Your wedding music sets the tone for your entire celebration. From the ceremony to the last dance, the right tunes can create an atmosphere of love, joy, and uninhibited fun. We've consulted top wedding DJs to bring you expert advice on curating the perfect playlist for your big day.

1. Know Your Audience

Consider your guests' age range and musical preferences. A good wedding playlist should cater to various tastes and generations. "It’s all about balance," says London-based DJ Sarah Thompson. "Mix current hits with classic crowd-pleasers to keep everyone engaged."

2. Create a Timeline

Structure your playlist to match the flow of your reception. Start with softer background music during dinner, gradually building up to high-energy dance tunes as the night progresses.

3. Include Must-Play Songs

Compile a list of songs that are meaningful to you and your partner. These could be 'your song', family favourites, or tunes that represent significant moments in your relationship.

4. Don’t Forget the Classics

"Every wedding needs a few timeless hits," advises Manchester DJ Rob Clarke. "Songs like 'Don’t Stop Believin'' by Journey or 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA are guaranteed to get people on the dance floor."

5. Be Mindful of Lyrics

Remember that your grandparents and possibly young children will be present. Avoid songs with explicit lyrics or themes that might make some guests uncomfortable.

6. Allow for Requests

While you should maintain control over the overall playlist, leaving room for a few guest requests can add a fun, spontaneous element to your reception.

7. Consider Your First Dance

If you're planning a choreographed first dance, ensure your DJ has the correct version of your chosen song.

8. Don’t Overdo Slow Songs

"Too many slow songs can kill the party vibe," warns Edinburgh-based DJ Lisa Murray. "Limit slow dances to 2-3 per hour to keep the energy up."

9. Have a 'Do Not Play' List

If there are certain songs or genres you absolutely don’t want to hear at your wedding, communicate this clearly to your DJ.

10. Trust Your DJ

Remember, professional DJs are experts at reading the crowd and adjusting the music accordingly. Give them some flexibility to ensure your dance floor stays packed all night.

Top 50 Wedding Songs to Play

Here’s a list of 50 popular wedding songs recommended by our panel of DJs:

  1. "Uptown Funk" - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
  2. "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" - Whitney Houston
  3. "Don’t Stop Believin'" - Journey
  4. "Dancing Queen" - ABBA
  5. "Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond
  6. "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers
  7. "Shut Up and Dance" - Walk the Moon
  8. "Crazy in Love" - Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
  9. "All of Me" - John Legend
  10. "Shape of You" - Ed Sheeran
  11. "Can’t Stop the Feeling!" - Justin Timberlake
  12. "September" - Earth, Wind & Fire
  13. "Wonderwall" - Oasis
  14. "Marry You" - Bruno Mars
  15. "Don’t Stop Me Now" - Queen
  16. "Happy" - Pharrell Williams
  17. "Love Shack" - The B-52's
  18. "Livin' on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi
  19. "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
  20. "Shake It Off" - Taylor Swift
  21. "Hey Jude" - The Beatles
  22. "I Gotta Feeling" - The Black Eyed Peas
  23. "Billie Jean" - Michael Jackson
  24. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" - Eurythmics
  25. "Despacito" - Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber
  26. "Wannabe" - Spice Girls
  27. "Kiss" - Prince
  28. "I Will Always Love You" - Whitney Houston
  29. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" - Beyoncé
  30. "Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond
  31. "Stayin' Alive" - Bee Gees
  32. "Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen
  33. "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  34. "Thinking Out Loud" - Ed Sheeran
  35. "Can’t Help Falling in Love" - Elvis Presley
  36. "Twist and Shout" - The Beatles
  37. "Love on Top" - Beyoncé
  38. "Sweet Home Alabama" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
  39. "A Thousand Years" - Christina Perri
  40. "You Shook Me All Night Long" - AC/DC
  41. "Dancing in the Moonlight" - Toploader
  42. "Uptown Girl" - Billy Joel
  43. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" - Stevie Wonder
  44. "We Found Love" - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris
  45. "All You Need Is Love" - The Beatles
  46. "Valerie" - Amy Winehouse
  47. "Celebration" - Kool & The Gang
  48. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" - Eurythmics
  49. "I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz
  50. "At Last" - Etta James

Remember, the perfect wedding playlist is one that reflects your personal taste while keeping your guests entertained. Use these tips and song suggestions as a starting point, and don’t be afraid to add your own unique touches to create a truly memorable musical experience for your special day!

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