Top Love Songs: Weddings

Wedding rings

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Love songs are a fundamental part of pop music. Most of us can think of particular songs we associate with the love relationships of our lives. In the third of a 5 part series on love songs, here are the top 10 love songs that are appropriate for wedding ceremonies. Songs are listed in alphabetical order by the name of the artist.

10
of 10

Ann Wilson and Mike Reno - "Almost Paradise" (1984)

Mike Reno and Ann Wilson - Almost Paradise

Columbia

The rock bands Heart and Loverboy were at the peak of their commercial success when their lead vocalists were invited to record a love song duet for the film ​Footloose. Pop singer-songwriter Eric Carmen, best known for his hits "All By Myself" and "Hungry Eyes" wrote the music and Dean Pitchford, who won an Academy Award for the title song for Fame, wrote the lyrics. It was the third top 10 pop hit single from the Footloose soundtrack following the #1 title smash by Kenny Loggins and the #1 hit "Let's Hear It for the Boy" by Deniece Williams. 

09
of 10

Sting - "Fields Of Gold" (1993)

Sting - Fields of Gold

A&M

Sting wrote "Fields of Gold" inspired by the view from his 16th-century manor house in England. The song was released as the second single from Sting's album Ten Summoner's Tales, but it only reached #23 on the U.S. pop singles chart. It climbed to #2 on the adult contemporary chart ​and has since become one of the best-loved of Sting's songs. It has been covered by a wide range of artists and used frequently as a wedding song.

08
of 10

John Legend - "All of Me" (2013)

John Legend - All of Me

Columbia

Singer-songwriter John Legend was inspired to write "All of Me" by his then-fiancee and later wife Chrissy Teigen. The piano ballad turned into a smash hit reaching #1 on the pop singles chart and selling over 4.5 million copies in 2014. It spent a phenomenal 23 consecutive weeks inside the pop top 10 and more than a year on the chart overall. The song's earnest expression of love makes it an outstanding choice as a wedding song. The success of "All of Me" helped John Legend's album Love in the Future reach gold certification status for sales. 

07
of 10

98 Degrees - I Do (Cherish You) (1999)

98 Degrees - I Do Cherish You

Universal

Co-written by Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Hill, who had his own major pop hit "Sometimes When We Touch" in the 1970s, "I Do (Cherish You)" first hit music charts when recorded by country singer Mark Wills in 1998. He went to #2 on the country chart. Boy band 98 Degrees released their version as the fourth single from the album 98 Degrees and Rising. It was their fourth consecutive top 20 pop hit peaking at #13 and reached the top 5 on the adult contemporary chart. 

06
of 10

Etta James - "At Last" (1960)

Etta James - At Last

Argo

The song "At Last" is an intensely romantic tune and has been identified as Etta James' signature song. However, the song's origin goes back nearly two decades before the legendary pop-blues singer recorded it. It was introduced in the 1941 film Sun Valley Serenade in a version performed by Glenn Miller and his orchestra. A 1952 version by trumpeter Ray Anthony reached #2 on the pop singles chart. Etta James' version missed the top 40 on the pop chart when initially released, but its reputation has grown since. Her recording of the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

05
of 10

Christina Perri - "A Thousand Years" (2011)

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years

Atlantic

After emerging as a pop star with her breakthrough single "Jar of Hearts," Christina Perri contributed the love theme "A Thousand Years" to the soundtrack for the film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1. The song was a top 10 hit at adult pop radio and became Christina Perri's second song to reach the pop top 40. The sincere lyrics make it a great wedding song.

04
of 10

Ed Sheeran - "Thinking Out Loud" (2014)

Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud

Atlantic

After English singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran, released "Thinking Out Loud," he referred to it as a "walking down the aisle song." He wrote the song with long-term friend Amy Wadge. He also mentioned then-girlfriend Athina Andrelos as an inspiration. "Thinking About You" peaked at #2 on the U.S. pop singles chart for eight weeks. It also topped both the adult pop and adult contemporary charts on the way to selling over 5.5 million copies.  

03
of 10

Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun (1970)

Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun

A&M

"We've Only Just Begun" was written by songwriter Paul Williams and first used for a bank commercial behind footage of a young couple making their first financial plans. It was then recorded by relative unknowns the Carpenters and helped make them stars, hitting #2 on the U.S. pop singles chart. Paul Williams became one of the most successful pop songwriters in the business. The song's upbeat message about setting out on life's path together has made it a favorite wedding song for over three decades.

02
of 10

Beatles - In My Life (1965)

Beatles - Rubber Soul

Capitol

Some claim this to be one of the greatest songs ever written and performed by the Beatles. It couples a wistful, almost nostalgic, remembrance of the past with the reassurance "In my life, I love you more." The song was included on the Beatle's groundbreaking album Rubber Soul. The lyrics were written primarily by John Lennon and it was the first time he wrote specifically about his own life. The Beatles' recording was not released as a single, but Bette Midler reached the top 20 of the adult ​contemporary chart with her cover released in 1992.

01
of 10

Atlantic Starr - Always (1987)

Atlantic Starr - Always

Warner Bros.

R&B band Atlantic Starr had a string of R&B hits including four reaching their top 10 dating back to 1978 before "Secret Lovers" broke into the top 5 on the pop chart in 1985. They returned to the upper reaches of the chart with "Always," the biggest hit of their career, in 1987. It has been a wedding favorite from its initial release. Atlantic Starr returned to the pop top 5 one more time with "Masterpiece" in 1992.