Here are a few folk and/or acoustic songs that would go well at a wedding! Folk and acoustic tunes tend to be well written, full of rich and touching lyrical content, that can add a nostalgic touch to the tone of your wedding. They can work well as background music before the ceremony or reception. Some of these are also very easy to play on a guitar if you want to have a friend perform – it won’t be hard for them to make it sound great!

Even if you’re not planning a wedding, hopefully you will enjoy these anyway!

1. “Kingdom Come” by Coldplay

This song is pretty stripped down for Coldplay but carries quite a bit of emotional weight with its substantive, almost reverent, chord progression.

For you I’d wait ‘til kingdom come

Until my day

My day is done

And say you’ll come

And set me free

Just say you’ll wait,

You’ll wait for me

(Coldplay performing Kingdom Come & Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire on Austin City Limits)

2. “All My Mistakes” by the Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers are experts at poignant, gut-wrenching ballads straight from the heart. This slow, sweet, contemplative piece is nothing short of brilliant.

But I can't go back

And I don't want to

'Cause all my mistakes

They brought me to you

Here they are playing the song at a wedding!

3. “Ribs” by Page France

Impress all your hipster friends with this (now defunct) all-but-unheard-of indie band Page France. Their song “Ribs” is full of beautiful imagery taken from the creation of Adam and Eve in the Bible:

You were made out of my ribs

We share a heart, we share the stars

4. “Lover of the Light” by Mumford & Sons

A power-packed celebratory love-anthem from Mumford & Sons’ most recent album, Babel.

But I'd be yours if you'd be mine

So love the one you hold

And I'll be your goal

To have and to hold

A lover of the light

5. “If I Needed You” by Andrew Bird

Have a friend who plays a mean fiddle? How about asking them to play this Andrew Bird cover of the country & western classic: “If I Needed You.” It is available on his newest EP, Hands of Glory.

The lady’s with me now

since I showed her how


To lay her lily hand in mine


Loop and Lil agree she’s a sight to see


And a treasure for the poor to find

6. “Such Great Heights” by Iron & Wine

Originally written by Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie for his electronica side-project The Postal Service, Sam Beam of Iron & Wine puts a tender twist on this highly acclaimed indie love song.

I am thinking it's a sign

That the freckles in our eyes

Are mirror images and when we kiss

They're perfectly aligned

7. “Sacred Vision” by Iron & Wine

While on the subject of Iron & Wine, this romantic little tune from their album of B-Sides – Around the Well – is another great one.

There's no sacred vision like her

No eye-crushing mountain or jewelry to wear

There's no granted wish I prefer

Then she to be with me, for us to be there

8. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Ingrid Michaelson

This piano-driven cover of the Elvis Presley classic by Ingrid Michaelson is sure to draw a few tears from your mother. Use it wisely.

Take my hand

Take my whole life too

Because I can’t help falling in love with you

9. “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers

This new indie-folk band has come from nowhere in recent months and taken the charts by storm with their fantastic single “Ho Hey”

I belong with you, you belong with me

You’re my sweetheart

I belong with you, you belong with me

You’re my sweetheart

10. “Christmas TV” by Slow Club

Guy/girl folk duos write the best love songs.

I like the way that our arguments stop when we fall asleep

Can you think of some other good ones? Share them below!

Comments

Nicholas Colitses on April 22, 2015:

Ashton Lane's (Primrose Hill) has outdoor wedding cinematic feel of true love, set near Abby Road, and the most beautiful place on earth, the Human Heart!!

TexasRunner on December 29, 2014:

Avett Brothers "Swept Away" (Sentimental Version) is a really nice one for a wedding.

Laudemhir Jan from Davao City, Philippines on September 01, 2014:

I am glad you featured Iron & Wine in this article! Most of his music are wedding-materials! But you forgot my favorite one from him, Flightless Bird, American Mouth - that's certainly one of my favorite wedding song of all time!

Hehe nice list by the way, especially Mumford & Sons and Iron & Wine's cover of Such Great Heights! And I agree with "Not with Haste" it would make a great wedding song too!

Olivier on August 29, 2014:

Among the Mumford and Songs I'd pick 'Not with haste'.... always makes me think of my lady.

anon101 on January 15, 2014:

All great songs, but I would swap "Dead Sea" for "Ho Hey"-- while the chorus of the latter is adorable, the verses describe a man longing for a woman who chose another man over him... not the best wedding song.

jtrader on March 26, 2013:

Romantic songs.

Kyson Parks (author) from San Diego, CA on February 07, 2013:

Greensleeves Hubs - thanks for reading/listening! Folk music in all its forms and variations is a truly wonderful thing!

Greensleeves Hubs from Essex, UK on February 06, 2013:

An interesting ciollection of songs busillis22, and I like your reasons for suggesting that folk and acoustic songs could make a welcome addition or alternative to the more conventional fare at a wedding. Certainly I can agree with the point about the 'lyrical and nostalgic' touch. Nice too to hear some unfamiliar songs (My main interest in folk is traditional or Celtic folk, and the only one of these songs I know well is 'Can't Help Falling in Love').

A well laid out hub with brief summary, key lyrics and videos or links to all the songs. Voted up. Alun.