
Wedding Ceremony & Reception Song Lists
Last Updated: November 23, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell
Congrats — you’re getting married!
What songs do you need for the wedding ceremony AND the reception?
Selecting wedding songs can be a daunting task. To help in your song search, we created lists of popular wedding music.
These lists are categorized by event type and genre in case you need inspiration.
It can be a challenge to narrow down your song selection until you nail down the parts of the wedding you’ll include.
A wedding ceremony starts with the prelude (songs played as guests take their seats) and finishes with recessional songs (exiting the ceremony).
Will you include a special song during the unity ceremony (to signify two becoming one) or skip it altogether?
Wedding reception songs include all activities from the wedding couple’s grand entrance to the last dance song.
But will you have the money dance or honor the longest-married couple with a special anniversary dance?
We’re here to help.
Pre-Wedding Songs
Which songs do you want to play before the wedding ceremony officially begins?
Wedding Ceremony Songs
Wedding processional songs are for when the wedding party enters the ceremony venue and walks down the aisle. What kind of mood do you want to set for the processional?
Prelude Songs
These are popular wedding songs that are played as guests take their seats as the wedding ceremony begins.
- Wedding Ceremony Prelude Songs (As Guests Take Their Seats)
- Piano Wedding Songs
- Violin Wedding Songs
Ceremony Entrance Songs
As the wedding party enters the ceremony venue and walks towards the altar, view a list of popular wedding processional songs.
- Top 100 Wedding Processional Songs Updated
- Bride Processional Songs
- Groom Processional Songs
- Harry Potter Wedding Entrance Songs
- Processional Songs from the Movies
Unity Ceremony Songs
The unity candle ceremony is when the wedding couple lights their unity candle in unison from their individually lit candles. How long of a song do you want for this ceremony?
- Top 100 Unity Ceremony Songs Updated
Ceremony Exit Songs
These are popular wedding recessional songs for when the wedding party leaves the altar area after the newlyweds are announced.
Wedding Reception Songs
Our wedding reception songs lists help the couple choose songs that they can dance to with their friends and family on the big day. The wedding songs selected will always remind you of the fun and special moments from your wedding.
Wedding Reception Songs – Formal Dances
There are common formal dances that are planned for many weddings; view the popular formal dances with their accompanying songs. The following dances are all on one web page for your convenience.
First Dance Songs
If you’re stumped as to what your first dance song should be, here is a list of popular songs to play for the first dance.
- Top 125 First Dance Songs Updated
- Scottish Wedding First Dances
- Intercultural Mexican & White First Dance Songs
Genre-Specific First Dance Song Ideas
- Country First Dance Songs
- EDM First Dance Songs
- Indie First Dance Songs
- Pop First Dance Songs
- R&B First Dance Songs
- Rock First Dance Songs
Father Daughter Dance Songs
What song will you dance to with your dad on this special day?
- Top 100 Father-Daughter Dance Songs List Updated
- Combined Parent Dance Songs – Father-Daughter & Mother-Son
- Stepdad & Stepdaughter Songs
Father Son Songs
Perhaps you’d like to dedicate a song to your dad. We have a list for that.
- Top 100 Father-Son Songs Updated
Mother Daughter Songs
A special day for any bride is to honor her mother with a dedication song. Which song shows how special she is to you?
- Top 100 Mother Daughter Songs Updated
Mother Son Dance Songs
Which song will represent your relationship when you dance with your mom at the reception?
- Top 100 Mother Son Dance Songs Updated
- Country Mother Son Dance Songs
- Rock Mother Son Songs
- Combined Parent Dance Songs – Father-Daughter & Mother-Son
- Stepmom & Stepson Songs
In-Law Dance Songs
Yes, the in-laws should have a chance to dance at the reception, too.
Sister Songs
Many times, the wedding party wants to dedicate a song to their sister. This is a great list to choose from.
- Top 100 Sister Songs Updated
Sister Brother Songs
Perhaps you’d like to dedicate a song to your brother, as the bride, and let him know your relationship will always be special.
Brother Songs
Dedicating a song to your brother is a great way to honor the relationship you’ve had and will continue to have after the wedding.
- Brother Songs Updated
Wedding Party Songs
The Wedding Party came together to support the couple. This song honors those friendships.
Other songs for the wedding party:
Wedding Reception Songs – Bouquet and Garter
It is a common tradition for the bride to toss her bouquet to all the single ladies in attendance. In addition, it is a common tradition for the groom to toss the Bride’s garter to all the single men in attendance.
Bouquet Toss Songs
When you toss the bouquet, which song will be the best to set the mood?
Garter Removal Songs
If you’re opting for the garter removal ceremony, we have a few songs to choose from.
- Top 100 Garter Removal Songs Updated
Garter Toss Songs
Of course, if you toss the garter to the single men in the crowd, we have song lists for that.
Garter Placement Songs
These are the most popular songs to play while the garter toss winner places the bride’s garter on the winner of the bouquet toss. Steamy!
- Top 100 Garter Placement Songs Updated
Wedding Reception Songs – Events and Dedications
View popular song lists for special events during a wedding reception like an anniversary, the cake cutting, and memorial songs.
Anniversary Songs
The anniversary dance celebrates all married couples in attendance.
- Top 100 Anniversary Dance Songs Updated
Dancing – Party Time!
Get people off of their butts and on the dance floor!
- 200 Best Party Songs Updated
Dinner Music
Are you looking for popular songs to play while guests eat their main course?
Cake Cutting Songs
If there is an event people are watching, then there’s a song. So which song is best to play during the cake-cutting ceremony and toast?
Grand Entrance Songs
The grand entrance honors the entire wedding party. These popular songs will give you ideas of what to play as the wedding party and the wedding couple enter the reception venue.
Group Line Dance Songs
If you want to get everyone involved, then why not have group line dancing?
Last Dance Songs
Just as people remember their last bite, they will also remember the evening’s last song so make it a good one.
- Top 100 Last Dance Songs Updated
Memorial Songs
It’s hard to choose a song to remember a lost loved one, especially at a time of joy. We have some inspiration for you.
- Top 100 Memorial Songs Updated
Money Dance Songs
If you have the money dance at your wedding, you’ll want to choose from popular songs played — especially since multiple songs are needed for this fun event.
- Top 100 Money Dance Songs Updated
Do Not Play
Hey, some songs just shouldn’t be played at a wedding.
Wedding music sets the tone for the entire wedding event.
Your song choices add charm and personality to the whole wedding affair.
Popular Wedding Songs by Era
- 2010s Wedding Songs
- 2000s Wedding Songs
- 1990s Wedding Songs
- 1980s Wedding Songs
- 1970s Wedding Songs
- 1960s Wedding Songs
- 1950s Wedding Songs
- 1940s Wedding Songs
- Oldies Wedding Songs
Popular Wedding Songs by Genre
- Christian Wedding Songs
- Country Wedding Songs
- EDM & Dance Wedding Songs
- Folk Wedding Songs
- Hip Hop (Rap) Wedding Songs
- Indie Wedding Songs
- Instrumental Wedding Songs
- Jazz Wedding Songs
- Pop Wedding Songs
- R&B Wedding Songs
- Reggae Wedding Songs
- Rock Wedding Songs
Unique Wedding Song Lists
- Boy Band Cocktail Hour Songs
- British Music Artists To Celebrate A Royal Wedding
- ‘Canon In D’ Ceremony Song Versions
- Catholic Wedding Songs
- Cheesy Wedding Songs
- Cover Songs
- Disney Love Songs
- Duet Songs
- Groom Dedication Songs
- Harry Potter Wedding Entrance Songs
- Marriage Proposal Songs Not “Marry Me”
- Motown Love Songs
- Outdoor Wedding Music Ideas for an Unforgettable Celebration
- Rain On Your Wedding Day Songs to Play
- Same-Sex Wedding Love Songs
- Slow Dance Songs
- Songs To Have Sex To Playlist (On Your Wedding Night & Honeymoon)
- Songs to Inspire You When Writing Your Wedding Vows
- The Superhero Wedding Musical Utility Belt
- Traditional Wedding Reception Songs
- UK Wedding Music Picks
- Wedding Processionals from the Movies
- Wedding Selfie Dance Songs For Your Reception
- Wedding Song Lyrics – Finding the Right Wedding Songs
Wedding DJ Playlists
- Danbury, CT DJ’s Wedding Playlist By DJ Rachel
- Raleigh, NC DJ’s Wedding Playlist
- East Windsor, NJ DJ’s Top 50 Wedding Songs
- Philadelphia, PA DJ’s Top 50 Party Songs
- Pittsburgh, PA Cocktail Hour Playlist
- WA DJ’s Traditional Wedding Reception Songs
Wedding Songs For The Ultimate Party!
good stuff!
Thanks Kam. If you have any recommendations, being a DJ, we would love any advice you can offer.