Vintage weddings are destined to have everyone charmed, and one of the reasons for this is the serenading jazz tunes that set the guests' mood.
However, it’s not at all easy to pick the tracks to play during the various beats of the ceremony or at the reception. Especially, if you’re not that into old-timey music.
But we have your back with our list of incredible wedding songs that check the vintage vibe. We have artists like Etta James, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald featured on our list, so you know it will be good.
We kept the list diverse with a mix of slow and upbeat love songs that will keep your guests on their toes on the dancing floor. Let’s take a look at our top 12 selects.
It’s one of the lesser-known songs from The Beatles that is an absolute masterpiece. John Lenon’s vocals are immaculate, and you can feel his emotions in every note.
It’s a sweet song where the narrator wants the company of this wonderful girl with whom it’s impossible not to fall in love.
Your guests can dance to this song with ease as it’s slow and with a simple production that lets Lenon’s magnanimous performance shine through.
Etta James is one of the biggest names in soul and R&B music.
Listening to this song, you’ll know exactly why she is applauded so much. Her voice is like silk. Her vocals are powerful, and she hits every high note perfectly.
She beautifully describes the feeling of utter gratefulness at her lonely days finally being over as she found the one.
When you fall in love, your world is just a bit more colourful, and it feels like you found your place in this world. This song encapsulates all those feelings.
The Righteous Brothers have some of the best love songs. Moreover, the production of this song is pretty clean and crisp.
With a very simple melody, the song depends mainly on the vocals. Bobby Hadley gave the lead vocals to this song and he sings in a higher register that is soothing.
The song is about longing and loneliness, wanting the love of our partner and their familiar touch.
When the narrator asking “Are you still mine?”, uncertainty is voiced, which makes the song even more emotional, deepening the feeling of longing.
This song is all about the inner feelings of the narrator on her wedding day as she heads to the ‘chapel of love’. The song is upbeat and fun, with a refreshing lightheartedness that makes it perfect for intimate weddings.
The Dixie Cups did an amazing job and turned their version of this song into an instant classic. With this killer tune, you can convey to your partner the joy you feel about tying the knot.
Frank Sinatra has sung many of the vintage romantic songs that are popular today. This song is geared towards a mix of pop and jazz that sounds timeless and elegant.
The narrator talks about carrying their significant other under their skin no matter where they go.
It’s a familiar feeling for anyone close to another person. We carry pieces of other people within us forever; this song is about that feeling.
Ella Fitzgerald is another famous name in the world of jazz. She has 13 Grammy awards to her name and has been the most popular jazz singer for almost half a century. Her vocals are perfect for a vintage wedding.
‘Night & Day’ is a song about constantly thinking of the person you are infatuated with. It’s a sweet and romantic track that is elevated by Ella’s magnificent vocals.
If you’re a fan of the classic rom-com ‘Dirty Dancing’, you already know this song by heart. As the actors in this movie prove, this song kills on the dance floor.
It’s a fast song that’s a mix of R&B and pop. The beats are catchy and before long, everyone will be singing along. If you and your partner are good dancers, you can prepare a dance choreography on this song to delight your guests.
The lyrics of ‘I only have eyes for you’ beautifully encapsulate the feeling of being utterly taken by someone so that the only romantic possibility of your life becomes tied to them. It’s a lovely song, and Billie’s voice is magical.
The production of this song is unique and it combines elements of jazz, pop, seasonal and blues. With 89 BPM, the tempo of this song is set at a moderate pace, so you can use it as a transition between tracks.
Carla Bruni’s version of ‘Moon River’ is so soothing that it had to make our list. This song has a forlorn feeling even though the lyrics speak of wanderlust and the flow of time.
It’s a song more focused on the love for the idea of romance rather than love itself. The lyrics are beautiful and the tempo allows for a great dance choreography that can make for a wonderful first dance.
Elvis Presley was a unique artist with an amazing discography full of hits after hits. ‘Love Me Tender’ falls under the folk rockabilly pop genre that Elvis had perfected in his lifetime.
The narrator gently requests his beloved to love him softly and sweetly. We all need to be handled with care from time to time, and Elvis brings this emotion to life with wonderful emotions behind the lyrics.
With this alternative track, you can break the string of jazz and R&B songs before they get monotonous.
Here, the narrator is troubled by the unpredictability of their beloved and with exaggerated statements like ‘You Make Me Wanna Die’ he expresses his frustration.
If you feel that your partner usually drives you crazy in a good way, this song is rather relatable. At 112 BPM, the tempo is rather cheerful, and everyone will have a fun time singing and dancing along.
Even when you’re not familiar with the song, it’s easy to catch.
This is a classic song that speaks about how there is somebody for everybody placed on this planet. The narrator’s somebody is the one he’s singing to, and the place they met this somebody is where they’re now.
It’s a sweet song to dedicate to your partner. Reminding them that your love is meant to be.
Wedding songs for a vintage wedding are hard to select as there are so many delightful options to choose from. Jazz, soul, R&B, and blues have the right sound for a classic ceremony.
The melodies are charming, and with the impeccable vocals of artists like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Etta James, you can never go wrong with song choices.
If you want live bands to sing your vintage tunes, UK Live Entertainment has a selection of ABBA tribute bands and many other wedding musicians for you to choose from.
