10 Wedding Songs That Will Touch Your Soul

Some songs belong to a moment: the doors opening, the hush before your first dance, your dad taking your hand. Here are ten that leave Boston guests reaching for tissues, and the moment each was made for.

1. A Thousand Years, Christina Perri

It starts as a whisper. A few soft notes while your guests turn in their seats, then a slow climb toward a chorus that seems to lift the whole room. On strings, the violins soar over the warm sweep of the cello, and suddenly it sounds like it was written for your walk toward the person waiting for you.

Couples tell us this is the song that gave them goosebumps as they walked down the aisle. We look forward to playing it every single time, because we know exactly what it does to a room.

3. I Choose You, Sara Bareilles

A promise set to music. It's warm rather than formal, with a smile running all the way through it, which makes it perfect for couples who want their entrance to feel joyful as well as emotional.

With a singer and guitar, every word is meant for the person you're about to marry. Your guests hear the lyrics, and they feel them too: you can watch the grins spread along the rows as the chorus arrives. It's a lovely choice for a relaxed ceremony with nothing stiff about it.

5. All of Me, John Legend

One of the most loved first dances of the last decade, and it's easy to hear why. It's a piano ballad, so it shines with a singer at the keys and the room gathered close around you.

Every line is about loving each other exactly as you are. When the lights drop and the first chords ring out, your guests go quiet and the two of you get a few minutes that belong to nobody else. Couples often tell us we nailed their first dance with this one, and that's the feeling we're playing for: honest, close and a little bit teary.

7. Better Together, Jack Johnson

Easy and sunny, like the first warm afternoon of the year. It sets the perfect vibe for cocktail hour, with guests mingling on the lawn and nobody in a hurry.

It also makes a gorgeous first dance for couples who'd rather sway than perform. No choreography, no spotlight nerves, just the two of you swaying and laughing while everyone you love looks on. An Acoustic Singer keeps it relaxed and personal, as if a friend has picked up a guitar just for you.

9. What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong

Gentle and familiar, it gets three generations smiling at once. Grandparents know every word, parents remember it from their own childhoods, and even the youngest guests sway along.

It's a beautiful choice for a father-daughter or mother-son dance, because it feels grateful rather than sad. Played live, the simple melody gives you room to talk, laugh and hold on a little tighter. A singer with keys or guitar keeps it warm and close. Looking for more ideas? Our father-daughter dance guide has songs for every kind of dad

Can a live band play any song we choose?

Almost any. Choose your songs for the big moments and we'll play them live, the way you've always heard them in your head.

For strings, we play from a library of almost 1,000 arrangements of today's biggest songs, written exclusively by us. You won't hear them played this way anywhere else. Couples love hearing their favorite songs on strings, and you'll see guests smile the moment they recognize the tune.

If your song isn't in the library yet, just ask. There's a good chance we can make it happen, and your Band Manager will walk you through it.