Whether doing wedding reception music via iPod or laptop or hiring a band or DJ, it’s important to have a good playlist of wedding reception music to keep the party going all night. What songs are “must haves?”
Popular Music
The top hits change monthly, sometimes weekly, so keep an ear to local pop music stations and television channels for the latest popular hits. Usually, whenever the hottest song is played at a wedding reception, the dance floor is packed. However, what is hot changes frequently, so check Billboard.com to find out what’s popular right now.
Songs for Official Parts of the Reception
There are certain parts of the reception that need their own song ready to go. These include the spotlight dances and the bouquet toss.
The following songs will work well for the spotlight dance (first dance for the bride and groom). These songs are also good for when the dance floor is opened to everyone.
- God Only Knows by the Beach Boys
- The Way You Look Tonight by Tony Bennett
- Let’s Stay Together by Al Green
- At Last by Etta James
- Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
- Can’t Get Enough of Your Love by Barry White
- You’re the First, The Last, My Everything by Barry White
For the father/bride or mother/groom dances, good options include Sunrise, Sunset or Matchmaker from Fiddler on the Roof, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, My Girl by The Temptations or Father and Daughter by Paul Simon. A good option for the bridal party dance is You’re My Best Friend by Queen.
Appropriate songs for the bouquet toss include Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper or Single Ladies by Beyonce. For the garter toss, popular songs include Brick House by the Commodores or What a Man by Salt N Peppa.
Classic Hits
There are some songs that pack the dance floor no matter what year it is. Good songs to play during cocktail or dinner hour:
- What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstong
- Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin
- In the Mood by Glenn Miller
- Porcelain by Moby
- Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra
- We’re Going to Be Friends by the White Stripes
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder
Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Buble, and Pink Martini all have many songs that are very fitting for cocktail or dinner hour.
To keep the dance floor packed all night, consider including these songs on your wedding reception playlist.
Slow songs:
- Here I Am Baby by Al Green
- If I Had a Million Dollars by Barenaked Ladies
- Wouldn’t It Be Nice by the Beach Boys
- Come Away with Me by Norah Jones
- Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers
- Stand By Me by Ben E. King
- Con Te Partiro by Andrea Bocelli (also good for the last song of the reception)
And also any songs listed above under spotlight dances that were not chosen.
Fast songs:
- Love Shack by the B-52s
- Friday I’m in Love by The Cure
- You Spin Me Right Round by Dead or Alive
- Groove Is in the Heart by Dee Lite
- Shout by The Isley Brothers
- The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson
- Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson
- Canned Heat by Jamiroquai
- Get Down Tonight by KC and the Sunshine Band
- Hey Ya! by Outkast
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen
- Love Rollercoaster by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Organized Songs
Additionally, many guests like line dances. Popular songs include The Electric Slide, The Cha Cha Slide, The Macarena, The Chicken Dance, Y.M.C.A., The Twist, Cotton-Eyed Joe, The Hokey Pokey and The Bunny Hop. These songs will probably go over better at large weddings with lots of children in attendance. Consider the guest list before opting to put these songs on the wedding reception playlist.
Don’t Forget to be a Good Host
The wedding should reflect the bride and the groom, but should also be pleasant for guests, and that also goes for the music played at the wedding reception. If the couple enjoys lots of fast dancing, and knows many guests do as well, mix in a lot of those types of songs. However, if the bride and groom are not big dancers, nor are many of the guests, consider adding slower or jazzier songs to give the reception more of a cocktail hour feel, and limit the dancing songs to slow dances that everyone can keep up with.
It is acceptable to play rare or unique songs at the reception. However, resist the urge to play more than one or two obscure songs that only the bride and groom enjoy. After all, a wedding reception is a party and the focus should be on keep the guests happy and entertained.
Maggie Wolff - Maggie has over seven years of experience in public relations and marketing in the fields of healthcare, performing arts, and professional ...
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