If you’re looking for artist-specific songs for your wedding day, then Carrie Underwood is a great singer to consider.
This Grammy-Award-winning country star first got her start on American Idol in 2005, when she won over the country’s hearts.
In the times since, she’s released a string of love songs to fit every stage of your wedding festivities, from the processional to the first dance to even the father/daughter dance at the reception.
Brooding ballads, tearful love songs, and of course, her uptempo country/rock hits — Carrie Underwood’s body of work has a little something for everyone.
Here are 10 of the best Carrie Underwood wedding songs.
“There’s a Place for Us”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“So if you feel like giving up cause you don’t fit in down here/Fear is crashing in, close your eyes and take my hand/We can be the kings and queens of anything if we believe/It’s written in the stars that shine above.”
“There’s a Place for Us” is an inspirational song, which Underwood released in 2022. Perfect for spiritual couples (or just couples who can appreciate quality music), this song speaks of escaping from hardships and finding safety away from the chaos.
If you’re religiously inclined, that may be your holy text’s version of the afterlife. Or, your interpretation may be more literal. Either way, “There’s a Place for Us” is a great choice for a first dance or a bridal procession.
“I’ll Stand By You”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“Oh, why you look so sad?/The tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now/Don’t, be ashamed to cry/Let me see you through
‘Cause I’ve seen a dark side too.”
The early part of a relationship is known as the honeymoon phase. But love isn’t truly tested until it’s been forged in fire.
“I’ll Stand By You” is a classic song, originally performed by The Pretenders, which speaks of undeniable devotion, no matter what may arise.
Carrie Underwood’s cover incorporates her signature country twang and otherworldly vocals, which makes it a perfect option for your first dance or bridal procession.
“Heartbeat”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“I love it when we’re at a party in a down-town crowd/Oh but I can hear you call me baby with the music up loud/Red wine, good times, no I don’t mind being with everyone else/And then there’s night life tonight that I, I want you to myself.”
If you’re still putting the finishing touches on your wedding reception playlist, you should know that it won’t be complete until you add Carrie Underwood’s “Heartbeat.”
The songstress reminiscences about long nights spent out together, hopping from party to party and getting lost in each other’s company.
Blast this during your reception and you’ll surely light up the dance floor. Not to mention, it’s a sweet nod to you and your spouse’s early relationship.
“Inside Your Heaven”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“And I wanna be inside your heaven/Take me to the place you cry from/When a storm blows your way/And I wanna be the earth that holds you/Every bit of air you’re breathin’ in/A soothin’ wind/I wanna be inside your heaven.”
Fun fact: “Inside Your Heaven” was released as part of Carrie Underwood’s 2005 debut album, Some Hearts. However, the song was actually written for both she and her American Idol alum (at the time finalist) to sing in the competition.
Despite not being tailor-made for the country star, she totally made this song, about finding solace in the arms of the one you love, her own.
Consider “Inside Your Heaven” as the soundtrack for your first dance.
“Mama’s Song”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“Mama, there’s no way you’ll ever lose me/Giving me away is not goodbye/As you watch me walk down to my future/I hope tears of joy are in your eyes/’Cause he is good, so good/And he treats your little girl like a real man should
He is good, so good.”
Weddings are emotional occasions, and not just because of the love that flows between you and your partner. Sometimes, it’s the heavy emotions (and temporary feelings of loss) between the bride and her parents that get the tears flowing.
In “Mama’s Song,” Carrie Underwood beautifully encapsulates a bride ensuring her mother that her marriage doesn’t mean that anything will change between them and that she’ll never lose her.
Most importantly, she assures her mother that her spouse/partner is a good person who treats her as she deserves.
Play this song at your reception and enjoy a sentimental moment with your mama.
“Like I’ll Never Love You Again”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“I wanna love you like the rain on a roof/Stronger than a bottle of a hundred ten proof/I wanna take love to places that love has never been/Yeah, I wanna love you like I’ll never love you again.”
If you’re fortunate enough to find that true, all-encompassing love, then you better hold tight and never let it go. Unfortunately, life is so unpredictable that, even if you do everything right, you can find yourself lost and alone.
Carrie Underwood’s song, “Like I’ll Never Love You Again” tells a hopeful tale of a protagonist who vows to love their lover as if it’ll be the last time.
Consider this passionate ballad for your first dance!
“The Fighter”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“I know he hurt you/Made you scared of love, too scared to love/He didn’t deserve you/Cause your precious heart is a precious heart/He didn’t know what he had and I thank God, oh/And it’s gonna take just a little time/But you’re gonna see that I was born to love you.”
It’s not every day that country royalty links up, so you should play “The Fighter,” which features legendary country artist Keith Urban just for the sheer star power! Fortunately, however, the song measures up to the star’s joint musical and vocal ability.
Plus, “The Fighter” is a sweet ode to a woman who’s been beaten down by love in the past and therefore may be a bit reluctant to open her heart. However, the guy in this scenario is determined to show her a different kind of love.
And though the lyrics may be a bit melancholy for a wedding, there are definitely couples out here who can relate to it the song’s meaning, making it the perfect song for a first dance. (Just be prepared to pull out the tissues!)
“What I Never Knew I Always Wanted”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“Never was the kind to think about dressing in white/Wasn’t waiting on a prince to come riding into my life/Thought I was happy on my own/’Til you came and proved me wrong/I finally found what I never knew I always wanted/I couldn’t see, I was blind ’til my eyes were opened.”
For some people, the thought of being in love doesn’t evoke feelings of butterflies in the stomach. Because of life’s unpredictable hardships, it may instead stir up feelings of anxiety.
Carrie Underwood’s song, “What I Knew I Always Wanted” perfectly expresses this sentiment, except there’s a happy ending!
Despite being apprehensive, her new love opened her heart to new experiences, like wearing a white dress and walking down the aisle. Whether or not that particular tale aligns with yours, this song still makes a great option for your first dance!
“All-American Girl”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“Taking his team to State. But when the nurse came in with a little pink blanket/All those big dreams changed/And now he’s wrapped around her finger, she’s the center of his whole world/And his heart belongs to that sweet little beautiful, wonderful, perfect all-American girl.”
If you’re a daddy’s girl and want to boo-hoo cry at your wedding, then you have to play “All-American Girl” by Carrie Underwood.
This emotional ballad paints a beautiful picture of a bond between a father and his daughter.
From the moment he found out his wife was expecting, he eagerly envisioned tossing a football with his son and all the other fun milestones fathers and sons share. However, the moment he found out they were having a girl, he fell in love. And now, he has to watch as she grows up and eventually leaves the nest.
If this sounds like your relationship with your father, then it’s only fitting that you play it during the father/daughter dance. There won’t be a dry eye in the place!
“Before He Cheats”
Lyrics you’ll love:
“I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive/Carved my name into his leather seats/I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights/I slashed a hole in all four tires/Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats.”
We know…but just hear us out. Playing “Before He Cheats” at your wedding doesn’t have to signify that there’s trouble in paradise. It can just be a fun country/rock song that’ll help get your guests out of their seats and on the dance floor!
As one of Carrie Underwood’s biggest and earliest hits, it’s a proven crowd pleaser. So it’s likely everyone also knows all the words. Play it at the end of the night and get everyone moving!
