Wedding Guide: Song Ideas & Tips on Creating Your Playlist

Did you know that 81% of wedding guests say the thing they remember most about a wedding is the music?

Making a wedding playlist may appear simple at first, but it can quickly become challenging. Playlists play a crucial role in any wedding by establishing a mood, motivating dancing, and serving as the backdrop to precious memories that will be cherished for years. Some of your chosen songs may reappear at future anniversaries or special events.

Hence, creating a playlist that perfectly fits the occasion is vital.

To ensure you have plenty of music to set the right tone and that your selections include tunes that you and your guests will appreciate, follow this comprehensive guide on crafting a wedding playlist.

Getting Ready

• “Good as Hell” by Lizzo
• “Levitating” by Dua Lipa
• “Love On Me” by Galantis & Hook N Sling
• “Stupid Love” by Lady Gaga
• “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• “I Like Me Better” by Lauv
• “Shallow” by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
• “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor
• “Dynamite” by BTS
• “Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo
• “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles
• “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd
• “Lose You To Love Me” by Selena Gomez
• “Wild Thoughts” by DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna, Bryson Tiller
• “Sorry” by Justin Bieber
• “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
• “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
• “High Hopes” by Panic! At The Disco
• “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Walking Down the Aisle

• “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
• “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
• “Marry Me” by Train
• “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
• “You Are the Love of My Life” by Sam Cooke
• “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
• “All of Me” by John Legend
• “At Last” by Etta James
• “Mendelssohn: Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn

Processional

• “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel
• “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay
• “I Choose You” by Sara Bareilles
• “Love on Top” by Beyoncé
• “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
• “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds
• “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
• “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
• “Here Comes the Bride” by Richard Wagner
• “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith

Recessional

• “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
• “Love on Top” by Beyoncé
• “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
• “Mendelssohn: Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn
• “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
• “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder
• “Forever” by Chris Brown
• “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
• “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Cocktail Hour

• “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
• “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
• “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin
• “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Frankie Valli
• “I Say a Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin
• “You Make My Dreams” by Hall and Oates
• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder
• “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
• “Sway” by Dean Martin
• “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” by James Taylor

Wedding Reception

• “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
• “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
• “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
• “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
• “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
• “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire
• “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
• “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
• “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
• “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus

Bridal Party Entrance

• “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
• “Good Time” by Carly Rae Jepsen and Owl City
• “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
• “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
• “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
• “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars
• “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO
• “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
• “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
• “Marry You” by Bruno Mars

Wedding First Dance

• “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
• “At Last” by Etta James
• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
• “All of Me” by John Legend
• “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
• “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
• “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
• “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
• “Amazed” by Lonestar

Dad & Daughter

• “My Girl” by The Temptations
• “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
• “I Loved Her First” by Heartland
• “Daddy’s Little Girl” by Al Martino
• “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
• “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
• “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle
• “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
• “Daughters” by John Mayer
• “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder

Mother & Son

• “A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men
• “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
• “The First Lady in My Life” by Paul Todd
• “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
• “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
• “Days Like This” by Van Morrison
• “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler
• “I’ll Always Love My Mama” by The Intruders
• “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel

Mother-Daughter

• “The Best Day” by Taylor Swift
• “In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride
• “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
• “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder
• “Mama” by Spice Girls
• “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
• “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler
• “I’ll Be There” by Mariah Carey
• “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
• “A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men

Brother-Sister

• “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor
• “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts
• “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
• “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
• “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
• “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
• “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars
• “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
• “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5
• “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler

Cake Cutting

• “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies
• “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” by James Taylor
• “Love You Madly” by Cake
• “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
• “Pour Some Sugar on Me” by Def Leppard
• “Cut the Cake” by Average White Band
• “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE
• “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar
• “Love on Top” by Beyoncé
• “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops

Wedding After-Party Songs

• “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
• “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
• “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna
• “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
• “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
• “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus
• “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd
• “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
• “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

Wedding Exit Songs

• “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
• “Love on Top” by Beyoncé
• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder
• “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
• “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
• “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
• “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
• “Forever” by Chris Brown
• “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
• “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon

Found this popular playlist via Spotify with all the popular wedding reception songs – feel free to listen!

Again, there are countless other songs that would be perfect for each part of a wedding depending on the couple’s taste and style.

Tips & Notes

• Start with your favorites: Begin by adding songs that you and your partner love and have special meaning to you. These songs will help set the tone for the rest of the playlist.
• Mix it up: Incorporate a variety of music genres and styles to keep your playlist interesting and engaging. Include some slow songs for the romantic moments and some upbeat songs for the dance floor.
• Consider your guests: Think about the age range and musical tastes of your guests when selecting songs. You want to make sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
• Collaborate with your DJ or band: If you’re working with a DJ or band, don’t be afraid to collaborate with them on your playlist. They have experience reading crowds and can offer suggestions for songs that will get people dancing.
• Include special requests: Consider taking special requests from your guests in advance so that you can include their favorite songs in the playlist.
• Create a timeline: Plan out when you want certain songs to be played, such as the first dance, bouquet toss, and cake cutting, to ensure a seamless transition throughout the night.
• Keep it legal: Make sure to obtain the necessary licenses and permissions to play the music you’ve selected to avoid any copyright issues.

Pin for Later

References

• https://www.brides.com/most-requested-wedding-songs-of-all-time-4774512
• https://www.theknot.com/content/best-wedding-songs
• https://ourkindofcrazy.com/wedding-songs-list/