[2026] Brighten your wedding with Western music BGM! Recommended English-language wedding songs

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

We’re introducing some recommended Western songs for your wedding BGM! If you’re a couple who loves Western music, you’ll want to make your reception feel like “you” by using Western tracks throughout.

That said, if you switch out every track for each scene and for background conversations, you’ll end up needing a dozen or more songs.

Your favorite songs might not always suit a celebratory occasion, and choosing can be tough… So for those dealing with that dilemma, we’ve put together a list of Western songs that work well across various wedding moments.

We focused our research on recent hits, including the latest tracks, and we also introduce timeless classics in the latter half—so you’re sure to get compliments on your great taste.

Use this article as a guide to help you create a wedding that’s brimming with your unique personalities!

[2026] Brighten Your Wedding with Western Music BGM! Recommended Western Wedding Songs (71–80)

Best of My LoveThe Emotions

The Emotions – Best of My Love (Official Audio)

Best of My LoveThe Emotions

The chorus group formed by the Hutchinson sisters that energized disco music is The Emotions.

Their massive hit—and signature song—is Best of My Love.

Featuring the dynamic, beautiful gospel-rooted harmonies paired with a pop melody, it’s an irresistibly funky track that instantly brightens the mood of any venue.

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If We Hold On TogetherDiana Ross

Diana Ross If we hold on together

If We Hold On TogetherDiana Ross

One of American R&B singer Diana Ross’s hit songs is “If We Hold On Together.” It was used as the theme song for the American film “The Land Before Time” and for a Japanese TV drama.

It’s a song that cheers on two people who feel, “Life has its ups and downs… but no matter what, we want to get through it together.”

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Lovin’ YouJanet Kay

Janet Kay ／ LOVIN’ YOU

Lovin' YouJanet Kay

“Loving You” was originally one of Minnie Riperton’s big hit songs.

So you may know it for her signature high tones, but the cover version by reggae singer Janet Kay also became a major hit.

It’s a track with a comfortably laid-back reggae rhythm that’s perfect for moments when you want to ease tension—in a good way.

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[2026] Make Your Wedding Sparkle with Western Music BGM! Recommended English-Language Wedding Songs (81–90)

Here’s to Never Growing UpAvril Lavigne

Avril Lavigne – Here’s to Never Growing Up (Official Video)

Here’s to Never Growing UpAvril Lavigne

This pop-rock number is memorable for its lyrics celebrating eternal youth and its catchy melody.

Avril Lavigne’s powerful vocals brilliantly capture both the joy of reveling in youth and a spirit of defiance.

Released in April 2013, the track drew attention as the lead single from Lavigne’s fifth studio album.

It reached No.

20 on the Billboard charts and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.

It was especially popular in Asia, topping the charts in many countries.

It’s a perfect song for anyone who wants to stay young at heart or feels like escaping the routines of adulthood for a while.

It also makes a wonderful choice for wedding background music, highlighting the youthful energy of the bride and groom.

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Quit your lifeMxPx

MxPx – Quit Your Life

Quit your lifeMxPx

The title “Quit your life” means “let go of your life,” in other words, “I want you to be mine.” It’s a classic song that depicts a proposal scene.

The lyrics, which sing “After a long journey, I’ve finally made it to you,” are dramatic and moving.

It’s a song you’ll want to use at the climax of a wedding or in the most exciting moment.

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If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys

Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You (Official HD Video)

If I Ain't Got YouAlicia Keys

Without someone to love, wealth and fame mean nothing—this is a stirring R&B ballad that sings of eternal love.

Alicia Keys’s soulful voice and classical piano melodies gracefully express the preciousness of love.

While contrasting the emptiness of those who chase materialism and fame, it asks what truly matters.

Released from the album “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” the song won the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance after its February 2004 release.

In 2023, an orchestral arrangement was featured in the Netflix series “Queen Charlotte,” bringing a new wave of emotion.

It’s a perfect track for moments when you want to convey your feelings to someone special, such as a proposal or a wedding.

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One ThingOne Direction

One Direction – One Thing

One ThingOne Direction

Released early in the career of One Direction, a superstar act in the pop-rock scene, this song brilliantly captures the exhilaration and vulnerability of falling in love.

Issued as a single in 2012, it charted in many countries, including the UK and the US.

In the United States in particular, it reached No.

39 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Platinum certification.

With its catchy melody and memorable chorus, it’s also perfect as wedding background music, creating a bright and upbeat atmosphere that celebrates the start of a couple’s new life together.

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