Camera Hannah aka Hannah Millard is a wedding photographer and filmmaker from Derby, UK. She's not sure why she's writing this in the third person.
First of all let me say: there is nothing wrong with a bit of cheese. Heck, cheese is subjective. Maybe you’ll think this list contains a bit of la fromage. I can’t guarantee that this post is lacto-free. But… I can guarantee that this list doesn’t contain all the same usual suspects you find when you’re looking for wedding songs (sorry, Ed Sheeran, it’s not personal.) Choosing music for your wedding can be a bit daunting and chances are if you’ve found your way to this post you’re looking for a deeper dive into the potential soundtrack to your day. So, I’ve compiled a bumper playlist of songs you maybe haven’t heard of or thought of that you can use at your wedding, which has some little-heard covers, classic songs you may have forgotten about and some indie treasures! If you’re looking for first dance songs I’ve made another post for those here.
I Like the Way This Is Going - Eels
“Whichever way the wind is blowing, I like the way this is going”
Thirteen - Big Star
“Won't you tell me what you're thinking of? Would you be an outlaw for my love?”
Northern Sky - Nick Drake
“I never held emotion in the palm of my hand, or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree, But now you're here… Brighten my northern sky.”
What The World Needs Now - Cat Power
“What the world needs now is love, sweet love, It's the only thing that there's just too little of”
I Want To Hold Your Hand - T.V Carpio
“And when I touch you, I feel happy inside”
Can’t Help Falling in Love - Beck
“Like a river flows, surely to the sea, darling, so it goes, some things are meant to be…”
The Book of Love - Peter Gabriel
“I love it when you sing to me And you… You can sing me anything”
First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
“Yours was the first face that I saw, I think I was blind before I met you”
The Luckiest - Ben Folds
“And where was I before the day, That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it every day”
I Was Made For You - She & Him
“When I saw you smile, I saw a dream come true”
Into My Arms - Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
“And I don't believe in the existence of angels, But looking at you I wonder if that's true”
Lover’s Spit - Broken Social Scene
“You know it’s time that we grow old and do some…”
You and Me - Penny & The Quarters
“When love is real you don't have to show it, when it is true than everyone will know”
Our Love Will Grow - The Showmen
“We’ll always be united, no matter how far we’re apart”
Everything With You - Pains of Being Pure At Heart
“I'm with you and the stars are crashing through, I want everything with you”
Dreaming - Allo Darlin’
“I was surprised by how happy I was, don’t ask why it’s just because”
Kathy’s Song - Simon and Garfunkel
“My thoughts are many miles away, They lie with you when you're asleep, And kiss you when you start your day”
Annie’s Song - John Denver
“You fill up my senses like a night in the forest”
True Love Will Find You In The End - Daniel Johnson
“Don't be sad, I know you will, but don't give up until True love will find you in the end”
I’ll Be Your Mirror - The Velvet Underground
“I find it hard to believe you don't know, the beauty you are”
There Is An Everlasting Song - Belle and Sebastian
“My ink is wet, there is no paper could contain
The depth of feeling that I pledge to you”
Our House - Crosby, Stills Nash & Young
“Life used to be so hard, now everything is easy ‘cause of you”
Rally Those Hopes - Giants and Pilgrims
“Take my love and my tendencies… I'll stay with you if you stay with me”
My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone
“ My baby don't care for shows, And he don't even care for clothes… He cares for me”
Dearest - Buddy Holly
“Dearest, though you're the nearest to my heart
Please don't ever ever ever say we'll part”
I Melt With You - Nouvelle Vague
“There’s nothing you and I won’t do”
This Must Be The Place - Iron & Wine
“Share the same space for a minute or two,
And you love me till my heart stops”
All I Want Is You - Barry Louis Polisar
“All I want is you, will you be my bride, Take me by the hand and stand by my side?”
Sunlight In A Jar - The Lucksmiths
“Complex, completely credible love, the kind that is made not handed to you from above”
Friday I’m In Love - Yo La Tengo
“Dressed up to the eyes, it’s a wonderful surprise”
And there we have it - 30 non-cheesy songs you might like to add to the soundtrack of your wedding. I hope you find some inspiration here, if you want to share some songs you love let me know in the comments. If you’d like me to photograph and/or film your wedding I would love to hear from you! My style is super informal, fun and creative… so if you’re looking to spend hours posing with a forced smile on your face then I’m probably not the photographer for you. If you’re looking to have someone to capture your day, to be there for all the hugs and belly laughs and ridiculous dance moves… I might just be your girl. Get in touch over on my contact page and let’s talk!