Hit Play on Love: The Ultimate Wedding Reception Playlist
- Feb 10
- 7 min read
Music is the heartbeat of any gathering, and at a wedding, it has the power to transform a celebration into an unforgettable experience. From the moment the couple makes their grand entrance to the magical sparkler exit at the end of the night, the music sets the energy, lifts the spirits, and keeps the joy flowing. A skilled DJ doesn’t just play songs - they create moments that you and your guests will remember forever.
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Jamie Cartner - award-winning celebrant, MC, DJ, and magician - has helped shape the soundtrack for over 1,000 wedding celebrations across 25 years. In this article, he shares the top song choices couples have used to mark the most important and memorable moments of their reception.
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The Bridal Couple’s Grand Entrance
The couple’s entrance is one of the most joyful highlights of the night. Announced to rapturous applause and cheers from family and friends, this is the moment when everyone’s excitement is at its peak. Pairing a high-energy introduction with an upbeat, celebratory song not only energizes the bridal party and guests but also signals that the dancefloor is about to open. For an extra wow factor, add sparklers or guests waving napkins to create a truly unforgettable moment.
Here are 15 bridal party entry songs guaranteed to get the celebration started:
SONG | ARTIST |
Crazy in Love | Beyonce featuring Jay Z |
I Gotta Feeling | The Black Eyed Peas |
Fireball | Pitbull featuring John Ryan |
We Found Love | Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris |
Walking on Sunshine | Katrina and the Waves |
Crazy Little Thing Called Love | Queen |
Marry You | Bruno Mars |
Turn Down For What | DJ Snake featuring Lil John |
We Like To Party | Vengaboys |
On Top of The World | Imagine Dragons |
Thunderstruck | ACDC |
Best Day of My Life | American Authors |
Celebration | Kool & The Gang |
Sandstorm | Darude |
Get The Party Started | Pink |
Making the Cake Cutting A Showstopper
You’ve invested in a stunning wedding cake, so why settle for just a quick cut and a round of applause? The cake cutting can be a highlight moment of your reception—full of laughter, cheers, and a little bit of cheeky fun.
Choose a playful or upbeat song while the MC counts down to the moment, and suddenly, the cake cutting becomes a memorable performance rather than just a tradition. Add in a champagne toast, the couple feeding each other their first bite, and even sparklers around the cake, and you’ve created a magical, Instagram-worthy moment that truly celebrates your sweet investment.
Here are 15 songs guaranteed to enhance the cake cutting vibe:
SONG | ARTIST |
Honey, Honey | ABBA |
Sugar, Sugar | The Archies |
Sugar | Maroon 5 |
Cake By The Ocean | DNCE |
The Sweetest Thing | U2 |
Love On Top | Beyoncé |
24K Magic | Bruno Mars |
Cut the Cake | Average White Band |
Happy | Pharrell Williams |
Pour Some Sugar On Me | Def Leppard |
Beautiful Day | U2 |
How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You | James Taylor |
Raise Your Glass | Pink |
Can’t Stop The Feeling | Justin Timberlake |
Watermelon Sugar | Harry Styles |
Father-Daughter, Mother-Son, or Special Person Dance:
Making the Moment Memorable
One of the most emotional and cherished parts of a wedding is the special dance shared with someone significant in your life. Traditionally, this takes the form of a Father-Daughter dance and a Mother-Son dance, but it can include any loved one who has played a meaningful role in your journey.
Your first dance as a couple can either precede or follow these special dances. Many couples like to start with the Father-Daughter dance, creating a heartfelt moment before transitioning into the bride and groom’s first dance.
If a father isn’t available, don’t worry! Consider having a grandfather, brother, uncle, or close friend take this special role. The key is sharing the dance with someone meaningful to you.
Here are 15 suggestions of Father/Daughter dance songs and 5 Mother Son dance suggestions:
Father/Daughter suggestions
SONG | ARTIST |
Hold My Girl | George Ezra |
Unforgettable | Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole |
Isn’t She Lovely | Stevie Wonder |
When I Look At You | Miley Cyrus |
When Daddy Let Me Drive | Alan Jackson |
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) | Green Day |
My Girl | The Temptations |
Butterfly Kisses | Bob Carlisle |
Daddy’s Little Girl | Michael Bublé |
Because You Loved Me | Celine Dion |
The Way You Look Tonight | Frank Sinatra |
Cinderella | Steven Curtis-Chapman |
Count On Me | Bruno Mars |
I Loved Her First | Heartland |
Dad’s and Daughters | MaRynn Taylor |
Mother/Son suggestions
SONG | ARTIST |
A Song For Mama | Boyz II Men |
Wind Beneath My Wings | Bette Midler |
Mamma Mia | ABBA |
Mother Like Mine | The Band Perry |
Thank You | Dido |
Couples First Dance
There’s something truly magical when the MC invites the groom to take his bride’s hand and lead her to the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple. As the house lights dim and the DJ’s mood lighting casts a romantic glow, the couple shares a moment that feels intimate and unforgettable.
Whether their dance is perfectly choreographed or simply flowing in the moment, couples can choose to dance the entire song alone or invite their bridal party to join halfway through, seamlessly transforming this special moment into a lively start to the celebration.
For an extra wow factor, consider adding dry ice mist, sparklers, or subtle lighting effects—these small touches can make the moment feel cinematic and truly spectacular.
Here are 15 beautiful first dance songs to inspire your perfect moment:
SONG | ARTIST |
Amazed | Lonestar |
Forever and For Always | Shania Twain |
Forever After All | Luke Combs |
Perfect | Ed Sheeran |
Can’t Help Falling In Love | Elvis Presley (Or your favourite cover artist) |
You Are The Reason | Calum Scott |
Make You Feel My Love | Adele |
How Long Will I Love You | Ellie Goulding |
Falling Like The Stars | James Arthur |
Unchained Melody | The Righteous Brothers |
Ordinary | Alex Warren |
Truly Madly Deeply | Cascada or Savage Garden |
All Of Me | John Legend |
You’re The First | Barry White |
Love Story | Taylor Swift |
Bouquet Toss
Traditionally, the bride tosses her bouquet to the eager unmarried ladies gathered on the dance floor - a moment filled with laughter, anticipation, and plenty of cheers.
If there aren’t many single ladies in the room (or you’d simply like to make it more inclusive and fun), why not invite all the ladies to join in? With the MC hyping up the crowd and a great upbeat song playing, it quickly becomes a high-energy moment that gets everyone smiling, laughing, and ready to party.
SONG | ARTIST |
Single Ladies | Beyoncé |
Girls Just Want to Have Fun | Cyndi Lauper |
Wannabe | Spice Girls |
Shake It Off! | Taylor Swift |
Run The World (Girls!) | Beyoncé |
It’s Raining Men | Gerri Halliwell |
Love On Top | Beyoncé |
Can’t Stop The Feeling | Justin Timberlake |
She’s A Lady | Tom Jones |
Walking on Sunshine | Katrina and the Waves |
Garter Removal
To garter or not to garter - it’s one of the most talked-about reception traditions!
This moment can absolutely be done in a tasteful and respectful way, but like everything on your wedding day, it should feel comfortable and true to you as a couple. If it’s not your vibe, skip it without a second thought.
If you do choose to include it, this becomes the groom’s fun moment in the spotlight. With the right cheeky song and a playful MC guiding the crowd, it turns into a light-hearted, entertaining highlight that brings plenty of laughs and great photo opportunities.
Cheeky Song choices often chosen for the garter removal include:
SONG | ARTIST |
Pony | Ginuwine |
You Can leave Your Hat On | Joe Cocker |
Hot In Here | Nelly |
You Sexy Thing | Hot Chocolate |
The Stripper | Joe Loss |
I’m Too Sexy | Right Said Fred |
Let’s Get It On | Marvin Gaye |
Blurred Lines | Robin Thicke |
Fever | Michael Bublé |
Sexy and I Know It | LMFAO |
The Leaving Arch/Sparkler Exit
All good things must come to an end, but why not finish your wedding day with a sparkle of glory? Whether you’re running through a tunnel of friends, heading to the car, a horse-drawn carriage, or just up to your room, the archway exit is a magical moment that signals the celebration isn’t over — it’s just moving to the next chapter.
With the right song and a little MC magic, this can be a high-energy, unforgettable finale, full of joy, laughter, and plenty of photo opportunities.
SONG | ARTIST |
We Go Together | Grease Original Cast |
500 Miles | The Proclaimers |
Life Is A Highway | Rascal Flatts |
Best Day of My Life | American Authors |
Crazy Little Thing Called Love | Queen |
Walking On Sunshine | Katrina and the Waves |
Fly Me To the Moon | Frank Sinatra |
Forever | Chris Brown |
We Found Love | Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris |
Bye Bye Bye | NSYNC |
So there you go. From the excitement of the bouquet toss to the cheeky fun of the garter removal, the romance of your first dance, and the sparkling magic of your grand exit, the right music sets the tone and amplifies every emotion.
Choosing songs that reflect your personalities, your love story, and the energy you want your guests to feel ensures every moment feels authentic, joyful, and unforgettable. And remember - these moments are about you: your connection, your fun, and your celebration.
So pick songs that make you smile, make you dance, and make your guests cheer. When you combine the perfect music with a talented MC and DJ who knows how to read the room, your reception isn’t just a party - it’s a story told in rhythm, laughter, and music, one incredible moment at a time.
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When you meet with Jamie Cartner to plan your ceremony, he’ll bring his full repertoire, offering even more personalised options to match your vision.
Here’s to creating memories that you, your family, and your friends will treasure forever - one song, one dance, and one sparkle at a time.
Jamie Cartner
Celebrant | MCDJ | Magician | Event Planner | Wedding Coordinator
Vocal Events
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