Wedding Ceremony & Reception Song Ideas
What songs do you need for the wedding ceremony and reception? To help in your song search, I created lists of popular wedding music lists. These lists are categorized by wedding moments for inspiration.
I’m here to help. You can request a one-on-one planning mastermind if you can’t get your playlist quite right.
Table of contents
Wedding Music Planning
Are you a DIY type of couple planning your wedding? Here’s some tips and tricks!
- Wedding Day Timeline
- Day of Wedding Checklist
- Picking Wedding Songs Tips
- Wedding Songs Checklist
- Ceremony Music Guide
- Reception Music Guide
Pre-Wedding Songs
Which songs do you want to play before the wedding ceremony officially begins?
Wedding Ceremony Songs
Wedding processional songs are for when the wedding party enters the ceremony venue and walks down the aisle. What kind of mood do you want to set for the processional?
Prelude Songs
These are popular wedding songs that are played as guests take their seats as the wedding ceremony begins.
- Wedding Ceremony Prelude Songs (As Guests Take Their Seats)
- Piano Wedding Songs
- Violin Wedding Songs
Processional Songs
As the wedding party enters the ceremony venue and walks towards the altar, view a list of popular wedding processional songs.
- Wedding Processional Songs Updated
- Bride Processional Songs
- Groom Processional Songs
- Harry Potter Wedding Entrance Songs
Unity Ceremony Songs
The unity candle ceremony is when the wedding couple lights their unity candle in unison from their individually lit candles. How long of a song do you want for this ceremony?
- Unity Ceremony Songs Updated
Memorial Songs
It’s hard to choose a song to remember a lost loved one, especially at a time of joy. I have some inspiration for you.
- Memorial Songs Updated
Recessional Songs
These are popular wedding recessional songs for when the wedding party leaves the altar area after the newlyweds are announced.
- Wedding Recessional Songs Updated
Common Wedding Reception Moments
My wedding reception song lists help couples choose songs that they can dance to with their friends and family on the big day. The wedding songs selected will always remind you of the fun and special moments from your wedding.
Grand Entrance Songs
The grand entrance honors the entire wedding party. These popular songs will give you ideas of what to play as the wedding party and the wedding couple enter the reception venue.
- Wedding Entrance Songs Updated
Dinner Music
Are you looking for popular songs to play while guests eat their main course?
Cake Cutting Songs
If there is an event people are watching, then there’s a song. So which song is best to play during the cake-cutting ceremony and toast?
- Wedding Cake Cutting Songs Updated
Bouquet Toss Songs
When you toss the bouquet, which song will be the best to set the mood?
- Bouquet Toss Songs Updated
Garter Songs
Garter Removal Songs
If you’re opting for the garter removal ceremony, I have a few songs to choose from.
- Garter Removal Songs Updated
Garter Toss Songs
Of course, if you toss the garter to the single men in the crowd, I have song lists for that.
- Garter Toss Songs Updated
Garter Placement Songs
These are the most popular songs to play while the garter toss winner places the bride’s garter on the winner of the bouquet toss. Steamy!
- Garter Placement Songs Updated
Dancing – Party Time!
Get people off of their butts and on the dance floor!
- 200 Best Party Songs Updated
Last Dance Songs
Just as people remember their last bite, they will also remember the evening’s last song so make it a good one.
- Last Dance Songs Updated
Reception Formal Dances and Dedications
Formal dances during a wedding reception
There are common formal dances that are planned for many weddings; view the popular formal dances with their accompanying songs. The following dances are all on one web page for your convenience.
First Dance Songs
If you’re stumped as to what your first dance song should be, here is a list of popular songs to play for the first dance.
- First Dance Songs Updated
- Scottish Wedding First Dances
- Intercultural Mexican & White First Dance Songs
Father Daughter Dance Songs
What song will you dance to with your dad on this special day?
- Father-Daughter Dance Songs Updated
- Combined Parent Dance Songs – Father-Daughter & Mother-Son
- Stepdad & Stepdaughter Songs
Father Son Songs
Perhaps you’d like to dedicate a song to your dad. I have a list for that.
- Father-Son Songs Updated
Mother Daughter Songs
A special day for any bride is to honor her mother with a dedication song. Which song shows how special she is to you?
- Mother Daughter Songs Updated
Mother Son Dance Songs
Which song will represent your relationship when you dance with your mom at the reception?
- Mother Son Dance Songs Updated
- Combined Parent Dance Songs – Father-Daughter & Mother-Son
- Stepmom & Stepson Songs
In-Law Dance Songs
Yes, the in-laws should have a chance to dance at the reception, too.
Sister Songs (Bride)
Many times, the wedding party wants to dedicate a song to their sister. This is a great list to choose from.
- Sister Songs (Sister-Bride) Updated
Sister Brother Songs
Perhaps you’d like to dedicate a song to your brother, as the bride, and let him know your relationship will always be special.
- Sister Brother Songs List Updated
Brother Songs (Groom)
Dedicating a song to your brother is a great way to honor the relationship you’ve had and will continue to have after the wedding.
- Brother Songs Updated
Wedding Party Songs
The Wedding Party came together to support the couple. This song honors those friendships.
Money Dance Songs
If you have the money dance at your wedding, you’ll want to choose from popular songs played — especially since multiple songs are needed for this fun event.
- Money Dance Songs Updated
Anniversary Dance Songs
The anniversary dance celebrates all married couples in attendance.
- Anniversary Dance Songs Updated
Group Line Dance Songs
If you want to get everyone involved, then why not have group line dancing?
- Line Dance Songs For Groups Updated
Wedding Songs by Eras
- 2010s Wedding Songs
- 2000s Wedding Songs
- 1990s Wedding Songs
- 1980s Wedding Songs
- 1970s Wedding Songs
- 1960s Wedding Songs
- 1950s Wedding Songs
- 1940s Wedding Songs
Wedding Songs by Genres
- Afrobeats Wedding Songs
- Christian Wedding Songs
- Country Wedding Songs
- Disco Wedding Songs
- EDM Wedding Songs
- Folk Wedding Songs
- Hip Hop Wedding Songs
- Indie Wedding Songs
- Instrumental Wedding Songs
- Jazz Wedding Songs
- Oldies Wedding Songs
- Pop Wedding Songs
- Post-Grunge Wedding Songs
- R&B Wedding Songs
- Reggae Wedding Songs
- Rock Wedding Songs
- Texas Country Wedding Songs
- Yacht Rock Wedding Songs
Unique Wedding Song Ideas
- Boy Band Cocktail Hour Songs
- British Music Artists To Celebrate A Royal Wedding
- ‘Canon In D’ Ceremony Song Versions
- Catholic Wedding Songs
- Acoustic Covers Wedding Hits
- Acoustic Wedding Songs
- Duet Songs
- Greatest Music Artists & their Wedding Hits
- Groom Dedication Songs
- LGBTQ+ Wedding Songs
- Limbo Songs for Weddings
- Marriage Proposal Songs Not “Marry Me”
- Outdoor Wedding Music Ideas
- Rain On Your Wedding Day Songs to Play
- Slow Dance Songs
- Songs to Inspire You When Writing Your Wedding Vows
- UK Wedding Music Picks
- Wedding Selfie Dance Songs For Your Reception
- Wedding Shoe Game Songs
- Wedding Song Lyrics – Finding the Right Wedding Songs
- Wedding Songs by Famous Saxophonists
Marriage Theme Song Ideas
- Songs about Brides
- Songs about being Married
- Songs about wanting to Marry
- Songs for your Valentine
- Songs about Weddings
- Songs about a Wife
Family & Friends Theme Song Ideas
- Boyfriend-themed Songs
- Brother-themed Songs
- Children-themed Songs
- Dad-themed Songs
- Daddy-themed Songs
- Daughter-themed Songs
- Family-themed Songs
- Father-themed Songs
- Friend-themed Songs
- Girlfriend-themed Songs
- Mama-themed Songs
- Mom-themed Songs
- Mother-themed Songs
- Papa-themed Songs
- Son-themed Songs
Do Not Play
Hey, some songs just shouldn’t be played at a wedding.
Wedding music sets the tone for the entire wedding event. Your song choices add charm and personality to the whole wedding affair.
Music Guides
See my wedding music guides to help plan your wedding playlist.
The books will save you time and help you plan all the music for the ceremony and reception.
Wedding Songs Planner
5,000 song suggestions from 60+ wedding playlists for your big day including wedding moments, eras, and genres.
Wedding Music Toolkit
Everything you need to plan your wedding day playlist including ceremony & reception guides, and song ideas.
good stuff!
Thanks Kam. If you have any recommendations, being a DJ, we would love any advice you can offer.