When we listen to music, our brains release the feel-good chemical, dopamine.
Music greatly improves your mood and should always be one of the most important aspects of a party, including on your wedding day.
Are you soon to be getting married? Have you planned your perfect wedding reception playlist yet?
In this article, we’ll look at a few ways that you can ensure guests are up on the dance floor all night!
1. Start Planning Your Playlist Early
As soon as you know that you’re getting married, it’s time to start listening to more music!
Trawl back through your previous playlists with friends and find some bangers that you can’t miss off your list. Then, whenever you have a spare moment, play new playlists to find some more of the best songs!
Listening to music while you’re working will even boost your creativity and productivity so you can get two jobs done at once!
2. Ask Your Guests for Suggestions
Does your best friend love Whitney Houston? Is your uncle a fan of Aretha Franklin? Make sure you add their top hits to your list!
As well as throwing in songs that you know everyone will love, consider reaching out to your guests for suggestions.
Why not include a suggestion box on your invitations that guests can post back to you? Or, consider asking friends directly for their ideas.
3. Avoid Songs With Negative Associations
We all have a few songs that need to be avoided at weddings or parties. Make sure you and your future spouse have checked through the playlist a few times before the big day.
You certainly don’t want a song being played that reminds you of your ex on your wedding day!
4. Don’t Worry About Multiple Genres
It’s your wedding day so why stick to just one genre? Throw in some pop, rock, country, blues, R&B, jazz, reggae, musical theatre, or EDM!
This is the one party where anything goes so long as it keeps people on the dance floor and having a good time. Move from Dolly Parton to Drake to Calvin Harris to Queen to Bob Marley.
Most importantly, if you’re going for the DIY route with your playlist, make sure you download your songs so that there’s no silent waiting around if the WiFi cuts out.
If you’re wondering how to download your songs easily, check out this mkv to mp4 converter.
5. Choose Popular Over Niche
Keep your wedding reception songs personal, but try not to choose one niche song after another.
Your guests won’t appreciate listening to hours upon hours of unrecognizable songs. Sometimes popular is better than obscure, especially when it gets people dancing!
Up-tempo beats are what will get people out on the dance floor, mingling with old friends, and meeting new people.
Think Crazy in Love by Beyoncé, Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, and any of the many romantic songs by Ed Sheeran!
6. Try to Dance With Absolutely Everyone
Yes, it’s your wedding day, but that doesn’t mean you should stay by the side of your new spouse for every single second. That’s what the honeymoon is for!
This might be the only chance you get to dance in a circle with all of your parent’s siblings. Or, you may find it hard to reunite with school friends every year.
Choose a song that reminds you of them, then find them on the dance floor to serenade them and ask them to dance! You’ll appreciate this sweet moment in years to come, just make sure you have photographic evidence too!
7. Avoid Offensive Lyrics
Keep the songs with offensive lyrics for the after-party. This is an evening where everyone in your family is celebrating you, try to avoid anything that will make your great aunt feel awkward.
Look out for radio-friendly songs as you can be sure that the swear words will have been removed from these. Once you’ve finalized your playlist, send it over to your friends or parents to have a check through too.
8. Don’t Overdo the Slow Songs
After every four upbeat songs, reach for a slower song. By doing this, you get in the romantic, wedding vibe but you don’t empty the dance floor.
As you try to wind down the party, begin playing more slow songs that will signal that the night is coming to an end.
Add in a few classics such as At Last by Etta James, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, and Let’s Stay Together by Al Green.
9. Hire a DJ or Ask a Trusted Friend for Help
Unless you absolutely love being in charge of the music, pass on the responsibility to someone else.
It’s your wedding night, you don’t want to be glued to your phone! Instead, ask a bridesmaid to cover the speakers and stay close to the music source to ensure nothing goes wrong.
If you’ve planned your playlist meticulously with perfect timings, then their job should be easy. But, if you’re worried about the music being taken over by requests, hire a DJ instead.
What’s on Your Perfect Wedding Reception Playlist?
If you’re struggling to start your wedding reception playlist, check out the many ready-made lists on Spotify.
Sometimes just getting started is the best way to overcome your fear of having the perfect playlist. Whatever you do, make sure you’re listening to music throughout the more stressful days of wedding planning!