75 of the Best Wedding Party Songs to Add to Your Reception Music Playlist

Technically, your wedding ceremony, that precious moment when you tie the knot, is the most important part of your big day, but it's your choice of wedding party songs that'll make guests want to boogie all night long - it's the ultimate wedding guest entertainment.

Secretly, everyone looks forward to the reception, and a good one requires stellar entertainment to set the right tone and bring your dance floor to life. 

There’s no better feeling than all of your favourite people gathered in one room, bopping and singing, which is why you need an epic wedding music playlist. Choose a mix of crowd-pleasers, singalong ballads, air guitar-worthy rock anthems, hip-hop beats, heartwarming romantic hits, and cherished golden oldies for an electrifying party atmosphere.

75 of the Best Wedding Party Songs to Add to Your Wedding Music Playlist

Select your favourites from our carefully curated wedding party playlist and our handpicked collection of the best wedding songs for an unforgettable celebration.

Below you’ll find a ready-made playlist of the 75 best wedding party songs, perfect for connecting to a speaker and dancing the night away.

1. Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) – Beyoncé

"Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it"

2. Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams 

"Those were the best days of my life"

3. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses

"She's got eyes of the bluest skies"

4. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Michael Bublé 

"She gives me hot and cold fever, then she leaves me in a cool cool sweat"

5. Dancing in The Moonlight – Toploader 

"Everybody's dancin' in the moonlight"

6. On the Floor – Jennifer Lopez 

"Dance the night away"

7. Valerie – Amy Winehouse

"Why don't you come on over Valerie?"

8. Marry You – Bruno Mars

"Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you"

9. Walking On Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves

"I used to think maybe you loved me now baby I'm sure"

10. Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners

"At this moment you mean everything"

11. I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston

"With somebody who loves me"

12. Gimme All Your Lovin – ZZ Top 

"Don't let up until we're through"

13. 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton

"What a way to make a livin'"

14. Mr. Brightside – The Killers

"It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss"

15. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!

"You take the grey skies outta my way. You make the sun shine brighter than Doris Day"

16. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

"No, I never felt this way before"

17. I’ll Be There for You – The Rembrandts

"So no one told you life was gonna be this way"

18. Macarena – Los del Río

"I am not trying to seduce you"

19. Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…) – Lou Bega

"A little bit of you makes me your man"

20. As Long As You Love Me – Backstreet Boys

"I don't care who you are, where you're from"

21. I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ – Scissor Sisters

"Don't feel like dancin', dancin'"

22. Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker

"We're gonna do the twist and it goes like this"

23. Jump Around – House of Pain

"I came to get down, I came to get down, so get out your seat and jump around"

24. The Best – Tina Turner

"You're simply the best"

25. Friday I’m In Love – The Cure

"I don't care if Monday's blue, Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too"

26. Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s

"Oh, it's what you do to me"

27. Live and Let Die – Guns N’ Roses

"Say live and let die"

28. One Love – Blue

"One love is all we need"

29. We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart

"So come on, baby, won't you show some class?"

30. C’est La Vie (You Never Can Tell) – Pulp No Pulp

"It was a teenage wedding, and the old folks wished them well"

31. Club Tropicana – Wham!

"Fun and sunshine, there's enough for everyone"

32. Is This The Way To Amarillo – Tony Christie

"Every lonely city, where I hang my hat. Ain't as half as pretty, as where my baby's at"

33. Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain

"I'm going out tonight, I'm feelin' alright"

34. Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

"Take me by the tongue, and I'll know you. Kiss me til you're drunk, and I'll show you"

35. Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO 

"We headed to the bar, baby don't be nervous. No shoes, no shirt, and I still get service"

36. Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder

"Music is a world within itself"

37. Walk Like an Egyptian – The Bangles

"You drop your drink, then they bring you more"

38. Crocodile Rock – Elton John

"Oh, lawdy mama, those Friday nights"

39. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

"She took the midnight train going anywhere"

40. Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung

"Rip it up, move it down to the ground"

41. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

"Rising up to the challenge of our rival"

42. Footloose – Kenny Loggins 

"Kick off your Sunday shoes"

43. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

"I wanna be the one to walk in the sun"

44. Heads Will Roll – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

"The men cry out the girls cry out"

45. Living on A Prayer – Bon Jovi 

"Take my hand, we'll make it, I swear"

46. Reach – S Club 7

"Climb every mountain higher"

47. Y.M.C.A – Village People

"Young man, young man, there's no need to feel down"

48. All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor

"Cause every inch of you is perfect, From the bottom to the top"

49. Always – Bon Jovi

"We'll find a place where the sun still shines"

50. Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston 

"Learning to love yourself, Is the greatest love of all"

51. Hakuna Matata – The Lion King

"It means no worries. For the rest of your days"

52. Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani

"A few times I've been around that track"

53. I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas

"That tonight's gonna be a good night"

54. It’s Raining Men – Geri Halliwell

"'Cause tonight for the first time, just about half past ten. For the first time in history, it's gonna start raining men"

55. Love is in The Air – Tom Jones

"Love is in the air everywhere I look around"

56. Mamma Mia – ABBA

"My, my, how can I resist you?"

57. Freed From Desire – Gala Rizzatto

"My love has got no money, he's got his strong beliefs"

58. A Groovy Kind of Love – Phil Collins

"Baby, you and me got a groovy kind of love"

59. All I Want Is You – Barry Louis Polisar

"If I was a flower growing wild and free, all I'd want is you to be my sweet honey bee"

60. Beautiful People – Labrinth 

"Take your time, take your time, take your sexy time"

61. Best Song Ever – One Direction

"And we danced all night to the best song ever"

62. Can't Stop the Feeling! – Justin Timberlake

"I got that sunshine in my pocket"

63. Could It Be Magic – Take That

"Baby I want you come, come, come into my arms"

64. Everyday People – Various Artists

"We got to live together"

65. Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac 

"I want to be with you everywhere"

66. I Was Born To Love You – Freddie Mercury

"An amazing feeling coming through..."

67. Lay All Your Love On Me – ABBA

"Don't go wasting your emotion"

68. Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison

"Pretty woman say you'll stay with me"

69. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack

"I thought the sun rose in your eyes"

70. Three Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers

"Don't worry, about a thing"

71. Auld Lang Syne – Rod Stewart

"We'll drink a cup of kindness yet, For the sake of auld lang syne"

72. Father Daughter Dance – Wayne Jacobs

"My little girl's getting married today"

73. I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston

"I wanna feel the heat with somebody"

74. Call Me Maybe – Carly-Rae Jepsen

"Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy"

75. All Of Me – John Legend

"My head's under water, But I'm breathing fine"

How Many Songs Should You Have for a Wedding Party?

We put this question to some of our top wedding DJs, and they came back with answers ranging from a maximum of 80 songs to 250 and above. The general consensus is that you should have enough good wedding party songs to fill at least four hours and the easiest way to ensure this is by stocking your playlist with more songs than you need.

If you want to want to calculate a precise set, get out your calculator and add up the length of each song, checking to see if it equals the desired duration of your party. If you are creating a playlist for a DJ, it's worth noting that they may not play through a song in full, meaning they will need additional options. 

Do You Choose Your Own Wedding Party Songs?

According to the experts, couples who hire DJs generally do not choose their own wedding songs because it is an arduous process that requires a significant time commitment. It is not unusual, however, for couples to choose songs for key moments in their celebration, such as their first dance.

It's also common practice for couples to submit a must-play list of their all-time favourites, as well as a do-not-play list of songs they don't want to hear on their special day. It's always best to discuss these details with your DJ before booking because not every entertainer has the same process, and it's important to find someone who can match your needs and deliver the showstopper wedding party you deserve.  

How to Create a Wedding Party Playlist?

It's up to you how you go about choosing your wedding reception songs, but we recommend listening to our classic wedding songs playlist and putting together your own list with a selection that speaks to your heart. It's also a thoughtful gesture to ask your guests for their favourites, allowing you to include them in your playlist or share them with your DJ.

If you’re hiring a DJ, they normally provide a library of must-have wedding party songs that you can add to and subtract from. Likewise, a wedding band will have a set repertoire they can customize if you give them enough time to rehearse your requests.

A DIY music set is achievable in a venue with speakers that easily connect to your devices. Just remember, you'll need enough wedding party dance songs to last until the wee hours because running out of music is an absolute no-no!

Curating the perfect lists of must-play wedding party songs will allow you to experience those precious moments that make a home in your memory. Just imagine your little cousin teaching Grandad to floss to Katy Perry, or picture yourself slow dancing to the ballad you heard on your first date.

You'll also be grateful for those in-between songs, where you can sit back with a drink, relax, and catch your breath before you get right back up there to show off your moves.

What are the Best Wedding Party Songs? 

We spoke to seven professional wedding DJs and asked them what their best wedding party song recommendations were. Here's what they had to say...

Charlie from the Iron Broo Ceilidh Band offers a patriotic suggestion, stating: "It has to be Scottish; it has to be live ceilidh." He recommends The Orcadian Strip the Willow with Auld Lang Syne to finish, merged into Loch Lomond. 

Mark from the Anti Wedding Wedding DJs had no hesitation in naming Gala Rizzatto's Freed From Desire as his top choice. Can you even say the title without singing it?

Steven from Ace Beats suggests Proud Mary by Ike and Tina Turner, followed by Footloose by Kenny Loggins, followed by Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry to get the crowd going. He says: "Obviously, it always depends on the crowd, but I find these are a great combo of songs and play these at most weddings."

SGDJ & SG Discos always have Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody at the top of their list of must-have wedding party songs. In DJ June's words: "It fits in with the 80’s classics category, has a feel-good vibe, and is often requested."

Mr. Brightside by The Killers is Jackstar Weddings - Wedding DJ's top choice. According to Jack: "My wife would love me to say anything by the Spice Girls, but Mr. Brightside usually gets the biggest reaction on the dance floor."

When asked for his must-play wedding party song, DJ Dave B agreed with the above DJ, explaining, "So many to choose from, but I would say over the years of doing weddings, one that comes up regularly would have to be Mr. Brightside by The Killers." Looks like this number is making the rounds! 

BPM Events' go-to song is Jump Around by House of Pain. Frontman Kelvin says, "Every age group has heard it, and it is bound to get everyone dancing, singing along to the chorus, and of course, jumping." 

An important part of the party, where it all begins, is the first dance, so to be sure you get it right, here are some first dance songs you may want to avoid choosing, and our best first dance tunes recommended by the experts.