However you are envisioning the music for your wedding reception — which is typically four to five hours of music, and amounts to around 80 to 100 songs if you happen to have booked a DJ. Or, alternatively, might only amount to 50-to-60+ songs (possibly broken into two sets),  if you have hired a live band — there will be plenty of behind the scenes coordination with your wedding entertainment to make your reception seem seamless.

But, one of the beautiful things about your wedding reception music is that it is free to be a little bit of everything: You’re welcome, and almost expected, to skip around between quite a few different genres, decades and styles that you both love. 

At Beat Train Productions, we believe that the wedding playlist should be thought of as the soundtrack to the couple’s love story. Couples should consider adding more songs that resonate with who they are, as well as any songs that remind them of why they love each other,  and songs that are tied to memories they have with loved ones are also super important. The music on their wedding day should be a culmination of songs that are linked to the best moments of their lives. So, after a couple of discussions everyone will have a crystal clear understanding of the overall roadmap and vibe for the day—including any must-have songs for key moments during your wedding reception (and ceremony), such as first dance songs or must-play dance floor anthems. But at some point, you also have to kick back and trust the talent you’ve booked to read the room and make that dance floor magic happen! 

Playlist Inspiration

Before you hand your musical entertainment the keys, so to speak, take a moment to read through this list, of some of the most requested wedding reception songs ever! This wedding reception playlist inspiration ranges all the way from gold-standard classics to more modern dance classics, with plenty of fresh takes thrown in for good measure.. Just remember: This is your celebration. And, a good rule of thumb is, If the newlyweds are happy, it’s pretty much guaranteed that everyone will have a good time!

Most Requested Songs At Weddings:

“I Want to Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” Whitney Houston

“Dancing Queen,” Abba

“Let’s Dance!, ”David Bowie

“Dreams, ”Fleetwood Mac

“(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher,” Jackie Wilson

“Kiss,” Prince

“Once in a Lifetime,” Talking Heads

“Time After Time,” “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper

“Rock Lobster,” The B-52’s

“Golden Years,” David Bowie

“Cha Cha Slide (Original Live Platinum Band Mix),” DJ Casper

“Crazy in Love (feat. Jay-Z),” Beyoncé

“We Found Love,” Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris

“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift

“You’ve Got the Love,” Florence + The Machine

“Can’t Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton),” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

“Mr. Brightside,” The Killers

“Ho Hey,” The Lumineers

“Cosmic Girl,” Jamiroquai

“Hey Ya!,” Outcast

“I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas

“SexyBack,” Justin Timberlake feat. Timbaland

“About Damn Time,” “Juice,” Lizzo

“Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God),” Kate Hill

“Rasputin,” Boney M., Majestic Remix

“Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Elvis Presley

“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” Natalie Cole

“Perfect,” Ed Sheeran

“Just the Way You Are,” Bruno Mars

“First Day of My Life,” Bright Eyes