Do you hear that? Wedding bells are ringing as summer fast approaches. Now, weddings are great for catching up with long-distance friends and family, enjoying cake (or a donut wall), and getting down on the dance floor with a White Claw in hand. However, if you’re not all about the classic Bruno Mars and Journey songs that plague wedding DJ speakers, you’re in luck.
idobi Radio rounded up the 16 best alternative wedding songs that are perfect for everything from your walk down the aisle to your first dance track, and even to your cake-cutting song. Just because your grandparents are at the event doesn’t mean you can’t be super emo on your wedding day.
1. “Helena” — My Chemical Romance
Any My Chemical Romance song can be a wedding song, IMHO. In fact, a couple who met at Emo Nite went viral for their “Helena” first dance. Additionally, artists such as Vitamin String Quartet and Stevie Beerkens can turn your MCR faves into instrumental perfection.
P.S. Beerkens, also a member of The Faim, has wedding piano covers of every alternative act under the sun, including Sleep Token, blink-182, and more.
2. “funny how?” — The Maine
The Maine is definitely in their lover era. Their 2023 self-titled album is full of love songs, including “funny how?” which they released with its own stripped-back “wedding version.” Any 8123 fan will be sobbing on their wedding day.
3. “The Only Exception” — Paramore
This slow-tempo, acoustic-laden Paramore song is actually the first song Hayley Williams wrote, per a 2010 Alternative Press article. “The Only Exception” is the delicate ballad that sets the sweet tone for a bridal walk down the aisle or an intimate first dance.
4. “Death Of A Bachelor” — Panic! At The Disco
Many Panic! At The Disco fans have shared that their first dance or bridal party entrance song was “Death Of A Bachelor.” And it makes total sense! This song has everything: Brendon Urie‘s crooning, jazzy melodies, and some sexy rock and roll beats.
5. “I’ve Loved You For So Long” — The Aces
The Aces are a necessity for your wedding playlist, especially for queer ceremonies and receptions. Their ethereal indie vocals and chords truly capture the feeling of love, and just might make you cry. (I needed a tissue while typing this.)
6. “Love You To Death” — Type O Negative
For my classic goth couples, nothing is more iconic for entrance music than Type O Negative‘s “Love You To Death.” idobi Radio’s own Paige Owens walked down the aisle to this 1996 hit.
7. “Custer” — Slipknot
Slipknot 1000% belongs at a wedding. “Cut, cut, cut me up, and fuck, fuck, fuck me up” is the best set of lyrics to cut your cake to, right?
8. “Stolen” — Dashboard Confessional
If you’re looking to walk down the aisle to a magical mid-aughts number or need a mushy-gushy, alternative song for first dances, Dashboard Confessional‘s “Stolen” is the only option. Chris Carrabba‘s soothing vocals and the song’s radiant bridge will offer a “wow” moment for your guests. We promise!
9. “I Want To Know Your Plans” — Say Anything
Max Bemis singing, “I’ll look out for you until I die, ’til I rot” is exactly what I would want to hear in my vows. So, if you want a heartfelt first dance that’s five minutes long, “I Want To Know Your Plans” is your go-to. Say Anything has many emo songs about love you can choose, including “Alive With The Glory Of Love” and even “A Walk Through Hell.“
10. “Shake It” — Metro Station
I know this song is about doing the deed, but there is no better dance song to get emo millennials on the floor than Metro Station‘s “Shake It.”
11. “Two Is Better Than One” — Boys Like Girls
If you want to appease the Swifites in your family and stay true to your emo roots, you need to add “Two Is Better Than One” to your wedding playlist. This Love Drunk era Boys Like Girls track features Taylor Swift, herself, and was an instantly iconic love track upon its release in 2009.
12. “Smithereens” — Twenty One Pilots
twenty one pilots‘ own Tyler Joseph wrote this song for his wife Jenna, and the song’s theme of getting beaten up for your lady is quite romantic. If you want a more upbeat love song, you can also opt for TOP’s “Tear In My Heart.”
13. “Last Night On Earth” — Green Day
This uniquely chill Green Day song screams “first dance.” It’s an intimate, raw piano ballad with lyrics such as, “My beatin’ heart belongs to you/I walked for miles ’til I found you.” It’s a perfect choice for fans of the band.
P.S. If you’re looking for a parent-child dance idea, “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” is a fabulous pick.
14. “First Date” (blink-182 cover) — Taylor Acorn
You can make any blink-182 song your perfect first dance or entrance song, but Taylor Acorn‘s cover of the “First Date” is really a necessity. She helps to soften the edges with her gentle coos and acoustic strums. Basically, if you want to appeal to your mainstream family members, this pop-punk song may go undetected, but the message and melody remain the same.
15. “Kiss Me Now” — Pierce The Veil
Pierce The Veil officially just dropped the ultimate wedding song this May 2025, just in time for the summer season of love. “Kiss Me Now” will likely be the go-to first dance song for the emo girlies for years to come.
16. “Closing Time” — Semisonic
IMHO, there is no better track to end your special night than with Semisonic‘s iconic “Closing Time.” It sends your guests home with a thrilling sense of nostalgia and reminds them that, if they want, they can keep the party going somewhere else.
