Welcome back my friends! Alright, I know I joked about losing my hearing to my “Do Not Play” list of reception songs earlier this week… including Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Thriller (yes, Thriller…), Shake It Off (T Swift fans don’t even think about coming at me), Chicken Dance, YMCA, anything Rascal Flatts… I could go on but there’s really no need. You get it haha. Don’t get me wrong, those are of course some banger songs! They are hits for a reason, I totally get it! But also, there are so many others out there I’ve heard at receptions that are a little less overplayed bangers!! So yes, your playlist fairy godmother is back baby! I am here to help you and provide ANOTHER playlist for your wedding. This time: Reception Songs and/or Recessional Songs!
Okay, so let’s start off with your preference of music. You definitely should get together with your partner, go through your favorite songs and add those to your list that you DEFINITELY want played. Anything you can both think of, really go through your Spotify playlists, favorites, most listened to, whatever it may be! Think about things you’ve both listened to together and love to jam out to. What do you dance to in your kitchen? Add those! Are there concerts you have been to that were super fun and dance-y? Get those on there too! Again, this is your day and I’m not here to tell you what music to like haha! I just am here to provide some ideas and a list of fun ones I’ve heard/like.
Anyway, get all those favorites down and that will be the start of your list! Your DJ will really appreciate you coming in with things you want played for sure. Now, you still need more? Don’t have enough to last the entirety of the reception/dance? If you don’t like the Cha Cha Slide, Electric Slide, Cupid Shuffle, etc. then don’t feel like you need to put those in just because they are popular reception dances! Trust me, no one will be mad about you not playing those. So let’s think of some others that are just as fun!
I’ll link the playlist at the bottom of the blog for you to go through, but let’s break it down a bit! What’s your vibe? Are you a little more country? Well I have some Jon Pardi on there (he has so many tunes that are fun to dance to) including Head Over Boots. I have some Randy Travis, Deeper Than the Holler; Loving You Easy by Zac Brown Band; Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt; and more! If that is your vibe, maybe those songs will be of interest to you or maybe it’ll spark others you like that are similar!
Are you thinking a bit more indie/folk/alternative? I gotchu on this playlist too! We’ve got Electric Love by BORNS; You’ve Got the Love by Florence and the Machine; Still Into You by Paramore; On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons; Hold my Hand by Jess Glynne; I Found You by Alabama Shakes; A-Punk by Vampire Weekend; Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros; some HAIM; and more! Again, maybe you enjoy dancing to these ones! Or others by them!
We’ve also got some oldies, OF COURSE! You Make My Dreams by Hall and Oates; Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader; God Only Knows by the Beach Boys; I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston; The Way You Make me Feel by Michael Jackson; Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen; For Once In My Life by Stevie Wonder; You Send Me by Aretha Franklin; and much much more!
Maybe you’re wanting a bit more Pop/Pop Rock/Funk/Neo Soul… etc! Y’all… I got everything. I told you. I’m your Fairy Godmother. 😉 We’ve got Happy by Pharrell Williams; Love On Top by Beyonce; Sugar by Maroon Five; Love You I Do by Jennifer Hudson; Marry Me by Jason Derulo; Beautiful Day by U2; Smooth Sailin’ by Leon Bridges; etc!
There’s a taste of everything on this playlist. Sooooo… take a look, have a listen and maybe it will spark some ideas of other songs/artists you love! Maybe some of these will even make it on your playlist! (I hope so, it would make me feel very cool.)
Others who have similar feelings about overplayed recessional and reception songs, comment what you had at your wedding! Or if your friends had a good playlist as well, let us know! Also, if you’re in need of other songs (mother/son dance, father/daughter dance, first dance) I have all of those on my blog as well so go ahead and check those out while you’re here!
Hope this helped and have SO MUCH FUN with it! Finding new and fun music is always a blast and I wish you all the happiness with your search!