Wedding Music Checklist: Ceremony & Reception Song Lists

Last Updated: August 25, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)

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.

wedding ceremony reception song lists

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.

Ceremony Entrance Songs

As the wedding party enters the ceremony venue and walks towards the altar, view a list of popular wedding processional songs.

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?

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.

Formal dances during a wedding reception

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.

Father Daughter Dance Songs

What song will you dance to with your dad on this special day?

Father Son Songs

Perhaps you’d like to dedicate a song to your dad. We have a list for that.

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?

Mother Son Dance Songs

Which song will represent your relationship when you dance with your mom at the reception?

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.

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.

Wedding Party Songs

The Wedding Party came together to support the couple. This song honors those friendships.

Other songs for the wedding party:

The bouquet and garter toss

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.

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!

Common 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.

Dancing – Party Time!

Get people off of their butts and on the dance floor!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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