The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Reception Music
Posted by Fun DMC on March 25th 2016
Wedding receptions are the time to get the party started, especially on the dance floor with a live band. We’ve written a number of articles on some top music selections for your reception wedding reception music, but here are some additional categories for you to dig through as you plan for your special day.
Famous First Dance Songs
The first dance tends to be the song that is remembered the most. So what did the rich and famous choose for their magical moment?
- Kate Middleton and Prince William
“Your Song” by Elton John - Beyonce and Jay-Z
“Crazy In Love” by Beyonce and Jay-Z - Kate Moss and Jamie Hince
“If There Is Something” by Roxy Music - Victoria and David Beckham
“It Had To Be You” – Starlight Orchestra - Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan
“Last Day On Earth” by Green Day - Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake
“A Song For You” by Donny Hathaway - Michael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato
“Everybody Loves Somebody” by Dean Martin - Barack and Michelle Obama
“You and I” by Stevie Wonder - Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
“Ribbon In The Sky” by Stevie Wonder - Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell
“My Valentine” by Paul McCartney
Top Ten Church Ceremony Songs
The Weddings Online 2015 Bridal Survey showed that while 16.9% of couples are opting for civil ceremonies, 73.7% of couples are still opting for a traditional wedding in a church. While church music and restrictions vary depending on your local church, hymns and classical music are still your safest bets. These ten popular choices will make sure you don’t go wrong.
- Ave Maria by Schubert
- Bridal Chorus by Wagner
- Amazing Grace by John Newton
- Canon in D by Pachelbel
- Air (from water music suite) by Handel
- Prelude in C by Bach
- Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
- Wedding March by Mendelssohn
- The Prince of Denmark’s March by Jeremiah Clarke
- Hornpipe by Handel
Top Ten Overplayed Wedding Songs
While every song listed below certainly can have it’s moment in a band’s well-balanced set, Time Magazine voted these as the top most overplayed wedding songs.
- What A Wonderful World by Louis Armostrong
- I Only Have Eyes For You by The Flamingos
- Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers
- The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
- Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
- Unforgettable by Nat King Cole
- It Had To Be You – Harry Connick Jr.
- Amazed by Lonestar
- From This Moment – Shania Twain
- At Last – Etta James
Hot Wedding Reception Songs
And finally, here are the hottest wedding reception songs currently trending:
- Best for Audience Participation – “Hey Ya” by Outkast
- Best Party Starter – “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson
- Best for Romantics – “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran
- Best for the Young and Young at Heart – “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
- Best for Party Animals – “Shut Up and Dance With Me” by Walk The Moon
- Best for Everyone – “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson