Your wedding playlist sets the scene for the day. And although music is highly subjective, there are some classics and staples that get the dancefloor going.
Forget the mushy clichés and predictable ballads – in this article, we’re diving headfirst into the funky, fresh, and downright fun songs that had couples and their guests grooving all the way down the aisle. From unexpected classics to quirky tunes that defined their “I do” moments, these couples are letting us in on the ultimate party soundtrack that turned their weddings into unforgettable dance-offs.
When it comes to curating the ultimate wedding playlist, forget the rulebook. Crank up the creativity! Your wedding day deserves a soundtrack as unique as your love story, so consider tossing aside the generic and embracing the eclectic.
How to start curating your perfect playlist
First things first, tap into your shared musical vibes. Is it old-school hip-hop? Or a guilty pleasure pop anthem? Make sure your playlist is a reflection of both your personalities. Don’t be afraid to throw in some unexpected curveballs – a well-timed indie track or a nostalgic throwback can elevate the atmosphere from typical to legendary.
Keep an eye on the energy flow, mix in some crowd-pleasers, and for the love of dance floors everywhere, ensure there’s a perfect balance between slow jams and up-tempo hits. Lastly, trust your instincts and embrace the unexpected.
browse wedding musiciansGetting Ready Hype-Up Tunes
Kick off the wedding day vibes with a playlist that’s practically a pre-ceremony party! From Beyoncé belters to throwback anthems, your “getting ready” playlist should be the ultimate hype-up soundtrack. This is going to set the stage for a day as legendary as the tunes themselves.
The getting ready songs you need on your playlist:
- All That She Want – Ace of Base
- No Diggity – Blackstreet
- Murder on the Dancefloor – Sophie Ellis Baxtor
- Houdini – Dua Lipa
- Good as Hell – Lizzo
- Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
- Wannabe – Spice Girls
- Man! I Feel Like a Woman – Shania Twain
- Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
- … Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
- It’s Gonna Be Me – *NSYNC
- Peaches – Justin Bieber
- Ain’t No Other Man – Christina Aguilera
Aisle songs
Pick an aisle song that’s not just romantic but packs a punch, turning that walk into your very own grand entrance—because why just stroll when you can groove down the aisle?
Songs our Real Couples want to hear at the aisle:
- Too Sweet – Hozier
- Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
- La Vie En Rose – Edith Piaf/Louis Armstrong
- Steal My Kisses – Ben Harper
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
- Moon River – Audrey Hepburn
- At Last – Etta James
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
- First Day of my Life – Bright Eyes
- What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- Bella’s Lullaby – Carter Burwell, Dan Redfeld, and Elizabeth Hedman
- Make you Feel My Love – Adele
First dance songs
From indie anthems to classic dance tracks or even a Broadway number, make that initial twirl as a married couple uniquely yours. Turn your first dance into one for the ages, and choose a song that suits you two to a tee.
Songs our Real Couples want to hear for their first dance:
- For All You Give – The Paper Kites
- Archie, Marry Me – Alvvays
- Harvest Moon – Neil Young
- Just the Two Of Us – Bill Withers
- Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
- Beautiful Things – Benson Boone
- Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
- The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
- Can’t Take My Eyes off You – Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
- Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
- Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
- (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
- Timeless (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
- Better Together – Jack Johnson
- You Send Me – Sam Cooke
Father/Daughter Dance Songs:
Time to twirl and two-step with the first man who stole your heart! Kick off the father-daughter dance with a song that’s a sentimental journey down memory lane. Is it time for the waterworks?
Father/daughter dance songs our Real Couples love:
- Peaches – John Butler Trio
- Daughter – John Mayer
- Go Your Own Way – Fleetwood Mac
- How Sweet It Is – James Taylor
- My Girl – The Temptations
- Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
- It’s For My Dad – Nancy Sinatra
- Butterfly Fly Away – Miley Cyrus
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
- I Wish You Love – Frank Sinatra
- You’ve Got a Friend in Me – James Taylor
- You’re My Best Friend – Queen
- Cinderella – Steven Curtis, Chapman
Mother/Son Dance Songs
It’s time for one of the other leading ladies in your life – your mum! For the mother-son dance, crank up the tempo and select a song that not only mirrors your connection but also sets the stage for a dance party like no other.
Here’s what the poll of our Real Couples revealed:
- Days Like This – Van Morrison
- What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
- Sweetest Devotion – Adele
- A Song for Mama – Boyz II Men
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
- All You Need is Love – The Beatles
- I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
- Beautiful Boy – John Lennon
- Your Song – Elton John
- Stand by Me – Ben E. King
Mother/Daughter Dance Songs
Let the music be the soundtrack to a moment that encapsulates the bond between two generations of fabulous women. Get those dancing shoes on, and let the good times roll.
Here are our Real Couples fabulous mum and daughter dance options:
- Gypsy – Fleetwood Mac
- Mama – Spice Girls
- The Best Day- Taylor Swift
- I’ll Always Love My Mama – The Intruders
- Mother’s Daughter – Miley Cyrus
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
- You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban
Cake Cutting Songs
The cake-cutting song can be easily forgotten, but it’s a pivotal moment in your wedding celebration. Choose a song that makes cheeky reference to the sweet treats you’re about to enjoy.
Here’s what our poll revealed:
- Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
- Yummy – Justin Bieber
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
- Sweet Creature – Harry Styles
- Cake By the Ocean – DNCE
- Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
- You Make My Dreams (Come True) – Daryl Hall and John Oates
- Love On Top – Beyonce
Wedding Party Entrance Songs
You only get one grand reception enterance, so make it count with the perfect tune. You want something sassy and fresh that says, “We’ve arrived!”
Here are the songs our Real Couples can’t get enough of:
- Blue Monday – New Order
- September – Earth Wind and Fire
- Groove is in the Heart – Deeelite
- Crazy In Love – Beyonce
- SexyBack – Justin Timberlake ft. Timbaland
- Me and My Gang – Rascal Flatts
- Let’s Get It Started – Black Eyed Peas
- Levitating – Dua Lipa
- It’s Tricky – Run DMC
- Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
Newlywed Reception Entry Songs
Your bride tribe has entered and now it’s your turn. Tell the DJ to turn it UP with a tune full of confidence.
Here are our Real Couples top picks for newlywed enterence songs:
- Let’s Dance – David Bowie
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) -Stevie Wonder
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
- That’s Amore – Dean Martin
- Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves
- Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson Ft Bruno Mars
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
- Dancing In The Moonlight – Toploader
- Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
Reception Dancefloor-Filling Bangers
Ready to get onto the dancefloor and celebrate. The best reception songs are those that encourage your guests to let loose and enjoy themselves.
Here are the songs our Real Couples love for their receptions:
- You’ve got the Love – Florence and the Machine
- You Make My Dreams Come True – Hall and Oates
- Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
- Respect – Aretha Franklin
- Rock DJ – Robbie Williams
- Believe – Cher
- Love at First Sight – Kylie Minogue
- Shout, Pts 1&2 – The Isley Brothers
- This Will Be (An Ever Lasting Love) – Natalie Col
- Get Lucky – Daft Punk ft. Pharrel
- I’ve Got a Woman – Ray Charles
