120 Best Wedding Reception Songs Of All Time

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Choosing your wedding reception songs can be a tricky process. You want to choose songs that you like, but you want your guests to like them too. You want to create a playlist that’s unique and noticeable, but you also want to deliver music that people are familiar with and can dance to.
These concepts seem to contradict each other. It seems hard but with our guidance and a few samples, you’ll find that perfect balance.

Brides Often Ask

How Many Songs Do You Need for a Wedding Reception?

Determining how many songs for a wedding reception is actually pretty easy. Unless you’re playing Pink Floyd’s epic 20 minute Shine On You Crazy Diamond, the average song length is 3 minutes. Decide how long you want people to be out on the dance floor and do some simple division.

  • 3-hour reception? That’s 60 songs.
  • 4-hour reception? That’s 80 songs.

However, you should probably plan for some downtime for speeches and for the DJ to take a break.

What Songs Do You Need For a Wedding Reception Playlist

Of course, in addition to the general list of songs to be played during the reception and any music for dancing, many couples also include a list of songs to sing at a wedding. This is a great way to engage your guests, not only on the dance floor!

  1. Bride and Groom entrance song
  2. Bridal Party entrance song
  3. Parents of the Bride entrance song
  4. Parents of the Groom entrance song
  5. Bride and Groom first dance song
  6. Mother-Son dance song
  7. Father-Daughter dance song
  8. Bridal party dance song
  9. Cake cutting song
  10. Cocktail hour songs
  11. Dinner song playlist
  12. Dance songs
  13. Garter Toss Song
  14. Bridal Bouquet Toss Songs
  15. Last Dance Song

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Instant Poll

What music will you have at your reception?

A DJ playing fun, danceable songs
56.63 %
The coolest playlist completed by me and my fiance
35.94 %
My best friends band jamming out their hits
2.25 %
A professional wedding band
5.17 %
Vote to see results
Voted : 3150

Fun Wedding Songs for Wedding Reception

Regardless of how many obscure songs end up on your wedding reception songs list, including a few upbeat familiar hits is always a good idea. Everybody wants to dance at your wedding but coaxing those first few couples to shake their nerves is sometimes a little bit of a stubborn process. Choosing a few wedding songs from this fun list gets toes tapping and encourages couples to hit the floor.

  1. Somebody Like You – Keith Urban
  2. Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRock
  3. Celebration – Kool & The Gang
  4. Feel So Close – Calvin Harris
  5. Best Day Of My Life – American Authors
  6. Dance With Me Tonight – Olly Murs
  7.  She Looks So Perfect – 5 Seconds of Summer
  8.  Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera
  9. This Is What It Feels Like – Armin van Buuren ft. Trevor Guthrie
  10. Get The Party Started – Pink
  11.  Good Feeling – Flo Rida
  12. Rock Your Body – Justin Timberlake
  13. I’m Gonna Be – The Proclaimers
  14.  Super Bass – Nicki Minaj
  15.  All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
  16.  Me Too – Meghan Trainor
  17.  Chained To The Rhythm – Katy Perry
  18.  Popular Song – MIKA ft. Ariana Grande
  19.  This Is How We Do – Katy Perry
  20.  Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen

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Love Songs For Wedding Reception

No list of good wedding reception songs would be complete without a few love ballads. These are a few reliable go-to songs that are perfect for first dances, father and bride, or just a moment of romance for the entire crowd. There’s really no such thing as too many love songs at a wedding, so feel free to get greedy with this category.

  1.  I Will Follow You Into The Dark – Death Cab for Cutie
  2. Magic – Coldplay
  3.  I Found Love (Cindy’s Song) – BeBe Winans
  4. I Do (Cherish You) – 98º
  5.  Tonight I Celebrate My Love – Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack
  6.  Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
  7.  Fly Me To The Moon (live in Paris) – Diana Krall
  8.  Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Katharine McPhee
  9.  A Whole New World – Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
  10. Before I Fall in Love – CoCo Lee
  11.  Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – Rod Stewart
  12.  L.O.V.E. – Michael Buble
  13.  The Power Of Love – Celine Dion
  14. This I Promise You – NSYNC
  15.  Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden
  16.  The Moment – Kenny G
  17.  The Wedding Song – Kenny G
  18.  Autumn Leaves – Paula Cole
  19.  Let Me Love You – Mario
  20.  Dilemma – Nelly ft. Kelly Rowland

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Classic Wedding Reception Songs

There are a few traditional wedding reception songs that you’re naturally going to second guess because they’re so cliche. Well, they’re cliche for a reason. For one reason or another, this particular category of wedding reception music strikes a chord with the crowd. Maybe it’s the lyrics, maybe it’s the music, or maybe it’s a sweet tradition that’s been passed down the generations. Whatever the reasons, these songs are great choices for your reception playlist.

  1. Here and Now – Luther Vandross
  2.  As Time Goes By – Dooley Wilson
  3. Crazy Love – Van Morrison
  4. Grow Old With Me – Mary Chapin Carpenter
  5. Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
  6. La Vie en Rose – Edith Piaf
  7. Stand by Me – Ben E. King
  8. The Best Is Yet to Come – Frank Sinatra
  9. Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
  10.  You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
  11. You’re My Best Friend – Queen
  12.  My Girl – The Temptations
  13. Respect – Aretha Franklin
  14.  Last Dance – 1978
  15. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
  16. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
  17. California Dreaming – The Mamas and the Papas
  18. Ain’t No Stopping Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead
  19.  Great Balls Of Fire – Jerry Lee LewisWhat’d I Say – Ray Charles

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New wedding songs can be complicated if you have multiple generations at your wedding reception. Don’t feel bad. At all. It’s perfectly fine to choose a few top-40 singles or even a few that haven’t hit the radio just yet. The only rule is that have to know enough to the younger crowd that they’re on their feet and enjoy wedding reception dances. The older couples can sit this one out. Pop music may come and go quickly, but your top wedding reception songs will be today’s hits.

  1. I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
  2. Can’t Stop the Feeling! – Justin Timberlake
  3. Ice Cream – Mika
  4. Somebody That I Used To Know – Gotye
  5. We Are Young – Fun
  6. Paradise – Coldplay
  7.  A Sky Full Of Stars – Coldplay
  8. Marry You – Bruno Mars
  9. Safe And Sound – Capital Cities
  10. This Is What You Came For – Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna
  11.  Get Lucky – Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
  12. Let’s Shut Up & Dance – Jason Derulo, LAY, NCT 127
  13. Sugar – Maroon 5
  14. Last Friday Night – Katy Perry
  15.  Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
  16. Can’t Feel My Face – Weeknd
  17.  This is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
  18. Better Together – Jack Johnson
  19. Mi Gente – J Balvin, Willy William
  20. Taki Taki – DJ Snake

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Best Oldies for a Wedding Reception

After Cardi B has had her turn, it’s time for a few wedding party songs that cater to mom and dad’s generation. You can’t go wrong with a few classic crooners or some boot-tapping country wedding songs. This category is nice because there are both fast and slow songs to dance to and everyone is at least a little bit familiar. Listen to a few of these by yourself and you may not fully appreciate it. But, play them in front of a crowd and you quickly agree that these are some of the best wedding reception songs out there.

  1. Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
  2. You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
  3. No Matter What – Calum Scott
  4. Mama’s Hand – Queen Naija
  5.  You Are Loved – Josh Groban
  6. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
  7.  Can I Have This Dance – Anne Murray
  8.  Ain’t That a Kick in the Head – Dean Martin
  9.  You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
  10.  Dancing Queen – ABBA
  11.  Gimme, Gimme, Gimme! – ABBA
  12. Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
  13. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
  14. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
  15. September – Earth, Wind & Fire
  16. Forever Young – Rod Stewart
  17. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) – Stevie Wonder
  18. Bust a Move – Young MC
  19. Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
  20. I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Frank Sinatra

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Top Country Wedding Reception Songs

There are some great classic country songs, but even top-40 radio stations are playing the current country these days. It’s a growing segment of music that’s managed to cross a lot of genres. Some are stereotypically sad, but there are more than enough good times and dance tunes to set the party off.

  1. Keeper of the Stars – Tracy Byrd
  2. Amazed – Lonestar
  3. Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
  4. Hey Pretty Girl – Kip Moore
  5. Meanwhile Back At Mama’s – Tim McGraw
  6. Speak to a Girl – Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill
  7. Forever and For Always – Shania Twain
  8. When You Kiss Me – Shania Twain
  9. Copperhead Road – Steve Earle
  10. I Need You – LeAnn Rimes
  11.  She’s Everything – Brad Paisley
  12. I Hope You Dance – Leann Womack
  13. My little girl – Tim McGraw
  14. Daddy’s Angel – Anthony Carter
  15. I Loved Her First – Heartland
  16. Through the Years – Kenny Rogers
  17. My Wish – Rascal Flatts
  18. Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks & Dunn
  19. Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker
  20. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) – Luke Bryan

K-pop Wedding Reception Songs

Choosing K-pop songs for a wedding reception can be a great choice for couples who are fans of Korean pop music or have guests who enjoy the genre. These songs are upbeat, romantic, and perfect for dancing, and will likely be enjoyed by fans of K-pop and those who appreciate catchy, energetic tunes.

  1. You’re My Best Friend – BTS
  2. Fiance – Mino
  3. Love Scenario – iKON
  4. Spring Day – BTS
  5. Sweet Night – V (BTS)
  6. Starry Night – Mamamoo
  7. Wedding Dress – Taeyang

The best way to approach songs for wedding dinner choices is diversity. Instead of picking 100% songs that you love, make sure to sprinkle in some wedding standards and a few classics for other generations.

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