One of the most crucial parts of planning your wedding is...believe it or not, picking the music! One of the big takeaways your guests will have was whether or not good music was played. If your playlist is boring, your guests will probably get bored too. People like to dance! Especially if there's champagne or wine involved! To save you the hassle of sifting through Spotify to figure out what you should play at your wedding reception, we've done the job for you! Here's a list of the best songs for your wedding reception. Anything from slow dance songs to songs that make you get up and dance! Let's go!

  

**Full disclosure, we know some artists transcend just one specific genre so you may see them appear in more than one list. For example: Taylor Swift started out with Country music but has transferred over to Pop**

 

Best First Dance Wedding Songs

Perfect - Ed Sheeran

All of Me - John Legend

Marry Me - Train

A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

Lucky - Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat

Beauty and the Beast - John Legend, Ariana Grande (Beauty & The Beast)

At Last - Etta James

Moon River - Andy Williams

Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley

Endless Love - Lionel Richie, Diana Ross

From this Moment On - Shania Twain, Bryan White

It's Your Love - Tim McGraw, Faith Hill

All My Life - K-Ci and JoJo

Halo - Beyonce

Make You Feel My Love - Adele

 Stay With Me - Sam Smith

Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers

The Book of Love - Peter Gabriel

 

For more First Dance songs, see our article First Dance Wedding Songs

 

Best Wedding Dinner Songs

Instrumentals:

I've Got You Under My Skin - Beegie Adair

Witchcraft - Beegie Adair

Winter Weather/I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Mason Embry Trio

Beyond The Sea - Mason Embry Trio

On the Street Where You Live - Beegie Adair, Jack Jezzro

Body and Soul - Coleman Hawkins

So What - Miles Davis

Bye Bye Blackbird - Miles Davis

Someday My Prince Will Come - Miles Davis

My Funny Valentine - Miles Davis Quintet

Isn't it Romantic - Chet Baker

Speak Low - Chet Baker

On the Sunny Side of the Street - Lester Young, Oscar Peterson Trio

The Way You Look Tonight - Oscar Peterson

I Got Rhythm - Oscar Peterson

Autumn Leaves - Paul Desmond

I Don't Mean a Thing (If it Ain't Got That Swing) - Thelonious Monk

Someone to Watch Over Me - Zoot Sims, Eric Miller

  

Best Father Daughter Dance Songs

Daughters - John Mayer

I'll Stand By You - Pretenders

I Turn to You - Christina Aguilera

You'll Be in My Heart - Phil Collins

I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack

I Loved Her First - Heartland

What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle

Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper

Dance With My Father - Luther Vandross

There Goes My Life - Kenny Chesney

Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion

  

Best Mother Son Dance Songs

Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler

Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

Candle On the Water - Helen Reddy

I'll Be There - Jackson 5

A Song for Mama - Boyz II Men

Never Grow Up - Taylor Swift

Proud of Your Boy - Adam Jacobs

He Gets That From Me - Reba McEntire

Hero - Mariah Carey

Baby Mine - Alison Krauss

Not While I'm Around - Barbra Streisand

Children Will Listen - Barbra Streisand 

 

 

Best Slow Dance Wedding Songs

The Way You Look Tonight - Tony Bennett

La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf

It Had to Be You - Billie Holiday

Chances Are - Johnny Mathis

Always and Forever - Heatwave

You Make Me Feel Brand New - The Stylistics

Crazier - Taylor Swift

Just A Kiss - Lady Antebellum

More Than Words - Extreme

I Swear - All-4-One

For You I Will - Monica

Saving All My Love - Whitney Houston

I Could Fall in Love - Selena

The Only Exception - Paramore

Two is Better than One - Boys Like Girls, Taylor Swift

Kiss from a Rose - Seal

A Love that Will Last - Renee Olstead

Tattooed Heart - Ariana Grande

Love on the Brain - Rihanna

I Only Have Eyes for You - The Flamingos

Linger - The Cranberries

Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden

 

Best Wedding Dance Songs

The Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix) - Los Del Rio

Cha Cha Slide (Original Live Platinum Band Version) - Mr. C The Slide Man

Cupid Shuffle - Cupid

Wobble - V.I.C.

YMCA - Village People

Gangnam Style - Psy

Electric Slide - Marcia Griffiths

(Apache) Jump On It - Sugarhill Gang

The Hustle - Van McCoy

C'mon N Ride It  (The Train) - Quad City DJ's

 

 

Best Modern Rap & Hip-Hop Wedding Songs

Old Town Road - Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus

Wow. - Post Malone

Low - Flo Rida, T-Pain

The Real Slim Shady - Eminem

Fergalicious - Fergie, Will.I.am

Yeah! - Usher, Lil Jon, Ludacris

Stronger - Kanye West

Gold Digger - Kanye West

Hot in Herre - Nelly

Money - Cardi B

Bodak Yellow - Cardi B

I Like It - Cardi B

My Chick Bad - Ludacris, Nicki Minaj

Shots - LMFAO, Lil Jon

Thrift Shop - Macklemore

Walk it Out - Unk

Wop - J. Dash

No Hands - Wacka Flocka Flame, Roscoe Dash, Wale

Like A G6 - Far East Movement, The Cataracs, DEV

One, Two Step - Ciara, Missy Elliot

Starships - Nicki Minaj

HeadBand - B.o.B, 2 Chainz

Get Low - Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz

All I Do is Win - DJ Khaled

Hey Ya! - Outkast

The Way You Move - OutKast

WTF (Where They From) - Missy Elliot, Pharrell Williams

Work It - Missy Elliot

Lose Control - Missy Elliot, Ciara, Fatman Scoop

Turn Down for What - DJ Snake, Lil Jon

 

 

Best Modern Pop Wedding Songs

Wake Me Up - Aviccii

Stupid Love - Lady Gaga

Rain On Me - Lady Gaga

Just Dance - Lady Gaga, Colby O' Donis

Poker Face - Lady Gaga

Party In The U.S.A - Miley Cyrus

We Can't Stop - Miley Cyrus

I Love It - Icona Pop, Charli XCX

Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

Cake By The Ocean - DNCE

Boom Clap - Charli XCX

Closer - The Chainsmokers, Halsey

Don't Let Me Down - The Chainsmokers, Daya

So What - P!nk

Raise Your Glass - P!nk

Sucker - Jonas Brothers

Only Human - Jonas Brothers

What a Man Gotta Do - Jonas Brothers

CAN'T STOP THE FEELING! - Justin Timberlake

Havana - Camila Cabello, Young Thug

Feels - Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry

Break Free - Ariana Grande, Zedd

Love Me Harder - Ariana Grande, The Weeknd

Side to Side - Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj

Clarity - Foxes, Zedd

The Middle - Maren Morris, Zedd

Shut Up & Dance - Walk The Moon

Lush Life - Zara Larsson

Never Forget You - Zara Larsson

On The Floor - Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull

Talking Body - Tove Lo

This is What You Came For - Calvin Harris, Rihanna

Don't Start Now - Dua Lipa

New Rules - Dua Lipa

 

Best Country Wedding Songs

You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Our Song - Taylor Swift

Mine - Taylor Swift

High Horse - Kacey Musgraves

Why Don't We Just Dance - John Turner

Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not - Thompson Square

That's My Kind of Night - Luke Bryan

Tequila - Dan + Shay

Hony Tonk Badonkadonk - Trace Adkins

She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy - Kenny Chesney

Redneck Woman - Gretchen Wilson

The Git Up - Blanco Brown

Boot Scootin' Boogie - Brooks & Dunn

This Kiss - Faith Hill

The Way You Love Me - Faith Hill

Man! I Feel Like a Woman - Shania Twain

Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks

Play It Again - Luke Bryan

From the Ground Up - Dan + Shay

Red Solo Cup - Toby Keith

Honey I'm Good - Andy Grammer

 

Best Party Songs for Weddings

Mambo No. 5 - Lou Bega

Wannabe - Spice Girls

Spice Up Your Life - Spice Girls

We Like to Party - Vengaboys

...Baby One More Time - Britney Spears

I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys

Everybody (Backstreet's Back) - Backstreet Boys

Bye Bye Bye - NSYNC

Barbie Girl - Aqua

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Theme - Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff

It Wasn't Me - Shaggy, Rik Rok

Ice Ice baby - Vanilla Ice

Blue (Da Ba Dee) - Eiffel 65, Gabry Ponte

Space Jam - Quad City DJ's

Get the Party Started - P!nk

Everytime We Touch - Cascada

What's Up? - 4 Non Blondes

Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas

 

Best Modern R&B Wedding Songs

Redbone - Childish Gambino

24K Magic - Bruno Mars

Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars

Finesse - Bruno Mars, Cardi B

Shake it Off - Mariah Carey

Obsessed - Mariah Carey

Umbrella - Rihanna

Don't Stop The Music - Rihanna

Work - Rihanna, Drake

Crazy In Love - Beyonce, JAY Z

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) - Beyonce

Love On Top - Beyonce

No One - Alicia Keys

Girl on Fire - Alicia Keys

Happy - Pharrell Williams

Pray For Me - The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar

Can't Feel My Face - The Weeknd

Starboy - The Weeknd

The Hills - The Weeknd

Bartender - T-Pain, Akon

Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin) - T-Pain

1 Thing - Amerie

Let It Go - Keyshia Cole, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot

I'm Real - Jennifer Lopez

The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix) - SZA, Calvin Harris

All The Stars - SZA, Kendrick Lamar

Just Us - SZA, DJ Khaled

Work From Home - Fifth Harmony, Ty Dolla $ign

Worth It - Fifth Harmony, Kid Ink

Beautiful - Bazzi, Camilla Cabello

 

 

Best 50's Wedding Songs

Earth Angel (Will You be Mine) - The Penguins

Blue Moon - The Marcels

Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley

Rock and Roll is Here to Stay - Danny and the Juniors

Rockin' Robin - Bobby Day

Tutti Frutti - Little Richard

Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris, The Sharps

Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and His Comets

Little Darlin' - The Diamonds

Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis

Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon, The Teenagers

Shout pts. 1 & 2 - The Isley brothers

You Make me Feel So Young - Frank Sinatra

I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra

I Get a Kick Out of You - Frank Sinatra

Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry

At the Hop - Danny and The Juniors

The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley

Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin

Sway (Quien Sera) - Dean Martin

You Send Me - Sam Cooke

Tequila - The Champs

 

 

Best 60's Wedding Songs

God Only Knows - The Beach Boys

Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles

Twist and Shout - The Beatles

The Twist - Chubby Checker

Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - Frankie Vallie

L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole

Moon River - Andy Williams

I Say A Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

Stand By Me - Ben. E King

Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell

My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder

Be My Baby - The Ronettes

Ain't That a Kick in the Head - Dean Martin

The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra

Save the Last Dance For Me - The Drifters

 



Best 70's Wedding Songs

ABBA - Dancing Queen

Brick House - Commodores

Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry

September - Earth, Wind and Fire

Stayin' Alive - The Bee Gees

You Should Be Dancin' - The Bee Gees

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

Bennie & The Jets - Elton John

Crocodile Rock - Elton John

Last Dance - Donna Summer

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole

Shake Your Groove Thing - Peaches & Herb

That's The Way (I Like It) - KC & The Sunshine Band

Boogie Shoes - KC & The Sunshine Band

 Hollywood Swinging - Kool & The Gang

Don't Stop Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

Let's Stay Together - Al Green

Rapper's Delight - Sugarhill Gang

Got to Give it Up - Marvin Gaye

Is This Love? - Bob Marley and The Wailers

Rock the Boat - Hues Corporation

Come and Get Your Love - Redbone 

 

Best 80's Wedding Songs

 I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) - Whitney Houston

How Will I Know - Whitney Houston

Take On Me - AHA

Africa - Toto

Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners

Love Shack - B-52's

Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield

Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi

(I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes

Bust A Move - Young M.C.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen

It's Tricky - Run DMC

My Prerogative - Bobby Brown

Purple Rain - Prince

When Doves Cry - Prince

Raspberry Beret - Prince

It Takes Two - Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock

Rock With You - Michael Jackson

Pretty Young Thing (P.Y.T.) - Michael Jackson

White Wedding - Billy Idol

You Dropped a Bomb on Me - The Gap Band

Candy - Cameo

Everybody Have Fun Tonight - Wang Chung

Footloose - Kenny Loggins

Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

Let's Groove - Earth, Wind and Fire

 

  Suavamente - Elvis Crespo

Poco A Poco - Elvis Crespo

Despacito - Luis Fonsi

Bailar - Deorro, Pitbull, Elvis Crespo

Fiesta Pa 'Los Rumberos - Albita

Eres Todo En Mi - Ana Gabriel

A Mi Manera - Gipsy Kings

Vivir Mi Vida - Marc Anthony

El Dia de Mi Suerte - Marc Anthony

El Toro - Joan Sebastian

Cachete, Pechito Y Ombligo - Los Cocodrilos

La Vida Es Un Carnaval - Celia Cruz

Baila Esta Cumbia - Selena

Bidi Bidi Bom Bom - Selena

La Carcacha - Selena

No Me Dejes de Querer - Gloria Estefan

Mi Tierra - Gloria Estefan

Danza Kudoro - Don Omar, Lucenzo

Dile - Don Omar

Ella Me Lavanto - Daddy Yankee

Gasolina - Daddy Yankee

Hips Don't Lie - Shakira

La Tortura - Shakira

Suerte (Whenever, Wherever) - Shakira

La Bamba - Ritchie Valens

 

Best Indie/Alt Wedding Songs 

Tear in My Heart - Twenty One Pilots

Leave a Trace - CHVRCHES

Bright - Ecosmith

Cool Kids - Ecosmith

UGH! - The 1975

Love Me - The 1975

Chocolate - The 1975

Hard Times - Paramore

Still Into You - Paramore

Closer - Tegan and Sara

Kids - MGMT

Electric Feel - MGMT

1901 - Phoenix

One More Time - Daft Punk

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) - Arcade Fire

Tongue Tied - Grouplove

Safe and Sound - Capital Cities

Mr. Brightside - The Killers

Feel it Still - Portugal. The Man

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People

Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood

I Can't Stop Drinking About You - Bebe Rexa

She's Kerosene - The Interuppters

Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz

DARE - Gorillaz

 

 

Best Wedding Songs for Kids

Baby Shark - Pinkfong

The Chicken Dance - Original Oktoberfest Band

You Got a Friend in Me - Randy Newman (Toy Story)

Everything is AWESOME!!! - Tegan and Sara, The Lonely Island

I Like to Move It - Juice Music

Hokey Pokey - Ray Anthony

The Hamster Dance - Hampton and the Hamsters

Crazy Frog - Axel F

I'm a Gummy Bear - Gummibär

 

 

Wedding Songs for the Bridesmaids

Shake it Off - Taylor Swift

Torn - Natalie Imbruglia

Run The World (Girls) - Beyonce

Flawless Remix - Beyonce, Nicki Minaj

Thank U, Next - Ariana Grande

Juice - Lizzo

Truth Hurts - Lizzo

Good As Hell - Lizzo

Confident - Demi Lovato

Sorry Not Sorry - Demi Lovato

Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani

The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani

Super Bass - Nicki Minaj

Just A Girl - No Doubt

Love Song - Sara Bareilles

Survivor - Destiny's Child

Milkshake - Kelis

 

Best Wedding Songs for Musical Fans

Music to My Eyes - A Star is Born

Always Remember Us This Way - A Star is Born

You Can't Stop The Beat - Hairspray

Ladies Choice - Hairspray

Mamma Mia - Mamma Mia!

L'Haim (To Life!) - Fiddler on the Roof

Why Did it Have to Be Me? - Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

You're The One That I Want - Grease

Summer Nights - Grease

Helpless - Hamilton

The Schuyler Sisters - Hamilton

What is This Feeling - Wicked

Love You I Do - Dreamgirls

Shall We Dance - The King and I

I Just Can't Wait to Be King - The Lion King

Be Our Guest - Beauty and the Beast

So This is Love - Cinderella

I See the Light - Tangled

The Time Warp - The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Candy Store - Heathers The Musical

Seventeen - Heathers The Musical

Sincerely Me - Dear Evan Hansen 

Come Alive - The Greatest Showman

Rewrite The Stars - The Greatest Showman

This Is Me - The Greatest Showman

Dance at the Gym - West Side Story

I Feel Pretty - West Side Story

 

Did we get all your favorites? What do you want on your wedding playlist? Or what was your favorite reception song? Let us know in the comments!