From your ceremony to your last dance, incorporate these romantic tunes into your big day.
If you're looking for ultra-romantic music for your big day, look no further than these incredible R&B wedding songs. While many couples choose an R&B song for their first dance, these sultry tunes can really be played at any point during your ceremony and reception, from the processional to the after-party and other musical moments in between. Here's a collection of the best R&B wedding songs from artists old and new.
In this article:
Getting Ready R&B Wedding Songs
There's nothing like a good '90s R&B wedding song when you're prepping with your crew. These upbeat songs are perfect to get you in the mood to celebrate!
"You Make Me Wanna," by Usher
Lyrics you'll love: "I think about a ring and all the things that come along with you/Make me"
"Sittin' Up in My Room," by Brandy
Lyrics you'll love: "Be sitting up in my room/Back here thinking 'bout you/I must confess I'm a mess for you"
"Love on Top," by Beyonce
Lyrics you'll love: "When I need to make everything stop/Finally you put my love on top"
"You Gotta Be," by Des'ree
Lyrics you'll love: "You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold/You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard/You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger"
"How Will I Know," by Whitney Houston
Lyrics you'll love: "How will I know if he really loves me?/I say a prayer with every heartbeat/I fall in love whenever we meet"
"Run the World (Girls)," by Beyonce
Lyrics you'll love: "Boy you know you love it/How we're smart enough/To make these millions/Strong enough to bear the children/Then get back to business"
"Down," by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne
Lyrics you'll love: "So baby don't worry, you are my only/You won't be lonely, even if the sky is falling down"
"1, 2 Step," by Ciara feat. Missy Elliott
Lyrics you'll love: "Let me see you one, two step/I love it when you one, two step/Everybody one, two step/We about to get it on"
"Say My Name," by Destiny's Child
Lyrics you'll love: "Say my name, say my name/If no one is around you/Say baby I love you/If you ain't runnin' game"
"Milkshake," by Kelis
Lyrics you'll love: My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard/And they're like, it's better than yours/Damn right it's better than yours/I can teach you, but I have to charge"
Ceremony R&B Wedding Songs
Whether you're looking for processional music or even inspiration for your vows, these are some of the best R&B wedding songs to include in your ceremony.
"So Amazing," by Luther Vandross
Lyrics you'll love: "Love has truly been good to me/Not even one sad day/Or minute have I had/Since you've come my way"
"Point of It All," by Anthony Hamilton
Lyrics you'll love: "My days seem long whenever we're apart/It's like someone had thrown away my heart/You're a major part of my life/And no matter what the storm may bring/I'm fine with you"
"Share My Life," by Kem
Lyrics you'll love: "Listen, I want you right here in my world/Here in my life, here in my soul/I want the world to know that I need you"
"Love of My Life," Brian McKnight
Lyrics you'll love: "Everything I did before you, wasn't worth my while/It should've been you all the time/I'll do anything, and everything to please you/You know how much I need you"
"Dangerously in Love 2," by Beyonce
Lyrics you'll love: "I am in love with you/You set me free/I can't do this thing/Called life without you here with me/'Cause I'm dangerously in love with you/I'll never leave"
"Make Me Whole," by Amel Larrieux
Lyrics you'll love: "Cause your eyes are the windows to heaven/Your smile could heal a million souls/Your love completes my existence/You're the other half that makes me whole/You're the only other half that makes me whole"
"Fall For You," by Leela James
Lyrics you'll love: "My heart is ready/For love and to be loved/And I chose you, baby/That's the one thing I'm sure of/So I will take this one last step"
"Kiss of Life," by Sade
Lyrics you'll love: "When I was led to you/I knew you were the one for me/I swear the whole world could feel my heartbeat"
"All of Me," by John Legend
Lyrics you'll love: "All your perfect imperfections/Give your all to me/I'll give my all to you/You're my end and my beginning/Even when I lose I'm winning"
"Why I Love You," by MAJOR
Lyrics you'll love: "I found love in you/Every moment that you smile chases all of the pain away/Forever and a while in my heart is where you'll stay"
"A Couple of Forevers," by Chrisette Michele
Lyrics you'll love: "What we've been through, no one else knows/'Cause all that matters is how far this goes/And it will go until it starts again"
First Dance R&B Wedding Songs
Looking for the best R&B wedding songs for your first dance? From Whitney to Luther, Stevie to Sade, here are some of our favorite R&B wedding songs for your moment in the spotlight.
"I Believe in You and Me," by Whitney Houston
Lyrics you'll love: "I believe in miracles/Love's a miracle/And baby you're a dream come true"
"Always and Forever," by Luther Vandross
Lyrics you'll love: "Everyday love me your own special way/Melt all my heart away with a smile/Take time to tell me you really care/And we'll share tomorrow together/Baby, baby, I'll always love you, forever"
"By Your Side," by Sade
Lyrics you'll love: "And if you want to cry/I am here to dry your eyes/And in no time, you'll be fine"
"Overjoyed," by Stevie Wonder
Lyrics you'll love: "And though you don't believe that they do/They do come true/For did my dreams/Come true when I looked at you"
"Endless Love," by Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross
Lyrics you'll love: "Two hearts/Two hearts that beat as one/Our lives have just begun"
"Back At One," by Brian McKnight
Lyrics you'll love: "One, you're like a dream come true/Two, just wanna be with you/Three, girl it's plain to see/That you're the only one for me"
"All My Life," by K-Ci and Jojo
Lyrics you'll love: "All my life I've prayed for someone like you/And I hope that you feel the same way too"
"Angel of Mine," by Monica
Lyrics you'll love: "When I first saw you, I already knew/There was something inside of you/Something I thought that I would never find/Angel of mine"
"Everytime I Close My Eyes," by Babyface feat. Mariah Carey
Lyrics you'll love: "It feels like springtime in winter/It feels like Christmas in June/It feels like heaven has opened up it's gates for me and you"
"For You," by Kenny Lattimore
Lyrics you'll love: "For you, I make a promise of fidelity/Now and for eternity/No one could replace this love/For you, I take your hand and heart and everything/And add to them a wedding ring"
Parent Dance R&B Wedding Songs
Finding a parent dance song can be tricky—you want the lyrics to feel appropriate for the moment and feel sweet, not sappy. Fortunately, there are many R&B wedding songs that are perfect for parent dances.
"Isn't She Lovely," by Stevie Wonder
Lyrics you'll love: "I never thought through love we'd be/Making one as lovely as she/But isn't she lovely made from love?"
"A Mother's Love," by Kem
Lyrics you'll love: "In a mother's love, you are free to dream/Because she sees what you can be/In a mother's love you see the sun/Enough for two but you are one"
"A Song for Mama," by Boyz II Men
Lyrics you'll love: "Mama, Mama you're the queen of my heart/Your love is like tears from the stars, yes it is/Mama I just want you to know lovin' you is like food to my soul"
"I'll Always Love My Mama," by The Intruders
Lyrics you'll love: "I'll always love my mama/She's my favorite girl/I'll always love my mama/She brought me in this world"
"My Girl," by The Temptationd
Lyrics you'll love: "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day/When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May"
"I'll Be There," by The Jackson 5
Lyrics you'll love: "I'll reach out my hand to you/I'll have faith in all you do/Just call my name and I'll be there"
"Stand By Me," by Ben E. King
Lyrics you'll love: "If the sky that we look upon/Should tumble and fall/Or the mountain should crumble to the sea/I won't cry, I won't cry/No, I won't shed a tear/Just as long as you stand, stand by me"
"Unforgettable," by Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole
Lyrics you'll love: "Unforgettable, that's what you are/Unforgettable, though near or far"
FOR YOU
"Lovely Day," by Bill Withers
Lyrics you'll love: "Then I look at you/And the world's alright with me/Just one look at you/And I know it's gonna be/A lovely day"
"Daddy," by Beyonce
Lyrics you'll love: "I want/My unborn son/To be like my daddy/I want my husband to be like my daddy/There is no one else like my daddy/And I thank you"
Reception Entrance R&B Wedding Songs
When you and your wedding party make your grand entrance into the reception, the right song can truly set the tone for the rest of the night. These R&B wedding songs are sure to put your guests in the partying mood!
"September," by Earth, Wind & Fire
Lyrics you'll love: "Do you remember the 21st night of September?/Love was changing the minds of pretenders/While chasing the clouds away"
"This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)," by Natalie Cole
Lyrics you'll love: "You've given me the thrill of a lifetime/And made me believe you've got more thrills to spare"
"You're My First, My Last, My Everything," by Barry White
Lyrics you'll love: "My first, the last, my everything/And the answer to all my dreams/You're my sun, my moon, my guiding star/My kind of wonderful, that's what you are"
"Crazy in Love," by Beyonce ft. Jay-Z
Lyrics you'll love: "Such a funny thing for me to try to explain/How I'm feeling and my pride is the one to blame/'Cause I know I don't understand/Just how your love can do what no one else can"
"Love Train," by The O'Jays
Lyrics you'll love: "People all over the world/Join hands/Start a love train, love train"
"Jump (For My Love)," by The Pointer Sisters
Lyrics you'll love: "Then jump/For my love/Jump in/And feel my touch"
"Let's Get Married," by Jagged Edge
Lyrics you'll love: "Meet me in the altar in your white dress/We ain't getting no younger, we might as well do it"
"Suit & Tie," by Justin Timberlake
Lyrics you'll love: "And as long as I've got my suit and tie/I'ma leave it all on the floor tonight/And you got fixed up to the nines/Let me show you a few things"
"This is How We Do It," by Montell Jordan
Lyrics you'll love: "This is how we do it, all hands are in the air/And wave them from here to there"
"Yeah!" by Usher
Lyrics you'll love: "She's saying, come get me/So I got up and followed her to the floor/She said, baby let's go"
Reception Dancing R&B Wedding Songs
It's time to party! Playing these R&B wedding songs will practically guarantee your guests rush to the dance floor.
"Return of the Mack," by Mark Morrison
Lyrics you'll love: Baby, now I got the flow/'Cause I knew it from the start/Baby, when you broke my heart/That I had to come again, and show you that I'm real"
"Respect," by Aretha Franklin
Lyrics you'll love: "R-E-S-P-E-C-T/Find out what it means to me/R-E-S-P-E-C-T/Take care, TCB"
"Too Close," by Next
Lyrics you'll love: "I like the way you move/You're making me want you /Oh the way you move/I like those things you do/But you're a little too close"
"All Night Long (All Night)," by Lionel Ritchie
Lyrics you'll love: "People dancing all in the street/See the rhythm all in their feet/Life is good, wild and sweet/Let the music play on"
"You're All I Need to Get By," by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Lyrics you'll love: "Like the sweet morning dew, I took one look at you/And it was plain to see, you were my destiny"
"Real Love," by Mary J. Blige
Lyrics you'll love: "Real love/I'm searchin' for a real love/Someone to set my heart free/Real love/I'm searchin' for a real love"
"Level Up," by Ciara
Lyrics you'll love: "Thank God I never settled, this view is so much better/I'm chilling, I'm winning, like on another level"
"Happy," by Pharrell Williams
Lyrics you'll love: "Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof/Because I'm happy/Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth/Because I'm happy"
"Poison," by Bell Biv DeVoe
Lyrics you'll love: "It's driving me out of my mind/That's why it's hard for me to find/Can't get it outta my head/Miss her, kiss her, love her, wrong move you're dead"
"Doo Wop (That Thing)," by Lauryn Hill
Lyrics you'll love: "Guys you know you'd better watch out/Some girls, some girls are only about/That thing, that thing, that thing"
R&B Wedding Exit Songs
The last dance of the night is a perfect opportunity to play an R&B wedding song, whether you're looking for a slower tune or one that's more upbeat to set the tone for the after-party to come.
"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," by Beyonce
Lyrics you'll love: "'Cause if you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it/If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it/Don't be mad once you see that he want it"
"At Last," by Etta James
Lyrics you'll love: "At last/My love has come along/My lonely days are over/And life is like a song"
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now," by McFadden & Whitehead
Lyrics you'll love: "And if you've ever been held down before/I know you'll refuse to be held down anymore!/Don't you let nothing, nothing/Stand in your way"
"I Second That Emotion," by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Lyrics you'll love: "Oh, but if you feel like lovin' me/If you got the notion/I second that emotion"
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough," by Diana Ross
Lyrics you'll love: "Ain't no mountain high enough/Ain't no valley low enough/Ain't no river wild enough/To keep me from you"
"End of the Road," by Boyz II Men
Lyrics you'll love: "Although we've come/To the end of the road/Still I can't let go/It's unnatural/You belong to me/I belong to you"
"Just the Two of Us," by Bill Withers
Lyrics you'll love: "Just the two of us/Building castles in the sky/Just the two of us/You and I"
"Hit the Road Jack," by Ray Charles
Lyrics you'll love: "Hit the road Jack and don't you come back/No more, no more, no more, no more/Hit the road Jack and don't you come back/No more"
"Save the Best for Last," by Vanessa Williams
Lyrics you'll love: "And now we're standing face to face/Isn't this world a crazy place/Just when I thought our chance had passed/You go and save the best for last"
"Let's Get it On," by Marvin Gaye
Lyrics you'll love: :We're all sensitive people/With so much to give/Understand me, sugar/Since we've got to be here/Let's live/I love you"
"Superstition," by Stevie Wonder
Lyrics you'll love: "When you believe in things/That you don't understand/Then you suffer,/Superstition ain't the way"
After-Party R&B Wedding Songs
Your older relatives have likely gone home, so it's time to turn things up a notch. The best R&B wedding songs for your after-party can be a little sexier and perfect for a crowd that's ready to continue the celebration all night.
"Pony," by Ginuwine
Lyrics you'll love: "My saddle's waiting, come and jump on it"
"SexyBack," by Justin Timberlake
Lyrics you'll love: "I'm bringin' sexy back/Them other boys don't know how to act"
"Adorn," by Miguel
Lyrics you'll love: "Just let my love, just let my love adorn you, please baby/And you gotta know, you gotta know/You know that I adore you, yeah baby"
"Thong Song," by Sisqo
Lyrics you'll love: "When you shakin' that thing like whose the ish/With a look in your eyes so devilish"
"Are You That Somebody," by Aaliyah
Lyrics you'll love: "Sometimes I'm goody-goody/Right now I'm naughty-naughty/Say yes or say no/'Cause I really need somebody/Tell me are you that somebody?"
"Super Freak," by Rick James
Lyrics you'll love: "That girl is pretty wild now/The girl's a super freak/The kind of girl you read about/In the new wave magazines"
"Don't Stop the Music," by Rihanna
Lyrics you'll love: "I wanna take you away, let's escape into the music, DJ, let it play/I just can't refuse it, like the way you do this/Keep on rockin' to it/Please don't stop the, please don't stop the music"
"Always on Time," by Ja Rule feat. Ashanti
Lyrics you'll love: "Baby, I'm not always there when you call, but I'm always on time/And I gave you my all, now baby be mine"
"No Scrubs," by TLC
Lyrics you'll love: "No, I don't want no scrubs/A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me/Hanging out the passenger side/Of his best friend's ride/Trying to holler at me"
"That's the Way Love Goes," by Janet Jackson
Lyrics you'll love: "Come with me don't you worry/I'm gonna make you crazy/I'll give you the time of your life"
