[Wedding Ceremony & Reception BGM] Recommended Songs and How to Choose Them by Scene!
There are countless decisions that brides and grooms need to make as they prepare for their wedding and reception.
Background music is one of them!
With so much to get ready, many couples may find they just can’t get around to choosing songs.
However, music plays a crucial role in the reception, and the atmosphere of the venue can change dramatically depending on the tracks you choose!
In this article, we’ll highlight recommended songs—focusing on tracks that are actually popular at receptions—and share tips for selecting music for each scene.
We’ve arranged everything in the order of a typical reception schedule, so please read along while imagining the flow of the day.
Playlist
| reception of guests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | CanonJohann Pachelbel |  play_arrow | Pachelbel’s Canon is perfect for welcoming guests. |
| 2east | Married LifeMichael Giacchino |  play_arrow | The moving masterpiece from Up |
| 3east | Lovin’ YouMinnie Riperton |  play_arrow | Minnie Riperton’s refreshingly cool song |
| 4east | Sunday MorningMaroon 5 |  play_arrow | A heartwarming ballad by Maroon 5 |
| 5east | Just The Way You AreBruno Mars |  play_arrow | Bruno Mars’s classic is popular for weddings |
| 6east | Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Lord, the joy of human longing)J.S.Bach |  play_arrow | Bach’s elegant masterpiece in triple meter |
| 7east | Butterfly EffectSEKAI NO OWARI |  play_arrow | SEKAI NO OWARI’s Fantastic New Song |
| 8east | SummerHisaishi Joe |  play_arrow | Joe Hisaishi’s famous summer piece, used in commercials after the film adaptation |
| 9east | If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi (Matsutoya Yumi) |  play_arrow | A gentle and hopeful masterpiece by Yumi Arai |
| 10east | Happiness ForeverMISIA |  play_arrow | Gospel-style song for MISIA weddings |
| 11east | String Quartet No. 2, Movement 3: NocturneAlexander Borodin |  play_arrow | Borodin’s chamber music masterpiece of love |
| 12east | Romantic Scene: EpilogueEnric Granados |  play_arrow | The elegant strains of a Spanish wedding |
| 13east | Ombra mai fuGeorg Friedrich Händel |  play_arrow | A masterwork of Handel’s elegant Baroque music |
| 14south_east | CanonJohann Pachelbel |  play_arrow | Pachelbel’s elegant masterpiece, Canon |
| 15east | Song of SpringFelix Mendelssohn |  play_arrow | Famous pieces from Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words |
| 16east | Jesu, Joy of Man’s DesiringJ.S.Bach |  play_arrow | Bach’s classic wedding song |
| 17east | Andante cantabilePyotr Tchaikovsky |  play_arrow | Tchaikovsky's String Quartets |
| 18east | Procession to Elsa’s CathedralRichard Wagner |  play_arrow | Wagner’s Lohengrin wedding standard |
| 19east | Maiden’s Prayer, Op. 4Tekla Bądarzewska |  play_arrow | Badarzewska’s representative piano piece |
| admission | |||
| 20east | Wonderful WorldETERNITY∞ |  play_arrow | A popular ethereal song for Western music entrances |
| 21east | HappinessAI |  play_arrow | A quarter-foreign female singer AI’s winter wedding song |
| 22east | Wedding March Part2Q;indivi Starring Rin Oikawa |  play_arrow | Classical music arranged in a pop style is popular for weddings. |
| 23east | I Was Born To Love YouQueen |  play_arrow | Queen's classic is popular at weddings |
| 24east | Familiasumika |  play_arrow | Recommended entrance song: "Familia" by sumika |
| 25east | just the way you areBruno Mars | play_arrow | Bruno Mars's songs are popular for wedding entrance music |
| 26east | Precious LoveEXILE ATSUSHI |  play_arrow | ATSUSHI’s classic wedding song |
| 27east | Far AwayNickelback |  play_arrow | Nickelback's love song |
| 28east | A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly |  play_arrow | As a wedding staple, songs that powerfully sing about love are popular with brides and grooms. |
| 29east | The one and only Cinderella in the worldfeat. U/PENGIN |  play_arrow | Prince’s entrance song for the wedding reception |
| 30east | Wedding MarchRichard Wagner |  play_arrow | Wagner’s famous piece, beloved at weddings |
| 31east | Wedding MarchASOBI domei |  play_arrow | Wedding song for the ASOBI Alliance |
| Cheers | |||
| 32east | Super celebratory songFRUITS ZIPPER |  play_arrow | FRUITS ZIPPER’s positive songs |
| 33east | I LOVE…Ofisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | Official HIGE DANDism Captures Hearts with a Love Song |
| 34east | CharacterRyokushokushakai |  play_arrow | Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s pep song that boosts self-esteem |
| 35east | Happy Summer WeddingMōningu Musume. |  play_arrow | Morning Musume’s first double-digit member wedding song BGM |
| 36east | Crazy about youEXILE |  play_arrow | A song about the love shared with friends and a passion for music |
| 37east | BOYKing Gnu |  play_arrow | A popular song about a boy’s growth and hope |
| 38east | CHEERSMrs. GREEN APPLE |  play_arrow | Sing about everyday happiness with a bright, upbeat melody |
| 39east | Banzai — I’m glad I loved you.Urufuruzu |  play_arrow | A wedding song by Ulfuls that celebrates gratitude and joy |
| 40east | R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu |  play_arrow | Sandaime J Soul Brothers, techno-sounding dance music |
| 41east | The King’s RestaurantTakayuki Hattori |  play_arrow | Takayuki Hattori’s Wedding Classics |
| 42east | La Traviata – Drinking SongGiuseppe Verdi |  play_arrow | The splendid duet from Verdi’s La Traviata |
| chat; pleasant conversation; friendly talk | |||
| 43east | Unrequited loveAimer |  play_arrow | A moving song by Aimer that sings of eternal love |
| 44east | SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | An emotional winter ballad |
| 45east | CHE.R.RYYUI |  play_arrow | A spring-like love song by YUI. Suitable for weddings. |
| 46east | Happinessaiko |  play_arrow | Wedding BGM for aiko |
| 47east | Loverssumika |  play_arrow | Sumika’s single commemorating Kataoka’s return, a song depicting the bonds of love |
| 48east | LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota’s classic love song used as a TV drama theme |
| 49east | Love so sweetarashi |  play_arrow | A love song by Arashi that was the theme song for Hana Yori Dango |
| 50east | Call Me MaybeCarly Rae Jepsen |  play_arrow | Carly Rae Jepsen’s cute song |
| 51east | 365 daysMr.Children |  play_arrow | A moving slow ballad depicting the parent-child love of Mr. Children |
| 52east | sunflowerHakasé Tarō |  play_arrow | I feel at ease with the theme song of Teppan. |
| 53east | HumoresqueAntonín Dvořák |  play_arrow | A lively signature piece inspired by Dvořák’s image of a train |
| 54east | On Wings of SongFelix Mendelssohn |  play_arrow | The elegant melodies of Mendelssohn's masterpieces |
| 55east | Waltz of the FlowersPyotr Tchaikovsky |  play_arrow | Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker |
| cake cutting | |||
| 56east | SugarMaroon 5 |  play_arrow | A sweet love song by Maroon 5 |
| 57east | Partneryuka |  play_arrow | A wedding song that expresses gratitude to a loved one |
| 58east | HAPPY HAPPYTwice |  play_arrow | TWICE wedding pop song |
| 59east | Marry YouBruno Mars |  play_arrow | Bruno Mars wedding pop songs |
| 60south_east | A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly | play_arrow | The love and gratitude contained in the bouquet |
| 61east | Ordinary daysmilet |  play_arrow | A warm ballad that sings of the preciousness of everyday life and the bonds we share |
| 62east | Star Lablationkerakera |  play_arrow | The perfect cheer song for the cake-cutting |
| 63east | Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran |  play_arrow | Ed Sheeran Eternal Love Love Song |
| 64east | Ever Ever AfterCarrie Underwood |  play_arrow | A Disney movie theme song suitable for weddings |
| 65east | ButterflyKimura Kaera |  play_arrow | Classic wedding songs for weddings |
| 66east | Amazing Graceamerika min’yō |  play_arrow | A hymn of repentance by one who turned from a slave ship captain to a minister |
| leaving in the middle / leaving partway through / intermission | |||
| 67east | cute personUrufuruzu |  play_arrow | This song by Ulfuls expresses gratitude to a mother and... |
| 68east | signpostFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | A deeply moving message expressing gratitude to my parents… |
| 69east | Circle of Thanksayaka |  play_arrow | A song expressing gratitude to a mother who stayed on my side even when I was going through my rebellious phase. |
| 70east | Memories are beautifulAimer |  play_arrow | A moving ballad that portrays family bonds, filled with love and gratitude for a father. |
| 71east | HappinessChe’Nelle |  play_arrow | We also used Ms. Che’Nelle’s songs as background music at the wedding... |
| 72east | Daphne (winter daphne)DISH// |  play_arrow | In DISH//'s latest work, the interlude during a wedding cerem— |
| 73east | Letterback number |  play_arrow | A candid song expressing heartfelt gratitude to my parents, warm and... |
| 74east | Make it into a bouquet.wacci |  play_arrow | Included on the 3rd album “Ultramarine Refrain”… |
| 75east | Motherkariyushi 58 |  play_arrow | It’s a song that honestly expresses feelings toward one’s mother. Ordinary... |
| 76east | Life Is BeautifulKetsumeishi |  play_arrow | Powerfully singing about the beauty of life, Ketsumei… |
| Entrance for the outfit change | |||
| 77east | DEAR MY LOVERHey! Say! JUMP |  play_arrow | A love song by Hey! Say! JUMP |
| 78east | Beauty and the BeastAriana Grande & John Legend |  play_arrow | A song from a love story that transcends time |
| 79east | Marry YouBruno Mars | play_arrow | Bruno Mars’s wedding song |
| 80east | Boom!Maia Hirasawa |  play_arrow | A warm commercial jingle that delivers hope and courage |
| 81east | Beautifulyuzu |  play_arrow | A cheer song that sings of the courage to face difficulties |
| 82east | Summertime CinderellaRyokushokushakai |  play_arrow | A song depicting summer love, a fateful encounter and a sweet romance |
| 83east | Just The Way You AreBruno Mars | play_arrow | Bruno Mars’s famous songs that can be used for profile videos and the like |
| 84east | HANAKurabe Takuya |  play_arrow | A mellow love song |
| 85east | My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion |  play_arrow | An elegant love song inserted in Titanic |
| 86east | The Door to TomorrowKawashima Ai |  play_arrow | A bright debut song that portrays first love |
| 87east | 1.15 Million Kilometers of FilmOfisharu Higedan Dism |  play_arrow | A moving wedding song that likens a couple’s life to a movie |
| Bride's letter | |||
| 88east | To the futureKiroro |  play_arrow | Kiroro’s classic filled with hope and love |
| 89east | Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro |  play_arrow | Ballad theme song from a Doraemon movie |
| 90east | Since I was littleJUDY AND MARY |  play_arrow | Introduction to JUDY AND MARY’s Wedding Love Songs |
| 91east | Letterback number |  play_arrow | Docomo commercial hit wedding thank-you song |
| 92east | A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru |  play_arrow | A song by Hikaru Utada that entrusts gratitude to a bouquet |
| 93east | Thank you, forever…Nishiuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Mariya Nishiuchi’s Wedding Ballad |
| 94south_east | ButterflyKimura Kaera | play_arrow | A song to celebrate my best friend’s wedding |
| 95east | To MomAI |  play_arrow | A moving ballad that expresses gratitude to a mother |
| 96east | FlowerNaka Kousuke |  play_arrow | The fleetingly beautiful songs of Ataru Nakamura gently accompany the heart. |
| 97south_east | Circle of Thanksayaka | play_arrow | Ayaka’s gratitude song resonates in the heart |
| Bouquet presentation | |||
| 98east | MiracleGReeeeN |  play_arrow | A love song that portrays the bond with a beloved person |
| 99east | bouquetback number |  play_arrow | The perfect moving song for presenting a bouquet at a wedding |
| 100south_east | A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly | play_arrow | Superfly’s moving masterpiece ballad |
| 101east | I can’t put it into wordsOda Kazumasa |  play_arrow | Oda Kazumasa’s classic song about heartbreak |
| 102east | Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu |  play_arrow | A moving wedding song to welcome family |
| 103east | Pure white brideZushi Sankyōdai |  play_arrow | Popular songs with a family-love theme for weddings |
| 104south_east | To the futureKiroro |  play_arrow | A warm melody filled with gratitude and hope for my mother |
| 105east | A bouquet with all my heartSazan Ōrusutāzu |  play_arrow | Southern All Stars' Parents Gratitude Song |
| 106east | Motherkariyushi 58 | play_arrow | Kariyushi58's song of gratitude to his mother |
| 107east | A Bouquet for YouUtada Hikaru | play_arrow | Hikaru Utada’s NHK morning drama theme song |
| 108east | Trumpet VoluntaryJeremiah Clark |  play_arrow | Celebrate brilliantly with a trumpet festival piece |
| Exit | |||
| 109east | Love On TopBeyoncé |  play_arrow | A moving song that sings gratitude for love |
| 110east | Marry YouBruno Mars | play_arrow | Bruno Mars’s upbeat wedding-themed song |
| 111east | PerfectEd Sheeran |  play_arrow | A gem-like love song that weaves love and hope |
| 112east | Better TogetherJack Johnson |  play_arrow | A love message song that sings about the everyday happiness of a married couple |
| 113east | You’re BeautifulJames Blunt |  play_arrow | Romantic ballads that are representative songs of James Blunt |
| 114east | Can’t Stop the Feeling!Justin Timberlake |  play_arrow | Positive songs from Trolls |
| 115east | Just The Way You AreBruno Mars | play_arrow | Bruno Mars’s love songs are a wedding reception staple. |
| 116east | Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran | play_arrow | Ed Sheeran's eternal love song |
| 117east | Kiss MeSixpence None The Richer |  play_arrow | A classic by Sixpence None the Richer |
| 118east | Until I Found YouStephen Sanchez |  play_arrow | Stefan’s smash hit propelled his career forward |
| send-off | |||
| 119east | rainbow-coloredayaka |  play_arrow | A recessional song using the theme song from Hanako to Anne |
| 120east | Ever Ever AfterCarrie Underwood |  play_arrow | Theme song of Enchanted |
| 121east | A future we create togetherKetsumeishi |  play_arrow | A celebratory song wishing for happiness in the future |
| 122east | Before YouBenson Boone |  play_arrow | Benson Boone sings of true love |
| 123east | All of MeJohn Legend |  play_arrow | A masterpiece love song filled with John Legend’s love for his wife |
| 124east | Until I Found YouStephen Sanchez | play_arrow | Stephen Sanchez's ballads are perfect for weddings. |
| 125east | Today was a fairytaleTaylor Swift |  play_arrow | Taylor Swift's love songs |
| 126east | rainbowSuda Masaki |  play_arrow | Masaki Suda’s moving wedding song |
| 127south_east | HappinessAI | play_arrow | A song that wishes for everyone's happiness |
| 128east | PromiseHirai Dai |  play_arrow | An inspiring ukulele piece that vows eternal love |