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Best Alternative Wedding Songs

It’s a month away from the “marry” month of June, and there’s no time like the present for future brides to start making their wedding song list. In the past year, the airwaves were filled with songs about proposals and marriage. Brides can take their cue from those, or start with a couple of classics and some personal favorites for a different yet memorable mix to be played on their special day. At a loss on where to start? Take inspiration from the alternative wedding song sample list below.

Wedding processional: “Longing to Belong”, Eddie Vedder

Who knew a grunge-era frontman can wield a ukulele and sing with enough sentimentality worthy of a bridal march? If you are tired of the “Here Comes the Bride” red carpet route, consider something that is simple, with words that echo how you and your future spouse feel about each other…and one that will make you glow even more with love on your wedding day. Eddie Vedder’s song is short enough for a walk down the aisle, and his words are like vows themselves:

“I’ll land in your arms
’cause all my time is spent here
longing to belong
to you”

Exchange of wedding vows: “Come Here”, Kath Bloom

“There’s wind that blows in from the north.
And it says that loving takes this course.
Come here. Come here.”

Kath Bloom’s song was chosen to be part of the 1995 romantic film “Before Sunrise”. Director Richard Linklater’s discovery of an obscure American songwriter and musician inadvertently gave way to a song fit for an exchange of wedding vows. In fact, many indie musicians found “Come Here” resonated with them so much that they created a tribute album for Kath in 2009 called “Loving Takes This Course”.

Declaration of marriage and the Kiss: “Wonderful”, My Morning Jacket

When the officiant proclaims you as “…man and wife” and urges your husband to “kiss the bride”, this song can capture the moment perfectly. “I feel so wonderful, wonderful, wonderful the way I feel” cannot be emphasized enough, and it doesn’t hurt that the band sings the line so emphatically and so emotionally.

Recessional: “Hoppipolla”, Sigur Ros

The Icelandic band Sigur Ros created this song which means “jumping into puddles”. While it has no discernible English words to relate to, a lot of television programs in English have chosen it as a background theme, closing credits, awarding accompaniment, and other moments that introduced it to a mainstream audience. The sweeping music fills one with hope, and flawlessly fills in that space when a newly married couple exits the wedding venue as one.

 

Couple’s first dance: “Sparkplug Minuet”, Mark Mothersbaugh

Another hope-filled song perfect that is ideal to dance to, Sparkplug Minuet embodies hope and joy without being cliché with unnecessary words. Absolutely perfect for a couple’s first, most memorable dance, in short.

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