From ceremony entrances to cocktail hour vibes, these 5 real Chicago couples worked with Parkwest Strings to create unforgettable wedding playlists.
Choosing the right music for your wedding can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to start from scratch. We’ve played hundreds of weddings, and couples from 2024 to 2025 have given us some unforgettable playlists. From the walk down the aisle to cocktail hour, here’s a look at what real couples are loving right now—plus inspiration to help you build a playlist that feels just right.
These five playlists come straight from our brides and grooms, each with their own unique vibe—romantic, modern, nostalgic, or unexpected. Use them as inspiration to craft a soundtrack that reflects your style. Whether it's a classic love song or a modern hit, our string ensembles help bring each couple's unique vision to life. I love mixing things up with a variety of tunes, as guests all have their own favorite songs—and the right playlist can make everyone feel included and uplifted.
Couple #1 – Romantic, ’90s-inspired with indie flair
Ceremony
Groom’s Entrance: Dreams – The Cranberries
Bride’s Entrance: There She Goes – The La’s (slow version)
Recessional: Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
Cocktail Hour
Young & Beautiful – Lana Del Rey
Halo – Beyoncé
Adore You – Harry Styles
Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Frankie Valli
Crash into Me – Dave Matthews Band
All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
Couple #2 – Classic romance with whimsical touches
Ceremony
Family Seating: Tonight, Tonight – Smashing Pumpkins
Bridal Party: Wildest Dreams – Taylor Swift
Bride: La Vie en Rose – Edith Piaf
Recessional: All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
Couple #3 – Sentimental and timeless with Beatles magic
Ceremony
Prelude: Riptide, Hallelujah, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Let It Be, She’s a Rainbow
Mothers’ Entrance: Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Bridal Party: Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Bride: In My Life – The Beatles
Unity Candle: Ave Maria
Recessional: Wildest Dreams – Taylor Swift
Postlude: Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Couple #4 – Eclectic, dramatic, and totally unexpected
Ceremony
Groom's Entrance: Kiss From A Rose – Seal
After the Kiss: Firework – Katy Perry
Cocktail Hour
Clocks – Coldplay
My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio
Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
Game of Thrones Theme
Love on Top – Beyoncé
Viva La Vida – Coldplay
Only Time – Enya
Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Eurythmics
The Way You Make Me Feel – Michael Jackson
I Want it That Way - Backstreet Boys
Couple #5 – Moody, modern, and deeply emotional
Ceremony
Bridal Party: Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish
Bride: Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
Recessional: Running Up That Hill – Kate Bush
Planning Your Own Playlist?
These real examples show that there’s no one-size-fits-all. Some couples lean into nostalgia, others mix eras and genres—and all of it works beautifully. When in doubt, think about the songs that give you goosebumps, the lyrics that speak to your love story, and melodies that will make your guests stop and say, “Wow.”
Whether you're walking down the aisle to Taylor Swift or surprising your guests with Metallica at cocktail hour, we’ll help you bring your vision to life—Chicago-style. At Parkwest Strings, we specialize in transforming your favorite songs into stunning live string performances.
📅 Booking for 2025 is now open—secure your date today.
Let’s build a playlist that sounds like you.