65 Mellow Wedding Prelude Songs to Play Before Your Ceremony Ideas

Music defines so many of the most important parts of a wedding—the reception entrance, first dance, last dance—that it only makes sense for there to be some good tunes playing before the festivities begin. Most wedding guests (the good ones, at least) arrive about 10 to 15 minutes before the ceremony begins, and though you're not required to provide any entertainment for this period, it's not a bad idea to have some music playing to fill the time.

This is called prelude music, and when used, it's played for about 30 minutes before the ceremony start time and consists of mellow songs that set the mood for a meaningful moment. Whether played on a speaker or by a string quartet or band, the music can create the ambiance you desire.

Match your prelude music to the overall vibe of your wedding. For a rustic wedding in nature, contemporary acoustic songs make a great choice; for a traditional ceremony, pick mostly classical, instrumental music.

Generally, five or six songs are the right amount, so take a listen to 65 of our favorite ceremony prelude songs and have fun making your selections.

01of 65 "Moonlight Sonata," by Beethoven Why We Love It: A soft piano melody makes this song soothing and peaceful.

02of 65 "A Case of You," by Joni Mitchell Lyrics of Love: "I remember that time that you told me, you said/Love is touching souls"

03of 65 "Helplessly Hoping," by Crosby, Stills & Nash Lyrics of Love: "They are one person/They are two alone/They are three together/They are for each other"

04of 65 "Harvest Moon," by Neil Young Lyrics of Love: "Because I'm still in love with you/I want to see you dance again"

05of 65 "God Only Knows," by John Legend and Cynthia Erivo Lyrics of Love: "God only knows what I'd be without you"

06of 65 "I and Love and You," by The Avett Brothers Lyrics of Love: "Three words that became hard to say/I and love and you"

07of 65 "Serenade, D. 957, No. 4," by Franz Schubert Why We Love It: An uplifting and energetic violin performance to set the mood.

08of 65 "Everything," by Michael Bublé Lyrics of Love: "And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times/It's you, it's you; you make me sing"

09of 65 "Real Love," by The Beatles Lyrics of Love: "Don't need to be alone/No need to be alone/It's real love"

10of 65 "Still Fallin'," by Hunter Hayes Lyrics of Love: "I hold on to every word/Like it's the first one that I've heard/It's the only time I've ever felt like this this"

11of 65 "Ho Hey," by The Lumineers Lyrics of Love: "I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart"

12of 65 "Sheep May Safely Graze," by Bach Why We Love It: A popular piano piece great for celebrations.

13of 65 "Yellow," by Coldplay Lyrics of Love: "I came along/I wrote a song for you/And all the things you do/And it was called 'Yellow'"

14of 65 "The One," by Kodaline Lyrics of Love: "Tell me that you want me/And I'll be yours completely/For better or for worse"

15of 65 "Ave Maria," by Beyoncé Lyrics of Love: "I found heaven on Earth/You are my last, my first"

16of 65 "We've Only Just Begun," by Carpenters Lyrics of Love: "And when the evening comes, we smile/So much of life ahead/We'll find a place where there's room to grow"

17of 65 "Love," by Lana Del Rey Lyrics of Love: "To be young and in love/Don't worry, baby"

18of 65 "The Best of My Love," by Eagles Lyrics of Love: "Oh, sweet darlin'/You get the best of my love"

19of 65 "Water Music Suite No.3, HWV 350," by George Frideric Handel Why We Love It: A robust orchestra to usher in an exciting day.

20of 65 "Make You Feel My Love," by Bob Dylan Lyrics of Love: "When the rain is blowing in your face/And the whole world is on your case/I could offer a warm embrace/To make you feel my love"

21of 65 "(Ummm, Oh Yeah) Dearest," by Buddy Holly Lyrics of Love: "Dearest, though you're the nearest to my heart/Please don't ever, ummm yeah, ever ever say we'll part"

22of 65 "Clair de Lune," by Claude Debussy Why We Love It: An emotional piano performance that oozes romance.

23of 65 "She's Got a Way," by Billy Joel Lyrics of Love: "She's got a way about her/I don't know what it is/But I know that I can't live without her"

24of 65 "Can't Help Falling in Love," by Ingrid Michaelson Lyrics of Love: "Some things are meant to be/So take my hand, and take my whole life too/Cause I can't help falling in love with you"

25of 65 "The Wind," by Yusuf / Cat Stevens Lyrics of Love: "I listen to my words but they fall far below/I let my music take me where my heart wants to go"

26of 65 "#34," by Dave Matthews Band Lyrics of Love: "Lean upon me/I'll lean upon you/We'll be ok"

27of 65 "How Sweet It Is," by James Taylor Lyrics of Love: "Everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before/But you brighten up for me all of my days/With a love so sweet in so many ways"

28of 65 "XO," by John Mayer Lyrics of Love: "Your heart is glowing/And I'm crashing into you/Baby kiss me, kiss me"

29of 65 "Cherish," by The Association Lyrics of Love: "And I do/Cherish you"

30of 65 "Crazy Love," by Van Morrison Lyrics of Love: "I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles/And the heaven's open every time she smiles"

31of 65 "Truly," by Lionel Richie Lyrics of Love: "There's no other love like your love/And I, as long as I live/I'll give you all the joy/My heart and soul can give"

32of 65 "You and I," by Stevie Wonder Lyrics of Love: "Here we are on Earth together/It's you and I/God has made us fall in love, it's true/I've really found someone like you"

33of 65 "So Beautiful," by Musiq Soulchild Lyrics of Love: "Cause it just feels so right/I don't wanna waste no time/If I had to choose I know/I'm going always choose to be with you"

34of 65 "Come Rain or Come Shine," by Billie Holiday Lyrics of Love: "I'm gonna love you like nobody's loved you/Come rain or come shine/High as a mountain and deep as a river"

35of 65 "Evergreen," by Barbra Streisand Lyrics of Love: "Love soft as an easy chair/Love fresh as the morning air/One love that is shared by two/I have found with you"

36of 65 "Time After Time," by Iron & Wine Lyrics of Love: "If you're lost, you can look and you will find me/Time after time/If you fall, I will catch you, I'll be waiting/Time after time"

37of 65 "Better Together," by Jack Johnson Lyrics of Love: "It's not always easy and/Sometimes life can be deceiving/I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together"

38of 65 "The Way I Am," by Ingrid Michaelson Lyrics of Love: "If you were falling/Then I would catch you/You need a light/I'd find a match/Cause I love the way you say good morning/And you take me the way I am"

39of 65 "I'm With You," by Vance Joy Lyrics of Love: "I was just coasting 'til we met/You remind me just how good it can get"

40of 65 "Lovin' You," by Minnie Riperton Lyrics of Love: "No one else can make me feel/The colors that you bring/Stay with me while we grow old/And we will live each day in springtime"

41of 65 "Lucky," by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat Lyrics of Love: "I'm lucky we're in love in every way/Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed"

42of 65 "Invisible String," by Taylor Swift Lyrics of Love: "And isn't it just so pretty to think/All along there was some/Invisible string/Tying you to me?"

43of 65 "Just the Way You Are," by The Piano Guys Why We Love It: A beautiful piano rendition of a romantic pop song.

44of 65 "Steady As We Go," by Dave Matthews Band Lyrics of Love: "I walk halfway around the world/Just to sit down by your side/And I would do most anything girl/To be the apple of your eye"

45of 65 "Thinking Out Loud," by Ed Sheeran Lyrics of Love: "Take me into your loving arms/Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars/Place your head on my beating heart"

46of 65 "Love You for a Long Time," by Maggie Rogers Lyrics of Love: "And in the morning when I'm waking up/I swear you're the first thing that I'm thinking of/I feel it in my body, know it in my mind/Oh, I, I'm gonna love you for a long time"

47of 65 "Love Is a Verb," by John Mayer Lyrics of Love: "When you show me love/I don't need your words/Yeah, love ain't a thing/Love is a verb"

48of 65 "River," by Leon Bridges Lyrics of Love: "Take me to your river/I wanna go/Oh, go/Take me to your river/I wanna know"

49of 65 "Lover," by Taylor Swift Lyrics of Love: "Can I go where you go?/Can we always be this close forever and ever?/And ah, take me out, and take me home/You're my, my, my, my lover"

50of 65 "Put Your Records On," by Corinne Bailey Rae Lyrics of Love: "Girl, put your records on, tell me your favorite song/You go ahead, let your hair down"

51of 65 "I Like You," by Ben Rector Lyrics of Love: "There are way too many love songs/And I think they've got it all wrong/'Cause life is not the mountain tops/It's the walking in between/And I like you walking next to me"

52of 65 "O Perfect Love," by Sir Joseph Barnby Why We Love It: A classic, uplifting piano tune that emanates romance.

53of 65 "Falling Like the Stars," by James Arthur Lyrics of Love: "I swear to God, when I come home/I'm gonna hold you so close/I swear to God, when I come home/I'll never let go"

54of 65 "Forever You and Me," by The Teskey Brothers Lyrics of Love: "It could be forever, a lifetime spent together/It could be, forever you and me"

55of 65 "Come Home to Me," by Léon Lyrics of Love: "Oh, love, hold me closer 'til we're old 'cause/You know that in your arms I feel at/Home, love, take me over, say you know now"

56of 65 "Here On Out," by Dave Matthews Band Lyrics of Love: "When you laugh, it's like a light/That fills me up/'Cause you are my love/Like when I fell into your eyes/I could not get out/And I could not get enough"

57of 65 "Save Room," by John Legend Lyrics of Love: "Let down your guard just a little/I'll keep you safe in these arms of mine/Hold on to me, pretty baby/You will see, I can be all you need"

58of 65 "Rainbow," by Kacey Musgraves Lyrics of Love: "Let go of your umbrella/'Cause, darlin', I'm just tryin' to tell ya/That there's always been a rainbow hangin' over your head"

59of 65 "Yours (Wedding Edition)," by Russell Dickerson Lyrics of Love: "I came to life when I first kissed you/The best me has his arms around you/You make me better than I was before/Thank God I'm yours"

60of 65 "Home to You," by Sigrid Lyrics of Love: "When I don't know what to do/There's a room I need to sit in/Surrounded by my favorite view/And I need a hand to hold/Someone to tell the truth/Would it be okay if I came home to you?"

61of 65 "I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You," by Imaginary Future and Kina Grannis Lyrics of Love: "Oh believe me/I've been counting my stars/Cause I will spend my whole life/Loving you"

62of 65 "Marry Me," by Train Lyrics of Love: "Together can never be close enough for me/To feel like I am close enough to you/You wear white, and I'll wear out the words 'I love you'"

63of 65 "Collide," by Howie Day Lyrics of Love: "Even the best fall down sometimes/Even the wrong words seem to rhyme/Out of the doubt that fills your mind/You finally find/You and I collide"

64of 65 "First Day of My Life," by Bright Eyes Lyrics of Love: "Yours was the first face that I saw/I think I was blind before I met you/And I don't know where I am, I don't know where I've been/But I know where I want to go"

65of 65 "Cherry Wine (Live)," by Hozier Lyrics of Love: "The way she tells me I'm hers and she is mine/Open hand or closed fist would be fine/The blood is rare and sweet as cherry wine"