[2026] Brighten your wedding with Western music BGM! Recommended English-language wedding songs

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

We’re introducing some recommended Western songs for your wedding BGM! If you’re a couple who loves Western music, you’ll want to make your reception feel like “you” by using Western tracks throughout.

That said, if you switch out every track for each scene and for background conversations, you’ll end up needing a dozen or more songs.

Your favorite songs might not always suit a celebratory occasion, and choosing can be tough… So for those dealing with that dilemma, we’ve put together a list of Western songs that work well across various wedding moments.

We focused our research on recent hits, including the latest tracks, and we also introduce timeless classics in the latter half—so you’re sure to get compliments on your great taste.

Use this article as a guide to help you create a wedding that’s brimming with your unique personalities!

[2026] Make Your Wedding Sparkle with Western Music BGM! Recommended Western Wedding Songs (11–20)

Everything Has Changed (ft. Ed Sheeran)Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift – Everything Has Changed ft. Ed Sheeran

Everything Has Changed (ft. Ed Sheeran)Taylor Swift

As a perfect song choice for a wedding, I recommend the collaboration between Taylor Swift and the UK-born Ed Sheeran.

It’s a charming ballad featuring the duo’s seamless harmonies and warm melodies, with lyrics that capture the thrilling uncertainty and hopeful expectations of a new romance born from a life-changing encounter.

It carefully portrays two people who long to truly get to know each other.

Included on the album Red and released with a music video, the track received high praise from critics and won numerous music awards.

Paired with its pure-love storyline in the video, I think it’s an ideal song for a wedding opening or end credits.

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Lift Me UpRihanna

Rihanna – Lift Me Up (From Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

Lift Me UpRihanna

A moving power ballad that conveys warmth and strength in Rihanna’s voice is featured on the soundtrack of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Her first new song in six years, Lift Me Up is a special track dedicated to Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in 2020.

Its lyrics, filled with the sorrow of losing a loved one and the longing for reunion, gently resonate with listeners as a grand love song in a broader sense.

Played at a wedding, it’s sure to convey the couple’s deep bond and their gratitude to guests.

It’s a perfect song for a special day when you vow eternal love.

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PerfectEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Perfect (Official Music Video)

PerfectEd Sheeran

Perfect, which Ed Sheeran wrote for his longtime friend from high school and now wife Cherry Seaborn, is a love song whose simple lyrics and melody gently let his deep affection seep through.

It tells a universally relatable love story—about two people who met when they were young, the hardships they’ve overcome, and a bond that deepens over time.

In particular, the chorus line, “Baby, I’m dancing in the dark, with you between my arms,” conveys the idea that the greatest happiness is found in the everyday moments spent with someone you love.

Released in 2017, it became a social phenomenon and a massive hit, topping charts across many countries, and it’s highly recommended as wedding background music.

A pure and profound ode to love, this song is, in my view, a perfect choice for the moment you vow eternal love.

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Shut Up and DanceWalk the Moon

WALK THE MOON – Shut Up and Dance (Official Video)

Shut Up and DanceWalk the Moon

It’s “Shut Up and Dance,” a song released in 2014 by the American pop band WALK THE MOON.

It’s an upbeat dance number that gets listeners excited.

The vocals by Nicholas Petricca are so strong that you might think of a second Maroon 5.

This track is included on the album TALKING IS HARD.

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If I Fall In LoveAli Gatie

Ali Gatie – If I Fall In Love [Official Music Video with Lyrics]

If I Fall In LoveAli Gatie

Iraqi-Canadian singer-songwriter Ali Gatie’s track “If I Fall In Love” blends R&B and contemporary pop in his signature style, with emotionally rich lyrics that delicately capture the subtleties of the heart.

Released in October 2022, this love song expresses the strong hope and devotion that come with finding true love, making it perfect for a wedding first dance.

It’s an ideal choice for moving moments when you want to convey your feelings to someone special.

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As It WasHarry Styles

Harry Styles – As It Was (Official Video)

As It WasHarry Styles

“As It Was,” the lead single from British singer-songwriter Harry Styles’s 2022 album “Harry’s House,” is a standout hit that came to define the year.

Many will recognize Styles’s mellow vocals paired with a polished synth-pop sound.

Drawn from his own experiences—adapting to a post-pandemic reality and grappling with loneliness and fame—the song was named one of 2022’s best tracks by numerous music outlets.

While some say it reflects his relationship with Olivia Wilde, it’s also a song that would surely resonate with many guests as wedding background music.

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[2026] Enliven Your Wedding with Western Music BGM! Recommended Western Wedding Songs (21–30)

SymphonyImagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons – Symphony (Official Visualizer)

SymphonyImagine Dragons

“Symphony” is a song by the popular American band Imagine Dragons, released in July 2022.

It was a lead single from their sixth album, Mercury – Acts 1 & 2, and features lyrics that memorably liken life and love to a symphony.

While depicting affection for oneself and those around them—especially family—it expresses both the uncertainty and the beauty of life.

The instruments that appear symbolize the diversity of human relationships and life, hinting at music’s comfort and strength.

With its melodic sound and highly meaningful lyrics, it’s a work that resonates with listeners.

It’s also recommended as wedding background music, perfect for scenes that convey gratitude to family and guests.

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