20 Getting Ready Songs to Play On Your Wedding Day

Listen to these tunes while you prep for your big day.
20 Getting Ready Songs to Play On Your Wedding Day
Photo: Maya Myers Photography
Lauren Dana Ellman - The Knot Contributor.
by
Lauren Dana Ellman
Lauren Dana Ellman - The Knot Contributor.
Lauren Dana Ellman
The Knot Contributor
  • Lauren is a contributor for The Knot covering topics such as music, cakes, venues and speeches.
  • She has been published in a wide array of lifetsyle-oriented publications including SELF and Allure.
  • Lauren is a proud graduate of Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School of Public Communication.
Updated Nov 01, 2024

The morning of your wedding day is bound to be an exciting (albeit overwhelming) one. And, as you prep for the big day ahead, you'll need a few getting ready songs to hype you up (or calm your nerves).

Before compiling your favorite songs, keep in mind that a great getting ready playlist is one that offers plenty of variety (think: power ballads, pop hits and steamy love songs). This will ensure everyone—friends, family members, the wedding party and you, of course!—remain happy, energized and excited throughout the day's events.

The best part? A majority of these tracks make for some of the best wedding songs and are versatile enough to be played during the ceremony and/or reception itself. Being said, if you see any wedding songs that you love as you scroll through this list, make a note of them. Afterward, ask your wedding DJ to work your request(s) into their lineup of wedding music (or hire a wedding band to play 'em live!). Keep reading for 20 of our favorite getting ready songs: Happy listening!

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

1. "Love On Top," Beyoncé

Lyrics you'll love: "Baby it's you/You're the one I love/You're the one I need/You're the only one I see"

Get pumped up for your wedding day by playing Beyoncé's beloved "Love On Top." The R&B-inspired number (which won the award for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2013) is an upbeat one, complete with heartwarming lyrics about finally finding the one that you love.

2. "Back On 74," Jungle

Lyrics you'll love: "Go? Back on 74 (when I noticed you)/Call this place my home/Never gonna cry anymore"

This groovy band has plenty of getting ready songs in their repertoire—but something about "Back On 74" hits different. While it's not necessarily a love song, it's definitely appropriate for a wedding, so keep it on your radar for other moments during your big day.

3. "Birds of a Feather," Billie Eilish

Lyrics you'll love: "Birds of a feather, we should stick together, I know/I said I'd never think I wasn't better alone"

Here's one of the best getting ready songs for all the Billie Eilish fans out there. Make sure to send this one over to your wedding DJ and play it during your reception too.

4. "All Of Me," John Legend

Lyrics you'll love: "You're my end and my beginnin'/Even when I lose, I'm winnin'/'Cause I give you all of me/And you give me all of you"

John Legend is renowned for his romantic ballads, and "All Of Me" is among his most famous. The song's intimate lyrics, coupled with the sweet piano instrumentals, make it the perfect prewedding song. Besides, what better way is there to start off your big day than with an endearing love song?

5. "Real Love Baby," Father John Misty

Lyrics you'll love: "I'm a flower, you're my bee/It's much older than you and me/I'm in love, I'm alive/I belong to the stars and sky"

"Real Love Baby" by Father John Misty has a smooth, mellow vibe that's just perfect for setting a laid-back, stress-free mood as you get ready to say "I do."

6. "Here Comes The Sun," The Beatles

Lyrics you'll love: "Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces/Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here/Here comes the sun do, do, do/Here comes the sun/And I say it's all right"

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Set the tone for the exciting day ahead by playing "Here Comes The Sun." The Beatles' now-iconic track, which was written by band member George Harrison, features gorgeous acoustic instrumentals. The song's positive message will have you feeling hopeful and optimistic about the day—and years—ahead.

7. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," Whitney Houston

Lyrics you'll love: "Oh, I wanna dance with somebody/I wanna feel the heat with somebody/Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody/With somebody who loves me"

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" shows off Whitney Houston's incredible vocal range. It's hard to believe that the steamy pop song was released over 30 years ago, as its catchy chorus and stunning harmonizing have made it withstand the test of time. Play it as you get ready with your wedding party by your side—and keep in mind that singing and dancing are most definitely encouraged.

8. "Day Dreaming," by Aretha Franklin

Lyrics you'll love: "Daydreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you/Look at my heart floating away"

Keep things dreamy and romantic with this classic song by Aretha Franklin. You could also ask your wedding band to play it during your ceremony or reception too.

9. "Adventure of a Lifetime," Coldplay

Lyrics you'll love: "I feel my heart beating/Oh, you make me feel/Like I'm alive again"

While it'd be tricky to choose our favorite Coldplay song of all time, "Adventure Of A Lifetime" is definitely within the top five. Your wedding day signifies the beginning of an "adventure of a lifetime" (see what we did there?), making this groovy Coldplay hit especially apropos for your prewedding playlist. Throughout the tune, lead singer Chris Martin passionately croons about a special someone making him feel "alive again."

10. "Can't Stop The Feeling!," Justin Timberlake

Lyrics you'll love: "Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance/Feeling good, good, creeping up on you/So just dance, dance, dance, come on"

We can't help but crack a smile every time you hear Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop The Feeling!" The lighthearted, Grammy-winning song combines disco, pop and funk music genres. Blast it out loud for an instant burst of energy to push you through the seemingly endless hours of wedding preparation ahead of walking down the aisle.

11. "Paper Rings," Taylor Swift

Lyrics you'll love: "I like shiny things, but I'd marry you with paper rings/Uh-huh, that's right/Darling, you're the one I want"

Calling all Taylor Swift fans: You'll want to rock out to "Paper Rings" in the hours leading up to your ceremony. "This song talks about true love," Swift told fans in a Spotify Storyline. The singer-songwriter continued, "If you really find true love, you probably don't really care what the symbolism of that love is."

12. "Chapel Of Love," The Dixie Cups

Lyrics you'll love: "We'll love until the end of time/And we'll never be lonely anymore

The Dixie Cups' rendition of "Chapel Of Love" remains timeless. The narrator's excitement as she prepares for her wedding day is palpable. As such, the tune has remained a popular prewedding song choice since its 1964 release. Since then, it's been covered by other esteemed artists, including Elton John, Bette Midler and The Beach Boys.

13. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)," Stevie Wonder

Lyrics you'll love: "Ooh, baby, you set my soul on fire/That's why I know you're my heart's only desire/Ooh baby, here I am/Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours"

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" is one of Stevie Wonder's most famous tunes. While you may or may not consider this soulful number to be a typical love song, the catchy chorus makes a fitting prewedding song choice in celebration of your impending nuptials.

14. "At Last," Etta James

Lyrics you'll love: "At last/The skies above are blue/My heart was wrapped up in clover/The night I looked at you"

Although "At Last" was written back in 1942, it didn't become popular until Etta James covered it in the 1960s. Today, James' rendition is one of the most popular love songs. While it's a beloved first dance song, it also makes for an excellent prewedding song thanks to James' stunning vocals (coupled with the swoon-worthy lyrics, of course). Several artists, including Celine Dion and Beyoncé, have since covered it.

15. "Pink Pony Club," Chappell Roan

Lyrics you'll love: "God, what have you done?/You're a pink pony girl/And you dance at the club/Oh mama, I'm just having fun"

If you've jumped on the Chappell Roan bandwagon, then it's likely all of her hits have made it onto your getting ready playlist. If not, throw this one there—it's a real banger.

16. "A Thousand Years," Christina Perri

Lyrics you'll love: "I have loved you for a thousand years/I'll love you for a thousand more"

Twilight enthusiasts will recognize "A Thousand Years" from Breaking Dawn—Part 1 and Breaking Dawn—Part 2. However, everyone—including non-Twilight fans—can appreciate the song's fairytale-worthy lyrics, which make it well worth playing as you're getting ready for your first look reveal.

17. "Come On Over (All I Want Is You)" Christina Aguilera

Lyrics you'll love: "Now baby don't be shy/You better cross the line/I'm gonna love you right"

Transport yourself back in time to the '90s by blasting this Christina Aguilera classic as you get ready to walk down the aisle. The pop song is especially ideal for playing in a group setting (for example, when your wedding party first arrives). Its upbeat rhythm, coupled with Aguilera's powerful pipes, will get everyone amped up for the several hours (and countless photos) ahead.

18. "I Do," Colbie Caillat

Lyrics you'll love: "You make me wanna say I do, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do/Love you"

You can already tell from the title alone that this Colbie Caillat song makes an excellent addition to your prewedding playlist. The happy lyrics and breezy acoustics, along with Caillat's signature soothing vocals, will help set the scene for a magical and memorable wedding day.

19. "You've Got The Love," by Florence + The Machine

Lyrics you'll love: "Sometimes, I feel like throwing my hands up in the air/I know I can count on you"

When it comes to getting ready songs that'll hype you up to see your beloved, few others belt it out like Florence + The Machine. This is definitely a song you could add to your wedding reception playlist, too, so make sure to send it to your wedding musicians.

20. "Sugar," Maroon 5

Lyrics you'll love: "You are the one thing, one thing I'm living for/I don't wanna be needing your love/I just wanna be deep in your love"

Opt to play this cheery—and oh-so-sultry—Maroon 5 track as you ring in the start of your big day. (The lyrics are filled with sexual innuendos, so keep that in mind before playing it in front of Grandma Nora or Uncle Bob.) The music video, in which the band crashes actual weddings around Los Angeles, will make you even more excited for your special day.

Additional reporting by Brittany Barber.

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