First dance songs are important, but what's more important—and will ultimately determine whether or not your friends are talking about anything else besides the food six months later—is the music during the reception. We love love over here at MarieClaire.com, but we may or may not love a great bop more. Below, the best new wedding songs of 2019 for all of the laughs, cries, feels, and booty bumpin' you could want on your big day.
The First Dance a.k.a. the Non-Cheesy Slow Songs
Hozier's 2019 album, Wasteland, Baby!, may give off the same sad boy vibes from his self-titled album in 2014, but the lyrics prove otherwise in "Movement." "When you move / I'm put to mind of all that I wanna be / When you move / I could never define all that you are to me."
"We Belong Together" - Vampire Weekend
The Father of the Bride album title is just a coincidence. Vampire Weekend's latest is a mix of nostalgic bops and sweet melodies, which somehow come together perfectly in "We Belong Together."
"A Place We Knew" - Dean Lewis
Australian hearthrob Dean Lewis' debut album, A Place We Knew, includes the perfect mushy first dance song without feeling cheesy. (It's an art, really.) "Your heart is my home, your heart is my home / Your heart is my home, and I'm not letting go."
"Don't Let Me Down" - Joy Crookes
Do not sleep on Joy Crookes. The emerging 20-year-old artist from South London sounds like a beautiful mix of Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones. You can't go wrong with "Don't Let Me Down," and you don't have to worry about your friends "accidentally" picking the same song as you.
"Taffy" - Jenny Lewis
"Just a couple hours / We'll have superpowers / I wanna get lost / Over that bridge to La Crosse." No need to listen to the lyrics to fall in love with the soft, delicate melody of Jenny Lewis' "Taffy" from her fourth album, On the Line.
"Nobody Comes Round Here" - Lucy Rose
It will feel like it's just the two of you in the room as soon as Lucy Rose's "Nobody Comes Round Here" starts playing. "You wash your dishes / You tuck your chair in / You make me realize / That I don't have to be so cold / That I don't have to be alone."
"Gold Love" - Maren Morris
Maren Morris' new album, GIRL, is a national treasure. "Gold Love" is sweet enough to play as an upbeat first dance song or during the reception when the crowd needs a break from going hard on the dance floor. More on that below.
The Reception a.k.a. the Bops
"Ballin Flossin" - Chance the Rapper ft. Shawn Mendes
I wasn't joking when I called this Chance the Rapper x Shawn Mendes collaboration a 2019 bar mitzvah jam, which makes it equally as great for a wedding reception.
"Truth Hurts" - Lizzo
Despite how happily married you now are (don't rub it in!), your single friends will go crazy when "Truth Hurts" comes on and they grab their phones to record themselves saying, "I just took a DNA test, turns out I'm 100 percent that bitch." You know it's true. Now give the people what they want.
"Sucker" - Jonas Brothers
Lots of shimmying will be taking place the moment the Jo Bros' comeback song "Sucker" comes on, which also stars the self-proclaimed "J Sisters." Make sure to grab your brother- and sister- in-law for this one.
"I Can't Get Enough" - Benny Blanco, Tainy, Selena Gomez, J Balvin
I mean, you can't get enough of each other's love, right? Nobody will hesitate to give up their spot in the buffet line for this single, and that's saying a lot.
"Please Me" - Cardi B and Bruno Mars
A necessary pick (don't @ me)...just don't make eye contact with Grandma.
"Juice" - Lizzo
Play the rest of Lizzo's Cuz I Love You album immediately if you haven't already, then make sure "Juice" is on the playlist when the party starts to die down. It's 100 percent guaranteed to get everyone out of their seats...even after dessert.
"7 Rings" - Ariana Grande
Me @ my husband: "I want it, I got it."
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
-
Madison Errichiello Is the 'Love Is Blind' Season 8 Standout Who Left the Pods Single—But We Haven't Seen the Last Of HerFans already have thoughts on the love square between her, Alex, Mason, and Meg.
-
Kylie Jenner Just Upstaged Timothée Chalamet at His Own PremiereValentine's Day came early for the couple.
-
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Will Likely Make Their Joint Royal Debut at this EventFans might have to wait a while.
-
Beyoncé Wins Album of the Year for the First Time Ever at the 2025 GrammysThe superstar—who has the most wins in the award show's history—took home the biggest prize of the night for 'Cowboy Carter.'
-
Chappell Roan Wins Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys—And Called Upon Record Labels to Enact Artist Healthcare ReformThe Midwest Princess made a powerful speech while accepting the award for Best New Artist.
-
Doechii Wins Best Rap Album at the Grammys and Dedicates the Award to Black Women: "You're Exactly Who You Need to Be""The Swamp Princess" is the third female rapper to take home the gramophone.
-
RAYE Shares What Music Shaped Her—And What's on Her Playlist NowThe Best New Artist-nominated singer discusses Britney Spears, Charli xcx, and Nina Simone.
-
How Failure Felt Like "Business School" for Ashley Tisdale—And Helped Propel Her Brand ForwardThe actress, singer, and Frenshe founder speaks to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
-
Let Ethel Cain's Defiance Guide You Through 2025In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election, the indie singer's outspokenness has become a balm for fans.
-
ROSÉ Is Forging a New Path for K-Pop Idols Going SoloWith her debut album 'rosie,' the BLACKPINK artist has released the most vulnerable album from a K-pop star yet.
-
TWICE Shares What Music Shaped Them—And What's on Their Playlist NowWith their new mini-album 'STRATEGY' out, the K-pop girl group opens up about their musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."
