You’ve made your vows, cut the wedding cake and laughed and cried at the speeches. There’s only one thing to do next: it’s time to hit the dance floor and celebrate!
Whether you hire a wedding band, book a wedding DJ or decide to go it alone and construct your very own custom wedding playlist, a little thought needs to go into the music that’ll be the soundtrack to your first party as a married couple.
As with many of your wedding day decisions, your wedding reception music is your chance to personalise proceedings to display your personality as a couple. Your first dance song is perhaps your biggest opportunity to individualise your wedding reception. This song will be one that means something special to you, a song that brings back memories of when you first met, your first holiday together, when you first moved in together, your first kiss.
After the first dance, your priority is to encourage your guests to join you on the dance floor. Therefore, as well as choosing the music you enjoy, you’ll need to bear your guests’ musical tastes in mind. You may be perfectly happily raving away to some retro synthwave, but if rest of the room is left cold by your chosen music, you’ll be dancing on your own.
To aid you in putting together the perfect wedding reception playlist, we’ve compiled a selection of songs that, in our experience, always go down a treat at weddings. We start with some first dance song inspiration if there isn’t a song which immediately springs to mind. We then move on to certified crowd-pleasers that always get people in the party spirit and finish with ten of the biggest end of night anthems that’ll have you all arm in arm, singing at the top of your lungs.
First Dance Wedding Song Favourites
These classic first dance songs have stood the test of time, and it’s no wonder: each is a beautiful, romantic masterpiece worthy of accompanying the most special dance of your life. Even if you don’t choose one of these songs for your first dance, they’re worthy of consideration as wedding ceremony songs or for your daytime wedding music playlist.
Into The Mystic – Van Morrison
Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
When I Fall in Love – Nat King Cole
Modern First Dance Wedding Songs
It’s not just the oldies who knew how to write a tear-jerking tune. These contemporary first dance songs by some of today’s biggest artists perfectly capture both the romance and the reality of being in love.
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
You Are The Reason – Calum Scott and Leona Lewis
Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
Unique First Dance Wedding Songs
Some couples don’t want to toe the traditional line. If that’s you, we present an eclectic selection of non-traditional first dance songs featuring everything from rock and indie to hip hop and movie music.
Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
For Lovers – Wolfman ft, Pete Doherty
Bring Me Sunshine – Morecombe and Wise
A Whole New World – From Aladdin
Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys
Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler (from The Wedding Singer)
Tonight, Tonight – The Smashing Pumpkins
Iconic Artists For Evening Wedding Entertainment
From first dance wedding songs we move on to the tunes to relied upon by live wedding bands everywhere to get everyone from toddlers to teens to groovy grannies storming the dance floor. These universally popular artists transcend genre, making their inclusion on your wedding playlist a safe choice.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
You Rock My World – Michael Jackson
I Saw Her Standing There – The Beatles
Like I Love You – Justin Timberlake
Suspicious Minds – Elvis Presley
Rock and Indie Rousers
Adding edge and swagger, these pumped-up rock and indie anthems never fail to get a crowd bouncing. Caution: bride and groom may end up aloft on to the shoulders of overexcited ushers!
Chelsea Dagger – The Fratellis
I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor – Arctic Monkeys
Sweet Child ‘o Mine – Guns N’ Roses
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
Modern Chart Toppers
The current charts are awash with music that’s made for dancing. Sunny Caribbean rhythms and melodies exert a strong influence on modern pop music, guaranteeing plenty of feel-good, let-yourself-go moments on the dance floor.
Feel It Still – Portugal The Man
Lullaby – Sigala and Paloma Faith
Symphony – Clean Bandit ft Zara Larsson
Can’t Stop The Feeling – Justin Timberlake
Breathe – Jax Jones ft Ina Wroldsen
Soul, Disco and Funk Floor Fillers
Speaking of music made for dancing, these funky tunes are sure to draw out some incredible moves from the most unlikely of guests. Tie wrapped around the father of the bride’s head entirely optional, but positively encouraged.
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
Rapper’s Delight – The Sugarhill Gang
September – Earth, Wind and Fire
Ain’t No Stopping Us – McFadden and Whitehead
Hold On I’m Comin’ – Sam and Dave
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Nostalgic Nineties and Noughties
A growing wedding music trend is the nostalgic call back to 90s and 00s music. It was the music many modern newlyweds grew up with, after all. In our goody bag of crowd-pleasing throwbacks, you’ll find trance, dance, rap, emo, girl bands, boy bands and, of course, UK garage. Can I get a reeewind?
Little Bit of Luck – DJ Luck and MC Neat
Teenagers – My Chemical Romance
Re-Rewind – Craig David ft Artful Dodger
Bootylicious – Destiny’s Child
Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) – Backstreet Boys
Guilty Pleasures
If your hipster mates weren’t embarrassed enough by the 90s mashup, they’re might spontaneously combust when you unleash the pure fondue of these guilty pleasure wedding songs. Protest as much as you like, these songs are the undisputed champions of filling a wedding reception dance floor.
(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
You Make My Dreams – Hall and Oates
Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
Ghostbusters Theme – Ray Parker Jr.
End of the Night Anthems
And so we come to the closing moments of your wedding. The final song of the night is your chance to savour every precious remaining second of your special day. Make sure you choose a song that’ll bring everyone together for a triumphant sing-along start to your new life as a married couple.
I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
Don’t Look Back In Anger – Oasis
And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going – Jennifer Hudson
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
THIS IS A GUEST FEATURE WRITTEN BY // Entertainment Nation
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