Your Wedding Playlist by Real Couples

Your wedding playlist sets the scene for your day. Music is highly subjective — one person’s soul song is another person’s snoozefest. Yet some songs continue to be wedding staples year after year.

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 and 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.

First things first, tap into your shared musical vibes – whether it’s 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.

Getting 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, setting the stage for a day as legendary as the tunes themselves.
The getting ready songs you need on your playlist:

• Glamourous, Fergie
• Single Laides, Beyonce
• Good as Hell, Lizzo
• Watermelon Sugar, Harry Styles
• Big Energy, Latto 
• 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
• Dance the Night Away, Dua Lipa

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 aisle-time:

• I Get to Love You, Ruelle
• Can’t Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley
• La Vie En Rose, Ingrid Mapson
• Halo, Beyonce
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
• Moon River, Audrey Hepburn
• At Last, Etta James
• Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
• A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
• 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 funky beats, make that initial twirl as a married couple uniquely yours. Let the music be the expression of your personality, turning your first dance into a moment that’s as cool and individual as both of you.

Songs our Real Couples want to hear for their first dance:

• Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran
• The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra
• Can’t Take My Eyes off You, Frankie Valli and The 4 Seasons
• Endless Love, Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
• Come Away With Me, Norah Jones
• (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, Bill Medley & Jenifer Warnes
• Timeless (Taylor’s Version), Taylor Swift
• All of Me, John Legend
• Like I’m Gonna Lose You, Jasmine Thompson
• 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. Cue the waterworks!

Father/daughter dance songs our Real Couples love:

• 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
• I Loved Her First, Heartland
• You’ve Got a Friend in Me, James Taylor
• You’re My Best Friend, Queen
• Cinderella, Steven Curtis, Chapman
• Unforgettable, Nat Kin Cole and Natalie Cole

Mother/Son Dance Songs

it’s time to spotlight the leading lady in your life – your mom! 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:

• Sweetest Devotion, Adele
• A Song for Mama, Boyz II Men
• Hero, Mariah Carey
• You Are the Sunshine of My Life, Stevie Wonder
• All You Need is Love, The Beatles
• You’ll Be In My Heart, Phil Colins
• 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:

• 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:

• Crazy In Love, Beyonce
• Uptown Funk, Bruno Mars
• Juice, Lizzo
• 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:

• 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
• I’ll Be There For You, The Rembrandts
• 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: 

• Respect, Aretha Franklin
• Rock DJ, Robbie Williams
• Believe, Cher
• Love at First Sight, Kylie Minogue
• September, Earth, Wind & Fire
• Murder On The Dance Floor, Sophie Ellis-Bexter
• Shout, Pts 1&2, The Isley Brothers
• This Will Be (An Ever Lasting Love) Natalie Cole
• Mambo No. 5, Lou Bega
• Get Lucky, Daft Punk ft. Pharrel
• I’ve Got a Woman, Ray Charles

If you’ve finalised your wedding playlist and need some talented musicians to play them, head to our comprehensive directory to check out the best wedding bands and DJs in your area.