The Ultimate Wedding Playlist: Make Your Big Day Unforgettable
A wedding is a celebration of love, commitment, and unforgettable moments. One of the most important elements of a wedding is the music — it sets the mood, brings people together, and helps to create lasting memories. Whether you’re hiring a DJ, a live band, or curating your own playlist, the right songs can transform your special day. Here are some wedding playlist suggestions to help you choose the perfect soundtrack for every moment of your celebration.
Pre-Ceremony Music
As guests arrive and take their seats, the ambiance is key to setting the tone for the event. Choose calming, romantic tunes to ease everyone into the mood.
Suggestions:
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
- “Ave Maria” by Franz Schubert
- “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel
- “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
- “All of Me” by John Legend
- “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
- “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy
Ceremony Music
The ceremony is the heart of your wedding day, and the music during this time should reflect the love between you and your partner. You may want to choose songs that hold personal significance or are timeless classics.
Suggestions:
- “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles (processional)
- “Marry Me” by Train (ceremony)
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley (recessional)
- “At Last” by Etta James (for an emotional moment)
- “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran (for unity rituals)
- “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
- “To Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
Cocktail Hour Playlist
After the ceremony, while guests mingle and enjoy refreshments, a laid-back atmosphere is ideal. Curate a playlist that complements the romantic vibe while allowing guests to engage in conversation.
Suggestions:
- “Put It All on Me” by Ed Sheeran
- “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
- “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
- “Better Together” by Jack Johnson
- “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
- “Adore You” by Harry Styles
- “My Girl” by The Temptations
- “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
- “Daylight” by Taylor Swift
Reception Dances
The reception is when the party really kicks off! Your playlist should encourage everyone to hit the dance floor. Mix upbeat tracks with classic hits that will appeal to guests of all ages.
First Dance:
- “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
- “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
- “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
- “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Andy Williams
- “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur
- “You and Me” by Lifehouse
- “By Your Side” by Sade
Parent Dances:
- Father-Daughter: “My Girl” by The Temptations
“I Loved Her First” by Heartland
“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder
“You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins
- Mother-Son: “A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men
“Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
“In My Life” by The Beatles
“You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban
Dance Floor Classics:
- “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
- “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
- “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey
- “Shout” by The Isley Brothers
- “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston
- “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk The Moon
- “Dancing Queen” by Abba
- “Cha Cha Slide” by DJ Casper
- “Electric Slide” by Marcia Griffiths
- “Love Shack” by B-52’s
- “Kiss” by Prince
- “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce
- “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners
- “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid
Late Night Dance Party
As the night progresses, keep the energy high! This is when guests are likely to be most enthusiastic about dancing.
Suggestions:
- “Yeah!” by Usher ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris
- “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
- “Wobble” by 504 Boys
- “Last Dance” by Donna Summer (to wind down the night)
- “Hey Ya” by OutKast
- “Buy You a Drink” by T-Pain
- “Pony” by Ginuwine
- “SexyBack” Justin Timberlake
- “Good as Hell” by Lizzo
- “We are Young” by FUN
- “Forever” by Chris Brown
- “I Like It” by Cardi B
- “In Da Club” by 50 Cent
- “No Scrubs” by TLC
- “Jump Around” by House of Pain
Send-Off Songs
To close the night, consider choosing a song that resonates with your journey as a couple or celebrates the end of the event with a punch of energy.
Suggestions:
- “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
- “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas
- “Don't Stop Believin'” by Journey
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
- “Beautiful Day” by U2
- “Forever” by Justin Bieber and Post Malone
- “The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga
Creating the perfect wedding playlist is a delightful task that allows you to showcase your unique love story. Remember to balance genres and tempos to keep energy levels high and accommodate different preferences. Don't hesitate to incorporate songs that mean something special to you and your partner. Most importantly, enjoy the process, and let the music enhance the celebration of your love! Cheers to a magical wedding day filled with unforgettable moments — and an epic soundtrack to match!