Wedding Reception Playlist: Song Ideas And Selection Tips That’ll Get Everyone Up On The Dance Floor

Your wedding reception playlist is going to play a big part in your wedding! While the ceremony is the purpose of the gathering, the reception is definitely the part of the wedding that everyone looks forward to most. Below you will find some song ideas and tips that's make you and your guests boogie the night away!

But first, I wanted to share what I learned why building this list. The biggest that I realized is that there is truly an art to D.J.-ing a wedding, or any dance event for that matter.

1. Your wedding reception songs need to be either slow songs or fast songs. The in-betweens just don’t work. How DO you dance (not shuffle or bop) to those anyways?
2. Mix it up with a few fast songs, sometimes 1, maybe 2 slow songs in a row, modern songs, polkas and of course some cheesy must-have wedding songs.
3. Be sure to play songs for the older guests earlier in the evening as they’ll be leaving sooner than everyone else.
4. If you're having an IPod reception you'll definitely have your wedding reception playlist planned out. But if you have a band or DJ plan out the songs you want played BEFORE the reception so you don’t have a crowd of wedding party members surrounding the band, DJ.

Entrance Songs For the Bride and Groom

I cannot stress enough the importance of having a person in control of the music that is playing when you enter the reception. It needs to be someone who is not part of the wedding party and who knows exactly what you want played and for how long. You might also want to cut part of these songs so that you’re just playing the “good part” or burn a CD with the parts you want playing and then give that CD to the D.J. or Band. Great entrance songs definitely get the party started.

My Picks

1. "Everlasting Love" - Carl Carlton
2. “Perfect Day” - Hoku
3. "This Will Be (an Everlasting Love)" - Natalie Cole
4. "Crazy in Love" - Beyonce
5. "Let It Rock" - Kevin Rudolf
6. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)" - Stevie Wonder
7. “Let's get it started" - Black Eyed Peas
8. “Get this party started" – Pink or LMFAO
9. “Let's Get Loud” - Jennifer Lopez
10. “Are You Ready? - Grand Funk Railroad

Entrance Songs For Your Bridal Party

Try and make each song fitting for the couple that is walking in to them. It’s always fun when it is not only a few people who get the idea, but when the whole crowd can identify with why that particular couple is walking in to their chosen song. All of the songs listed are fun and funky, keeping the bridal party moving and getting the guests excited for the reception. No matter where you get married you’ll need permission to play these songs. This cost is usually included in the Band or D.J. fee.

My Picks

1. ‘We are Family’ by Sister Sledge
2. ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ by Queen
3. ‘Beautiful Day’ by U2
4. ‘All You Need Is Love’ by The Beatles
5. “Sexy back” - Justin Timberlake
6. “Let’s Get it Started” Black Eyed Peas
7. “Walk This Way – Run DMC & Aerosmith
8. “The Way You Make Me Feel”—Michael Jackson
9. "Ray of Light" - Madonna
10. “You’re My Best Friend”—Queen

Songs For Your First Dance As Husband And Wife

Okay so you probably already have a song as a couple, but whether or not you want everyone to know that your first kiss was to “Hit Me Baby One More Time” is up to you. Or perhaps you don't actually have a song. We didn't, and a lot of our friends don't. Here are a few ideas that work for almost any couple.

My Picks

1. "We Belong Together" - Ritchie Valens
2. "Grow Old With You" - Adam Sandler, Wedding Singer Soundtrack
3. "I Do I Do I Do" - ABBA
4. "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong
5. "Just the Way You Are" - Barry White
6. "Love" - Nat King Cole
7. "You're The One That I Want" - Grease Soundtrack
8. "You've Got a Way with Me" - Shania Twain
9. "Never Tear Us Apart" - INXS
10. "Everlasting Lov"e - Natalie Cole

Tip: Avoid "life was meaningless without you songs". Many certainly are beautiful and romantic but pick something a bit more positive and uplifting.

Father Daughter Dance

Every little girl dreams about what their wedding day is going to be like and every father dreads that moment when he has to officially "give" his little girl away. I have gotten totally sentimental writing this part. The emotions start to bubble up with the entrance song, exciting and fun, the moment when the couple can finally exclaim to the world that they are man and wife. Now I’m just finishing up the father daughter dance section and I think I'll have to take a wee break...

My Picks

1. "A-You're Adorable" (The Alphabet Song) - Perry Como
2. "Thank You for Loving Me" - Bon Jovi
3. "Thank God For Kids" - The Oak Ridge Boys
4. "I Loved Her First" – Heartland
5. " Through the Years" – Kenny Rogers
6. "I'll Stand By You" - The Pretenders
7. "Do You Remember These"- The Statler Brothers
8. 'Sunshine of My Life" – Stevie Wonder
9. " Daddy" – Beyonce
10. "My Girl" – The Temptations
11. "A Song For My Daughter" - Ray Allaire (this might be too fast for some)
12. "Father's Eyes" - Amy Grant or Eric Clapton

Tip: Pick a song that makes sense. I find it so creepy when fathers and daughters dance to love songs that are obviously not about a father and daughters love.

Romantic Wedding Reception Songs For Slow Dances

You need to be sure to provide a ton of those lovey dovey, I’m falling in love with you, You might be the one, kinds of songs throughout the reception. If you’re having a late wedding, 10 will obviously be too much. If you space them apart, 10 might too much regardless of when you start, so group 2 together a couple of times in the evening.

My Picks

1. "My Heart Will Go On" - Celine Dion
2. "Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" - Britney Spears
3. "New York, New York" - Frank Sinatra
4. "L-O-V-E" by Beegie Adair
5. "As Time Goes By" - Ray Anthony
6. "Do You Remember" – Jack Johnson
7. "Don't Know Much" - Linda Ronstadt/Aaron Neville
8. "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" - Elton John
9. "Because You Loved Me" - Celine Dion
10. "How Sweet It Is" - James Taylor
11. "I Turn To You" - Christina Aguilera
12. "A Kiss To Build A Dream On" – Louis Armstrong It's Your Song - Garth Brooks
13. "Unforgettable" – Marvin Gaye
14. "Memories Are Made Of This" - Dean Martin
15. "She" - Elvis Costello
16. "There You'll Be" - Faith Hill
17. "A Moment Like This" - Kelly Clarkson
18. "100 Years" – Five for Fighting
19. "From This Moment On" - Shania Twain
20. "Let’s get it on" - Marvin Gaye

Dance Songs

When picking your dance songs there are a few tips that'll help you create the wedding reception playlist that'll get ALL of your guests in the mood.

• The intro to a good dance song for a party should be SUPER short - don’t you just hate those dance songs where you don’t know what to do for the first 30 seconds?! In other words, almost all songs by Meatloaf are out.
• Don’t underestimate the value of those cheesy songs…they’ve become much loved classics by now.
• There is absolutely nothing wrong with mixing in some of your favorite “cool” none-dance-worthy songs, but don’t JUST pick songs that you think are cool (even if you are positive that your taste in music rules) you want people to WANT to dance and your idea of cool isn’t necessarily dance-worthy. Sorry... But I say this because I learned this the hard way as way had more "cool" songs than dance-worthy songs!
• Middle-of-the-road and familiar usually works best to get people dancing. But like I said, mix some of you in there too. If you’re up there dancing your toosh off, so will everyone else!

My Picks: 60’s and 70’s Dance Songs

These classics will get everyone on the dance floor. Play at least 5 of these groovy songs throughout the evening, they are sure to be a dance favorite and can prove to be quite entertaining, like when the best man has had a glass or two of champagne and begins to realize that his calling in life was to be an Elvis impersonator.

1. "Brown Eyed Girl" - Van Morrison
2. "Respect" - Aretha Franklin
3. "Surfin' USA" - Beach Boys
4. "Mashed Potato Time," Dee Dee Sharp
5. "Le Freak" – Chic
6. "I Believe In Miracles" - Hot Chocolate
7. "It’s Your Thing" - The Isley Brothers
8. "Jungle Boogie" - Kool & The Gang
9. "Devil With A Blue Dress On" - Mitch Ryder
10. "Twist & Shout" – Beatles
11. "I Just Want To Celebrate" - Rare Earth
12. "Takin' Care Of Business" - Bachman Turner Overdrive
13. "Celebration" - Kool & The Gang (good as the first dance song of the night)
14. "I'm a Believer" - The Monkees (so cheesy I know)
15. "I Want You Back" - The Jackson 5
    

My Picks: 80’s Dance Songs

1. "Something to Talk About" – Bonnie Rait
2. "The Anthem" – Good Charlotte
3. "Love Shack" – The B-52’s
4. "Hey Micki" – Tony Basil
5. "Mony Mony" - Billy Idol
6. "Dancing With Myself" – Billy Idol
7. "Footloose" – Kenny Logins
8. "Paradise City" - Guns & Roses
9. "Don't stop till you get Enough"- Micheal Jackson
   

My Picks: 90’s Dance Songs

1. "Sweet Dreams" - La Bouche
2. "Local God" – Everclear
3. "Music Sounds Better With You" – Stardust
4. "Lovefool" - The Cardigans
5. "Baby Got Back" – Sir Mix-A-Lot
6. "Together Again" - Janet Jackson
7. "I'm Every Woman" - Whitney Houston
8. "Deee-Lite" - "Groove Is In the Heart"
9. "Escapade" – Janet Jackson
10. "Vogue" – Madonna
11. "Black or White" - Michael Jackson
12. "Wannabe" - Spice Girls
13. "Baby One More time" – Britney Spears

My Picks: Current Dance Songs

Here’s where you can put a lot of your favorites. But again, remember focus on those get up and shake your booty kind of tunes. Here are 10 really fabulous dance songs that you’ve just got to add to your playlist. The kids love to dance to songs that they know and watching them break it down is always a highlight of the reception.

1. "Cinderella Man" – Eminem
2. "Get this party started" – LMFAO
3. "Buy My Love" – Wynter Gordon
4. "The One That Got Away" - Katy Perry
5. "Sweet Escape" – Gwen Stefani
6. "Man Eater" – Nelly Furtado
7. "I Like To Move It" – Crazy Frog
8. "Womanizer" – Britney Spears
9. "Boom Boom Pow" – Black Eyed Peas
10. "Peacock" – Katy Perry
11. "First Day Of The Rest Of Your Life" - MxPx
    

My Picks: Silly Wedding Dance Songs

The only time that Great Grandpa Larry will dance the entire night is to The Chicken Dance so you have to be sure to play this one early enough in the evening that he’s still awake but late enough that he’s given up most of his reservations about dancing in front of all of your guests. Play at least 2 or 3 of these during the dancing part of your reception.

1. "The Chicken Dance" - Jimmy Stirr
2. "The Loco-Motion" - Little Eva
3. "Dancing Queen" – ABBA
4. "Macarena" (Bayside Boys remix) - Los Del Rio
5. "YMCA" – Village People
6. "Mambo No 5" – Lou Bega

Finding the music you love

If you aren’t sure what songs you like, a great place to listen to songs is Grooveshark. Unlike Itunes and Amazon you can listen to the whole song. You can set up playlists in it for FREE! AND, for the monthly plan (which you can set up for the month of your wedding only) you can have it on your Iphone. Woo hoo! Itunes is ok too if you want to buy the songs, but if you’re on a budget 200 songs will cost a minimum of $200. I use grooveshark at home all the time!

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