115 Upbeat Wedding Songs to Play at Your Reception

Ceremony aside, most couples and their guests would agree that the most exciting part of any wedding is what goes down on the dance floor during the reception. When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense: The newlyweds are officially married, and all the pressure they (and the members of their wedding party) have felt leading up to the big day can finally be released. Plus, all those perfectly dressed guests get sweaty, high heels get kicked off, and people of all ages bust out their best dance moves. A playlist full of feel-good, happy love songs will never fail to create that totally awesome, high-energy environment at your reception.

Your band or DJ will be adept at creating a playlist of high-energy hits, but giving them some clues about songs your family members and friends are most likely to react to will help ensure the dance floor is packed all night. Consider your group: Are your loved ones more likely to get out of their seats for hits from The Beatles and Marvin Gaye, or will chart toppers from Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga get everyone onto the dance floor? Remember that what appeals to some guests (like your parents and grandparents) won’t please everyone (like your college pals), so giving your musicians the freedom to read the room and play the right upbeat wedding songs will be key.

To help you give your band or DJ some guidance, we rounded up 115 upbeat love songs that are just right for weddings, including everything from sweet ballads to cheerful tracks. Use this list (and our corresponding Spotify playlist!) to help you find your reception entrance song, last tune of the night, or as inspiration for building an epic must-play list for your band or DJ. With at least a handful of these tunes on the docket, your wedding reception will go down in history as one of the most fun parties ever.