Wedding season is here, so be prepared to spend every weekend for the next three months in uncomfortable shoes and slightly in debt from all the registry gifts you’ve had to buy. But if you’re the one getting married, congratulations! We know the planning of your big day can be a bit stressful, what with choosing napkin colours and organising seating plans that separate your two pals who used to date and now can’t be in the same room as each other.
But we’re here to make it a bit easier! If you’re stumped for that all important wedding songs to walk down the aisle too, we’ve got your back. Here are ten indie beauties perfect for that magic moment:
Lana Del Rey – ‘Video Games’
This is the track that launched Lana’s huge career, so why not make it the one that launches the rest of your life? Impossibly beautiful with gloriously amorous lyrics, this is basically the perfect wedding song.
Most romantic lyrics: “Heaven is a place on earth with you”
The Smiths – ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’
C’mon – can you get much more in love than this? The lyrics describe being so head over heels with your bae that you’re even praising dying alongside them! Ignore the morbid undertones, and waltz down the aisle to this.
Most romantic lyrics: “To die by your side/Is such a heavenly way to die“
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Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – ‘Home’
This songs says that you love your future hun more than pumpkin pie, chocolate candy and Jesus Christ – and who says romance is dead?
Most romantic lyrics: “Home is whenever I’m with you”
The Cure – ‘Friday I’m In Love’
Hopefully you love your fiancée every day of the week, not just Friday; but regardless this classic by The Cure is an absolute anthem, and will give you something totally different to walk down the aisle too.
Most romantic lyrics: “Dressed up to the eyes/It’s a wonderful surprise/To see your shoes and your spirits rise/Throwing out your frown”
Elbow – ‘One Day Like This’
Because any song that can make “holy cow” sound this romantic is a keeper.
Most romantic lyrics: “Cause holy cow, I love your eyes/And only now I see the light/Yeah, lying with me half awake/Oh, anyway, it’s looking like a beautiful day”
The xx – ‘Say Something Loving’
Glide down the aisle to the dulcet tones of The xx’s ode to falling in love.
Most romantic lyrics: “I went looking for it/Could have been anyone’s kiss/Throwing my arms at no one/When I gave up, I found love”
Mystery Jets – ‘Two Doors Down’
Oh 2008, a simpler time. We didn’t have Trump or Brexit, and Kanye wasn’t having a meltdown on Twitter. And we had wholesome indie bops like ‘Two Doors Down’. Recreate the past decade, with this playing as you walk down the aisle.
Most romantic lyrics: “And maybe I should call her up/And invite her around/And one day we could move to another town”
Florence and The Machine – ‘You’ve Got The Love’
Florence’s euphoric cover of Candi Staton’s 80s bop is a shimmering success, made for gliding down the aisle in a flowing gown.
Most romantic lyrics: “Time after time I think “Oh Lord, what’s the use?”/Time after time I think it’s just no good/Sooner or later in life, the things you love you lose/But you’ve got the love I need to see me through”
The Maccabees – ‘Toothpaste Kisses’
RIP The Maccabees, another beloved band that went too soon. Across their four albums we were gifted with many a banger, but few can hold a candle to the sugary ‘Toothpaste Kisses’. Effortlessly charming and completely lovely, it was always destined to be a wedding song.
Most romantic lyrics: “Put the stars in our eyes/And with heart shaped bruises/And late night kisses”
Wolf Alice – ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’
The shimmering soundtrack to summer romance is a total belter. The quartet’s cinematic slice of sunshine could be your bold, but brilliant, song to walk down the aisle to.
Most romantic lyrics: “You’ve turned me upside down/And that’s okay, I’ll let it happen”
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – ‘Maps’
Just imagine walking down the aisle accompanied by the epic guitar riffs and Karen O’s roaring vocals: indie perfection.
Most romantic lyrics: “Wait, they don’t love you like I love you”
The Beach Boys – ‘God Only Knows’
You know it’s a bloody good song if it can reduce Paul McCartney to tears because he’s so moved by it. What with the swirling instrumentals, and the wistful and emotive lyrics, it’s a song fit for your big day.
Most romantic lyrics: “God only knows what I’d be without you”
Ben E King – ‘Stand By Me’
Get the congregation on their feet and dancing by making this your entrance music. Who needs something sombre and traditional when you can boogie to the altar to this stone-cold classic?
Most romantic lyrics: “When the night has come/And the land is dark/And the moon is the only light we’ll see/No I won’t be afraid, No I won’t be afraid/ Just as long as you stand, stand by me“
Bright Eyes – ‘First Day Of My Life’
Keep it stripped-back and make Conor Oberst and co’s twinkling indie anthem your aisle music; there won’t be a dry eye in the place.
Most romantic lyrics: “And you said: ‘This is the first day of my life/I’m glad I didn’t die before I met you/But now I don’t care, I could go anywhere with you/And I’d probably be happy’“
Cat Power – ‘Sea of Love’
Sparkling and intimate, Cat Power’s ‘Sea of Love’ is basically the perfect love song. Understated and sweet, it’s an excellent aisle song.
Most romantic lyric: “I wanna tell you/How much/I love you“
The Beatles – ‘All You Need Is Love’
Channel that scene in Love Actually with this Beatles classic…or, ya know, just enter to one of the most jubilant songs of all time.
Most romantic lyric: “All you need is love, love, love is all you need”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oHeeEot35M
Nat ‘King’ Cole – ‘L-O-V-E’
Another more upbeat one, because really, walking down the aisle to the wedding march can be a slow and boring process. Instead, strut to your future spouse accompanied by this jazz classic.
Most romantic lyrics: “Two in love can make it/Take my heart, and please don’t break it/Love, was made for me and you.“
Wolfman featuring Peter Doherty – ‘For Lovers’
Who wouldn’t want to walk down the aisle accompanied by Pete Doherty’s crooning vocals?
Most romantic lyrics: “This is for lovers/Running away“
Mac DeMarco – ‘Still Together’
Mac’s ‘Still Together’ is about nothing more than being totally head-over-heels in love – what could be more wedding appropriate?
Most romantic lyrics: “And when she’s low, I’ll always know/We’ll always go together”
Death Cab for Cutie – ‘I Will Follow You into the Dark’
Okay so some may think it’s a bit morbid; but Ben Gibbard’s ballad is a stunner, and hella romantic, so what more do you need?
Most romantic lyrics: “Love of mine, someday you will die/But I’ll be close behind and I’ll follow you into the dark”