19 Alternative Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To

Are you a god/goddess of punk that doesn’t play well with Christina Perri or Jason Mraz?

Perhaps you enjoyed the best of your youth in a darkened teenage bedrooms listening to PJ Harvey, The Smiths, and Tom Waits.

You don’t have to compromise on your wedding music to make others happy.  Getting married and “adulting” doesn’t mean turning your day into a whiter shade of beige.

As professional misfits who perform at a heap of unique weddings, we’re here to help.

This is our properly-researched, tried and tested list of alternative songs to walk down the aisle to.

No filler, no generic wedding songlist crap. Just 19 great non-traditional alternatives to the wedding march.

And just to make your wedding music research easier, in the sidebar you’ll find a spotify playlist featuring every song on the list and all the lyrics in neat little drop-downs.

​Grab a refreshing beverage, hit play and read on.


DREAMY WEDDING SONGS
​


​The Ship Song - Nick Cave

No alternative wedding song list would be complete without Nick Cave. 

But let’s avoid the done-to-death Into My Arms (sweet as it may be). How about something a little more unique?

The Ship Song comes with a tongue-in-cheek warning “do not play it around a woman or man you are not interested in falling in love with”.

The lyrics are dripping in Nick Cave-esque romance. And the melody just as romantic.

Have it sung live and acoustic and it will be captivating.


Picture In A Frame - Tom Waits

The simplest of melodies. Sentimental without approaching soppy.

Picture In A Frame is an unassuming love ballad that suckerpunches you in your soul. Willie Nelson covered it too.

“I’m gonna love you til the wheels come off”. What does it mean exactly? Mr Waits said in a ‘99 interview “That’s prison slang. Means until the end of the world”.

Perfectly Tom Waits, and perfect for an alternative processional.


Fade Into You - Mazzy Star

Ok, we know this song has been making top songlists since way back in 94. But it deserves a place on this list as well.

Fade Into You is late-night, lamplit quiet.

It’s hiding under a blanket of stars with your lover. It’s whispered secrets and shared moments that nobody can touch.

And when it’s performed, that’s exactly how it should feel.

​That’s how we did it for Susan & Shane’s intimate 12-guest wedding. Raw, soft, heartfelt and entirely acoustic.

Here's how we do it late at night when we're teaching our friends to play guitar:

FLOATING IN SPACE PROCESSIONALS


​Across The Universe - Fiona Apple / The Beatles

The Beatles songs are unimaginatively plastered across every generic wedding song playlist.

But here’s an uncommon choice.

And better still, it’s a cover by the mighty fine Fiona Apple. Off her 1999 album, When The Pawn... arguably one of the best albums of the nineties.

It’s also been covered by David Bowie, Cindi Lauper and Rufus Wainwright.

Across The Universe is a graceful cloud to float down the aisle to. It works best performed live by a tender, sweet voice.
​

Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space - Spiritualized

What if you could give a nod to tradition without giving in to it?

Like, say you needed to make your old folks happy, but there’s no way you’re going to have a classical processional song?

You need to check out this Spiritualized song.

It’s the ultimate modern replacement for Pachelbel’s Canon in D - same key, same chord progression and all.

AND it features the lyrics from Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love.

Sarah was lucky enough to see them perform this song at the 2012 Meredith Music Festival. The live version was spine-tingling.


Do You Realize - The Flaming Lips

“Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face?
 Do you realize we’re floating in space?”

With a knockout opening line like that, you might mistake this dreamy tune for a light-hearted fluffy bunny.

But have a good read of those lyrics.

They’re as much about life and death as they are about making the most of every moment.

Frontman Wayne Coyne likens it to meeting his wife or “one of these things that just happens to you where you say: ‘How fucking lucky am I?’”


tattooed bridesmaids alternatives to the wedding march
© I Got You Babe Photography


ROCK YOUR WAY DOWN THE AISLE


Baby, I Love You - Ramones

For those of you who want to punk your wedding, why not walk down the aisle to the Ramones cover Baby, I Love You?

The original was recorded by The Ronettes in the 60’s - you know them from the Dirty Dancing anthem Be My Baby.

And if sixties is your thing, there’s a whole lotta retro wedding music you need to know. We're writing that article for you right now.

Back to the Ramones, we’re talkin' sweet romantic punk love.

This song makes a heartfelt couples processional. You can stomp, sway and twirl down the aisle together!


Have Love Will Travel - The Black Keys

While we’re touching on retro, we'd best mention The Black Keys alternative cover of Have Love, Will Travel.

First recorded by Richard Berry in 1959, and covered by garage rock legends The Sonics in ‘65. It’s an upbeat blues rock classic.

For an acoustic duo like us, we love hearing how other duos interpret full band songs.

And we reckon The Black Keys have created a no-nonsense rock masterpiece.

That catchy guitar riff makes for a unique processional, and sounds fantastic played on a banjo.


​This Is Love - PJ Harvey

Alt rock brides and grooms, feel free to take your wedding inspiration from a fringed suit-wearin’ PJ Harvey. 

The goddess of punk blues makes no apologies for her desires. 

This is love, this is love, that I’m feelin’, she howls and she roars. 

You’ll want to strut down the aisle in your best boots, smile plastered from ear to ear as you begin to marry your favourite weirdo. 

And yes, for those of you wondering, this song rocks as an acoustic number.


Make It Wit Chu - Queens Of The Stone Age

Speaking of PJ Harvey, we have to include Make It Wit Chu. 

It makes an epic walk in song for grooms too. You’ll find it on the 2007 Queens Of The Stone Age album Era Vulgaris. 

If you do a bit of research, you’ll find that QOTSA singer Josh Holmes recorded this song four years prior with hard rock collective The Desert Sessions. 

It featured PJ Harvey on backing vocals and a solo from Ween guitarist Dean Ween. 

We’ve included both QOTSA and Desert Sessions versions in the spotify playlist. 

And here’s our own take on it with a bit o’ Johnny Cash vibes:
​


CHEEKY ALTERNATIVES TO THE WEDDING MARCH
​


​I Think I’m Love - Beck

Soppy romantic sentiments not your thing? No problemo. Bet you never imagined you’d want to get married either!

We get it, and so does Beck.

If you’re totes in L&%# with your perfect weirdo, but not so keen on the L-word itself, check out I Think I’m In Love.

It’s upbeat, light-hearted and fun.

And there’s no reason you can’t have it performed acoustically for a more wedding-y feel.


The Outdoor Type - The Lemonheads

Some couples love the idea of a mountaintop elopement.

But if all that fresh air makes you run from the hills, you might be as guilty as The Lemonheads.

Hell, we’ve all feigned interest in some stupid adventure hobby before.

If your partner ever tried to get you abseiling, camping, fishing or hiking, The Outdoor Type is for you.

Pay attention to those lyrics - they'd be hilarious to walk down the aisle to.
​

Run From Me - Timber Timbre

You’ve gotta have a sense of humour.

All this wedding planning can make you a bit crazy.

And some of us have a pretty dark idea of 'funny'. As do Canadian rockers Timber Timbre.

What better way to walk down the aisle than to the swooned lyrics “run from me darling, you better run for your life”.

If you’re the kind couple who like stirring things up a bit, give it a listen.

This song will guarantee hilarious, bewildered faces amongst your guests.


SUPER COOL PROCESSIONALS FOR RAD COUPLES
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Love Interruption - Jack White

Released in 2012, this is a modern processional song in our books, and totally different.

We’re not afraid to talk about love openly, honestly, brutally, and neither is Jack White. “I really wanted to stir up the notion of what love could mean” he said.

And the delivery is smashing. With a powerful backup harmony holding ground, it's a mesmerising, unique walk-in duet.

Male-female vocal duos bring a sense of partnership and connection to the ceremony.

Definitely worth a check through the lyrics, but if you’re not afraid to shock a few conservatives, you’re on a winner here.


The Way I Walk - The Cramps

But what if you’re not interested in love songs at all?

If you’d rather trade wedding heels for converse and rock a pair of sunnies at your ceremony, then The Cramps is for you.

We love The Cramps for alternative wedding music; not just because of their punktastic sound, but also because the band centered around husband-and-wife duo Interior Lux (vocals) and Poison Ivy (guitar).

But did you know The Way I Walk is a cover? It was first released in 1958 by Jack Scott. 20 years later The Cramps brought it to our attention and their version stuck.

Musician couples know how to sing a love song!

​
Rollercoaster - Machine Gun Fellatio

How about a feel good hit of the summer?

​Australian alt-rockers Machine Gun Fellatio had a hit in 2003 with Rollercoaster.

The song features awesome lines like “You’re vine-ripened and now I’m frightened by the lightning in my legs” and “You’re such a screamin’ dream I’m leanin’ to the demons in my head”.

Between raunchy stage antics and controversial song titles, it’d be easy to write off MGF as a novelty band.

Their music ranges from the ridiculous to the beautiful.

Rollercoaster stands somewhere in the middle, covered in confetti and perfect for the kind of bride who’d make her wedding entrance on rollerskates.


DELIGHTFUL CEREMONY PROCESSIONAL SONGS
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fade into you wedding song alternative processional
© Brown Paper Parcel Photography
Got Me - She & Him

For those of you who don’t know, She & Him are the sugar-coated combination of Zooey Deschaneal and M Ward.

They met singing a duet for a film, and they’ve gone from strength to strength ever since.

You can hear it in their songs, a perfect pairing of voices and hearts.

Got Me is simple, happy-makin’ and with a slight retro-country twinge.

It makes for a sweet walk down the aisle, or as an alternative, use it for your bridal dance.


​I’m In Love - Cash Savage And The Last Drinks

Cash Savage grew up in Gippsland, and now resides in Melbourne where she and her band create gospel-punk country-rock songs.

They’ve received great coverage for their albums on PBS, Triple R radio.

Cash Savage is what Melbourne music is all about. She credits Fitzroy venue The Old Bar as the band's spiritual home.

I’m In Love features on their 2013 album The Hypnotiser. Produced by Graveyard Train frontman Nick Finch.

Did we mention it features gorgeous, romantic banjo? What’s not to love?

The lyrics are straightforward and sincere.

We played this processional song for Mick & Elise’s melbourne city rooftop wedding and it went down a treat.


Blue Moon - She Keeps Bees / Elvis

There’s a good reason this song is so popular.

And it’s more than Elvis.

Blue Moon was first released in 1934, and it’s been covered more times than anyone can keep track of.

But what’s most important about this song is the variety of ways you can interpret it to suit your occasion.

Blue Moon can be performed slow and sentimental, or upbeat and sweet as summer peaches. It’s your choice.

It's beautiful as a live acoustic number.

But if you must go with recorded music, try the modern cover by rock n roll couple-duo She Keeps Bees. Or check out vintage covers by Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin or Billie Holiday.

​
There you have it folks, 19 killer alternative processional songs to make your walk down the aisle everything it should be.

Hopefully you’re all inspired to make your special day more “you”.

Have yourselves a fab wedding. ​And remember, it's your big day, do whatever you damn well please!


SONG LYRICS
​

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - THE BEATLES
​Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind
Inside a letter box they
Stumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world

Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my open ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
And calls me on and on across the universe
​
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
BABY I LOVE YOU - THE RAMONES
Have I ever told you
How good it feels to hold you
It isn't easy to explain

And though I'm really trying
I think I may start crying
My heart can't wait another day

When you kiss me I just got to
Kiss me I just got to
Kiss me I just got to say

Baby, I love you
Come on baby
Baby, I love you
Baby I love, I love only you

I can't live without you
I love everything about you
I can't help it if I feel this way
BLUE MOON - ELVIS (She keeps bees/Cowboy junkies)
Blue moon, you saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a pray for
Someone I really could care for

And then suddenly appeared before me
The only one my heart would ever hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
When I looked my heart had turned to gold

Blue moon, now I’m not longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Without a love of my own
​DO YOU REALIZE - THE FLAMING LIPS
Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face
Do you realize we're floating in space,
Do you realize that happiness makes you cry
Do you realize that everyone you know someday will die

And instead of saying all of your goodbyes, let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round

Do you realize, oh, oh, oh?
Do you realize that everyone you know
Someday will die?

And instead of saying all of your goodbyes, let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round

Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face
Do you realize?
​FADE INTO YOU - MAZZY STAR
I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath that's true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth

You live your life, you go in shadows
You'll come apart and you'll go blind
Some kind of night into your darkness
Colors your eyes with what's not there

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew

A stranger's light comes on slowly
A stranger's heart without a home
You put your hands into your head
And then its smiles cover your heart

Fade into you
Strange you never knew
Fade into you
I think it's strange you never knew
​GOT ME - SHE & HIM
Saw your face
My hand you took
Just like in a storybook

And you got me
Yeah, you got me

I can't even argue
Couldn't, cause it's true

Now you got me
Yeah, you got me

Got me tucked up in your pocket
Don't know how you won my heart
Cause I'd locked it
Yeah, I'd locked it

I can't feel your heartbeat
Where I lay my head

Cause you got me
Yeah, you got me

I can't feel your heartbeat
Where I lay my head

Cause you got me
Yeah, you got me

Got me tucked up in your pocket
Don't know how you won my heart
Cause I'd locked it
Yeah, I'd locked it
HAVE LOVE WILL TRAVEL - BLACK KEYS
If you need lovin'
Oh baby, I travel

I travel from Maine down to Mexico
To find that girl that loves me so
No matter where I'll be
I'll find that girl and she satisfy me

Have love will travel
Have love will travel
If you need lovin'
Oh baby, I travel
If you need lovin'
Oh baby, I travel

I might take a boat and I take a plane
I might hitch-hike or jump a railroad train
Your kind of love drive a man insane
So look for me walkin' just any old way

Have love will travel
Have love will travel
If you need lovin'
Oh baby, I travel
If you need lovin'
Oh baby, I travel
​I WANNA MAKE IT WIT CHU - QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
​You wanna know if I know why
I can't say that I do
Don't understand the you or I
Or how one becomes two
I just can't recall what started it off
Or how to begin again
I ain't here to break ya
Just see how far it will bend
Again and again, again and again

I wanna make it
I wanna make it wit' chu
Anytime, anywhere
I wanna make it
(Again and again)
I wanna make it wit' chu

Sometimes the same is different
But mostly it's the same
These mysteries of life
That just ain't my thing
If I told you that I knew about the sun and the moon, I'd be untrue
The only thing I know for sure
Is what I won't do
Anytime, anywhere, and I said

I wanna make it
I wanna make it wit' chu
Anytime, anywhere
I wanna make it
(Again and again)
I wanna make it wit' chu
I’M IN LOVE - CASH SAVAGE


I'm gonna bare my soul
Ain’t gonna reference no lonesome road
I confess
my affection has grown and grown
I'm in love
​
I'm gonna lay it down
Put my pen down and shout it out loud
This is for your ears, but they're gonna hear it for miles around
I'm in love

Two children in the night
Two lovers swept up in a tide
This is just another two more lines
Because I'm in love

You could have a lifetime of concerns
but I'll share your worries and burdens
I'm in love
LADIES & GENTLEMEN, WE ARE FLOATING IN SPACE - SPIRITUALIZED​
Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space
All I want in life's a little bit of love
To take the pain away
Getting strong today
A giant step each day
All I want in life's a little bit of love
To take the pain away
Getting strong today
A giant step each day
I've been told
Only fools rush in
Only fools rush in
But I don't believe
I don't believe
I could still fall in love with you

I will love you till I die
And I will love you all the time
So please put your sweet hand in mine
And float in space and drift in time
All the time until I die
We'll float in space, just you and I
And I will love you till I die
And I will love you all the time
So please put your sweet hand in mine
And float in space and drift in time
All the time until I die
We'll float in space, just you and I

Baby I love you today
I guess that's what you want
And I don't know where we are all going
Life don't get stranger than this
It is what it is
And I don't know where we are all going

I will love you till I die
And I will love you all the time
Everything happens today
And we're out here in space
And I don't know where we are all going
Baby I love you today
I guess that's what you want
And I don't know where we are all going
LOVE INTERRUPTION - JACK WHITE
I want love to, roll me over slowly
Stick a knife inside me, and twist it all around.
I want love to, grab my fingers gently
Slam them in a doorway, put my face into the ground.

I want love to, murder my own mother and
Take her off to somewhere like hell or up above.
I want love to change my friends to enemies,
Change my friends to enemies and show me how it's all my fault.

I won't let love disrupt, corrupt or interrupt me
I won't let love disrupt, corrupt or interrupt me
Yeah I won't let love disrupt, corrupt, or interrupt me anymore.

I want love to, walk right up and bite me
Grab a hold of me and fight me leave me dying on the ground.
And I want love to, split my mouth wide open and
Cover up my ears and never let me hear a sound.

I want love to, forget that you offended me
Or how you have defended me when everybody tore me down.
Yeah I want love to change my friends to enemies,
Change my friends to enemies and show me how it's all my fault.

Yeah I wont let love disrupt, corrupt or interrupt me
I won't let love disrupt, corrupt or interrupt me
I won't let love disrupt, corrupt, or interrupt me anymore.
THE OUTDOOR TYPE - THE LEMONHEADS
​Always had a roof above me 
Always paid the rent
But I've never set foot inside a tent
Can't build a fire to save my life
I lied about being the outdoor type

I've never slept out underneath the stars,
The closest that I came to that was one time my car
Broke down for an hour in the suburbs at night
I lied about being the outdoor type.

Too scared to let you know you knew what you were looking for
I lied until I fit the bill god bless the great indoors
I lied about being the outdoor type
I've never owned a sleeping bag let alone a mountain bike

I can't go away with you on a rock climbing weekend
What if somethings on tv and its never shown again
Its just as well I'm not invited I'm afraid of heights
I lied about being the outdoor type

Never learned to swim can't grow a beard or even fight
I lied about being the outdoor type
​​
PICTURE IN A FRAME - TOM WAITS
The sun come up, it was blue and gold
The sun come up, it was blue and gold
The sun come up, it was blue and gold
Ever since I put your picture in a frame

I come calling in my Sunday best
I come calling in my Sunday best
I come calling in my Sunday best
Ever since I put your picture in a frame

I'm gonna love you
Till the wheels come off
Oh, yeah

I love you baby and I always will
I love you baby and I always will
I love you baby and I always will
Ever since I put your picture in a frame

I love you baby and I always will
Ever since I put your picture in a frame
Ever since I put your picture in a frame
Ever since I put your picture in a frame

ROLLERCOASTER - MACHINE GUN FELLATIO
You're like a rollercoaster, toast ya
In a big four-poster bed
You're such a puddin' I shouldn't, I couldn't
I'm a gorilla in a wooden keg

Cruise around town with the windows down
Shake it all round to the stereo sound
Cruise around town with the windows down
Shake it all round to the summertime sound

You're like a rollercoaster, toast ya
In a big four-poster bed
Hey ba da da da da da da
Say what?

Say you're like a rollercoaster, toast ya
In a big four-poster bed
You're like a rollercoaster, toast ya
In a big four-poster bed

Baby.. I can drive you crazy, ..baby
Say what, Maybe .. no oh
Later you can meet my old lady baby
Baby I can drive you crazy, baby
Maybe later you can meet my old lady
She dig ya

You're vine-ripened, I'm now frightened
By the lightning in my legs
You're such a screamin' dream I'm leanin'
To the demons in my head
​
Cruise around town with the windows down
Shake it all round to the stereo sound
Cruise around town with the windows down
Shake it all round to the summertime sound

You're like a rollercoaster, toast ya
In a big four-poster bed
​​
RUN FROM ME - TIMBER TIMBRE​
Run from me, darlin
Run, my good wife
Run from me, darlin
You better run for your life

Run from me, baby
Run, my good wife
Run from me, baby
You better run for your life

Each time I see you
I contemplate
What I love most of all
Your swinging gait

Run from me, darlin
Run, my good wife
Run from me, darlin
You better run for your life

​Run, run, run, run, run
Run, run, run, run, run
Run, run, run, run, run
Run, run, run, run, run
THE SHIP SONG - NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS​
Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history baby
Every time you come around

Come loose your dogs upon me
And let your hair hang down
You are a little mystery to me
Every time you calling 'round

We talk about it all night long
We define our moral ground
But when I crawl into your arms
Everything comes tumbling down

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history baby
Every time you come 'round

Your face has fallen sad now
For you know the time is nigh
When I must remove your wings
And you, you must try to fly

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history baby
Every time you come around

Come loose your dogs upon me
And let your hair hang down
You are a little mystery to me
Every time you calling 'round

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history baby
Every time you come 'round
THINK I'M IN LOVE - BECK
​I really think I better get a hold of myself
Don't wanna let the night get ahead of myself
Whisperin' her love through a smoke ring smile
She doesn't know what happens when she's around

I think I'm in love but it makes me kinda nervous to say so
I think I'm in love but it makes me kinda nervous to say so

Probably lay my head on a wooden floor
Tell her I was tired from working the store
Counting all the cash from an old shoe box
Saving up to buy her something she wants

I think I'm in love but it makes me kinda nervous to say so
I think I'm in love but it makes me kinda nervous to say so

What if it's wrong?
What if it's wrong
To pray in vain?
What does it mean
To fake your death
To wake up tainted?
Take a little picture in a photo booth
Keep it in a locket, and I think of you
Both of our pictures, face to face
Take off your necklace and throw it away

I think I'm in love but it makes me kinda nervous to say so
I think I'm in love but it makes me kinda nervous to say so

​Really think I better get a hold of myself
Don't wanna let the night get ahead of myself
Whisperin' her love through a smoke ring smile
She doesn't know what happens when she's around
THIS IS LOVE - PJ HARVEY
I can't believe life's so complex
When I just wanna' sit here and watch you undress

This is love that I'm feeling
​
Does it have to be a life full of dread?
I wanna' chase you round the table, I wanna' touch your head

This is love that I'm feeling

I can't believe that the axis turns on suffering
When you taste so good
I can't believe that the axis turns on suffering
Well my head it burns

This is love that I'm feeling

Even in the summer, even in the spring
You can never get too much of wonderful things

You're the only story that I never told
You're my dirty little secret, wanna' keep you so
​
Come on out, come on over, help me forget
Keep the walls from falling on me, tumbling in

This is love that I'm feeling
We're Fidel & Sarah​
A Melbourne folk band with wedding sensibilities and punk rock spirit. Most days you'll find us off-grid in the country playing banjo tunes to the kangaroos, or travelling around Australia in our vintage caravan Myrtle. We love 99% dark chocolate, living every day like a holiday, and brides & grooms who aren't afraid to do whatever the hell they want for their special day.
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Want more alternative wedding songs?

THE WHITE STRIPES - HOTEL YORBA
ALL I WANT IS YOU - JUNO SOUNDTRACK
I WANNA BE SEDATED - RAMONES
Written by Fidel & Sarah, an independent Melbourne/Adelaide based acoustic wedding band with a strong bias towards alternative, non-traditional and effin' brilliant wedding song choices for cool couples. Available Australia-wide.

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