R&B Wedding Songs: R&B Songs for Your First Dance

Fans of the smooth rhythm-and-blues genre love the soulful sound and often sensual beats that these romantic songs incorporate. As love and romance is often a lyrical theme for this music genre, there are quite a variety of songs to choose from that would make for a wonderful love songs, and therefore wedding songs to play at your ceremony or on the dance floor at your reception.

Photo by Samuel Lippke Studios; Floral Design by The Hidden Garden; From Real Wedding: Alfresco Ceremony with Ocean View & Glamorous Tented Reception

Whether you want a wedding song that's nostalgic, old school, or modern, one of these R&B wedding songs are bound to be right for your wedding day. The lyrics will bring out the emotions you're feeling on your wedding day as a bride or groom, and the memories of your wedding day and feeling you had while swaying with your beloved on the dance floor will stick with you forever – long after the big day – when you hear "your song" play on the radio or favorite playlist mix throughout your marriage.

From modern-day artists like Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and John Legend to soul favorites such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, browse some of our favorite R&B wedding songs for you and your beloved to consider for your first dance when you have all eyes on you on the dance floor, during your wedding ceremony, or truly, at any moment throughout your big day.

R&B Wedding Songs + R&B First-Dance Songs

“Let’s Stay Together” - Al Green

Notable lyrics from Al Green that give a nice R&B vibe to the traditional wedding vows of loving someone for better or for worse include:

"I'm, I'm so in love with you. Whatever you want to do, is all right with me. 'Cause you make me feel so brand new, and I want to spend my life with you. Let me say that since, baby, since we've been together. Ooh, loving you forever, is what I need. Let me be the one you come running to, I'll never be untrue. Ooh baby. Let's, let's stay together. Loving you whether, whether, times are good or bad, happy or sad."

“All of Me” - John Legend

Notable lyrics from John Legend, who wrote the song for his wife Chrissy Teigen for their Lake Como wedding:

"'Cause all of me, loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections. Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginnin', even when I lose, I'm winnin'. 'Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you."

“By Your Side” - Sade

Notable lyrics from Sade's song about being by someone's side, always – a beautiful sentiment for a first dance song:

"You think I'd leave your side, baby, you know me better than that. You think I'd leave you down, when you're down on your knees, I wouldn't do that. I'll tell you you're right when you're wrong, and if only you could see into me. Oh, when you're cold I'll be there, hold you tight to me. Oh, when you're low I'll be there, by your side, baby."

“No One” - Alicia Keys

Notable lyrics from Alicia Keys' love song about how absolutely no one could get in the way of her love for her beloved:

"I just want you close, where you can stay forever. You can be sure, that it will only get better. You and me together, through the days and nights. I don't worry 'cause everything's gonna be alright."

"I know some people search the world, to find something like what we have. I know people will try, try to divide something so real. So 'til the end of time, I'm telling you there ain't no one. No one, no one, can get in the way of what I'm feeling."

“Overjoyed” - Stevie Wonder

Notable lyrics from this song by Stevie Wonder – though the talented artist has many wedding songs that could have made this list as well:

"Over time, I've been building my castle of love. Just for two, though you never knew you were my reason. I've gone much too far for you now to say that I've got to throw my castle away. Over dreams, I have picked out a perfect come true."

“Back at One” - Brian McKnight

Notable lyrics from Brian McKnight's rhythm-and-blues hit that will likely be a popular first dance song and one of the best R&B wedding songs for decades to come:

"Say farewell to the dark of night, I see the comin' of the sun. I feel like a little child, whose life has just begun. You came and breathed new life into this lonely heart of mine. You threw out the lifeline, just in the nick of time. One, you're like a dream come true. Two, just wanna be with you. Three, girl, it's plain to see, that you're the only one for me. And four, repeat steps one through three. Five, make you fall in love with me. If ever I believe my work is done, then I'll start back at one."

“All My Life” - K-Ci & JoJo

Notable Lyrics from "All My Life" – a wonderful song for a wedding as it's all about finding the one you've searched for your whole life:

"Girl you are close to me you're like my mother, close to me you're like my father, close to me you're like my sister, close to me you're like my brother. And you are the only one, my everything, and for you this song I sing. All my life I prayed for someone like you, and I thank God that I, that I finally found you."

“XO” - Beyoncé 

Notable lyrics from this hit by Beyonce:

"I love you like XO. You love me like XO. You kill me boy XO. You love me like XO. All that I see, give me everything."

Photo by Joey Kennedy Photography; Floral & Event Design by Joe Mineo Creative; From Real Wedding: Luxury Ballroom Wedding with Lush Greenery + White & Gold Décor

“You Send Me” - Sam Cooke

Notable lyrics from this 1957 R&B song from the legendary Sam Cooke:

"At first I thought it was infatuation. But, woo, it's lasted so long. Now I find myself wanting, to marry you and take you home."

"Endless Love" - Lionel Richie & Diana Ross

Notable lyrics from this song performed by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross for the movie of the same name:

"My love, there's only you in my life. The only thing that's right. My first love. You're every breath that I take. You're every step I make. And I, I want to share all my love with you. No one else will do. And your eyes. Your eyes, your eyes. They tell me how much you care. Ooh yes, you will always be, my endless love. Two hearts, two hearts that beat as one. Our lives have just begun."

“Adorn” - Miguel

Notable lyrics from this love song by modern R&B favorite, Miguel:

"Oh, yeah. The same way that the stars adorn the skies, yeah (every night, baby). Oh, and look up, sugar (every night, baby). Now, hey, hey, hey. The same way that my whole world's in your eyes (when I look in your eyes, baby). Ooh, and it's time now (you know that it's time, baby), to let, let my love adorn you baby."

"Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Notable lyrics from this upbeat R&B first dance song by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell include:

"Remember the day I set you free, I told you you could always count on me, darling. From that day on, I made a vow, I'll be there when you want me, some way, somehow. '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.

"Endless Love" - Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey

Notable lyrics from this romantic duet and love song by Luther Vandross featuring Mariah Carey include:

"You're every breath I take. You're every step I make. And I, I want to share all my love with you, no one else will do. And your eyes (your eyes, your eyes), they tell me how much you care. Oh, yes, you'll always be, my endless love."

"All My Life"- K-Ci & JoJo

Notable lyrics from this classic R&B favorite by K-Ci and JoJo include:

"And you are the only one, my everything. And for you this song I sing. All my life I prayed for someone like you, and I thank God that I, that I finally found you."

"When I First Saw You" - Beyoncé and Jamie Foxx

Notable lyrics from this Beyonce and Jamie Foxx duet from the movie Dream Girls include:

"When I first saw you, I said "O My", I said "O My." That's a dream, that's my dream. I needed a dream
When it all seemed to go bad, then I found you, and I have had the most beautiful, dreams any mans ever had."

"Spend My Life With You" - Eric Benét feat. Tamia

Notable lyrics from this duet by Eric Benet and Tamia (that's perfect for couples who want '90s wedding songs!), include:

"I don't care about a thing, long as you put on this wedding ring, wedding ring. Every Sunday morning on my knees, giving thanks to God for what he's giving me. Thank you, Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you."

For fans of other genres, find first dance options in alternative rock and musicals. Also, be sure to check out Chudney Ross' wedding that her mother Diana Ross officiated, as well as this wedding that featured Brian McKnight as a musical guest singing "Never Felt This Way" for the couple's first dance.