Folk Wedding Songs: Trending & Timeless Love Hits

Updated on June 27, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)

Some of our favorite songs to play at weddings are folk songs.

They contain so much emotion in their performances which makes your wedding memorable.

We have compiled a list of our favorite folk songs perfect for weddings.

You will enjoy a list of the most popular and unique folk wedding songs for your wedding day.

Every couple’s folk music tastes are different. Thus, we selected wedding songs from modern songs to instant classic hits.

 
Let’s start with the most popular right now.

Spotify Folk Wedding Playlist

New Folk Wedding Songs

1. “Everything to Me” by Ivan & Alyosha, 2023
2. “You’re the One” by Rhiannon Giddens, 2023
3. “Holding You by David McCredie, 2023
4. “Perfect to Me” by Josh Tatofi, 2023
5. “Stumble Together” by Matt Bednarsky, 2023
6. “Our Time” by Roo Panes, 2023
7. “Sunshine” by The National Parks, 2023
8. “You and I” by SYML, Charlotte Lawrence, 2023
9. “Everything Is More Beautiful with You” by Open Road Folk Music, 2023
10. “You’re the One” by Rhiannon Giddens, 2023
11. “My Feet Don’t Touch the Ground” by Bonner Rhae, 2023

Trending Folk Wedding Songs

1. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver, 1971
2. “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman, 1988
3. “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers, 2012
4. “When You Say Nothing at All” by Keith Whitley, 1988
5. “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Noel Paul Stookey, 1971
6. “Father And Daughter” by Paul Simon, 2002
7. “Simply The Best” by Billianne, 2022
8. “Sweet Pea” by Amos Lee, 2006
9. “Bloom” by The Paper Kites, 2013
10. “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat, 2007

Popular Folk Music For Weddings

We have curated a list of our favorite folk songs perfect for weddings.

If you have a folk wedding song not on our list that you think SHOULD be on our list, be sure to comment on the song below.

2020s Hits

Better Part of Me – SYML and Sara Watkins

Released in 2022 on the album The Day My Father Died

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Honestly, I can’t help falling for you
Everyday I’ll be brand new
Thank god for you, the better part of me

Forever and for Always – Jarrod Morris

Released in 2022 on the album The Acoustic Covers

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’m keepin’ you forever and for always
We will be together all of our days
Wanna wake up every mornin’ to your sweet face
Always

The First Time – The Brave Collide feat. Brian McGrane & Chloe Agnew

Released in 2022 on the album The First Time

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

It’s gonna be you for the rest of my life
It’s gonna be you

Turning Onto You – First Aid Kit

Released in 2022 on the album Palomino

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Oh, the night holds promises
That the morning can’t fulfill
But look at me, I’m happy still
If I’m turning onto you

Belong with You – The Light the Heat

Released in 2022 on the album Fool for Your Love

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

We make sense
Darlin we just make sense
Ever since the day we met

When You Love Someone (Live) – Gretchen Peters

Released in 2022 on the album The Matador (Live)

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

When you love someone
You’ll sacrifice
Give it everything you got
And you won’t think twice

I Hope You Dance – The Hound + the Fox

Released in 2022 on the album I Hope You Dance

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin’ might mean takin’ chances but they’re worth takin’

No One Has What We Have – Levi Parham

Released in 2022 on the album Sure, Okay, Great.

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I wish I could encourage them to find
A love as strong as yours and mine

Simply The Best – Billianne

Released in 2022 on the album Simply The Best

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

You’re simply the best
Better than all the rest
Better than anyone
Anyone I ever met

You Mean the World to Me – James Walsh

Released in 2022 on the album You Mean the World to Me

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

In this mean old world
Hanging on a thread
Where the ups and downs
Are ever infinite
You mean the world to me

Understand My Love – Brandon Mills

Released in 2022 on the album Understand My Love

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’ve been dreaming of you before I was born
I’ll be loving you long after I am gone

If I Say That I Love You – Foster

Released in 2022 on the album The One

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

There’s a place
Deep in our hearts where it matters
We can stay there forever and after

One For Me – Mary Hopkin

Released in 2022 on the album Pieces

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

The sun comes shining through
With starlit nights like diamonds
That shine for me and you

One and Only – Garrett Kato

Released in 2022 on the album One and Only

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’ll never go and let you down
No matter what, I’ll stick around
Please know I’ll be
Your one and only

I’d Be Your Man – Parker Twomey

Released in 2022 on the album I’d Be Your Man

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’d watch you dream all night
And by the morning light
I’d be your man

Hold You – Amos Lee

Released in 2022 on the album Dreamland

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Beauty beneath me
Beauty above me
I want you to reach me
I want you to teach me how I can love you

If I Didn’t Love You – Ben Abraham

Released in 2022 on the album Friendly Fire

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Would I be drifting
With nowhere to land?
I don’t know what I’d do
If I didn’t love you

Sing Me a Song – William Prince, Serena Ryder

Released in 2022 on the album Sing Me a Song

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

So sing me a song babe
What kind of song, babe?
The one you hear when you look into my soul

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Ron Pope, The National Parks

Released in 2022 on the album Good Riddance

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

It’s something unpredictable
But in the end, it’s right
I hope you had the time of your life

Valentine’s Day (Acoustic) – David Tribble

Released in 2022 on the album Valentine’s Day (Acoustic)

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

It’s a 24/7 365 days a year kind of love
It’s not just on Valentine’s Day

Love Is – Zach Winters

Released in 2021 on the album Other Side (A)

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

You’re the dream I keep every day
Even when I’m away
I’ve found you

Until You – AHI

Released in 2021 on the album Until You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I was empty, lost without a clue
Until now
Until you

She Is My Everything – Bill Callahan & Bonnie Prince Billy

Released in 2021 on the album She Is My Everything

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

When I hear her voice
I’ll tell you boys, I forget everything
She is my everything

Faithfully – Clem Snide & Eef Barzelay

Released in 2021 on the album Faithfully

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Oh Girl
You stand by me
I’m forever yours
Faithfully

Soul Mate – flora cash

Released in 2021 on the album Soul Mate

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

When night finally comes and the leaves have fallen from the tree
Baby, you’ll have me
Soul mate

Love You – Jasmine Chadwick

Released in 2021 on the album Love You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’m gonna love you
Gonna love you
And I always will

Anything – JJ Heller

Released in 2021 on the album Anything

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’d give up anything for you
But I would not give you up for anything

Home – Josh Beeman

Released in 2021 on the album Home

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I know you won’t leave me behind, even in my darkest times
You’re the one that always stays close
You are home

Someone Like Me – Julia Westlin

Released in 2021 on the album Someone Like Me

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Just like a fairytale
Someone like you and someone like me

Colors – Langhorne Slim

Released in 2021 on the album Strawberry Mansion

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Without each other I’d stay asleep
There’s so many colors but only one girl of my dreams

Sunshine – Leucadia

Released in 2021 on the album Sunshine

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

You’re like the sun coming up
You make my world come alive

Till Death Do Us Part – Lily Hormel

Released in 2021 on the album Till Death Do Us Part

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Till death do us part is for quitters
You and I found a love that’ll never die
We’ll be ghosts who makeout down by the river
Holding hands till we’re in another life

You’re the One (Acoustic) – Luca Fogale

Released in 2021 on the album You’re the One (Acoustic)

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

So bend the rules
Or break them all
You and I
The same old cloth
You’re the one

I’ll Be with You – Matt + Abi

Released in 2021 on the album I’ll Be with You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Adventure is in you and I got in me too
I’ll be with you

I Just Love You – Roo Panes

Released in 2021 on the album I Just Love You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

When you walk into a room
It’s the birthday card you drew
That make me love you

What a Wonderful World – Sawyer Fredericks

Released in 2021 on the album What a Wonderful World

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I see friends shaking hands, saying: How do you do?
They’re really saying: I love you!

Headlights – The National Parks

Released in 2021 on the album Headlights

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Hold me close, let’s drive away to some place far
And dance real slow in the headlight shine of our car

Steal My Heart Away – The Paper Kites, Ainslie Wills

Released in 2021 on the album Roses

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

‘Cause you
Steal my heart away
Every time
Right down the line

Marry Me – The Wicks

Released in 2021 on the album Winds of Change

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Would you still walk 500 miles
to marry me in the morning
marry me in the day
marry me in the nighttime
when the stars all fall away

All The Gold – Alivan Blu

Released in 2020 on the album All The Gold

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Honey, haven’t felt this for so long
Wouldn’t change it for all the gold
On the ocean floor
Darling, you’re the only one

Forever & Back – Anders Sohn

Released in 2020 on the album Fly Away With Me

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’d follow you anywhere that
This world takes you
To wherever you’re at

I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You – Bob Dylan

Released in 2020 on the album Rough and Rowdy Ways

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’d preach the gospel, the gospel of love
A love so real, a love so true
I’ve made up my mind to give myself to you

Mairi’s Wedding – Caroline McCaskey

Released in 2020 on the album Altstrings Fiddle Method for Viola, Book 2 (Second Edition)

That’s The Way Love Goes – Hayes Carll & Allison Moorer

Released in 2020 on the album That’s The Way Love Goes

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Yet you ran with me
Chasing my rainbows
Honey, I love you too
And that’s the way love goes

Helplessly I Fell – Jim Lord

Released in 2020 on the album Little Star

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Never said it all, had no reason to tell
Then I heard you call, helplessly I fell

Not Enough – JJ Heller

Released in 2020 on the album Not Enough

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

There’s so much to learn when it comes to love
A lifetime with you
A lifetime with you is not enough

Simple Thing – Jonathan Wilson

Released in 2020 on the album Dixie Blur

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

It’s a little simple thing
It goes, “Baby, be mine, baby, be mine, baby, be mine
All mine, come on, baby, be mine”

Over the Moon – Julian Taylor

Released in 2020 on the album The Ridge

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

No matter what we’ve been through
I could always count on you
Yes, it’s true
I’m over the moon for you

I Got You – Michael Franti & Spearhead

Released in 2020 on the album Work Hard and Be Nice

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Dance like nobody’s watching
Live life like we never did before
And through the highs and lows
Baby I got you yeah

Rest of Our Lives – The Light the Heat

Released in 2020 on the album Wide Awake

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Dance with me beneath the stars
Moonlight crashing on our wild hearts
With your hand in mine

I Want To Make You Mine – The Suddenlys

Released in 2020 on the album I Want to Make You Mine

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

You and me, it’s all we’ll ever need
Even if the sun refused to shine
As long as you are mine

No Matter Where You Are (Wedding Version) – Us The Duo

Released in 2020 on the album No Matter Where You Are

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

And I won’t let you fall
I won’t let you go
No matter where you are
No matter where you are, I’ll be there

The closest genre to folk music is country music. See a list of country songs for every part of your wedding day.

2010s Favorites

As Time Goes By – Anna Nalick

Released in 2019 on the album The Blackest Crow

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by

You Have Stolen My Heart – Brian Fallon

Released in 2019 on the album Local Honey

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

And now if you need me, you know where to find me
I’ll be always falling under your spell

I Chose You – Caleb Edens

Released in 2019 on the album I Chose You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I Chose You
Cause I love the way you dance & twirl
I Chose You
Cause you only need one pair of shoes
I Chose You
You chose me, too

Make These Colors Real – Hush Kids

Released in 2019 on the album Make These Colors Real

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Ooooh, if I could hold you
I’d warm the cold you feel
I’d make these colors real

L O V E L O V E – Jeremy Lister

Released in 2019 on the album Sign Language

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

There’s nothing to doubt here
So I spell it out here
The word to tell you how I really feel,
I really feel
L-O-V-E-L-O-V-E

No Place Like You – Joy Williams

Released in 2019 on the album Front Porch

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Honey, it’s true
There ain’t nothing I can do
Cause there ain’t no place, no place like you

Not Just Any Old Love Song – Luke Cerny

Released in 2019 on the album Not Just Any Old Love Song

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’m crazy about you
Well, I’m crazy about you
Yes, I’m crazy about you
Darling you’re crazy about me too

Forever From Now – Sheffield

Released in 2019 on the album Lucky

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I will love you forever from now
And I will hold you like no one’s around
Forever from now

When We Grow Old – Stace & Cassie

Released in 2019 on the album When We Grow Old

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’ll be there when we grow old
we grow old

Latch – The Hound + the Fox

Released in 2019 on the album Latch

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Could I lock in your love?
Now I’ve got you in my space
I won’t let go of you

Bride – Aria & Oaken

Released in 2018 on the album Belonging

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Build you a new home just you and me
Please take my hand you waited so patiently

Earthquake – The Black Lillies

Released in 2018 on the album Stranger to Me

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

You’re the rock in my roll, you shake me down to my soul
You take my breath away, you know just what to say
You shake me down to my soul, you’re my earthquake

Before You – Fortunate Ones

Released in 2018 on the album Hold Fast

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I really don’t know much but there is one thing
That I do
I can’t remember my life before you

Welcome Home – Fox and Bones

Released in 2018 on the album Better Land

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I have a tough time giving compliments
But you truly soothe my rough and ragged soul
Yeah you, Yeah you do

Yeah You – Freedom Fry

Released in 2018 on the album Yeah You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Out of the faces in the crowd
You won me over, you won me over
Yeah, you

Give All – Jon Danforth

Released in 2018 on the album Time and Vision

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I will give all till I draw my final breath
You have my love until my soul has nothing in it

If I’m the Sun and You’re the Moon – Aaron Espe

Released in 2017 on the album Passages

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I was made to fall
But till the end I’ll always try
To fix our fates till one day collide

You and I, Here and Now – Evan Nachimson

Released in 2017 on the album Questions

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Because when we’re together
It’s you and I, here and now

Chances – Fox and Bones

Released in 2017 on the album The Remarkable Adventures Of

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

In this life we’re only given so many chances
And I like my chances with you

I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You – Imaginary Future & Kina Grannis

Released in 2017 on the album I Will Spend My Whole Life Loving You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Oh believe me
I’ve been counting my stars
Cause I will spend my whole life
Loving you

As Long as I Have You I’m Home – Imaginary Future

Released in 2017 on the album As Long as I Have You I’m Home

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I can live in the great unknown
As long as I have you
As long as I have you I’m home

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Imaginary Future

Released in 2017 on the album Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I love you baby
And if it’s quite all right
I need you baby
To warm the lonely nights
I love you baby

Places We’ll Go – Nate Michael

Released in 2017 on the album Places We’ll Go

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

The places we’ll go, the places we’ll stand
I’ll keep you real close, be holding your hand
If life gets too tough girl, stay by my side
This is my promise to you as my bride

Dance With Me – Phillip Phillips

Released in 2017 on the album Collateral

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

So will you dance with me?
I will lead you
Give every moment that I have
Just to be near you

Lover’s Lullaby – Sweet Tea Project

Released in 2017 on the album Alder Lane Farm

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

All my hopes and dreams
The heaven has sent you to me after all this time
So I’m singing to you this lover’s lullabye

Touching Heaven – JOHNNYSWIM

Released in 2016 on the album Georgica Pond

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I’m not just waiting for skies to part
You’ve been my glimpse of Kingdom right from the start
And you got me touching heaven

Sea Of Love – Langhorne Slim & Jill Andrews

Released in 2016 on the album Sea Of Love

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I swear I’ll never fail you
Oh, we’ll sail into the sun
Take my hand and run into
The sea of love

Take The World – JOHNNYSWIM

Released in 2016 on the album Diamonds

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Though you make it hard not to spill my heart
Every time I see you swaying
Darling You and Me
We can take the world

For You To Be Here – Tom Rosenthal

Released in 2015 on the album The Pleasant Trees (Volume 2)

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Thinking of the times that forever are ours
I am ready, I am ready for you to be here
For you, for you, to be here

Heart’s On Fire – Passenger

Released in 2014 on the album Whispers

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

‘Cause I know those eyes and I know that touch
I don’t have many and I don’t have much
But oh darlin’, my heart’s on fire

Bloom – The Paper Kites

Released in 2013 on the album Woodland

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

When the evening pulls the sun down,
And the day is almost through,
Oh, the whole world it is sleeping,
But my world is you

Forever – Ben Harper

Released in 2012 on the album By My Side (Retrospective)

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

So give me your forever
Please your forever
Not a day less will do
From you

Only Love – Ben Howard

Released in 2012 on the album Every Kingdom

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Darling, you’re with me, always around me
Only love, only love
Darling, I feel you, under my body
Only love, only love

Hey Ho – The Lumineers

Released in 2012 on the album The Lumineers

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

I belong with you, you belong with me
You’re my sweetheart

Higher Love – James Vincent McMorrow

Released in 2010 on the album Early in the Morning

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

We walk blind, we try to see
Falling behind in what could be
Bring me a higher love

Another genre to review is our list of indie love hits for engaged couples on their big day.

2000s Tunes

I And Love And You – The Avett Brothers

Released in 2009 on the album I and Love and You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Three words that became hard to say
I and Love and You
What you were than I am today
Look at the things I do

January Wedding – The Avett Brothers

Released in 2009 on the album I And Love And You

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

But I know what she’s sayin’
I understand because my heart and hers are the same
And in January we’re gettin’ married

All I Want Is You – Barry Louis Polisar

Released in 2008 on the album Juno Soundtrack

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

All I want is you, will you stay with me
Hold me in your arms and sway me like the sea?

Let It Be Me – Ray LaMontagne

Released in 2008 on the album Gossip In The Grain

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

That’s when you need someone
Someone that you, you can call
When all your faith is gone
It feels like you cant go on
Let it be me

Boats & Birds – Gregory & the Hawk

Released in 2006 on the album The Boats&birds

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

If you be my boat
I’ll be your sea
A depth of pure blue just to probe curiosity
Ebbing and flowing and pushed by a breeze
I live to make you free

See all genres of music played at weddings.

1990s Tracks

In Spite Of Ourselves – John Prine and Iris DeMent

Released in 1999 on the album In Spite of Ourselves

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

In spite of ourselves
We’ll end up a’sittin’ on a rainbow
Against all odds
Honey, we’re the big door prize

When You Say Nothing At All – Alison Krauss and Union Station

Released in 1994 on the album A Tribute Album

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all

Classic Folk

Touch of Grey – Grateful Dead

Released in 1987 on the album In the Dark

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

The only thing there is to say
Every silver lining’s got a
Touch of grey
I will get by

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor

Released in 1975 on the album Gorilla

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

How sweet it is to be loved by you
Feels so fine
How sweet it is to be loved by you

Watching the River Run – Loggins & Messina

Released in 1973 on the album Full Sail

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

If you’ve been thinkin’ you were all that you’ve got
Then don’t feel alone anymore
‘Cause when we’re together then you’ve got a lot

Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell

Released in 1970 on the album Ladies of the Canyon

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot

Wild World – Yusef/Cat Stevens

Released in 1970 on the album Tea for the Tillerman

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

It’s hard to get by just just upon a smile
Yeah yeah yeah
Oh baby baby it’s a wild world
And I’ll always remember you like a child girl oh yeah

Wedding Song (There Is Love) – Noel Paul Stookey

Released in 1969 on the album Wedding Song (There Is Love)

Most Meaningful Lyrics:

Oh the marriage of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is Love, there is Love

If you have a folk wedding song not on our list that you think SHOULD be on our list, be sure to comment on the song below. We read and respond to every comment.

FAQs

Why would I want folk music at my wedding?

If Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and James Taylor speak to you, then that singer-songwriters feel that brings teardrops to everyone’s eyes, is your jam. Folk music is emotional. Folk music captures our stories as people. it’s part of our tradition and how we tell stories. You could say that country and western stem from folk. American folk music has its roots in Ireland.

Because of this, many of our most beloved songs are from the folk genre. We could also include indie and singer-songwriters in this genre as well.

Sweet, low-key weddings outdoors with a solo guitarist are the ideal wedding for folk music. Imagine walking down the aisle to “Something in the Way She Moves” by James Taylor. You could even include an instrumental version of “You Look Wonderful Tonight” in this category. Wow. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted orally, music with unknown composers, or music performed as a customer over a long period of time.

Folk music is storytelling. It’s simple in its instrumentation but complex in its harmonies. It’s known for beautiful, haunting melodies with choruses that everyone can join.

If you love Folk music, be sure to attend the Montana Folk Festival. It is held in Butte, Montana in the month of July.

Who are popular folk artists?

Folk isn’t for the old folks. According to Ranker, the top 3 folk artists in 2020 include Leon Bridges, Caamp, and Nathaniel Ratliff. We also like The Avett Brothers, The Milk Carton Kids, and Chris Thile.

The all-time popular folk artists include:

• Ben Harper
• Bob Dylan
• Cat Stevens
• Emmylou Harris
• The Grateful Dead
• Harry Belafonte
• James Taylor
• Joan Baez
• Johnny Cash
• Joni Mitchell

Why trust Matthew Campbell?