Weddings are the ultimate expression of love—not only to each other, but to family, friends, and the world. The best wedding music captures and expresses the love felt on that special day, from the ceremony through to the first dance and beyond. There are plenty of beautiful love songs, but the best wedding songs carry the pure message of a strong, long-lasting love. That means no hidden messages of regret, or settling, but the real thing.

We've put together a selection of what we believe are some of the best wedding songs ever made. Scroll the list and pick out something for someone's special day.

1. Bridal Chorus

The famous "Here Comes the Bride" tune by Richard Wagner

You might know this classic as “Here Comes the Bride.” That's partly because it's traditionally used as the bridal “processional” music (when the bride enters), but mostly because you can sing the words “Here Comes the Bride” over the first four notes. It has become a little clichéd over time, but it's cliché for a reason, and definitely worth learning as a fun way to get into the wedding mood.

2. Wedding March

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's classic exit piece

Where "Bridal Chorus" is the traditional entrance music for a wedding, Mendelssohn's “Wedding March” is the classic "recessional," or exit, piece. It’s grand, and a little overblown, but never fails to make an impact in churches or large venues. The theatrical nature of the piece makes sense, since it was composed as an accompaniment to Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

3. Canon in D

Johann Pachelbel's rediscovered hit

This walking-down-the-aisle favorite was written by Pachelbel as chamber music in the late 1600s, but lost popularity for centuries. It was rediscovered in the 1960s, and since then, the distinctive recurring progression has taken on countless forms, while the original version can be heard at some point during many weddings.

4. Can't Help Falling in Love (Wedding Version)

A romantic medley combining classics by Elvis Presley, Bach, and Pachelbel

The refrain of this song alone captures exactly what a couple might be feeling on their wedding day: “Take my hand, take my whole life too, for I can't help falling in love with you.” It's no wonder people use it so often for their first dance as a married couple. In the flowkey app there's a Wedding Version that combines the song with two other wedding classics: Pachelbel's “Canon” and Bach's “Air.”

Interestingly, the melody of "Can't Help Falling in Love" was originally based on the French love song "Plaisir d'amour," and though it's mostly been covered by male singers, it was originally written for a woman. This is why the third line, “Would it be a sin,” doesn't rhyme with the fourth: It was originally intended to be “in love with him”, not “in love with you.”

5. A Thousand Years (Wedding Version)

Christina Perri, Bach, Gounod, Pachelbel come together for a twinkling, loved-up classic

This song provides a grand exaggerated statement of love with lyrics like “I have loved you for a thousand years and I'll love you for a thousand more.” Even without words, the message comes through in the first few twinkling piano notes alone. This is another song with a Wedding arrangement in the flowkey app that interweaves the song with Gounod's “Ave Maria” and, of course, Pachelbel's “Canon in D.”

6. Thinking Out Loud (Wedding Version)

Ed Sheeran, Pachelbel, Wagner combine for a first-dance option

The most recently made song on this list has quickly become a first-dance mainstay. That's no surprise, as so much of the song mirrors wedding vows, with lines like “Darling I'll be loving you until we're seventy” and “I fall in love with you every single day."

To bring everything together, the “Wedding Version” in the app combines the song with Wagner's “Bridal Chorus” and, you guessed it, Pachelbel's “Canon.”

7. Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Reach for this Elton John classic when it's time for a singalong

This is among the cheesier options, but could suit a couple who want to feel like they are living out a Disney movie. After all, it's their day, and they can choose what they want.

That said, if you want to sing along to it, avoid the “Lion King” film version as sung by the characters, which ends “In short, our pal is doomed”. Instead, pick this Elton John version, with lines that make sense for the starry-eyed couple: “When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours.” Much better.

8. All of Me

John Legend's ode to unconditional love

A song rarely comes along that speaks of pure, unconditional love. It's hard to make it compelling without sounding corny. John Legend got it right with “All of Me.” Not only does it describe the day-to-day feelings of love, it communicates perfectly what a wedding represents, the giving of two people to each other: “I give you all of me. And you give me all of you." Get the tissues ready…

Learn piano with flowkey

Yearning to play one of these timeless love songs? flowkey is here to help whether you're a complete beginner or a total pro. Our songs come in various levels that let you start where you are and work your way toward wherever you want to be. You also get real-time feedback, step-by-step lessons, and options to practice with different hands and at different speeds. We think it's a great way for anyone to learn their favorite songs on piano, and we hope you check us out.