Most couples spend hours deciding on the perfect music for their wedding moments, from the bride’s entrance to the final song of the night. But when it comes time for the dancing, some tried-and-true tunes always get the dance floor jumping and people singing along.These are the most-requested wedding songs, the music that everyone knows and loves.
A wedding dance floor isn’t the place for avant-garde niche favorites. It’s an opportunity to unite people across different ages and backgrounds with the biggest crowd-pleasers. And they’ll be sure to get everyone moving.
A wedding playlist is a great way to create a personalized soundtrack for your wedding day that is unique to you as a couple so you can keep organized and have an idea of what will be played for the most important parts of the day.
Whether you’re making a list from scratch or hiring a DJ, it’s always fun to add a personal touch. From classic love songs to Top 40 hits, this is your chance to put together a list of songs that you’d love to be played on your big day!
This might sound obvious, but picking a song list with your fiancé is the most traditional way of choosing your music. Remember, this day is about the TWO of you so you want your music to reflect that. Make sure to sit down with your fiancé and see what songs he/she would like to be played. Talk about your first dance, what you want to be played during the mother/father dances, and so forth. Don’t forget to run the final set list with them, as well!
Ask for song requests from your wedding guests. You’ve probably either seen or heard of this method at either a wedding you’ve attended or on social media. Couples reach out to their guests to ask them what they’d like to hear at the wedding. Some couples even like to plan by adding a “Song Request” to their RSVPs, while others leave it completely up to the guests by leaving music request cards on the DJ booth or dinner tables.
You and your friends can get together, sip some drinks, and have a fun time throwing out song ideas by hosting a playlist-making party. Pretty self-explanatory, right? Not to mention, it’s a great way to get some bonding time with your bridesmaids. Take it as an opportunity to hang out and have fun! Have everyone come with 5-10 songs that they would love to hear played at the wedding. That way, if nothing else gets accomplished, you’ll at least have those 30-80 different options to choose from. Sounds like a win-win!
We’re in the age of technology so why not take full advantage of it? On music platforms such as Spotify, you can create collaborative playlists that allow family and friends to add to. Share it with as many or as few people as you wish and watch the music suggestions start flowing in.
Having a good mix of your favorite music, current popular music and classics will likely be the way to go! You want to cater to each of your guests as much as possible – and that could range from a 15-year-old junior bridesmaid to your grandpa!
If you’re making the set list on your own, make sure to include PLENTY of music. Depending on the length of the reception, think 3-5 hours worth. Don’t forget to include a few extra songs for each event just in case the cocktail hour or processional goes a little long or is delayed.
You probably don’t want your wedding day to be a downer. When creating your wedding playlist, it’s always wise to include a list of music that shouldn’t be played. This would include anything overly negative, lyrics that curse too much, violent themes, and controversial styles.
It’s a good idea to discuss it with your partner. There could be a song that seems innocent enough, but you or your spouse connect to a time in your life that you do not want to revisit on this particular day.
Hopefully, this guide will help lead you on your way to creating the ultimate wedding reception playlist that perfectly suits you and your fiancé. It’s going to take some time, but after you’ve finished, you won’t be able to contain your excitement to get out on the dance floor!
Need help crafting some of your must-have songs for your big day? We’ve selected the best wedding songs that we play to our clients to help you plan the wedding you’ve always dreamed of below! Around Town Entertainment can play these songs below!
FROM THIS MOMENT – Shania Twain
I WILL SURVIVE – Gloria Gaynor
I WISH – Stevie Wonder
LADIES NIGHT – Kool & The Gang
LAST DANCE – Donna Summer
ICE CREAM – Sarah McLachlan
I HOPE YOU’LL DANCE – Lee Ann Womack
IF I COULD – Regina Belle
I KEEP ON FALLIN’ – Alicia Keys
COPPERLINE – James Taylor
CRUISIN – Smokey Robinson
DON’T KNOW WHY – Norah Jones
SWEET CAROLINE – Neil Diamond
WHAT I DID FOR LOVE – A Chorus Line
WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR – Disney’s Pinocchio
AT LAST – Etta James
AUTUMN LEAVES – Nat King Cole
BE MY BABY – The Ronettes
BEYOND THE SEA – Bobby Darin
BLUE MOON – The Marcels
CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE – Elvis Presley
CAN’T HELP LOVIN THAT MAN – Billie Holiday
CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY (FROM ME) – Ella Fitzgerald
CHEEK TO CHEEK – Fred Astaire
FALLIN – Alicia Keys
FEEL LIKE MAKIN LOVE – Roberta Flack
HEARTS OF FIRE – Earth, Wind & Fire
I BELONG TO YOU – Lenny Kravitz
IN YOUR EYES – Peter Gabriel
JUST THE TWO OF US – Bill Withers
THANK HEAVEN FOR LITTLE GIRLS – Perry Como
TIMES OF YOUR LIFE – Paul Anka
VOLARE – Bobby Rydell
WILD HORSES – The Rolling Stones
THIS WILL BE – Natalie Cole
TO BE REAL – Cheryl Lynn
TURN THE BEAT AROUND – Gloria Estefan
PAPA WAS A ROLLIN’ STONE – The Temptations
PROUD MARY – Tina Turner
RESCUE ME – Aretha Franklin
RESPECT – Aretha Franklin
FAITH – George Michael
FAITHFULLY – Journey
FREE FALLIN’ – Tom Petty
GET AWAY – Lenny Kravitz
GET INTO THE GROOVE – Madonna
GOOD LOVIN’ – The Rascals
- BRIGHTSIDE – The Killers
MY HEART WILL GO ON – Celine Dion
NO WOMAN, NO CRY – Bob Marley
PAPA DON’T PREACH – Madonna
PURPLE RAIN – Prince
ROLLING IN THE DEEP – Adele
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ – Fats Waller
A TRAIN – Duke Ellington
BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY – The Andrews Sisters
CALL ME – Tony Hatch
DESAFINADO – Antônio Carlos Jobim
THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA – Antônio Carlos Jobim
GREEN DOLPHIN STREET – Bronisław Kaper
MORE – Riz Ortolani and Nino Oliviero
OUR DAY WILL COME – Ruby and the Romantics
SUNRISE, SUNSET – Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick
THAT’S AMORE – Harry Warren and Jack Brooks
