A Unity Ceremony is a unique wedding day ritual that symbolizes a couple joining together as one. It is a meaningful custom that typically reflects the personalities, religions, or families of both the bride and groom.
Whether you and your partner light a unity candle, perform a unity sand ceremony or blend two bottles of wine, the unity ceremony usually calls for a bit of background music to set the mood and reflect the importance of the performed ritual.
Take a look at the following 20 unity songs for weddings…
“Amazing Grace,” by Alan Jackson
Lyrics You’ll Love: “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear / And grace my fears relieved / How precious did that grace appear / The hour I first believed.”
If you are holding a religious wedding ceremony, country artist Alan Jackson’s gentle acoustic rendition of “Amazing Grace” would be a perfect fit for your Unity Ceremony. It is a soaring hymn that packs an emotional punch.
“Hallelujah,” by Alison Sparrow
Lyrics You’ll Love: “Well people I’ve been here before / I know this room and I’ve walked this floor / You see I used to live alone before I knew ya.”
“Hallelujah” is a ballad with a lovely and familiar melody that everyone witnessing your unity ceremony will be able to appreciate.
This instrumental version by Alison Sparrow features violin and piano which emphasizes the emotion in the song.
Play this as you release a lantern into the night sky or pour sand into a glass.
“Across The Universe,” by The Beatles
Lyrics You’ll Love: “Sounds of laughter, shades of life are ringing / Through my open ears inciting and inviting me / Limitless undying love which shines around me as a million suns / It calls me on and on across the universe.”
If you’re planning a boho-style wedding ceremony and want to reflect a sense of free spirit, consider The Beatles song “Across the Universe.”
The song was initially written in the late 60s to help John Lennon and the band explore their interest in Transcendental Meditation. The lyrics are thoughtful and poignant, with plenty of beautiful imagery.
“Canon in D,” by Brooklyn Duo
Lyrics You’ll Love: Instrumental.
If you want a beautiful instrumental piece with an emotional impact, Brooklyn Duo’s “Canon in D” is a perfect choice.
It features an upright bass and a piano blend to create a stunning arrangement that will wow your guests and elevates your ceremony.
“I Do,” by Casi Joy
Lyrics You’ll Love: “And here in this moment / I know I’m right where I belong / You were the missing part of me / I never knew was gone.”
For an upbeat Unity Ceremony song, “I Do” is a wonderful option with lyrics tailor-made for weddings.
The song is about how much the narrator promises to love and adore their future partner. It is full of sweet metaphors and charming ideas about what it will be like to love that person for the rest of their lives.
“The Prayer,” by Josh Groban, Charlotte Church
Lyrics You’ll Love: “I pray you’ll be our eyes / And watch us where we go / And help us to be wise / In times when we don’t know.”
The original version of “The Prayer” was performed by Celine Dion and Andrew Bocelli. It won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1999 and a Grammy in 2000.
Josh Groban and Charlotte Church’s version has the same gorgeous melody and powerhouse vocals as the original.
The lyrics describe a request for guidance, peace, and protection, which is an appropriate sentiment to express as you and your partner complete the unity ritual.
“Big, Big Plans,” by Chris Lane
Lyrics You’ll Love: “I got some big, big plans / Build a little house out on some hand-me-down land / Find a little island where we go to get tan / I bet we take our kids down there one day.”
Becoming a married couple is a momentous occasion that signifies your plan to move forward and build a life together.
The country song “Big, Big Plans” is a testament to all of the plans that the narrator wants to make with the love of his life. From traveling around the world to building a house and raising a family, this is a perfect song to play during your Unity Ceremony.
“Hand in Hand,” by David Arkenstone
Lyrics You’ll Love: Instrumental.
This is another gorgeous instrumental song!
It combines New Age and Celtic sounds from Grammy Award-winning American composer David Arkenstone. His music is frequently described as imaginative and otherworldly, and we can see why!
“You Light Up My Life,” by Debby Boone
Lyrics You’ll Love: “And you light up my life / You give me hope to carry on / You light up my days / And fill my nights with song.”
Debby Boone’s romantic and classic love ballad was released in 1977 and won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1978, among others.
The song describes a longing for the right person to come along, and when they do, the feeling of coming home.
“Perfect Symphony,” by Ed Sheeran, Andrea Bocelli
Lyrics You’ll Love: “Cause we were just kids when we fell in love / Not knowing what it was / I will not give you up this time / But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own / And in your eyes, you’re holding mine.”
Ed Sheeran’s pop hit “Perfect” gets a symphonic remix in this duet with famous Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.
The song is about two people who fell in love as children but missed out on the opportunity to pursue a real relationship. As adults, the couple is ready to pursue a relationship that will stand the test of time. Everything is perfect, as will their marriage be.
What makes this version particularly special is the addition of Italian sung by Andrea Bocelli. The soaring symphony in the background lends an extra romantic feel to the song.
“Sleepers, Awake!,” by Johann Sebastian Bach, The New Symphony Orchestra
Lyrics You’ll Love: Instrumental.
This gorgeous song has a calm and beautiful melody that is unforgettable.
Written by the famous German composer Johann Bach, the song in its most popular form was based on a hymn by a Lutheran minister named Philip Nicolai.
The hymn does have religious lyrics, however, the instrumental version by Bach is a joyful orchestral arrangement that would sound lovely during your Unity Ceremony.
“Here, Right Now,” by Joshua Radin
Lyrics You’ll Love: “’Cause you’re here (I’m here) / Right now (right now) / Not lost (not lost) but found / And everything I’ve done / Has brought me to you.”
Unity ceremonies symbolize the coming together of two separate people into one family. Joshua Radin’s song is the perfect soundtrack for this occasion, with its acoustic melody and echoing harmonies.
The song describes how everything in the narrator’s life, including hard times and bad decisions, has led to this perfect person.
“The Wedding Song,” by Kenny G
Lyrics You’ll Love: Instrumental
Kenny G is an award-winning saxophonist known for his smooth jazz arrangements.
“The Wedding Song” is a warm, romantic ballad that will add something special to your ceremony, whether religious or non-religious.
“Be Thou My Vision,” by Elenyi
Lyrics You’ll Love: “Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; / Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; / Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: / Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.”
“Be Thou My Vision” is an Old Irish Christian hymn that was translated to English in 1905. It is also frequently sung as an Irish folk song and is extremely popular in the UK.
The song has a gentle acoustic melody that talks about God being the guiding light in one’s life. This particular version, sung by a trio of sisters who call themselves Elenyi, is a delicate and beautifully harmonized arrangement that crescendos into a stunning conclusion.
“Better Half,” by JJ Heller
Lyrics You’ll Love: “I gave away my heart to you / When I gave you my hand / And somehow I still ended up more whole than I began / I count it as a blessing / I’ll never understand.”
When you wed the love of your life, you are unifying two people into one brand new family. This idea of joining with your better half is described perfectly in JJ Heller’s song.
Play this track during your unity ceremony to tell the story of how life is better than you could have ever dreamed it would be.
“No Matter Where You Are,” by Us the Duo
Lyrics You’ll Love: “I’ll take care of you / And love you just because / You and I are better than forever / Nothing can stop us.”
Us the Duo’s acoustic ballad is a romantic duet that makes an important promise; no matter where your partner goes or what mistakes they make in life, you will be there to love them and support them.
The song itself is an extension of the singers Michael and Clarissa Alvarado’s wedding vows, and was featured in the animated movie “The Book of Life.”
Overall, it is a simple and kind song that reminds listeners to love the one they’re with no matter where life takes them. If you ask us, that is the perfect sentiment to express during a Unity Ceremony.
“Compass,” by Analog Heart
Lyrics You’ll Love: Instrumental
If you are hoping to play an upbeat track that doesn’t have lyrics, you’ll love “Compass.”
The song has a folk-like style to it, with layered piano and guitar melodies. Although there are no lyrics, voices can be heard in the background as an added element to the melody.
“Forever From Now,” by Sheffield
Lyrics You’ll Love: “How I found you God only knows / He must’ve shaped you from a dream / Made you so I wouldn’t be alone / I’ll be lifted on your wings.”
Sheffield is a singer-songwriter and his song “Forever From Now” features a lovely combination of string bass and acoustic guitar.
It is a sweet, softly sung tune with an uplifting beat that talks about the narrator finding their perfect person, the “prettiest flower, the most beautiful spring sky.”
This song is the perfect way to express to your guests that you and your partner are committed to a forever together.
“Guiding Light,” by Foy Vance, Ed Sheeran
Lyrics You’ll Love: “When I need to get home / You’re my guiding light/ You’re my guiding light / So lead me on, and leave me strong / Like the road I walk on.”
Foy Vance has a remarkably unique voice that is both low and raspy. It pairs nicely with Ed Sheeran’s clear, strong voice in this romantic duet about the person you love.
Whether your better half is on the road often or you simply see them as the light of your life guiding you to a place of love and safety, this beautifully arranged song is a great option to consider for your Unity Ceremony.
“I Prayed For You,” by 4th + Main
Lyrics You’ll Love: “You’ve gone and turned the sky to blue / Baby I prayed for you / There’s nothing like your love / Now I can see the light, it’s true / Baby I prayed for you.”
4th + Main is a newer country crossover band that combines catchy lyrics, carefully crafted harmonies, and easy-listening arrangements.
Their song “I Prayed For You” describes that special feeling a person gets when they know they have found their true companion.
