I know I’ve admitted before to being a bit serious when it comes to picking the appropriate tunes for an occasion so when it came time to think about the music for my reception, I was a tyrant. I’m a firm believer that the songs can make or break a reception, regardless of how much or little you choose to spend on a band or DJ. The mood that you want to set is of course completely subjective, but my goal was for everyone to dance as much as humanly possible. I wanted the dance floor to be full at all times (I figured folks will go sit down and eat when they want to), so I communicated with my band that I wanted fun, upbeat songs that everyone could dance and sing along to. What I found more important than letting them know the songs I wanted played, was letting them know which songs/genres I didn’t want played.
I requested my band sing current hits/modern-day music as well as some good 80s hits. Sometimes people will include songs to appeal to the older guests but in my experience they’ll dance to anything, whether they actually know the song or not. They enjoy watching us “kids” tear up the dance floor and will either join in on the fun or admire from the sidelines, so I wouldn’t stress too much about them (not that I think you should play Ying Ying Twins or anything…let’s try to still keep it classy for Grandma). Jared and I had an after party that followed the reception, so I was able to play a little more of the “wild” music then without having to pass out earplugs (ex: The Motto – Drake/Lil Wayne, All I Do is Win – DJ Khaled, Blame It – Jamie Foxx & T Pain, etc).
Again even though music is SO subjective, since I’ve had quite a few friends ask me for my playlist through the years (including one of my closest friends Tanya who’s wedding I am serving as a bridesmaid for who asked me just this week) I figured I’d share just a sample of mine. I have also added some songs for friends through the years. Enjoy!
Reception Playlist
Songs NOT to Play:
I’ve Got a Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Party Rock – LMFAO
Any Pink Songs
Any “Dance” Songs (Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Suffle, etc)
70s/Disco
Motown
Songs to Play:
Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake
American Boy – Estelle
Forget You – Cee-lo
Just Dance – Lady Gaga
Mr. Brightside – The Killers
Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
Rock With You – Michael Jackson
Right Round – Flo-Rida
Rock Your Body – Justin Timberlake
Crazy in Love – Beyonce ft. Jay-Z
You Shook Me All Night Long – ACDC
Please Don’t Stop the Music – Rihanna
Only Girl in the World – Rihanna
OMG – Usher
We Found Love – Rihanna
Up on the Floor – Jennifer Lopez
Give Me Everything – Pitbull & NeYo
Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5
Firework – Katy Perry
The Best Is Yet To Come – Michael Buble
Gold Digger – Kanye West
Don’t Wanna Go Home – Jason Derulo
Get Lucky – Daft Punk
I Cry – Flo Rida
Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars
Slow Down – Selena Gomez
Sweet Nothing – Calvin Harris
Xo,
Leah

2 comments
Heather Smith
March 11, 2014 at 9:51 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
LOVE THIS LEAH! Thank you for sharing!
xo,
Heather
Leah
March 11, 2014 at 7:42 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hope you find it helpful!! xo