The 100+ Best Wedding Songs Of All Time

Arranging a wedding reception requires an extensive selection of popular songs that match the varied schedule of the event.

Building a wedding playlist is essential for staying on top of the occasion and dropping songs that get the crowd dancing.

This guide provides you with the best wedding songs of all time, featuring crowd-pleasing classic hits and slow songs for the bride and groom.

The 100+ Best Wedding Songs of All Time

Whether you’re a professional mobile DJ or helping friends and family select music, a wedding playlist is essential for your sets.

So without further ado, let’s explore the best wedding songs you can include on your playlist, from pop hits to classic love songs that guests are guaranteed to appreciate.

Upbeat Wedding Opener Songs

A great wedding day requires an impressive and upbeat song to set the tone with the proper energy levels.

• “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift
• “Uptown Funk” (feat. Bruno Mars) – Mark Ronson
• “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk (feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers)
• “Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé (feat. Jay-Z)
• “All You Need Is Love” – The Beatles
• “Walking on Sunshine” – Katrina & The Waves
• “Heroes” – David Bowie
• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” – Stevie Wonder
• “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” – Whitney Houston
• “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake
• “One Kiss” – Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa

Whether you’re hoping to book wedding DJ gigs or create a playlist for a family event, these tracks will start the day on the right foot.

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Romantic Wedding Songs

A wedding playlist wouldn’t be complete without a selection of romantic songs with heartfelt lyrics for the guests.

• “Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor
• “Make You Feel My Love” – Adele
• “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – by Diana Ross
• “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” – Elton John
• “At Last” -Etta James
• “Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Elvis Presley
• “Eternal Flame” – The Bangles
• “You’ve Got The Love” – Florence and the Machine
• “All of Me” – John Legend

• “Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding


These classic love songs deserve a place on any wedding playlist, as they capture the spirit of romance.

Dance Floor Crowd Pleaser Songs

Once the meal is complete, wedding guests are ready to grab a drink, hit the dance floor, and party in style.

• “Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen
• “Get Lucky” – Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams
• “Valerie” – Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse
• “Murder on the Dance Floor” – Sophie Ellis Bextor
• “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk The Moon
• “Celebration” – Kool & The Gang
• “Twist and Shout” – The Beatles
• “Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen
• “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
• “Dancing Queen” – ABBA
• “Smooth Criminal” – Michael Jackson

If you’re looking for some dance floor crowd pleasers, you can add them to your wedding playlist.

Classic Wedding Reception Songs

Wedding songs need to cater to a range of age groups, so throwing in a few classics will appeal to the older generation.

• “September” – Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison
• “Higher Ground” – Stevie Wonder
• “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond
• “I Gotta Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas
• “Something Just Like This” – The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
• “Break My Soul” – Beyoncé
• “Higher Love” – Kygo and Whitney Houston
• “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” – Marvin Gaye
• “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd

Consider including these classic wedding reception songs on your playlist and gauging the guests’ reactions.

Popular Wedding Rock Songs

Rock music is one of the most popular genres in the United States, offering many great songs that you can choose from for your playlists.

• “You Shook Me All Night Long” – AC/DC
• “Everywhere” – Fleetwood Mac
• “Wonderwall” – Oasis
• “We Will Rock You” – Queen
• “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” – Aerosmith
• “Teenage Dirtbag” – Wheatus
• “Under Pressure” – Queen and David Bowie
• “Walk of Life” – Dire Straits
• “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” – The Darkness
• “Don’t Stop Believin'” – Journey

These picks for popular rock songs to add to your wedding playlist have a track record of great reactions from guests.

Related reading: Learn how to start a wedding DJ business.

Pop Hits & Throwbacks

Like rock, pop music is a perfect addition to a wedding playlist, with numerous chart-topping hits to consider.

• “Take On Me” – A-ha
• “Never Gonna Give You Up” – Rick Astley
• “Gold” – Spandau Ballet
• “Tainted Love” – Soft Cell
• “Uptown Girl” – Billy Joel
• “Karma Chameleon” – Culture Club
• “Don’t You Want Me” – The Human League
• “Hot Stuff” – Donna Summer
• “Footloose” – Kenny Loggins
• “You Can Call Me Al” – Paul Simon

These tried-and-tested pop hits and throwbacks are guaranteed to get a positive reaction and belong on every wedding DJ checklist.

Mother-Son Dance Songs

The mother-son dance is a cherished moment in a wedding day that demands a fitting song for the occasion.

• “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
• “Because You Loved Me” – Celine Dion
• “Stand By Me” – Ben E. King
• “I’ll Be There” – The Jackson 5
• “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
• “Forever Young” – Rod Stewart
• “My Wish” – Rascal Flatts
• “Simple Man” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
• “You’ll Be in My Heart” – Phil Collins
• “Sweetest Devotion” – Adele

You can add these mother-son dance songs to your playlist along with other suggestions from clients.

Father-Daughter Dance Songs

Like the mother-son song, the father-daughter dance song is another ubiquitous song to include when DJing at a wedding.

• “My Girl” – The Temptations
• “Isn’t She Lovely” – Stevie Wonder
• “Dance With My Father” by Luther Vandross
• “I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack
• “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
• “My Little Girl” – Tim McGraw
• “Butterfly Kisses” – Bob Carlisle
• “You Are The Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
• “I Loved Her First” – Heartland
• “Daughters” – John Mayer

These songs are a great way to set the tone for the wedding evening and encourage the guests to hit the dance floor.

Bride & Groom First Dance Songs

One of the most crucial wedding songs is the bride and groom song, ushering in the first dance of the event.

• “Lover” – Taylor Swift
• “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
• “All of Me” – John Legend
• “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli
• “Unchained Melody” – The Righteous Brothers
• “Better Together” – Jack Johnson
• “You Are the Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
• “Everything” – Michael Bublé
• “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” – Jasmine Thompson
• “Say You Won’t Let Go” – James Arthur

If they haven’t chosen a song themselves, these options will inspire the bride and groom to create a unique experience.

Wedding Party Closing Songs

Last but not least, every wedding day needs an iconic song to finish up the evening before closing time.

• “Save the Last Dance For Me” – Dolly Parton
• “Closing Time” – Semisonic
• “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” – Natalie Cole
• “Celebration” – Kool & The Gang
• “Evacuate the Dancefloor” – Cascada
• “Take Me Home, Country Roads” – John Denver
• “We Are Young” – Fun
• “Happy Face” – Destiny’s Child
• “Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
• “Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees

With firm favorites from music legends such as Dolly Parton, these are guaranteed to impress your wedding guests.

Summary

Choosing the right music for a wedding reception ensures the bride and groom make a grand entrance and their guests enjoy the entire night.

By referencing this wedding playlist for inspiration, you can select a soundtrack for your wedding day that results in a memorable experience.

You can refine your playlist by discussing the day with the happy couple beforehand and taking requests from guests in advance.