Usually, you want to have something lively and happy which adds to a party kind of atmosphere. It is strongly advisable to consider your guests as well and not having something too specialist. Although it is entirely your choice, you might not find it ideal, for example, to have heavy rock playing in the reception dinner!

Live music is another very popular option and can really help to bring a great atmosphere to the reception. If you want to have a disco after the dinner, then you will want to hire a good DJ having decided on the recorded music that you want to play. It is essential, that if you are going to have a live band, to make sure that you hear them first before making any bookings.

When you are going to choose a live band or a DJ, make sure that they have plenty of experience of performing at weddings and also make sure that you make your booking far in advance. Make sure that you have done plenty of research as you certainly do not want to be disappointed on the day.

The most important thing to avoid is an uneasy silence. Between performances, the entertainers should be able to entertain the crowd and maintain a lively and pleasant atmosphere. That is the most important thing. The event should be happy and lively all the way. Also, make sure that you are not going to be restricted by time. The last thing you want is for the festivities to end prematurely.

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1. Encourage your guests to contribute to your song list – a creative way of including your guests is to have a place on your RSVP card requesting one favorite song from each guest. Not only will this ensure that a variety of music is being played and it saves you tons of time on doing research.
2. Start the Party Early – there’s always the option of starting the dancing right after the bride and groom make their entrance, and then simply stopping the dance music for the toast, and the bridal dance, or whenever it’s necessary for the DJ or emcee to make announcements.
3. Dance Floor Warm Up – If you guests are a bit shy, you may ask your wedding party to get out on the dance floor as soon as they’re able to encourage others to do the same.
4. Remember Your Older Guests – older people like to talk and mingle at weddings, and they’re also among the very first guests to leave, so be sure to play songs that would appeal to them toward the beginning of the reception, and save the hits of today for later on in the evening.

If you have more ideas on getting your guests up, dancing and having fun, please feel free to leave your comment. You may also want to see my previous post for song ideas.

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Below you will find several helpful lists of songs that are often included in wedding ceremonies and receptions. Of course, you are free to choose the songs that are important to you, or those that hold some special meaning, while other brides decide to leave it completely up to the band or DJ they’ve hired to make the music choices. In any case, here are some ideas for you to consider when planning your own special day:

Dance Songs Commonly Played at Wedding Receptions

• The Cha Cha Slide (Mr. C)
• The Chicken Dance (Traditional)
• The Conga (Gloria Estefan)
• The Electric Slide (Marcia Griffith)
• The Hokey Pokey (Traditional)
• The Limbo (Chubby Checker)
• The Locomotion (Little Eva)
• The Macarena (Los Del Rio)
• The YMCA (The Village People)

Wedding and Party Favorites

• Alley Cat (Traditional)
• Celebration (Kool & The Gang)
• Chapel of Love (The Dixie Cups)
• Copacabana (Barry Manilow)
• Daddy’s Little Girl (Al Martino)
• Dancing Queen (ABBA)
• Get This Party Started (Pink)
• I Feel Good (James Brown)
• I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack)
• My Girl (The Temptations)
• Old Time Rock & Roll (Bob Seger)
• Shout (Otis Day)
• Tequila (The Champs)
• That’s Amore (Dean Martin)
• The Twist (Chubby Checker)
• Twist and Shout (The Isley Brothers)
• Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
• We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
• When a Man Loves a Woman (Percy Sledge)
• Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)

Traditional Wedding Songs

• Ave Maria
• Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
• The Bridal March
• Canon in D
• Minuet in G

Some Popular Artists by Decade

90s and Today

• Christina Aguilera
• Whitney Houston
• Justin Timberlake

80s

• The Commodores
• Madonna
• Michael Jackson

70s

• Barry Manilow
• The Bee Gees
• Earth, Wind & Fire

60s

• The Beatles
• Al Green
• Rolling Stones

50s

• Chubby Checker
• Elvis Presley
• Frank Sinatra

40s

• The Andrew Sisters
• Tommy Dorsey
• Glenn Miller

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