Choosing wedding music is a very important part of planning that special day. The songs that play during a bride’s entrance, the couple’s exit, that all-important first dance and at various other times throughout a ceremony and reception will be forever tied to those moments in the memories of the bride, groom, their family and friends. If a couple shares a love of Disney, it is easy to share that affection through music in ways both obvious and understated.
Obviously Disney
The Disney song book is immense, and many of its most recognizable songs fall into the category of “love songs.” If the bride and groom are looking to share their love of Disney an overt way with their guests, music is an easy way to do it. Here are nine love songs featured in animated classics that most guests would readily recognize or consider to be Disney songs.
So This Is Love
Featured in: Cinderella
Composed and written by: Mack David, Jerry Livingston, Al Hoffman
Performed on film by: Ilene Woods and Mike Davis
Also recorded by: 101 Strings Orchestra, Dave Brubeck Quartet, The Cheetah Girls
Perfect lyric: “So this is the miracle that I’ve been dreaming of…”
Love
Featured in: Robin Hood
Composed and written by: George Bruns and Floyd Huddleston
Performed on film by: Nancy Adams
Also recorded by: N/A
Perfect lyric: “Love will live. Love will last. Love goes on, and on, and on.”
Never Knew I Needed
Featured in: Princess and the Frog
Composed and written by: Ne-Yo
Performed on film by: Ne-Yo
Also recorded by: N/A
Perfect lyric: “Who knew I could be so unexpectedly, undeniably happier, sitting with you right here, right here next to me.”
I See the Light
Featured in: Tangled
Composed and written by: Alan Menken, Glen Slater
Performed on film by: Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi
Also recorded by: Jackie Evancho and Jacob Evancho, Jim Brickman
Perfect lyric: “And it’s warm and real and bright, and the world has somehow shifted. All at once, everything is different, now that I see you.”
Bella Notte
Featured In: Lady and the Tramp
Composed and written By: Sonny Burke, Peggy Lee
Performed on Film By: George Givot
Also Recorded By: Bob Grabeau, The Cast of Glee
Perfect lyric: “Side by side with your loved one. You’ll find enchantment here. The night will weave its magic spell when the one you love is near.”
A Whole New World
Featured in: Aladdin
Composed and written by: Alan Menken, Tim Rice
Performed on film by: Lea Salonga and Brad Kane
Also recorded by: Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle, The Circle Sessions Players, The London Pops Orchestra
Perfect lyric: “A whole new world. That’s where we’ll be. A thrilling chase, a wondrous place, for you and me.”
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Featured in: The Lion King
Composed and written by: Elton John, Tim Rice
Performed on film by: Nathan Lane, Joseph Williams, Ernie Sabella, Sally Dowrsky, Kristle Edwards
Also recorded by: Elton John, Original Broadway Cast, Jason Derulo, Elliott Yamin, Jackie Evancho, Il Divo, Larry Stewart
Perfect lyric: “It’s enough for this restless warrior just to be with you.” – Elton John radio version
Beauty and the Beast (Tale As Old as Time)
Featured in: Beauty and the Beast
Composed and written by: Alan Menken, Howard Ashman
Performed on film by: Angela Lansbury
Also recorded by: Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, Ariana Grande and John Legend, Lindsey Stirling, Diamond Rio
Perfect lyric: “Ever just the same. Ever a surprise. Ever just as sure as the sun will rise.”
Understated Disney
For a couple that wants to share their love of Disney in a way that others may not even pick up, there are a number of songs which have ties that only the truest of Disney fans will pick up.
Married Life
Featured in: Up
Composed by: Michael Giacchino
Perfect lyric: Instrumental
Define Dancing
Featured in: Wall-E
Composed by: Thomas Newman
Perfect lyric: Instrumental
Beautiful (As You)
Inspired by the animated classic Cinderella
Composed and written by: Jim Brickman
Performed by: Wayne Brady and Jim Brickman
Perfect lyric: “There was something about you I knew, I knew, that you were once in a lifetime, a treasure near impossible to find. I know how lucky I am to have you.”
All For Love
Featured in: The Three Musketeers
Composed and written by: Bryan Adams, Robert John Lange, Michael Kamen
Performed on film by: Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting
Also recorded by: Rod Stewart (solo)
Perfect lyric: “I’ll be the rock you can lean on, oh, be there when your old, to have and to hold.”
So Dear to My Heart
Featured in: So Dear to My Heart
Composed and written by: Irving Taylor and Ticker Freeman
Performed on film by: John Beal and the Disney Studio Orchestra
Also recorded by: Shep Fields
Perfect lyric: “And I still treasure each and ev’ry hour, of those years that had to fly. They’re locked in my heart, in a corner apart, while I tenderly hold the key . As long as I live they will be, so dear to my heart.”
I Believe In You And Me
Featured in: The Preacher’s Wife
Composed and written by: Sandy Linzer, David Wolfert
Performed on film by: Whitney Houston
Also recorded by: Four Tops (original)
Perfect lyric: “I believe in you and me. I believe that we will be, in love eternally. As far as I can see, you will always be the one for me. Oh yes you will.”
Bonus Tracks
For couples with a fun and lighthearted side, there are a few songs that could be used as the couple exits the ceremony, during the reception announcement or while dancing.
So Long
Featured in: Winnie the Pooh
Composed and written by: Zooey Deschanel, M. Ward
Performed on film by: Zooey Deschanel
Also recorded by: N/A
Perfect lyric: “You test my nerves. It makes me stronger, so can you bother me a little bit longer?”
Love Led Us Here
Featured in: Muppet Treasure Island
Composed and written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Performed on film by: Steve Whitmire and Frank Oz
Also recorded by: N/A
Perfect lyric: “Love led us here, right back to where we belong. We followed a star, and here we are. Now heaven seems so near. Love led us here.”
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Featured in: Mary Poppins
Composed and written by: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Performed on film by: Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke
Also recorded by: Harry Connick, Jr.
Perfect lyric: “But better use it carefully, or it can change your life. For example? Yes? One night I said it to me girl and now me girl’s my wife. Oh! And a lovely thing she is too.”
Let’s Get Together
Featured in: The Parent Trap
Composed and written by: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Performed on film by: Hayley Mills
Also recorded by: Annette Funicello and Tommy Sands
Perfect lyric: “Let’s get together, yeah yeah yeah, two is twice as nice as one. Let’s get together right away. We’ll be having twice the fun.”
Not As Fitting As You Might Think
At first glance, it may seem like certain Disney love songs would be a good choice for a wedding; however, a close look at the lyrics or the placement within the film will reveal they may not be as perfect as they seem. A few examples include:
So Close (Enchanted)- This is heartfelt song’s first verse is perfect for a wedding; however, it quickly turns into a lament of love barely missed, “of being so close but still so far.”
Evermore (Beauty and the Beast – Live Action)– While beautifully sung by Dan Stevens in the Beauty and the Beast remake, this is a heartbreaking and haunting song of love realized and lost.
Love Is An Open Door (Frozen) – If removed from the film’s context, this is a fun and playful love song; however, (spoiler alert) Hans turns out to be a big baddie.
I Won’t Say (Hercules)– The chorus of the muses battles back and forth with Megara as see refuses to admit that she loves Hercules. Hopefully the bride and groom would not find themselves in the same predicament.
(Images © Disney and Walt Disney Records)
Did you use a Disney love song or a song featured in a Disney film at your wedding, and if so, which one? Do you think we left a perfect song off of our list? Let us know in the comments section below.