Ed Sheeran Wedding Songs: 25 of the Best for 2026

Few artists have shaped the modern wedding soundtrack like Ed Sheeran.

"Perfect" was the most popular first dance song for US couples for six consecutive years (2017-2022), the longest reign for any artist, until Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" finally displaced it in 2023.

On FixTheMusic, Sheeran's songs consistently rank among the most-requested by couples booking wedding singers, with "Perfect" and "Thinking Out Loud" appearing in wedding setlists more than almost any other modern songs.

The same man who wrote "Perfect", a waltz-time ballad that became the most-played first dance song of a generation, also wrote "Shape of You" and "Bad Habits," two of the most reliable dancefloor fillers of the 2010s.

That breadth is why a single Ed Sheeran playlist can carry you from the walk down the aisle through to the last dance of the night, and why almost every professional wedding singer and acoustic duo on FixTheMusic has at least three or four of his songs in their repertoire.

Below are 25 of the best Ed Sheeran songs for weddings, grouped by where they fit in the day. For more ideas across all artists, see our complete list of best wedding songs.

Quick Picks

• Walk down the aisle: Perfect
• First dance: Thinking Out Loud
• Signing the register: Tenerife Sea
• Drinks reception: Galway Girl
• Dancefloor: Shape of You

Ceremony Songs

Best for walking down the aisle, signing the register, or pre-ceremony background music.

1. Perfect (2017)

The most popular wedding song of the modern era. Written as a waltz, the lyrics leave nothing to doubt. "I found a girl, beautiful and sweet, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me." Works for every ceremony moment but is especially stunning as a processional, particularly when performed live by an acoustic guitarist. Steve Sings performs a widely-praised version of this at London weddings.

2. Tenerife Sea (2014)

One of Sheeran's least-known love songs, and all the better for it. The melody builds gently without ever losing its intimacy. "I want you to know it's enough for me, 'cause all that you are is all that I'll ever need." Save this one for signing the register, or for a first dance if you'd rather not go with Perfect. For more processional ideas, see our songs to walk down the aisle to.

3. All of the Stars (2014)

Written for the soundtrack of The Fault in Our Stars. The chorus swells beautifully, making it ideal as a recessional, the moment you walk back up the aisle together. Less commonly chosen than Perfect or Thinking Out Loud, which makes it feel more personal.

4. One (2011)

The opening track from Sheeran's debut album. Stripped-back, tender, and built around a single acoustic guitar line. The lyrics are about waiting for someone and knowing they're the one. "Tell me that you'll turn down every man who asks for your hand, 'cause you're waiting for me." Beautiful for a pre-ceremony moment or a very intimate first dance.

5. Give Me Love (2011)

The closing track from + (Plus). It starts as a quiet whisper and builds into a soaring, anthemic climax. The buildup makes it a stunning processional: the crescendo can time perfectly with the bride appearing at the end of the aisle. See also our best wedding entrance songs for more processional ideas.

First Dance Songs

Songs with romantic, personal lyrics that balance intimacy with melody. For more first dance ideas across all artists, see our best first dance wedding songs.

6. Thinking Out Loud (2014)

The song that made Ed Sheeran a wedding staple before Perfect came along. "Maybe we found love right where we are" is one of the most quoted first dance lyrics of the decade. Sam Stewart performs a stunning piano-vocal version at London weddings, proof it works as well on piano as it does on guitar.

7. Photograph (2014)

About loving someone even when you're apart. The chorus carries real weight for couples who've been through distance or hard times together. "Loving can heal, loving can mend your soul." If you want something sincere but not overplayed, this is where to look.

8. How Would You Feel (Paean) (2017)

A gentle, lilting love song from ÷ (Divide). Sheeran wrote it about his wife Cherry, and the melody has a warmth that comes across powerfully when performed live. Some of our wedding singers in London have reported that this is increasingly requested as a first dance, particularly by couples who want a Sheeran song that isn't Perfect or Thinking Out Loud.

9. Hearts Don't Break Around Here (2017)

One of the quieter tracks on ÷ (Divide). It's about feeling safe with someone. "She is the sweetest thing that I know, should see the way she holds me when the lights go low." A lovely, understated first dance for couples who value comfort and stability over grand gestures.

10. Kiss Me (2011)

Sheeran has said this song was written specifically for his godparents' wedding. That story alone makes it a fitting one to use, and the melody, gentle, romantic, slightly folk-influenced, suits an acoustic first dance perfectly. Jonny, one of our Oxford-based wedding singers, performs a beautiful version of this.

11. Afterglow (2020)

Released as a standalone single at the end of 2020. It's a raw, heartfelt ballad about holding on to love through difficult times. "I won't be silent and I won't let go, I will hold on tighter 'til the afterglow." For couples who want a newer Ed Sheeran first dance song that still has that classic acoustic ballad feel, this is the one.

12. First Times (2021)

From = (Equals). It's about cherishing the small, ordinary moments: first kisses, first fights, first nights together. The lyrics are specific and personal in a way that resonates with couples reflecting on their own journey. This is the one if your first dance should feel like a private conversation rather than a performance.

13. The Vow (2025)

The standout wedding song from Sheeran's 2025 album Play. Apple Music's editorial describes it as harkening to "Perfect" and "Thinking Out Loud", and it does, with a melody that builds to a moving chorus. For couples marrying in 2026, this is the fresh Ed Sheeran first dance that still sounds timeless. Louis Joun, one of our wedding singers in Santorini and the Greek islands, already includes this in his ceremony repertoire.

Songs for the In-Between Moments

Upbeat but not overwhelming; perfect for building atmosphere.

14. Everything Has Changed ft. Taylor Swift (2012)

A duet from Taylor Swift's Red album that crosses over perfectly into Sheeran's territory. The melody is warm and upbeat, the lyrics about meeting someone who changes everything. A great drinks reception track, and if you're also a Taylor Swift fan, check out our full list of Taylor Swift wedding songs.

15. The Joker and the Queen ft. Taylor Swift (2021)

The second Sheeran-Swift collaboration, released on = (Equals). Slower and more intimate than Everything Has Changed. The lyrics tell a simple love story: true love doesn't require extravagant gifts. Works beautifully during the wedding breakfast or as a signing-of-the-register song.

16. What Do I Know? (2017)

From ÷ (Divide). It's short, joyful, and built around a single guitar riff. The message is simple but effective: "Love can change the world in a moment, but what do I know?" Perfect for a drinks reception where guests are relaxed and chatty. Glow Duo, an acoustic duo from Gloucestershire, perform a lovely version of this.

17. For Always (2025)

Another romantic track from Play. Apple Music's editorial groups it with "In Other Words" as one of two "sweetly romantic odes" describing universal emotions you share with a partner. Its gentle tempo and warm production make it ideal background music for the wedding breakfast, present without demanding attention.

Dancefloor Songs

Tracks guaranteed to get every generation on the floor. For more dancefloor ideas, see our 50 best songs to open the dance floor at a wedding.

18. Shape of You (2017)

The biggest-selling Ed Sheeran song of all time. Every guest knows the chorus within two seconds of the opening marimba riff. It's a guaranteed floor-filler that crosses age groups effortlessly.

19. Bad Habits (2021)

Sheeran's foray into synth-pop. The driving beat and memorable hook make it a reliable mid-evening dancefloor track. It works particularly well when performed live by a band with a strong vocal, the melody carries even without the production.

20. Castle on the Hill (2017)

A nostalgic anthem about growing up. The chorus is a massive singalong moment, every guest who knows it joins in. It's particularly effective at British weddings, where the references to Framlingham and the Suffolk countryside land with extra weight. For more singalong anthems, see our best classic wedding songs.

21. Galway Girl (2017)

Irish folk energy in a pop package. The fiddle-driven melody is infectious and it's one of the few Sheeran songs that works as well with a traditional folk band as it does with a pop function band. Guaranteed to get the dancefloor jumping.

22. Beautiful People ft. Khalid (2019)

From No.6 Collaborations Project. Upbeat, smooth, and modern. It sits well early in the evening, before the big dancefloor anthems kick in. The tempo is perfect for dancing without being exhausting.

23. Shivers (2021)

From = (Equals). It has a driving rhythm and a chorus that lodges in your head immediately. Less overplayed than Shape of You but equally effective on the dancefloor. Works well when performed live. Anna Sings, one of our France-based wedding singers, includes a striking acoustic version of this in her setlist.

24. Overpass Graffiti (2021)

One of the deeper cuts from = (Equals). It has a retro 80s feel with a modern production sheen. The chorus is anthemic and builds to a satisfying climax. A good alternative to the obvious Sheeran dancefloor hits.

25. Nancy Mulligan (2017)

This is a true story. Sheeran's grandparents were an Irish Catholic woman and a Protestant man from Belfast who eloped despite family opposition. He turned it into a traditional Irish folk song, and the result is joyous and romantic in equal measure. Perfect for a ceilidh moment or as a late-evening floor-filler that brings something different to the standard pop playlist. For more departure ideas, see our wedding exit songs.

Ed Sheeran Live: What to Ask Your Singer

Most Ed Sheeran songs are built around a single acoustic guitar and vocal, which means a solo singer-guitarist can perform them faithfully without backing tracks. That simplicity is a big part of why they're so popular with the wedding singers on FixTheMusic.

Most professionals already have Perfect, Thinking Out Loud, and Shape of You in their standard repertoire. For newer tracks from Play (2025), like The Vow or For Always, give your singer plenty of notice, as they may need time to learn and arrange them.

If you're planning a ceremony and want Ed Sheeran songs performed live, Steve Sings (London), Kate Sings (Manchester), and Louis Joun (Greece and Santorini) all perform a wide selection of Sheeran tracks and take song requests. For a duo sound, Glow Duo (Gloucestershire) and the Girona Duo (Spain) both perform Ed Sheeran material as part of their acoustic sets.

You might also like our Justin Bieber wedding songs and Michael Jackson wedding songs guides.

To find a wedding singer who can perform your favourite Ed Sheeran songs at your wedding, start an enquiry on FixTheMusic.

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