14 James Taylor Wedding Songs for Your Big Day

When it comes to planning a wedding, there are so many details to think about, and deciding on music is a big one!

Do you want a DJ or a band? Can you afford a band? What song to walk down the aisle to? What song to walk back up the aisle to? What should be our song for the first dance? Do we even have a song? If not, how do we pick a song?

Before you start spinning out into musical never-never land, if you and your fiance are fans of James Taylor (and who isn’t?), take a breath and rest assured we’ve got you covered!

Here is a list of some of our favorite James Taylor wedding songs.

James Taylor Wedding Songs

“Something in the Way She Moves” (1968)

“Something in the Way She Moves” was one of James Taylor’s first hits.

With only an acoustic guitar and James’ smooth voice, this romantic ballad could be placed just about anywhere in your wedding day playlist. Possibly as pre-ceremony music or as the bride walks down the aisle, during cocktail hour, dinner, or as the first dance.

“She has the power to go where no one else can find me and to silently remind me/Of the happiness and the good times that I know, and then I just got to go then.”

“Carolina in My Mind” (1968)

Another classic love song from James Taylor’s early years, “Carolina in My Mind” has some of the most beautiful, heartfelt lyrics of all time. This tune is another that could go anywhere in your reception playlist.

The rule of thumb when making a wedding playlist is to have one slow song for every five fast songs, and “Carolina in My Mind” would work in this formula easily.

“There ain’t no doubt in no one’s mind that loves the finest thing around/whisper something soft and kind/And hey, babe, the sky’s on fire, I’m dying, ain’t I? I’m going to Carolina in my mind.”

“Brighten Your Night With My Day” (1968)

A little lesser-known love ballad but equally as beautiful, “Brighten Your Night With My Day” is a bit more upbeat.

Folky with gorgeous lyrics, this song is reminiscent of why people love sappy 70s music. We think this would be beautiful as background music for cocktail hour or dinner.

“When you can come home to me, yes, I’m happy to hear what you’ve got to say to me, baby, all the way/Girl, you can count on me, watch those shadows fade away/and brighten your night with my day.”

“Sweet Baby James”(1970)

If you are doing a father/daughter or mother/son dance, “Sweet Baby James” needs to be on your short list of options.

With lovely lyrics and a beautiful melody, be prepared to not have a dry eye in the house with this one.

“Goodnight you moonlight ladies, rock-a-bye sweet baby James/Deep greens and blues are the colors I choose, won’t you let me go down in my dreams?/And rock-a-bye sweet baby James.”

“Fire and Rain” (1970)

“Fire and Rain” is another tearjerker that you might want to consider as some background music either pre-ceremony or during cocktail hour or dinner. It’s one of James Taylor’s most popular songs, but the lyrics are deep and sad.

“Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end/I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend/but I always thought that I’d see you, baby, one more time again, now.”

“You’ve Got a Friend” (1971)

Written by Carole King, “You’ve Got a Friend” is another must-have from James Taylor for your wedding playlist.

An ultimate slow dance groove, this tune would work for your first dance as a couple, a parent/child dance, or the last dance of the wedding. Just, wow.

“When you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand/And nothing, whoa, nothing is going right/Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there/To brighten up even your darkest nights.”

“Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” (1972)

A classic sappy 70s song, “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” is another tune that could be used anywhere in your wedding. And you have to check out the album cover for One Man Dog!

“Do me wrong, do me right, right now, baby/Go on and tell me lies but hold me tight/Save your good-byes for the morning light, morning light/but don’t let me be lonely tonight.”

“Mexico” (1975)

A more upbeat tune, “Mexico” is uplifting and fun. A possible placement for this song is while cutting the wedding cake. Or if you happen to be going to Mexico for your honeymoon, it may be the perfect send-off song!

“Woh, Mexico/It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low/Moon’s so bright, like to light up the night, make everything all right.”

“How Sweet It Is” (1975)

“How Sweet It Is” is all about the love! With an infectious beat and the sweetest lyrics, this song needs to be somewhere on your reception playlist.

“I close my eyes at night wondering where would I be without you in my life/Everything I did was just a bore, everywhere I went it seems I’d been there before/But you brighten up for me all of my days with a love so sweet in so many ways/I want to stop and thank you, baby, I just want to stop and thank you, baby/How sweet it is to be loved by you, feels so fine. How sweet it is to be loved by you.”

“Shower the People You Love With Love” (1976)

Another absolutely beautiful song about love, “Shower the People You Love With Love” needs to be somewhere in your wedding day playlist.

From getting ready in the bridal suite to walking down the aisle as a couple to the bouquet toss, expect a lot of joyful smiles with this one.

“Oh, father and mother, sister and brother, if it feels nice, don’t think twice/Just shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel.”

“Your Smiling Face” (1976)

This tune is one of James Taylor’s absolute best ever. The melody is upbeat and the whole song just exudes joy with every note.

We think it’s perfect for introducing you and your beloved as a married couple for the first time or even as your first dance.

“Whenever I see your smiling face, I have to smile myself because I love you, yes, I do.
And when you give me that pretty little pout, it turns me inside out/There’s something about you, baby, I don’t know.”

“I Will Follow” (1981)

Another one of James Taylor’s lesser-known songs, “I Will Follow” is a bit jazzy with an infectious chorus. This tune would work well as filler music for cocktail hour.

“I know I must follow, follow love, yes, yes, I will follow, follow love/I know I will follow, follow love.”

“Believe It or Not” (1981)

“Believe It or Not” is a soothing ballad that talks about soulmates and the power of love. Taylor’s silky voice shines on this song from the early 80s.

Listen to this tune and possibly select it as your first or last dance. Just beautiful!

“Believe it or not, I’ve been waiting for you to come through, love of my life.”

“Copperline” (1991)

Recorded 23 years after James Taylor’s first hits, “Copperline” shows maturity as James’ career re-invented itself.

Not a lot of musicians can stay relevant over four decades, but Copperline hits all the right notes!

The song could be placed anywhere in your wedding and is sure to give you and your wedding guests all the good feels.

“First kiss ever I took, like a page from a romance book, the sky opened and the earth shook, down on Copperline, down on Copperline.”

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