The Best Wedding Playlist & Wedding Playlist Ideas 2019

There are two things that make a wedding fun: the open bar and the music. Everyone loves to dance at weddings. The flower girls are dancing with patriarchs and matriarchs alike, second cousins are dancing with the groom’s college roommate (under the ever-watchful eye of the wing women bridesmaids) and everyone’s letting loose – it’s a great time – and that all depends on the wedding playlist.

Here’s the thing: you can’t just leave it up to the DJ. Yes, they may have some great ideas for wedding playlists, but you cannot leave this up to chance. You need a plan to create the perfect wedding playlist. With that in mind, we decided to comb through and create a list of the best wedding playlist ideas. From songs we’ve heard at our South Florida wedding venue and songs that everyone can enjoy.

Before we continue, its worth noting that these tracks are for the 2018-2019 wedding season. The thing about music is that tastes are constantly changing, and new hot tracks are coming out.

Wedding Playlist Categories:

Overplayed Wedding Songs

Let’s start with the overplayed wedding songs. These are the songs that we’re all expecting to hear, and we’re all a little burnt out on them. That being said, these are also classic wedding reception songs, so who are we to tell you not to play these crowd favorites? It’s your wedding playlist!

  • Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
  • Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
  • Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
  • Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper
  • Baby Got Back – Sir Mix-A-Lot
  • Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
  • M.C.A. – Village People
  • I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
  • Hey Ya! – Outkast
  • Happy – Pharrell Williams
  • Wobble – V.I.C.
  • Shots – LMFAO ft. Lil Jon
  • Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell Williams & T.I.
  • Single Ladies – Beyoncé

Absolutely Not

These songs are on the “absolutely not” list because they should not be heard under any circumstances, unless you are already kind loose and a few cocktails in to your night. But let’s be honest, you aren’t making good choices at that point. You just don’t want to do it. Please, reconsider.

  • The Chicken Dance
  • The Macarena
  • The Hokey Pokey

Party Wedding Songs

Wedding songs to get the party started and get dancing!

  • Shout! – Otis Day and the Knights
  • Thriller – Michael Jackson
  • In Da Club – 50 Cent
  • Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
  • Live Your Life – T.I. ft. Rihanna
  • Work – Rihanna feat. Drake
  • Push It – Salt ‘N Pepa
  • House Party – Sam Hunt
  • Wannabe – Spice Girls
  • Golddigger – Kanye West
  • Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
  • Gettin’ Jiggy Wit’ It – Will Smith
  • Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cindi Lauper
  • Can’t Hold Us – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  • Canned Heat – Jamiroquai
  • Jungle Boogie – Kool and The Gang
  • Paper Planes – M.I.A.
  • Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
  • Groove Is In The Heart – Deee-lite
  • It’s Tricky – RUN_DMC
  • Get Down On It – Kool and The Gang
  • Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
  • Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations
  • Dancing in The Street – Martha & The Vandellas
  • The Safety Dance – Men Without Hats
  • Hypnotize – Notorious B.I.G.
  • P.P. – Naughty by Nature

Romantic Weddings Songs

Though tradition for your first dance as a married couple is to use “your song,” lots of couples don’t have a song any more. Feel free to use some of these classic sentimental songs as well!

  • Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
  • Time of My Life – Billy Medley and Jennifer Warnes
  • Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
  • Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli

Songs for Wedding Dances

Father Daughter Dance

  • Daddy’s Little Girl – The Shires
  • You Are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
  • Blessed – Elton John
  • Loves Me Like a Rock – Paul Simon
  • In My Life – The Beatles

Mother Son Dance

  • Glory of Love – Otis Reading and the Knights
  • Do You Realize – The Flaming Lips
  • God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
  • How You’ve Grown – 10,000 Maniacs
  • I’ll Remember – Madonna

How to Create the Perfect Wedding Playlist

The First Song Is the Most Important

In the beginning of the party, you really need to get everyone on the dance floor to get up, get down, and possibly shake a leg.

The first song really is a clincher, because it has to get a few people moving. These are your pioneers that will set the tone for the rest of the guests on the floor. Think of your guests, and think of the tone you want to set.

Remember the Generation Gap

Throw in a few oldies for the gramps, grams, and your wacky aunt – then stick in a few newer tracks for the yougins. But no matter what, stay close to classics from the 1980’s to early 2010’s to ensure you have a nice variety.

Don’t Worry Too Much About Lyrics

Yes, you want your wedding playlist to be P.G. 13 at a minimum, and you are lucky thinking that you don’t want any hip hop because the lyrics are too racy. Here’s the thing, no one is going to pay attention long enough to be offended.

How to Get More Wedding Playlist Ideas

Still struggling to pick the perfect songs for the wedding reception? Ask the guests. If you haven’t sent out the invitations yet, then include this at the bottom of each RSVP:

“I will absolutely dance if you play ________________________”

You don’t have to use their suggestions, but you’ll be surprised when you see what shows up!