a live wedding musician.

"Mystery of Love/Visions of Gideon," Moisés Nieto

This cover of "Mystery of Love" from the soundtrack to the movie Call Me by Your Name focuses on the piano with light notes throughout. The lyrics themselves are more on the tragic side, so this cover will give you all of the music and maintain the ethereal feel of the song. Another fantastic song to walk into the ceremony with!

"Amore Mio Aiutami - Main Theme," Piero Piccioni

The main theme from the 1969 Italian movie Amore Mio Aiutami ("Help Me, My Love") has sweeping instrumentals and twinkling piano chords that provide an elegant backdrop to any part of your wedding. It's a lovely piece for a prelude as your guests are arriving at the ceremony.

"Thinking Out Loud," Pianella

Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" is a wedding favorite, and all of your guests will know the words. This piano cover makes a perfect first dance song.

"Clair de Lune, L.32" Claude Debussy

As far as piano wedding songs are concerned, the delicate, emotional keys of "Clair de Lune" make it one of Debussy's most popular. It makes for a beautiful wedding processional song or even a first dance.

"I Won't Give Up," Welder Dias Piano

Jason Mraz knows how to write love songs, and "I Won't Give Up" is perhaps one of his best. Using this cover as one of your piano wedding songs is perfect for cocktail hour, dinner or even a first dance.

"So This is Love," Emile Pandolfi

Also called "The Cinderella Waltz" and featured in Disney's Cinderella movie, "So This is Love" is a recognizable and enchanting instrumental. Imagine this playing as you or your spouse walks down the aisle.

"Liebesträum (Love Dream)," Franz Liszt

The soft and ever-popular "Liebesträum" from 1850 is one of Franz Liszt's most popular works. It's mostly solo piano, and feels enchanting and ethereal all at once—truly like a dream. It's absolutely whimsical for a ceremony setting and processional.

"A Thousand Years," The Piano Guys

Released as part of Breaking Dawn's soundtrack, Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years" is so romantic that it has collected over 900 million streams on Spotify. This piano cover is a great wedding reception song for a first dance or a slow dance.

"Ave Maria," Franz Schubert

This piano wedding song is perfect for church wedding ceremonies. It's the perfect traditional song for your wedding day, no matter which part of the ceremony you use it for.

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"Isn't She Lovely," Yohan Kim

Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" is all about love, specifically the love parents have for their children. Play this piano cover (or find a wedding band to play it as an ensemble) during a special dance with your and your spouse's kids, if you have them.

"Rêverie," Claude Debussy

Another one of Claude Debussy's more popular pieces, "Reverie" is a soft, dainty piano piece that is simply beautiful. It's a great piano wedding song if you and your spouse are considering a classic first dance.

"Can't Help Falling in Love," The Piano Guys

A classic for wedding ceremonies and receptions alike, this 1961 Elvis hit is sure to please your guests as much as it does you and your spouse. It's one of the most romantic, popular songs of all time, so this cover will be a great addition to your piano wedding songs, especially for a dreamy first dance. It would also be great as a strings cover, so you could also use it as a violin wedding song if that's more your style.

"To a Wild Rose," Edward MacDowell

Edward MacDowell's "To a Wild Rose" is a pretty simple piano piece. The song feels very hopeful and romantic, bringing the perfect mood to any part of your wedding ceremony.

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Johann Sebastian Bach

A staple of classical music, '"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (also sometimes just called "Joy") emits the kind of beauty and positivity anyone will want at their wedding. When it comes to wedding ceremony songs for piano, this one is a popular choice for a processional.

"All of Me," Costantino Carrara

Modern poet and king of love songs John Legend's most popular tune is emotional and hopeful all at once. Not to mention, with 1.5 billion streams on Spotify alone, a good number of your guests are sure to sing along during the reception. We love this piano cover for a classical twist.

"Canon in D," Johann Pachelbel

Often accompanied by a cello, "Canon in D" is a classic piece, supposedly written for Johann Sebastian Bach's brother's wedding by Pachelbel. Whether that's true or not, the uplifting and joyful piece is a wedding essential for classical-music lovers.

"Une Barque Sur L'Océan," André Laplante

This alluring song is another piece from the Call Me by Your Name movie soundtrack. The title translates to "A Boat on the Ocean" in English, and the piece itself has a joyful, serene nature like being out on the water on a sunny day. It's a nice prelude piece, but can fit anywhere in your wedding!

"Wedding March," Felix Mendelssohn

Often thought to have accompanied Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is aptly named to be perfect for your wedding ceremony. It makes for a very traditional and grand wedding processional song.

"Trumpet Voluntary," Jeremiah Clarke

No, you don't necessarily need to have a live trumpet to perform this famous entrance song—it also works well as a piano solo, or with a string quartet.

"Love Story," Riyandi Kusuma

This song definitely differs from classical music and canons, but Taylor Swift's "Love Story" is a Romeo and Juliet piece that you shouldn't discount for your wedding reception. It's romantic, recognizable and a fun piece for any reception.

"Roses Montage," Elmer Bernstein

Bernstein's "Roses Montage," from the soundtrack to the film Age of Innocence, is a simultaneously deep and uplifting instrumental. The world will feel like it's going in slow motion when you play this song during your processional.

"Ode to Joy," Ludwig van Beethoven

This traditional wedding song from Beethoven is widely used during ceremonies, especially processionals, and it's easy to see why. With a simple score and catchy melody, it's a song full of hope, which is probably why this particular piano wedding song is still so popular centuries after it was first composed.

"River," Leon Bridges

Fans of Leon Bridges swoon over this soulful tune time and time again. Hire a pianist to play a cover of it for wistful romantic vibes that'll make your wedding day unforgettable.

"Real Love Baby," Father John Misty

If you'd like to inject a more modern feel when it comes to your wedding piano songs, consider playing a cover of this whimsical love song by Father John Misty.

"How Sweet It Is," Marvin Gaye

While the original version of this classic love song is perfect in its own right, the keys version will not disappoint.

"pov," by Ariana Grande

For a Bridgerton-inspired wedding soundtrack, find a pianist who can play instrumental covers of popular songs. Fans will remember the Strings From Paris version of "pov" in season three—now just imagine it played on a piano!

"Nothing Can Change This Love," Sam Cooke

Not much compares to the romantic sound of Sam Cooke, except maybe the piano versions of his songs (maybe). This 1962 love song will be the perfect addition to your wedding piano music, guaranteed.

"You Send Me," Aretha Franklin

With its heartfelt tune and well-known lyrics, this Aretha Franklin song is a timeless expression of love that'll translate beautifully as one of your piano wedding songs.

"These Arms of Mine," Otis Redding

The soulful melody of this classic love song evokes deep emotion and tenderness, making it perfect for an intimate, heartfelt moment during a wedding ceremony — especially played on the piano.

"You're So Fine," Papa Bear & His Cubs

This upbeat song has a catchy, rhythmic groove that'll translate beautifully into a joyful piano instrumental, perfect for adding a little fun to your celebration.

"That's Where It's At," Sam Cooke

When it comes to wedding ceremony songs for piano, you can't go wrong with Sam Cooke. The smooth, expressive melody of this song is warm and romantic, which will create a soothing and loving vibe as a piano cover.

"Day Dreaming," Aretha Franklin

The dreamy and reflective quality of this song's tune is perfectly suited for a serene, contemplative piano wedding song that's sure to be a hit on your list of ceremony songs.

"Dancing In the Moonlight," King Harvest

While it may not be one of the most traditional piano wedding songs, this song can bring a joyful and celebratory energy when translated into a piano instrumental, perfect for a recessional or reception.

"6 Pezzi, P. 44: No. 6. Intermezzo-serenata," Ottorino Respighi

This classical piano piece has an elegant and romantic character, making it a fantastic choice for a sophisticated wedding moment.

"6 Consolations, S. 172: No. 3 in D-Flat Major (Lento, placido)," Franz Liszt

Fans of Franz Liszt will tell you this is a must-have on any wedding playlist. Serene and gentle, it's perfect for a quiet, reflective ceremony moment.

"Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 9 No. 2," Frederic Chopin

This popular Chopin piece is renowned for its lyrical beauty and romanticism, making it a perfect piano wedding song to underscore the love and tenderness of a ceremony.

"Capriccio Brilliant, Op. 22: Andante," Felix Mendelssohn

The expressive qualities of this piano piece can convey deep emotion and warmth, ideal for a poignant moment in the wedding ceremony.

"Eloise," Jordan Seigal

With its modern, yet emotional melody, this song can bring a contemporary and heartfelt touch to a wedding, making it a memorable choice for a sweet moment during your celebration.

"Adore You," Harry Styles

Any Harry Styles fan would highly recommend this popular love song. Its uplifting nature makes it a perfect choice for a modern wedding, bringing warmth and joy when translated into a piano instrumental.

"Marry You," Bruno Mars

This lively and celebratory track is ideal for a fun moment in the wedding (like the recessional), and works wonderfully as an instrumental piano cover.

"Wonderful Tonight," Eric Clapton

The slow, tender melody of this song captures the essence of a romantic evening, making it a perfect choice for a piano wedding song — especially as a first dance or processional.

"My Girl," The Temptations

This iconic song will bring a smile to all of your guests' faces, making it a delightful choice for a piano instrumental.

"Un Sospiro," Franz Liszt

With its flowing arpeggios and romantic harmonies, this piece can certainly add a sense of grandeur and emotion to a wedding ceremony. It's a tough piece to play, so make sure to discuss it with your wedding musician if you hope to have it played live at your wedding.

More Piano Wedding Song Ideas

Find more wedding piano music inspiration from these music selections. Don't forget to ask your wedding ceremony musicians if they can accommodate a special song request.

      Additional reporting by Brittany Barber.

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