Top 100 Wedding Songs for Receptions

Creating a playlist for a wedding can be a challenging task. You want your guests to dance, but not everyone likes every type of music - or even every tempo of the music. Finding the right balance of dance songs to slow songs to keep the party flowing smoothly is not easy. Hiring a DJ or band is great because they have most likely seen it all. However, if you decide to go the playlist route, here are a few songs you may want to include (and some to avoid) to make sure your reception is a party your guests will never forget!

Top 20 first dance songs

Let’s get this party started! It is tradition for the bride and groom to have a first dance before the reception really gets going. You can choreograph a routine with your spouse or just sway gently while gazing into each other’s eyes. Pick a song that reflects your relationship and journey you are embarking on together.

1. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

2. At Last – Etta James

3. All of Me – John Legend

4. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri

5. Make You Feel My Love – Bob Dylan/Billy Joel/Garth Brooks/Adele

6. Everything – Michael Buble

7. Better Together – Jack Johnson

8. Lucky – Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat

9. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley

10. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton

11. Crazy Love – Van Morrison

12. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding

13. Marry You – Bruno Mars

14. The Way You Look Tonight – Tony Bennett/Frank Sinatra

15. Then – Brad Paisley

16. Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers

17. You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

18. L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole

19. You and Me – Lifehouse

20. My Best Friend – Tim McGraw
    

Top 20 Father/Daughter dance songs

Bring on the tissues! The father/daughter dance is one that seems to get all the wedding guests all choked up! There are so many wonderful songs about the love between a father and his daughter. Find the perfect one that encapsulates your relationship with you and your dad.

1. Unforgettable - Nat King Cole & Natalie King Cole

2. You’ll be in my hHeart - Phil Collins

3. Love me Now - John Legend

4. I hope you Dance - Lee Ann Wommack

5. Humble and Kind - Tim McGraw

6. It Won’t be like this for Long - Darrius Rucker

7. I Loved her First - Heartland

8. Fathers and Daughters - Michael Bolton

9. Isn’t she Lovely - Stevie Wonder

10. Fathers and Daughters - Paul Simon

11. Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlise

12. Wind Beneath my Wings - Bette Midler

13. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

14. Dance with my Father - Luther Vandross

15. Perfect - Ed Shereen

16. Your Song - Elton John

17. Thank you - Dido

18. In my Life - The Beatles

19. I’ll Stand by you - The Pretenders

20. Lullabye (Goodnight my angel) - Billy Joel

Top 20 Mother/Son dances

The groom and his mother should have their moment in the spotlight, too. Sometimes finding the right song to celebrate their relationship can be tricky, so here are a few songs that showcase the special bond between moms and their sons.

1. You are my Sunshine - Chris Stapleton

2. The First Lady in my Life - Paul Todd

3. Beautiful Boy - John Lennon

4. Wildflowers - Tom Petty

5. My mother’s Eyes - Frankie Valli

6. I’ll be There - Jackson Five

7. You are the Sunshine of my Life - Stevie Wonder

8. Rainbow Connection - The Muppets

9. He Gets that From me - Reba McEntire

10. Just the Way you are - Billy Joel

11. Because you Loved me - Celine Dion

12. Close to you - The Carpenters

13. Home - Jack Johnson

14. Over the Rainbow - Israel “IZ” kamakawiwo’ole

15. Do I Make you Proud - Taylor Hicks

16. Hero - Mariah Carrey

17. Mama’s Song - Carrie Underwood

18. Have I told you Lately - Van Morrison

19. Don’t Blink - Kenny Chesney

20. How Sweet it is (to be Loved by you) - James Taylor
    

Top 20 Dance songs

Your reception is a party - a celebration! So have some fun! Here are 20 great dance songs that will show off your guests’ dance moves - both young and old!

1. Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

2. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas

3. Shake it off - Taylor Swift

4. Raise your Glass - P!nk

5. Celebration - Kool & the Gang

6. Stain’ Alive - Bee Gees

7. September - Earth, Wind & Fire

8. Livin’ on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

9. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

10. Don’t Stop Believing - Journey

11. Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks

12. Country Girl (shake if for me) - Luke Bryan

13. Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band

14. Sugar - Maroon 5

15. Levitating (feat. DaBaby) - Dua Lipa

16. Wannabe - Spice Girls

17. Thriller - Michael Jackson

18. Footloose - Kenny Loggins

19. You Shook me all Night Long - AC/DC

20. Cotton Eyed Joe - Rednex
    

20 Songs to avoid at your wedding reception

Whether they have been overplayed at nauseum or contain some inappropriate lyrics, or just have a downer vibe, these songs may be best to avoid at your reception.

1. Baby got Back - Sir Mix a Lot

2. Locomotion - Little Eva

3. Single Ladies - Beyonce

4. I will Survive - Gloria Ganer

5. Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke

6. Who Let the Dogs Out - Baha Men

7. All my exes live in Texas - George Strait

8. Love Stinks - J. Geils Band

9. GoldDigger - Kanye West

10. My Humps - Black Eyed Peas

11. Before he Cheats - Carrie Underwood

12. Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

13. Hey Ya - OutKast

14. White Wedding - Billy Idol

15. Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) - Big and Rich

16. Honky Tonk Badonkadonk - Trace Adkins

17. Watch Me (Nae, Nae) - Silento

18. Hot in Here - Nelly

19. Hello - Adele

20. I Touch Myself - Divinyls

BONUS - Guaranteed Group Dance songs

Here are 10 Songs almost guaranteed to get everyone out on the dance floor!

1. We are Family - Sister Sledge

2. Cha Cha Slide - DJ Casper

3. The Macarena - Los Del Rio

4. Shout - Otis Day and the Knights

5. YMCA - Village People

6. Boot Scootin Boogie - Brooks and Dunn

7. Love Shack - B52’s

8. Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

9. Chicken Dance - The Tweets

10. Cupid Shuffle - Cupid
    

No matter what songs you choose (or choose not to have) at your reception, make sure you have fun! You just got married! It’s time to celebrate!