These Are the Only Wedding Reception Songs You Need on Your Playlist

If you want to keep the celebratory energy up after your wedding reception entrance, don't leave the playlist for your wedding reception songs on the back burner. This means you have to study up on the best wedding songs of all time and combine them with tracks you and your partner love. Don't know where to start? Well, you've come to the right place.

From classic hits to unique tunes, I've created a long, but curated list of wedding reception songs to inspire you. Once you look at this selection, you'll be able to confidently go to your wedding band or wedding DJ and tell them what vibe you're going for and what your must-play songs are. Keep reading to see the best reception-song wedding music, as well as standouts I've picked for each category. I guarantee your guests will never want your celebration to end with these bumping options.

The top wedding reception music: Wedding-Related Songs | Dance Songs | Classic Songs | Unique Songs | Fun Songs

The Best Songs With "Wedding" in the Lyrics

If you want to nod to the reason why everyone is there, go for it. The following tunes explicitly have "wedding," "marry" or "marriage" in their respective lyrics or title, or are generally about getting or being married. Who knew singing about weddings could sound so good?

Editor's pick: "Dracula's Wedding" by OutKast (ft. Kelis) is one of my favorite songs from the hip-hop duo, and it should be one of yours too. Not only is the song upbeat and groovy, but it has a silly side since it's about Dracula finding his true love, but being terrified of her.

• "(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry" by Darlene Love
• "Adore You" by Miley Cyrus and Cedric Gervais
• "Be My Wife" by David Bowie
• "Cásate Conmigo" by Silvestre Dangond and Nicky Jam
• "Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups
• "Fairytale" by Justin Bieber (ft. Jaden Smith)
• "good wife" by Kacey Musgraves
• "Hawaiian Wedding Song" by Elvis Presley
• "Here and Now" by Luther Vandross
• "I Can Hear the Bells" by Nikki Blonsky
• "I Do" by Colbie Caillat
• "I DO" by Leon Thomas
• "If I Were a Carpenter" by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
• "I Wanna Marry You" by Bruce Springsteen
• "January Wedding" by The Avett Brothers
• "Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room" by Merle Haggard
• "Let's Get Married" by Al Green
• "Love and Marriage" by Frank Sinatra
• "Love Story" by Taylor Swift
• "Marriage" by Descendents
• "Married Life" by Michael Giacchino
• "Archie, Marry Me" by Alvvays
• "Marry Me a Little" by Stephen Sondheim
• "Marry Me" by Dolly Parton
• "Marry Me" by Meghan Trainor
• "Marry Me" by Train
• "Marry Me" Jason Derulo
• "Marry the Night" by Lady Gaga
• "Marry You" by Eric Clapton and B.B. King
• "Matrimony" by Tennis
• "Me and My Husband" by Mitski
• "On My Way (Marry Me)" by Jennifer Lopez
• "The Wedding March" by Queen
• "Third Finger, Left Hand" by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
• "Wedding Bell" by Beach House
• "Wedding in Berlin" by Pet Shop Boys
• "Wedding Song" by Bob Dylan
• "Wedding Song" by Tracy Chapman
• "Wedding Song" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• "Wifey" by Next

The Best Wedding Dance Music for the Reception

If you're looking for upbeat wedding songs for the reception, you can't go wrong with any of our selections below. Remember, the goal is to keep guests on their feet so they have no choice but to break out their best moves. Take it to a whole other level by having these picks played live by a wedding band (or other wedding musicians).

Editor's pick: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston is one of the best dance songs for a wedding. Not only was this song played at least twice at all of my high school dances, but it's a classic that every guest will know. Fun fact: According to actor and celebrity DJ Idris Elba, Meghan Markle had this hit on her royal wedding reception playlist.

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• "About Damn Time" by Lizzo
• "BBA" by Paris Hilton (ft. Megan Thee Stallion)
• "Countdown" by Beyoncé
• "Dancing Queen" by ABBA
• "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" by Usher (ft. Pitbull)
• "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
• "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" by Backstreet Boys
• "Everytime We Touch" by Cascada
• "Flowers" by Miley Cyrus
• "Gasolina" by Daddy Yankee
• "Happy" by Pharrell Williams
• "Happy Face" by Destiny's Child
• "HOT TO GO!" by Chappell Roan
• "I Like You (A Happier Song)" by Post Malone (ft.Doja Cat)
• "LIFETIMES" by Katy Perry
• "Low" by Flo Rida (ft. T-Pain)
• "New Woman" by LISA (ft.ROSALÍA)
• "One Thing Right" by Marshmello and Kane Brown
• "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leppard
• "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• "the boy is mine" by Ariana Grande
• "Touch" by KATSEYE
• "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
• "Water" by Tyla
• "We Speak No Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool and DCUP
• "Wobble" by V.I.C.
• "Woof" by SOFI TUKKER (ft. Kah-Lo)
• "WOP" by J. Dash (ft. Flo Rida)
• "Yeah!" by Usher (ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris)
• "Bye Bye Bye" by *NSYNC
• "Danza Kuduro" by Don Omar (ft. Lucenzo)
• "Good As Hell" by Lizzo
• "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)" by Andy Grammer
• "House Tour" by Sabrina Carpenter
• "Last Last" by Burna Boy
• "Levitating" by Dua Lipa
• "Man I Need" by Olivia Dean
• "NUEVAYoL" by Bad Bunny
• "Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix)" by Lana Del Rey
• "Taki Taki" by DJ Snake (ft. Cardi B, Selena Gomez and Ozuna)

The Best Classic Wedding Reception Songs

There's a reason you hear these songs on every wedding reception music playlist. These beloved hits are never-fail options to get your guests to shake their tail feathers—yes, that's a Nelly reference. (Psst: The following hits can be wedding party entrance songs, newlywed wedding entrance songs and reception exit songs.)

Editor's pick: While writing this song list, I listened to "Shout" by The Isley Brothers on YouTube. A hilarious viewer in the comment section said: "At my wedding last weekend, my uncle was shirtless within seconds of this song being played." So if that doesn't tell you how iconic this tune is, I don't know what will.

• "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles
• "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts
• "Butterflies" by Kacey Musgraves
• "Closing Time" by Semisonic
• "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé (ft. Jay-Z)
• "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
• "Happy Now" by Kali Uchis
• "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by James Taylor
• "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees
• "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas
• "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers
• "Love Me Like You Do" by Ellie Goulding
• "Love Shack" by The B-52's
• "Now That We Found Love" by Heavy D & The Boyz
• "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner
• "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
• "Shut Up and Dance" by WALK THE MOON
• "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder
• "Somewhere Only We Know" by Keane
• "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
• "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver
• "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
• "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole
• "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & the Waves
• "You're My Best Friend" by Queen
• "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift
• "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates
• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrell
• "Cherish the Day" by Sade
• "Como la Flor" by Selena
• "Despacito (Remix)" by Luis Fonsi (ft.Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber)
• "Fergalicious" by Fergie and will.i.am
• "Just Dance" by Lady Gaga (ft. Colby O'Donis)
• "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole
• "My Girl" by The Temptations
• "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship
• "Right Here" by SWV
• "Take On Me" by a-ha
• "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC
• "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge

The Best Unique Wedding Music for the Reception

To some to-be-weds, one of the most important things (besides the food) is making their celebration feel unique. Here's a list of cool songs for wedding receptions when you need some extra oomph.

Editor's pick: I've always been a Paramore fan, so I'm happy I found a song from their 2023 album, This Is Why, that could fit on this list. "Crave" by Paramore is about trying to live in the present, but being too excited about reliving it to appreciate it. This is a good reminder to savor the beautiful moments on your wedding day while they're happening.

• "All the Stars" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
• "Best Part of Me" by Ed Sheeran (ft. YEBBA)
• "Can We Kiss Forever?" by Kina (ft. Adriana Proenza)
• "Diamond Life" by Leo Kalyan (ft. MNEK)
• "Fallin' All in You" by Shawn Mendes
• "goodnight n go" by Ariana Grande
• "Kiss Me" by Ed Sheeran
• "Let The Light In" by Lana Del Rey
• "Like Real People Do" by Hozier
• "Lovebug" by Jonas Brothers
• "Love on the Brain" by Rihanna
• "Midnight Ride" by Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue and Diplo

"Real Good Lovin" by Adam Crochet

• "Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward
• "Skate" by Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic
• "Taking Me Higher" by Illenium
• "The Fighter" by Keith Urban (ft. Carrie Underwood)
• "They Don't Know About Us" by One Direction
• "Together Again" by Janet Jackson
• "Unapologetically" by Kelsea Ballerini
• "Who" by Jimin
• "XO" by Beyoncé
• "You & Me" by That Band Honey
• "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey
• "Breathe" The Prodigy
• "BUTTERFLY" by MARINA
• "Carnival" by The Cardigans
• "Change the World" by Eric Clapton
• "Crystal" by Stevie Nicks
• "Dance No More" by Harry Styles
• "Float (Coco & Breezy Remix)" by Janelle Monáe
• "Hopelessly Devoted To You" by Olivia Newton-John
• "Hourglass" by Disclosure (ft. LION BABE)
• "Illegal" by PinkPantheress
• "I Love My Friends" by Foster the People
• "Is This How You Feel?" by The Preatures
• "Love You Like a Love Song" by Selena Gomez and The Scene
• "Rock Your Body" by Justin Timberlake
• "sobeautiful" by Musiq Soulchild
• "Stay With You" by John Legend

The Best Fun Wedding Reception Songs

Tell the DJ or live band to play this good wedding music for the reception to guarantee your guests a good time. The popular hits below will keep attendees entertained the entire night. (Psst: If one of your wedding reception activities involves karaoke, some of the tunes on this list are considered the best karaoke songs *hint hint.*)

Editor's pick: "4 Minutes" by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake is one of the best pop wedding songs. It's high energy, has two pop legends on the track and a dope beat by Timbaland that'll get your loved ones on the dance floor. Play this hit after letting your guests know another non-dance-related reception activity is about to take place.

• "All I Do is Win" by DJ Khaled (ft. Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dog and T-Pain)
• "Begin Again" by Jessie Ware
• "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors
• "Boys In Boots" by Erin Kinsey
• "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake
• "Cuz I Love You" by Lizzo
• "Evacuate the Dancefloor" by Cascada
• "Fancy Like" by Walker Hayes (ft. Kesha)
• "HONEYMOON" by Jo Hill
• "I Found You" by Andy Grammer
• "Lottery (Renegade)" by K CAMP
• "Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha (ft. Florida Georgia Line)
• "Paper Rings" by Taylor Swift
• "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus
• "Rollin" by Calvin Harris (ft. Future and Khalid)
• "Round the Clock" by Dan + Shay
• "This Is What You Came For" by Calvin Harris (ft. Rihanna)
• "You've Got the Love" by Florence + The Machine
• "1901" by Phoenix
• "Accidentally In Love" by Counting Crows
• "Ain't Nobody" by Chaka Khan
• "All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor
• "All the Small Things" by Blink-182
• "Boogie Shoes" by KC and The Sunshine Band
• "Bulletproof" by La Roux
• "Cha Cha Slide" by DJ Casper
• "Champagne Supernova" by Oasis
• "Feel It Still" by Portugal. The Man
• "Fireball" by Pitbull (ft. John Ryan)
• "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc.
• "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" by ABBA
• "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears
• "Honey Bee" by Blake Shelton
• "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode
• "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" by Celia Cruz
• "Lovefool" by The Cardigans
• "Ready for the Weekend" by Icona Pop
• "Temperature" by Sean Paul
• "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!" by RAYE
• "You're Makin' Me High" by Toni Braxton

Additional reporting by Brittany Barber.