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Your wedding playlist is of utmost importance. Having the right playlist can set the tone for your entire wedding reception.
However, compiling this ‘right’ playlist isn’t as straightforward as some would assume.
It requires you to balance having all your favorite songs and still catering to the varying preferences of your many guests. Tricky right?
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best wedding reception songs – 205 in all – and categorized them by genre.
Thanks to this guide, finding songs that best suit your taste in music and cater to your guests will be a walk in the park.
If you’re about ready, let’s dive in.
Slow Dance Songs To Set the Mood in Your Reception

Slow dances, for example, the first dance, mother/son dance, father/daughter dance, are some of the most significant parts of a wedding reception.
These dances are often emotional and allow couples an intimate moment together.
The songs curated in this list contain both new and old hits and can be used at different sections of the party. Have a look:
- Stay With Me by Sam Smith
- Until The End Of Time by Justin Timberlake and Beyonce
- Speechless by Dan + Shay
- A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
- All Of Me by John Legend
- Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
- Like I’m Gonna Lose You by Meghan Trainor ft John Legend
- Perfect by Ed Sheeran
- Angel (Acoustic) by Ric Hassani
- Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
- A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson
- Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
- Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
- Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye
- Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran
- I Was Made For Loving You by Tori Kelly (feat Ed Sheeran)
- Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper
- Stand by Me by Ben E. King
- Faithfully by Journey
- Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing by Aerosmith
- Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
- You’re Beautiful by James Blunt
- Best Part by H.E.R feat Daniel Caeser
- Fire on Fire by Sam Smith
- Sent From Heaven by Keyshia Cole
- You Are The Reason (Duet) by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis
- This Is Why I Love You by MAJOR
- Lucky by Jason Mraz (feat Colbie Caillat)
- Lover by Taylor Swift
- I Get To Love You By Ruelle
Hip Hop and Rap Songs To Get the Party Started
If you’re a fan of hip hop, worry not! We’ve got just the compilation for you. These hip-hop songs are sure to get the party started and your guests off their feet in no time.
- All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled, Ludacris, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross
- Wiggle by Jason Derulo
- Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake
- Right Round by Flo Rida ft Kesha
- Holla Back by Gwen Steffani
- Lip Gloss by Lil Mama
- Live Your Life by T.I and Rihanna
- Jump Around by House of Pain
- Drop It Like It’s Hot by Snoop Dogg ft Pharrell
- Get Low (Remix) by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz (feat Yin Yang Twins, Busta Rhymes & Elephant Man)
- Baby Got Back by Sir-Mix-A-Lot
- Yeah! By Usher, Ludacris & Lil Jon
- Rake It Up by Yo Gotti (ft Nicki Minaj)
- Starships by Nicki Minaj
- Turn Down For What by Lil Jon and DJ Snake
- Super Bass by Nicki Minaj
- Let’s Get Married by Jagged Edge
- Forever by Chris Brown
- Say So by Doja Cat
- My Lip Gloss by Lil Mama
- Get Your Freak On by Missy Elliot
- Work It by Missy Elliot
- One Dance by Drake ( ft WizKid ft Kyla)
- All The Way Up by Fat Joe, Remy Ma (ft French Montana and Infrared)
- Taki Taki by DJ Snake (ft Selena Gomez, Ozuna, Cardi B)
- Let’s Get It Started by Black Eyed Peas
- Lean Back by Terror Squad
- Candy Shop by 50Cent (feat Olivia)
- Unforgettable by French Montana (feat Swae Lee)
Best Pop Wedding Reception Songs To Draw Everyone to the Dance Floor

You can almost do no wrong with the right pop song. Here we’ve compiled a list of the most popular pop songs to play at your wedding.
From Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” to Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger,” your pop-loving guests will be in for the time of their life.
- Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars
- Shivers by Ed Sheeran
- Cheap Thrills by SIA
- Shape Of You by Ed Sheeran
- Havana by Camila Cabelo (feat Young Thug)
- Despacito by Luis Fonsi Daddy Yankee ft Justin Beiber
- 10,000 Hours by Justin Bieber, Dan + Shay
- Don’t Stop The Music by Rihanna
- Butter by BTS
- Dancing Feet by Kygo (ft DNCE)
- First Times by Ed Sheeran
- Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 (feat Christina Aguilera)
- Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas
- Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
- Raise Your Glass by Pink
- That’s What I Like by Bruno Mars
- Chandelier by SIA
- Savage Love by Jason Derulo
- Dynamite by BTS
- Heatstroke by Calvin Harris ( feat Ariana Grande, Young Thug, Pharrell Williams)
- Happy by Pharrell Williams
- Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
- This Is What You Came For by Clavin Harris (ft Rihanna)
- Timber by Pitbull (feat Ke$ha)
- 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
- Glamorous by Fergie
- M.I.L.F by Fergie
- Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) by Backstreet Boys
- Unconditionally by Katy Perry
- I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
- Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
- Levitating by Dua Lipa (feat DaBaby)
- Love Story by Taylor Swift
- Falling Like The Stars by James Arthur
Country Songs To Get Your Guests Jamming
Country music lovers aren’t left out either. Whether you’re an avid fan or adding it because of your guests, we’re sure you’ll find some crowd favorites on this list.
- Thank God I’m A Country Boy by John Denver
- All I Want To Do by Sugarland
- Small Town Girl by Seth Alley
- Young by Kenny Chesney
- Me And My Gang by I Rascall Flatts
- Cruise by Florida Georgia Line
- Mountain Music by Alabama
- Butterflies by Kacey Musgraves
- House Party by Sam Hunt
- Give Me Some That by Thomas Rhett
- Why Don’t We Just Dance by Josh Turner
- Ours by Taylor Swift
- Church Bells by Carrie Underwood
- Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton
- Big, Big Plans by Chris Lane
- God’s Country by Blake Shelton
- You Look Good by Lady Antebellum
- You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift
- Drink In My Hand by Eric Church
- Don’t Ya by Brett Eldredge
- When She Says Baby by Jason Aldean
- Knockin’ Boots by Luke Bryan
- Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift (feat Ed Sheeran)
- Baby Be My Love Song by Easton Corbin
- Play It Again by Luke Bryan
- This Kiss by Faith Hill
- Beer Never Broke My Heart by Luke Combs
- Here For A Good Time by George Strait
- Way Too Pretty For Prison by Miranda Lambert with Maren Morris
- Ladies In The ‘90s by Lauren Alaina
- Red Solo Cup by Toby Keith
- Unforgettable by Thomas Rhett
- Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker
- Kiss You In The Morning by Michael Ray
- Friends In Low Places by Garth Brooks
- Country Girl (Shake It For Me) by Luke Bryan
- Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
- Golden Hour by Kacey Musgraves
- Tequila by Dan and Shay
- Still The One by Shania Twain
Rock and Roll Songs To Rock To at Your Reception
Although not your typical wedding choice, rock and roll songs are great additions to a wedding playlist.
- You Really Got Me by The Kinks
- Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet
- Jump by Van Halen
- Thunderstruck by AC/DC
- Peace of Mind by Boston
- I Wanna Remember by NEEDTOBREATHE (feat Carrie Underwood)
- Don’t Stop Believing by The Journey
- Wait A Minute My Love by Volbeat
- We Will Rock You by Queen
- Love Shack by The B-52’s
- I Love Rock n Roll by Joan Jett
- April 7th by The Maine
- Edge Of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks
- My Own Worst Enemy by Lit
- All The Small Things by Blink 182
- You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oates
- Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynryd
- On Top Of The World by Imagine Dragons
- What I Like About You by The Romantics
- Bodies by Drowning Pool
- Ex’s and Oh’s by Elle King
- Since You Been Gone by A Day To Remember
- That Girl by Plain White T’s
Smooth RnB/ Souls Songs To Play at Your Reception

Fan of RnB? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered as well.
- Blinding Lights by The Weekend
- Stuck On You by Lionel Richie
- My Boo by Usher and Alicia Keys
- I Wanna Know by Joe
- Kiss Me More by Doja Cat (feat SZA)
- Leave The Door Open by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic
- Run It! by Chris Brown (feat Juelz Santana)
- Lose My Breath by Destiny’s Child
- Incomplete by Sisqo
- Savage (Remix) by Meghan Thee Stallion (feat Beyonce)
- Best Day Ever by Andy Stokes
- Beat It by Michael Jackson
- Sexy Love by Ne-Yo
Indie/Alternative Wedding Reception Songs
Here’s a list for fans of indie/alternative music.
- Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran
- My Universe by BTS and Coldplay
- Locked Out Heaven by Bruno Mars
- You and I by Ingrid Michaelson
- Golden by Harry Styles
- Always Where I Need To Be by The Kooks
- There She Goes by The La’s
- When We First Met by Hellogoodbye
- Heat Waves by Glass Animals
- Somewhere Only We Know by Keane
- Hey There Delilah by Plain White Ts
- Get Lucky by Daft Punk (ft Pharrel Williams and Nile Rodgers)
- Pumped Up For Kicks by Foster The People
Great Songs To Dance to in Group
Group dance sessions make for great memories in wedding receptions. Take a look at our list of fantastic songs that you and your guest could groove to together.
- Crank That (Soulja Boy) by Soulja Boy
- Gangnam Style by PSY
- Watch me (Whip/NaeNae) by Silentó
- Cotton Eye Joe by Rednex
- Wobble by V.IC.
- Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
- Apache — 45 Version by The Sugar Hill Gang
- The Git Up by Blanco Brown
- Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper
- Macarena by Los Del Rio
- 1, 2 Step by Ciara
- Toosie Slide by Drake
Old but Gold: The Best Oldies For Your Wedding Reception

Want to cater to the older crowd? Or a fan of old school yourself? Then this list is just for you.
- Celebration by Kool and The Gang
- Signed Sealed Delivered (I’m yours) by Stevie Wonder
- Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston
- Uptown Girl by Billy Joel
- Dancing Queen by ABBA
- Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
- All My Life by K-Ci & Jojo
- Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra
- I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross
- At Last by Etta James
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Reception Playlists
How do I choose songs for my wedding playlist?
When choosing the songs for your wedding playlist, it’s best to throw various songs into the mix.
Your wedding playlist should span various genres to ensure there’s something for everyone and all your guests are having a great time.
How many songs do I need for my wedding reception?
This is pretty simple to calculate. To get a rough estimate, divide the proposed duration of your wedding reception by the average length of a song.
Most songs last for an average of 3 to 4 minutes, so assuming your wedding is slated to be three hours long, you’ll need at least 60 songs.
What parts of my wedding do I need to pick songs for?
While getting a skilled DJ is always a plus, there are parts of your wedding you should pick out the songs yourself. These sections are intimate and have great emotional significance.
They are the prelude, bridal procession, reception entrance, first dance, father/daughter dance, mother/son dance, the party starter, and the last song.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, 205 of the best songs to play at your reception, spanning several genres.
With this list as a guide, you can be sure that your wedding playlist will have something for everyone. Enjoy!