7 Go-to Songs for Any Wedding Reception

A wedding is a grand celebration of the union of two people and the start to a new life together. Friends and family gather from near and often far to take part in these festivities and to kick off the newlyweds’ entrance into matrimony. At the reception, it is important to keep all guests feeling included and entertained. Hour after hour of club bangers may cause the mothers-in-law to shift uncomfortably in their seats while on the other hand, a whole set of smooth jazz threatens a snooze fest. The key is variety and crowd-pleasing, happy mediums. Here are seven wedding song favorites to play at the reception that pump up the party, appeal to all ages, and ensure the tears are left behind at the ceremony.

Get your guests to groove-shake in sync

Nothing pulls the masses onto the wedding reception dance floor like a** song** that has a well-known dance. “Shout” by Otis Day and the Knights gets guests to drop it to floor and then raise the roof while “The Macarena” by Los Del Río is a 90’s staple that, quite literally, everyone and their mom knows. The Spanish lyrics may escape some, but the cardinal direction, step-by-step dance is a beloved (if slightly corny) classic.

Bring out the inner songbird

Jazz up the reception with songs people can sing along to. Romance-inspired tunes that suit a wedding well are The B-52’s “Love Shack” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”  The catchy choruses in these songs hold refrains that speak to the fun loving pop star residing within. Get ready to make the wedding party a little ol’ place to get together and give love a shot.

Please the crowd with some all-around favorites

Oldies but goodies bring the generations together on the dance floor and are sure to keep the party footloose throughout the wedding. Songs that guests can both dance to and sing along together will raise the energy level to new celebratory highs. The Beatles “Twist and Shout” and The Monkees “I’m a Believer” are smile-producing, hug-inspiring, and happiness-generating wedding song classics. Los Lobos “La Bamba” also encourages party-goers to get up and dance – although in the case of matrimonial revelry, a little bit of grace is certainly not necessary.

These are just seven examples of songs that can be played at a wedding reception to get the crowd up and moving. The list of dance and love tunes is endless and every wedding is unique. Picking classics such as these keep the party going with songs that are easily danced to, sung along to, and enjoyed by all.

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