The wedding is over, the cake is served, and it's time to party! Receptions usually begin with romantic wedding songs for the bride and groom and some sweet songs for the father-daughter and mother-son dances. Then the dance party begins.
So what kinds of songs should you choose for the dance? Here are a few rules of thumb:
- Pick a variety of music that young and old guests will enjoy.
- Pick a variety of music to accommodate different tastes.
- Avoid songs about breakups, broken hearts, crazy ex-wives, or anything else about "love gone wrong" (unless it's a really good dance song like "I Will Survive").
- Avoid music with lyrics that may offend older or more conservative wedding guests.
- Pick fun songs that will make people dance!
- Don't worry if some of your songs are a little on the cheesy side. It's a wedding.
Looking for some good song choices? Here are a few ideas:
1) Get up and dance songs. Wedding dances are supposed to be fun, so play some music that will get everyone on the dance floor! Try these classics:
- Paula Abdul- Straight Up
- Abba-- Dancing Queen
- The B-52's-- Love Shack
- The Bangles-- Walk Like an Egyptian
- Beyonce-- Crazy in Love
- Blondie-- Call on Me
- The Fifth Dimension-- Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In
- Aretha Franklin-- Respect
- Garth Brooks-- Friends in Low Places
- Gloria Gaynor-- I Will Survive
- Kool and the Gang-- Celebration
- Kenny Loggins-- Footloose
- Madonna- Vogue
- Kylie Minogue-- Can't Get You Out of My Head
- Pink-- Get the Party Started
- REM-- It's the End of the World as We Know It
- Rick James-- Super Freak
- Salt n Pepa-- Push It
- Santana featuring Rob Thomas-- Smooth
- Sister Sledge-- We Are Family
- Will Smith-- Getting Jiggy With It
- Gwen Stefani-- Hollaback Girl
2) Classic "old timers" dance songs. Be sure to include some music that Grandma and Aunt Bertha will enjoy. One great thing about old songs is that young people know them too. Try these classic dance tunes:
- The Beatles-- Twist and Shout
- Chubby Checker-- Twist
- Bobby Darin-- Queen of the Hop
- Duke Ellington-- It Don't Mean a Thing
- Jerry Lee Lewis-- Great Balls of Fire
- Glenn Miller-- Chattanooga Choo-Choo
- Little Richard-- Tutti Frutti
- Elvis Presley-- Hound Dog or Don't Be Cruel
- The Ronettes-- Be My Baby
- Frank Sinatra-- Come Fly With Me
- Kay Starr-- The Rock and Roll Waltz
- Ritchie Valens-- La Bamba
3) Cheesy and fun dance songs. After everyone loosens up a bit (and perhaps has a few drinks), play a few songs that are truly silly. Think lounge music! Think disco! Try these cheesy party classics:
- Baha Men-- Who Let the Dogs Out?
- Bee Gees-- Stayin' Alive
- Lou Bega-- Mambo #5
- Carl Douglas-- Kung Fu Fighting
- Devo-- Whip It
- Grease Soundtrack-- Summer Nights or We Go Together
- KC and the Sunshine Band-- Shake Your Booty
- Lipps Inc.-- Funkytown
- Los del Rio-- Macarena
- Barry Manilow-- Copa Cabana
- Ricky Martin-- Livin' La Vida Loca or She Bangs
- Meatloaf-- Paradise by the Dashboard Light
- The Pussycat Dolls-- Don't Cha
- Tag Team-- Whoomp! There it Is
- Tone Loc-- Funky Cold Medina
- Vanilla Ice-- Ice Ice Baby
- The Village People-- Y.M.C.A.
- The Weather Girls-- It's Raining Men
- Wild Cherry-- Play that Funky Music
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