Reggae Wedding Songs: One Love and Island Rhythms

Reggae music is the ultimate “vibe” setter. Its distinctive offbeat rhythms and soulful lyrics have a universal appeal that can carry a wedding from a sunny outdoor ceremony to a high-energy late-night dance party. Whether you want the classic roots reggae of Bob Marley or the modern dancehall fire of Sean Paul, the reggae catalog offers a deep well of romantic ballads and party-starting anthems that celebrate love, unity, and good times.

Essential Reggae Wedding Moments

• The Soulful Slow Dance: “Is This Love.” No reggae list is complete without Bob Marley. This 1978 classic (which remained a staple throughout the 80s) is a premier choice for a first dance or a meaningful slow dance. Its simple, honest lyrics about “sharing a shelter” capture the essence of marriage perfectly.
• The “Feel-Good” Cocktail Hour: “Red Red Wine.” As I noted in my 1980s book, UB40’s 1983 cover of this Neil Diamond track became a global phenomenon. Its mellow, swaying beat makes it a must-have for a sophisticated cocktail hour or a relaxed dinner set.
• The Upbeat Ceremony Exit: “Three Little Birds.” Bob Marley & The Wailers’ message of “don’t worry about a thing” is a fantastic way to end a ceremony. It leaves guests with a smile and sets a joyful tone for the rest of the celebration.
• The Peak-Party Anthem: “Get Busy.” For the reception, Sean Paul’s 2003 hit (and his many 80s-inspired dancehall tracks) is a guaranteed floor-filler. It’s the perfect song to bridge the gap between reggae fans and pop lovers.

Expert DJ Tips for a Reggae Set

• Tempo and Style: Reggae can be split into slower “Lovers’ Rock” (perfect for dinner/slow dancing) and faster “Dancehall” (perfect for the party). Knowing when to switch from a swaying track like “She’s Royal” by Tarrus Riley to a banger like “Murder She Wrote” is key to managing the room’s energy.
• The “80s Reggae” Connection: The 1980s were a massive decade for “Pop-Reggae” crossovers. Tracks like Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” (1982) or Men At Work’s “Down Under” (1981) utilize reggae beats but appeal to a wide mainstream audience, making them great “safety” songs for any playlist.
• Sing-Along Favorites: Don’t overlook the “fun” factor. A track like “Electric Boogie” (the Electric Slide) by Marcia Griffiths is a reggae-based staple that gets everyone involved, regardless of their dancing ability.

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Song Ideas by Wedding Moments & Vibe

Romantic and Love Songs

Songs for your ceremony, first dance, and slow dances.

• All for You – Stick Figure
• All My Life – Marcia Griffiths, DA’Ville
• All Of Me – Jah Cure
• Always Remember Us This Way – Cris Hagman
• Angel – Shaggy
• Don’t Let Go – Spawnbreezie
• Forever More – Alaine, Tarrus Riley
• Happy Heart – Etana
• I Can’t Help, Falling In Love With You – UB40
• Is This Love – Bob Marley
• La La Means I Love You – Alton Ellis
• Life Is Better With You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
• Love Has Found Its Way – Dennis Brown
• Love Me Easy – ANORA, Stick Figure, Walshy Fire
• Marry You – Perfect Giddimani
• Only You – Jah Cure feat. Mya
• Someone Loves You Honey – J.C. Lodge
• There For You – Beres Hammond
• Truly – Marcia Griffiths
• You’re The One I Love – Shenseea, Rvssian

Feel-Good Songs

Tracks to consider playing when guests arrive at the reception, cocktail hour, and upbeat background music.

• Baby, I Love Your Way – Big Mountain
• Beach In Hawaii – Ziggy Marley
• Below The Waist – Queen Ifrica
• Close To You – Maxi Priest
• Come Over – Estelle ft Sean Paul
• Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley
• Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
• Edge of the Ocean – Stick Figure
• Every Night Every Morning – Maoli
• Everything I Own – Ken Boothe
• Girls Dem Sugar – Beenie Man, Mya
• Have It All (Easy Star All-Stars & Michael Goldwasser Reggae Mix) – Jason Mraz
• I am Blessed – Mr. Vegas
• I Feel Good – Beres Hammond
• I Got You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
• I Love My Life – Demarco
• I Love You Too – Ziggy Marley
• Love and Affection – Pressure
• Love Me – Fia
• Love You Right – Morgan Heritage
• No Ordinary Love – Alaine
• Praise Jah In the Moonlight – YG Marley
• Real Love – Lloyd Brown
• Red Red Wine – UB40
• Rise in Love – Alaine
• Rockaway – Beres Hammond
• Rumor – Maoli
• She’s Royal – Tarrus Riley
• Smile – WizKid, H.E.R.
• Soul Provider – Romain Virgo
• Three Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers
• Way of Life – Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid
• Welcome to Jamrock – Damian Marley
• You and Me – SOJA, Chris Boomer

Upbeat and Dance Hits

Guaranteed party hits and dance floor fillers!

• Action – Terror Fabulous, Nadine Sutherland
• Anything For You – Snow & Friends
• Beautiful – Seeed
• Boom Shack-A-Lak – Apache Indian
• Boombastic – Shaggy
• Calling On Me – Sean Paul, Tove Lo
• Down Under – Men At Work
• Electric Avenue – Eddy Grant
• Get Busy – Sean Paul
• Girls Dem Sugar – Beenie Man, Mya
• Gyal You A Party Animal – Charly Black
• Here Comes The Hotstepper – Ini Kamoze
• Hold You (Hold Yuh) – Gyptian
• I Like To Move It – Reel 2 Real
• Iko Iko (My Bestie) – Justin Wellington feat. Small Jam
• Informer – Snow
• It Wasn’t Me – Shaggy feat. Ricardo Ducent
• Murder She Wrote – Chaka Demus And Pliers
• No Games – Serani
• No Letting Go – Wayne Wonder
• No Lie – Sean Paul, Dua Lipa
• Pon de Replay – Rihanna
• Pon De River Pon De Bank – Elephant Man
• Rum & Redbull – Beenie Man, Future Fambo
• Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead
• Shy Guy – Diana King
• Speechless – J’calm
• Temperature – Sean Paul
• That Girl – Maxi Priest, Shaggy
• Toast – Koffee
• Turn Me On – Kevin Lyttle
• Walking Trophy – Hoodcelebrityy
• Who Am I? (Sim Simma) – Beenie Man

Classic and Iconic Reggae

A list of songs for the young at heart who would appreciate these classic tracks. These can be played for reception background music and cocktail hour.

• All I Have Is Love – Gregory Isaacs
• Bam Bam – Sister Nancy
• Cherry Oh Baby – Eric Donaldson
• Good Thing Going – Sugar Minott
• Here I Come – Barrington Levy
• I Can See Clearly Now – Jimmy Cliff
• I Want To Wake Up With You – Boris Gardiner
• I’ll Do Anything for You – Denroy Morgan
• Melody Life – Marcia Griffiths
• My Boy Lollipop – Millie
• Night Nurse – Gregory Isaacs
• One Love/People Get Ready – Bob Marley
• Sitting & Watching – Dennis Brown
• Tempted To Touch – Beres Hammond

Fun & Novelty

Have a bit of fun at your reception with a sing-along, electric slide, and a song just for the groomsmen.

• Bad Boys – Inner Circle
• Banana Boat (Day-O) – Harry Belafonte
• Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths
• I’m Getting Married – Yellowman

DJs! Plan Reggae Wedding Songs by BPM and Key

(Click on the Song, Artist, Key and BPM table columns for sorting)

*BPM and key pulled from SongData.io

Spotify Reggae Playlist

Do you have a favorite Reggae song for weddings? Please share it below in the comments!

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