wedding couple having their first dance

Wedding and Party Blog

How to Create The Perfect Wedding Song Playlist?

December 12, 2019

| Wedding Song

Music is an integral piece of the wedding. It gives the guests a glimpse of who the bride and groom really are by adding a personalized touch to the soundtrack of the night. Not only that, but it sets the tone. Whether it be all night rager, or a dignified and refined reception, the wedding song playlist should be chosen carefully. Keep reading to gain some tips and tricks on making the perfect wedding song set.

How many songs do I need for a 6 hour wedding?

Since the average song is around 3 minutes, it is recommended that you add twenty songs to your playlist for every hour of the event.  For a 6 hour wedding that means you would need to add 120 wedding songs.  

Philadelphia wedding band

According to Spotify, the top 10 most popular wedding songs are:

However, bridal websites name the following as the top ten wedding songs:

How often should you play a slow song at a wedding?

People like to dance for about half an hour before needing a break.  It’s not a good idea to abruptly play a slow song in between fast paced songs.  Instead, play a slow song every 30-40 minutes and follow up the slow song with a build up in tempo for another 30-40 minutes.

Philadelphia wedding band

What songs do you not play at a wedding?

Some songs are overly played, cliche, cringy, and people generally don’t want to hear them…again. The Huffington Post names the following ten songs to add to the do not play list:

Other songs are added to bridal “do not play” lists because their lyrics feature taboo relationship topics like stalking, break-ups, demeaning lyrics for women, or are generally depressing. The top ten topical “do not play” weddings songs are:

What are good wedding dance songs?

The best wedding dance songs are different for people of different generations and with different music genre tastes. Therefore, it’s a good idea to vary the age of the songs and include hip-hop, pop, funk, indie, and electronic tunes. These songs can be extremely popular, or just have uplifting beats and positive lyrics. Most songs that get people moving are songs that bring back great memories, so even if a song isn’t well known, add it to your list if you and your guests have a shared experience that makes the song special. Some of the best wedding dance songs of all time include:

wedding song

What is the most uplifting wedding song ever?

Songs with happy lyrics, in major keys, and with upbeat tempos are scientifically proven to be the most uplifting music for listeners.  Whether these songs are right for your wedding is up to you, but some of the most uplifting songs are:

There are some songs that are very popular as first dance wedding songs because they so beautifully articulate the love shared by newlyweds the top ten most popular first dance wedding songs according to insider magazine are:

Other bridal websites mention some other classic first dance songs:

“As” by Stevie Wonder, “As Time Goes By” by Dooley Wilson, “By Your Side,” by Sade, “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” by Elvis Presley, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” by Frankie Valli or Lauryn Hill, “Come Rain or Come Shine,” by Ray Charles, and “Crazy Love,” by Van Morrison. 

What is a good exit song for a wedding?

Most recessional songs are upbeat and romantic.  Some even have lyrics that allude to the end of an event or “going home”. Some great choices for a recessional wedding song are:

Remember that creating the perfect playlist for your reception is really all about expressing your own style and finding the music that best allows you and your guests to celebrate this special event.  The CTO’s Philadelphia Wedding bands have years of experience helping couples create and refine their best reception playlists. Don’t be afraid to reach out to us!