Recommended for 2026 weddings! A collection of classic songs by female Western artists

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.

If you’re a fan of Western music, you probably want to use your favorite classic tracks as BGM for important events.

And when it comes to a major life event like a wedding, you’ll want to be extra careful in selecting the songs you use.

With that in mind, this article introduces a curated list of classic and popular female-vocal tracks—including the latest hits—that fit a variety of wedding scenes, all under the theme of Western music.

Since it’s not uncommon in Western music for a beloved love song to actually be a breakup song, we’ve also included reviews that touch on the lyrics.

Enjoy!

[2026] Recommended for weddings! A collection of classic songs by female Western artists (21–30)

Love Me Like You DoEllie Goulding

Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do (Official Video)

Love Me Like You DoEllie Goulding

A gem of a love song that blends a sweet, wistful vocal with a grand, cinematic sound.

Ellie Goulding’s translucent voice beautifully conveys deep affection and devoted emotion for her partner.

The exhilarating rush of falling in love and the unconditional trust in someone precious resonate through the beautiful melodic lines.

Released in January 2015 and widely talked about as the theme song for the film “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the track is also included on the album “Delirium.” It became a massive hit, topping the UK charts for four consecutive weeks.

Perfect for a wedding recessional, it creates a warmly celebratory atmosphere that brings the newlyweds and guests together as one.

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Always Be My BabyMariah Carey

Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby (Official Music Video)

Always Be My BabyMariah Carey

If you spent your youth in the 1990s, this massive hit will have you squinting with nostalgia! “Always Be My Baby,” released in 1996 by America’s world-renowned songstress Mariah Carey, topped the Billboard chart in the U.S.

for two consecutive weeks.

It’s a medium-tempo, pop-tinged R&B track that lets you fully savor Mariah’s extraordinary vocal power and expressive range.

As the title suggests, the lyrics convey the nuance of “you’ll always be my special someone,” making it a charming love song—but depending on how you interpret it, the protagonist’s position might feel a bit precarious.

We recommend using it as background music with a mindset of looking back on memories—“ah, remember those days?”

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Keep Holding OnAvril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne – Keep Holding On

Keep Holding OnAvril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne, who made her debut at the young age of 17 and became a global hit, now holds a queen-like position in the pop-punk scene and remains hugely popular among the generation driving the pop-punk revival since the 2020s.

She is also a foreign artist with high name recognition in Japan.

Many people might say that the first Western music they loved was Avril’s.

Among her many famous songs, the one we’re highlighting today is Keep Holding On, released in 2006.

It’s a powerful power ballad in 3/4 time that creates a grand atmosphere, with Avril’s emotional vocals striking straight to the heart.

Some may remember it as the theme song for the film Eragon.

The song Keep Holding On conveys the unbreakable bond between two people who won’t be defeated by fate, telling you that you’re not alone and that together you can get through anything.

If you play it during the highlight of a wedding, it will undoubtedly move everyone in the venue and create an unforgettable moment.

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Love On TopBeyoncé

Beyoncé – Love On Top (Official Video)

Love On TopBeyoncé

A gem of R&B that sings gratitude and joy for a loved one over a bright, uplifting melody.

Its warm, ’80s-inspired arrangement and majestic choral work brilliantly capture a heart brimming with happiness.

Beyoncé’s commanding vocal prowess shines throughout, and the way the song channels rising emotion through four key changes is breathtaking.

A track from the album “4,” it has garnered numerous music awards since its release in September 2011, winning Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

Overflowing with blessings for a couple embarking on a new chapter together, this song is an ideal choice as a wedding recessional number.

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You Raise Me UpCeltic Woman

Celtic Woman – You Raise Me Up (Live)

You Raise Me UpCeltic Woman

Many of you who listen to the song “You Raise Me Up” introduced here will probably recall it as the piece used in the exhibition program when Shizuka Arakawa won the gold medal in the women’s event at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.

The original was released in 2002 by Secret Garden, an Irish-Norwegian duo that was also very popular in Japan, and the version widely known thanks to Arakawa’s use is by the Irish female group Celtic Woman.

With its mystically beautiful choral work proclaiming “You raise me up,” this song is perfectly suited to celebrating the fresh start of two people who will be supporting each other and sharing their lives.

Try playing it when you want to create a solemn, majestic atmosphere.

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