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The 25 Must-Have Songs Your Wedding DJ Should Play

Planning a wedding can be an exciting time. It can also be a lot. You don’t realize how many decisions you need to make until you’re in the midst of planning and making the decisions. It feels like the decisions actually may never end! Not only do you have to pick a DJ but also the songs your wedding DJ should play.

You know you need to decide on your first dance. You probably also know you need to decide on any parent-child dances, too. But did you know most times DJs also ask you for a playlist? They want to make sure the wedding’s totally your vibe and vision, so ensuring they play the correct music is vital to that.

songs your wedding dj should play

Must-Have Wedding Reception Songs To Request From The DJ

Sure, this is a fun decision to make. But when you have a ton of other decisions you are also making, it can be not so fun. To help you out, here are some must-have songs for you to tell your DJ to play at your wedding. They’ll get everyone up off their chairs and onto the dance floor – and that’s exactly what you want, isn’t it?

  1. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
    We’ve all sang out hearts out to this on the dance floor before, haven’t we? It’s such a feel good song to dance around to surrounded by the one (or ones!) you love.
  2. “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce featuring Jay-Z
    This song’s just always a crowd pleaser. Plus it’s all about being crazy in love, which is what you’re celebrating at a wedding!
  3. “We Found Love” by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
    A party dance hit from the ’10s that’s still a dance hit today. The beat’s infectious and so are the words.
  4. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
    This is an all ages appropriate song that just gets everyone happy when they hear it! It’ll put all of your guests – and you – in a good mood and singing and dancing along.
  5. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
    You have to have at least one Taylor Swift song at your wedding, right? This one’s so upbeat and fun – some of her others may not be as appropriate.
  6. “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers
    Are you really a millennial if “Mr. Brightside” doesn’t play at your wedding? It’s become one of the most commonly played songs that gets guests running to the dance floor.
  7. “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas
    Tonight’s gonna be a good night, right? Let all your guests sing that at the top of their lungs!
  8. “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa
    This 2018 dance pop hit was literally made for the dance floor and still is.
  9. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi
    Can you really sit down when “Despacito” is playing?
  10. “Danza Kuduro” by Don Omar featuring Lucenzo
    Again – can you really sit down when “Danza Kuduro” is playing?!
  11. “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” by Elton John and Dua Lipa
    This bouncy dance hit will get everyone dancing – all generations know the words to this thanks to the song featuring original samples from Elton John hits “Sacrifice,” “Kiss The Bride” and “Rocket Man.”
  12. “Gimme Gimme – Club Mix” by Lee Cabrera, Kevin McKay, Bleech, remixing ABBA
    Another more modern dance hit song that all ages will know the words too – whether it be the original ABBA hit or because of this new version. All generations can be on the dance floor singing and dancing along to this hit!
  13. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
    OK you don’t need to have oldies at your wedding, but if you want to (or your parents want you to) this is a fun one to have. It’s a ’70s disco hit that’s still enjoyed today!
  14. “December 1963 (Oh What a Night) by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
    Another oldie but a goodie that’ll get everyone on the dance floor. It gives your wedding an old-school vibe without feeling like an old timey wedding.
  15. “Dancing Queen” by Abba
    The name alone is a call to the dance floor! Who can resist dancing to this hit?
  16. “Mamma Mia” by Abba
    Another Abba dance hit that everyone knows and loves.
  17. “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins
    The entire movie is about dancing and about love. The catchy theme song needs to be played at your wedding!
  18. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
    If you’re in Boston, you need to play this song, right? Even if you’re not, you know this stadium anthem will get everyone singing and dancing.
songs your wedding dj should play

Choreographed Line Dance Songs Your Wedding DJ Should Play

These aren’t for everyone. In full transparency, at my wedding, I didn’t want any of these songs played. But that’s my preference! You are different than I am! These songs are sure to get people off their feet, especially as they already know the choreography and want to show it off!

  1. Cha Cha Slide” by DJ Casper
    The song literally tells you what to do. It can get people dancing who don’t even know the moves! But let’s be honest – almost all the people at your wedding will know it.
  2. “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid
    A relatively slower line dance song that also tells your guests what they need to be doing. Everyone will be shuffling around the dance floor!
  3. “Thriller” by Michael Jackson
    Everyone kinda knows this dance routine, right?
  4. “Macarena” by Los Del Rio
    You can love it or it can get on your nerves, but it’s such a popular line dance for weddings thanks to its quick tempo.
  5. “Conga” by Miami Sound machine and Gloria Estefan
    The perfect song if you’re trying to get people out of their seats and dancing – you can literally pull them into a conga line!
  6. “Wobble” by V.I.C.
    This is the newer of the dance songs, as it came out in 2008 but it’s become a wedding staple since.
  7. “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
    You probably grew up doing this dance, didn’t you? We all know it. Play it at your wedding and re-live your youth!

That’s A Wrap, Now Dance!

It’s not hard to find songs which match your personal preferences and also bring people together to dance the night away. So, whichever songs you choose for that special day just remember the goal is to have fun!

What songs were on your must play list for your wedding? What songs do you know you will definitely have the DJ play at your wedding? Any of these? Let us know in the comments!

wedding reception songs
love songs for dancing

About the Author

Michelle Ioannou

Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.