Ideas for a Successful Wedding Playlist

Below is a general wedding reception timeline and an actual DJ playlist from one of my top ten weddings of all time.

Couples First Dance

Top weddings because when it was time to party, the dance floor was full & happy all night long. So it’s worth sharing what made it happen.

This playlist was created for a general age mix of guests with a slight country feel. There are a few selections from the Bride & Groom in the mix.

2008 was the year of wedding so some of the songs are a little dated at the time of writing this.

But, I hope this gives you some ideas to help with your wedding song selections in 2013 & Beyond!

6:00pm – Guests Arrive & Cocktail Hour

Ziggy Marley – Drive
Michael Bublé – The Best Is Yet to Come
Jack Johnson – Dreams be Dreams
Alex Lloyd – Amazing
Jamie Cullam – What a Difference A Day Made
Dave Matthews Band – Crash Into Me

You’ll find more easy listening song ideas here.

6:30pm – Bridal Party Introduction

Jet – Are you gonna be my girl

Discover more Bridal Party Entrance songs here.

6:32pm – MC Introduction

Points out the format of night.

Music is still very easy listening at this point of the reception.

Eva Cassidy – Songbird (original version)
Jamie Cullum – I Only Have Eyes For You
Elton John – Your Song
Rodrigo y Gabriela – Stairway to Heaven
The Waifs – Bridal Train
The John Butler Trio – Groovin’ Slowly

6:50pm – Entrée Served

Easy listening songs get a little more interesting & upbeat. Songs that the guests can relate and tap their feet to…

She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
Jack Johnson – Better Together
The Waifs – Lighthouse
Sonia Dada – You Don’t Treat Me No Good No More
Ben Harper – Diamonds On The Inside

7:30pm – Mains Served

Pace of Music slows down during the main meal – romantic love songs work well.

Maybe a subtle Sing-a -Long song or two at the end of main meal.

Chris Isaak – Wicked Game
Van Morrison – Into the Mystic
Sting – Fields of Gold
Norah Jones – Come away with me
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere over the rainbow
Extreme – More Than Words
Kenny Rogers – Gambler
Michael Bublé / L-O-V-E
Dusty Springfield – Son Of A Preacher Man

8:00pm – Speeches

No Music for 20 Minutes.

A speech introduction song can be used to break the silence as speakers walk up to the microphone.

8:20pm – Music Starts & Desert Served

Pace of Music picks up here into almost danceable music.

Some people start dancing around this time of the night.

Fleetwood Mac – Dreams
Counting Crows – Big Yellow Taxi
Ray Charles – I Got A Woman
Frank Bennet – The way you make me feel
John Mayer – Your Body Is A Wonderland
Eric Burdon And War – Spill The Wine
Michael Bublé – Fever
Van Morrison – Moondance
Nancy Sinatra – These boots are made for walking
Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Amy Winehouse – Rehab
Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline (Good Single Version)
Barry White – You’re The First, The Last, My Everything
Labelle – Lady Marmalade
Creedance Clearwater Revival – I Heard It Through the Grapevine

9:00pm – Cake Cutting

The Archies – Sugar Sugar

9:05pm – First Dance

Rob Thomas – Ever the Same

9:10pm – Father & Daughter Dance

Ben E King – Stand By Me

9:15pm – Mother & Son Dance

Enrique Iglasius – Hero

I would play a maximum of 2 x slow songs after the first dance. Around this time of the reception people are ready to party!

Dancing

These are all upbeat solid Dance floor classics.

As you want to try and get all ages of your guests involved a couple of songs from each genre and generation works well.

Obscure guest song requests that nobody can recognise are ignored and solid guest requests are considered. This is your DJ’s responsibility.

Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl
Beatles – I Saw Her Standing There
Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’
Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
John Denver – Thank God I’m A Country Boy
Johnny Cash – Jackson
Kenny Loggins – Footloose
Violent Femmes – Blister In The Sun
Choirboys – Run To Paradise
ACDC – T.N.T.
Rolling Stones – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
The Jacksons – Blame It On The Boogie
Justin Timberlake – Sexyback
Timbaland – The Way I Are
Dr. Alban – Sing Hallelujah
Bob Sinclair – Rock This Party

10:30pm – Bouquet Toss

Blondie – One Way Or Another

10:35pm – Garter Removal

Inner Circle – Bad Boys

Last Dancing Songs of Night

Panjabi MC – Mundian to Bach Ke (Beware of the Boys).
Beyonce & Jay-Z – Crazy In Love
Black Eyed Peas – My Humps (Album Version).
Rednex – Cotton Eye Joe
LCD – Zorbas Dance (Slow Start).
Daddy Cool – Eagle Rock
Chubby Checker – Let’s Twist Again
Bill Haley & His Comets – Rock Around the Clock
The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand
ABBA – Dancing Queen
John Paul Young – Love is in the Air (Ballroom Mix).

11:30pm – Farewell Circle

Greenday – The Time of your Life
Gwyneth Paltrow And Huey Lewis – Cruisin’
Etta James – At Last

MC / DJ get’s the guests to “make some noise” for the Bride and Groom one more time, thanks all guests for attending, the venue staff and signs off.

Thanks for checking out this playlist, if you have an extra idea, just let us know in the comments area below.

Shotgun Wedding BrideJust a random, crazy eyed picture of a shotgun wedding bride.

Regards

Adrian M

SecretWeddingSongs.com

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