Music really does set the soul on fire, and create the atmosphere for your wedding day. We would be lying if we said we didn’t pinpoint perfect wedding songs whenever we hear them! Creating a list of nature-inspired songs for your day is easier said than done, so lucky for us, the terrific team at DJ: Plus! Entertainment has once again curated the perfect soundtrack of epic music for your wedding day (remember this one from a couple of weeks ago?!), only this time it’s nature-inspired reception songs to set the scene! 

Image: Bird and Boy Photography via Ash & Adam’s Charming & Intimate Mount Warning Garden Wedding

Following on from 10 Perfect Nature Inspired Songs for your Ceremony (some of those songs would also be great for the reception, but have not been included in this post), let’s now look at some nature-inspired reception songs that will help set the scene.

Having a nature-inspired reception and can’t think of how to get everybody into that nature theme headspace? Music is a powerful tool that can help set the tone, as well as anchor a moment in time in our memories, and unite your guests during your celebration. It can also be used to emphasise a moment and conjure emotions.

Selecting the right nature-inspired music could be difficult and stressful for some. Here is a selection of suggestions to get you started!

Image: Kyra Boyer via Loran & Simon’s Botanical Inspired City Wedding at Glasshaus Inside

Reception Entrance

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

This oldie is a Motown favourite which conveys that when you really love someone, you let no obstacle stand in your way. It will bring a smile to everyone’s face and energise them! It can also be used on the dance floor, or for your reception send-off. ” ‘Cause baby there ain’t no mountain high enough, Ain’t no valley low enough, Ain’t no river wide enough, To keep me from getting to you babe!”

I personally love the Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell version and the fact that it is a duet between a couple (as if a couple is singing to each other), but for another great duet, check out the Chimène Badi & Billy Paul version. Consider the Jennifer Hudson version if you are looking for a female-only vocal. Another is the Jimmy Barnes version for a male-only vocal or if you desire an Australian/Scottish connection.

Image: Perspectives Photography via Clara & Chris’ Intimate & Earthy Daintree Rainforest Wedding

“Walking On Sunshine” – Katrina & The Waves

An upbeat song that conveys the couple’s overwhelming happiness. You can’t help being swept up in the festive vibe this song generates and most likely, nobody will be walking! “I feel alive, I feel the love, I feel the love that’s really real, I feel alive, I feel the love, I feel the love that’s really real, I’m on sunshine, baby, oh, Oh yeah, I’m on sunshine, baby, oh, I’m walking on sunshine, whoa-oh, I’m walking on sunshine, whoa-oh, I’m walking on sunshine, whoa-oh, And don’t it feel good.” It can also be used as an Exit Song.

“A Sky Full Of Stars” – Coldplay

The song is about unconditional love. The stars are always there, like love. Just like the commitment of marriage should be. Start at around 1min 21secs for an upbeat entry (or use a remix version). Who wouldn’t want their reception in the open under a sky full of stars…..and overflowing with love!! “‘Cause you’re a sky, ’cause you’re a sky full of stars, I’m gonna give you my heart, ‘Cause you’re a sky, ’cause you’re a sky full of stars, ‘Cause you light up the path.”

Image: Ethereal Photography via Teri-Anne & Ben’s Luxe Boho Rainforest Wedding

First Dance

“Truly, Madly, Deeply” – Savage Garden

Certainly one of the most beautiful songs for a first dance. It speaks of unconditional love, new beginnings, the reason for living, and a deeper love forever. “I want to stand with you on a mountain, I want to bathe with you in the sea, I want to lay like this forever, Until the sky falls down on me…”

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Elvis Presley / Ingrid Michaelson / The Eels / Haley Reinhart / Kina Grannis

Such as a simple song, that has lots of meaning and is still popular for ceremonies and first dances to this day. It is filled with passion, desire, longing, beauty, magic, and romance. Also a great song for the cake cutting. “Like a river flows, surely to the sea, Darling, so it goes, Some things are meant to be, Take my hand, Take my whole life too, For I can’t help falling in love with you.”

“Sea Of Love” – Honeydrippers or Cat Power

Another extremely simple song that says so much. A love that is as big as the sea. “Come with me, my love, To the sea, the sea of love, I want to tell you just how much I love you.”

Images: Hills & Homebound

“You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” – Stevie Wonder

Saying someone’s the literal sunshine of your life means you can’t live without them. I mean, what would life be without sunshine?! Boring. And dark. And pretty impossible to live in. A beautiful song for a first dance or a father-daughter dance. “You are the sunshine of my life, That’s why I’ll always be around, You are the apple of my eye, Forever you’ll stay in my heart.”

“Annie’s Song” – John Denver

John Denver himself said, “Annie’s Song is a song for all lovers and, in its deepest sense, a prayer to the love in us all.” He sings, “Come, let me love you, Let me give life to you” and “Let me drown in your laughter, Let me die in your arms.” ……and of course, “You fill up my senses, Like a night in a forest, Like the mountains in springtime, Like a walk in the rain, Like a storm in the desert, Like a sleepy blue ocean, You fill up my senses, Come fill me again.”

“What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong

This is one of the most uplifting, life-affirming songs of all time – and all because of the heartfelt warmth in the singing along with the lush instrumentation introduces a magnificent song that opens with such memorable lines: “I see trees of green, red roses, too, I see them bloom for me and you, And I think to myself, What a wonderful world.”

May also be used as a father-daughter dance song. “I hear babies crying, I watch them grow, They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know, And I think to myself what a wonderful world.”

Image: Curly Tree Photography

And here is a list of some songs that would fit beautifully for any moment of the day, but could specifically work for these very special moments!

Cake Cutting

“Fire & The Flood” – Vance Joy

“The Sea” – Lily Kershaw Feat. Jon Bryant

“Harvest Moon” – Neil Young or Imaginary Future

“Kiss From A Rose” – Seal (Original or Acoustic Version)

“Cake By The Ocean” – DNCE

Father & Daughter Dance

“A Little Ray Of Sunshine”- Axiom or Songbirds

“Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle

“Eighteen Yellow Roses” – Bobby Darin

“Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler

Some Nature Inspired Songs to Consider for Background Music

“Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac

“(Sittin On) The Dock Of The Bay” – Otis Redding

“Summer Breeze” – Seals & Croft

“Fly Me To The Moon” – Frank Sinatra

“The Birds & The Bees” – Dean Martin

“A Bird In The Hand (Is Worth Two In The Bush)” – The Velvelettes

“Distant Sun” – Crowded House

“Hold Back the River” – James Bray

“Island In The Sun” – Weezer

“In The Summertime” – Mungo Jerry

“Back To The Earth” – Jason Mraz

“Sun Comes Up” – John Legend

“Ocean” – John Butler

“Into The Sun” – Sons Of The East

“Mango Tree” – Angus & Julia Stone

“Follow The Sun” – Xavier Rudd

“Flightless Bird, American Mouth” – Iron & Wine

“Cover Me in Sunshine” – Pink & Willow Sage Hart

“Sunshine” – Gabrielle

“Lemon Tree” – Fool’s Garden

“Riding The Wave” – Sheppard

“Fireflies” – Owl City

“River Of Dreams” – Billy Joel

“When The Sun Goes Down” – Uncle Kracker

Image: Luke Going Photography

Some Nature Inspired Songs to Consider for Dancing 

“Moondance” – Van Morrison or Michael Buble

“Islands In The Stream” – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton

“Rivers of Babylon” – Boney M

“Summer Nights” – Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta

“Waves” – Mr Probz, Robin Schulz

“Summer” – Calvin Harris

“Take Me To The Clouds Above” – LMC vs U2

“Sunshine After The Rain” – Berri

“Roses” – Saint Jhn, Imanbek

“Peaches” – Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar

“Waterfalls” – TLC

“Green River” – Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Eye Of The Tiger” – Survivor

“Echo Beach” – Martha & The Muffins

“Blister In The Sun” – Violent Femmes

“Flame Trees” – Cold Chisel (or a beautiful rendition by Sarah Blasko)

“The Horses” – Daryl Braithwaite

“Summer of 69” – Bryan Adams

“Sandstorm” – Darude

And, of course, my Spotify playlist for Nature Inspired Weddings Songs!

About DJ: Plus! Entertainment: DJ:Plus! Entertainment is a premium, boutique-style, wedding DJ & wedding MC entertainment service, designed to offer creative planning to make a wedding so much more personal, engaging and meaningful, resulting in an original celebration that totally represents each couple and is heaps of FUN.

Header Image: Wander & Follow Images