Last Dance Wedding Songs

How do I pick music for my wedding?

Here’s how to pick music for your wedding:

1. Think about the style and mood you want your wedding day to have. Are you going for formal and classical for your ceremony, a chilled jazzy drinks reception, and an evening reception of Noughties classics? The options are endless, so go with your hearts and do it your way.
2. Gather inspiration from Spotify and the web, and find ideas in our wedding songs articles.
3. Find your ‘big moment’ tracks first – ceremony, first dance, upbeat last dance wedding songs. These might be tricky to choose, or immediately come to mind. Then begin to fill in any gaps.
4. Discuss songs with your partner and be open to new ideas – you never know when or where inspiration’s going to strike!
5. Save your ideas somewhere – create a playlist or jot down your songs. Decide if you want to open up the floor – you could involve guests in the evening party and invite them to request a track in advance.
6. Decide on your musicians – are you having a band or a DJ, a string quartet or a gospel choir? Your music professionals can help provide song inspiration and put together a set list. Let them know if there are any songs you really do – and definitely don’t – want to hear. Make sure your artists can perform all your tracks, or give them plenty of notice if you want them to learn a special song.
7. Consider what’s appropriate for different parts of the day. You’ll probably want background music during your drinks reception and breakfast so guests can mingle and chat without having to shout, but go for a louder sound at your evening party to get your crowd going.
8. Think about your guests' likes and age groups. Are there tracks you know will get them on the dancefloor at your evening party, or that remind you all of special moments you’ve shared ("tuuuuune!")? Mix up the music so there’s something for everyone.
9. Think about the flow. Make sure your tracks sound good together – run through your playlist before the big day to make sure they flow seamlessly, and don’t be afraid to move things around or give tracks the boot if they’re not working!
10. Pop the prosecco, sit back and enjoy choosing your top tracks!

How many songs are usually played at a wedding?

The number of songs usually played at a wedding will depend on the length of each part of the day. For a 30-minute ceremony, around 3–4 songs will be played during the entrance, signing of the register and recessional.

For a wedding reception, where the music can flow, allow around 15 songs for a one-hour set. So, if your drinks reception and wedding breakfasts are 2 hours, you will hear around 30 songs in each part.

Evening receptions tends to last around 4 hours, where – with your DJ and your live party band acting as a musical tag-team – you can enjoy around 60 tracks.

Using these durations as a guide, in excess of 120 songs can be played at a wedding.

How do you end a wedding reception?

Want to know how to end a wedding reception with more than a fizzling out? Don’t wait until folk start disappearing. This is your last chance to up that feel-good factor, and create lasting memories of your night’s finale, so finish the night on a high. Here are some ideas:

• Pick a couple of fun last dance wedding songs that will leave everyone smiling and satisfied – whether it’s an upbeat track or an anthem that’ll have everyone circling the happy couple on the dancefloor, swaying and high-kicking (at a safe enough distance so as not to cause injuries!). Pick a song that’s sure to get everyone up, and ask your band, DJ or ushers to do their duty in inviting everyone to join you on the dancefloor for one final time.
• Some venues have strict evening cut-offs and some are more flexible, offering chilled after-party vibes in a bar or snug area, so gather your dancefloor buds and head for one final cheers!
• If you do need to clear the venue, a sparkling sendoff is a great way to exit, either with hand-held sparklers (or swap for glowsticks or bubbles) or with a fireworks display. The ushers can ask guests to line up in two columns, making a pathway for the newlyweds to walk through as they make a grand exit.
• You can then stage an impressive exit in a decorated ‘just married’ car, as your guests wave you off.

Happy glow fulfilled. Result.

Do Weddings have after parties?

Weddings don’t always have after parties, but if you want to squeeze all the fun out of your night, you most definitely can party hard into the wee small hours with a wedding after party.

After parties are the perfect antidote to end-of-night fizzle, re-energising your late-night crowd and ramping things up for a lively last hurrah. If your wedding has been very formal, an after party allows you to really cut loose. They’re also great if your venue has a strict music curfew, but you want to continue the party.

Liven up proceedings by changing venue – either to a new room within your venue, or reserve a room in a club or cellar bar within staggering distance. A great after-party DJ can keep your crowd pumping, and offering late-night snacks is a good way to keep your revellers partying hard.