GHE Reception Music Guide

 

Take this opportunity to incorporate the songs you love into your wedding day and truly make it yours.

 

I’ve designed this guide as a starting point –  to help get the ball rolling with some ideas and also to give you a few tips along the way.

 

You can choose songs from these lists below or something entirely different – the choice is yours.

 

Let’s get started!

The Bridal Party Entrance

After guests are seated in your reception room, your MC will welcome everyone, make housekeeping announcements and then introduce each couple from the bridal party into the reception.  Your guests will cheer each couple as they enter and the music is pumping. Of course you are the stars of the show so you will come in last and get the biggest cheer!  This is a fun way to kick of the reception so an upbeat & happy song with lots of energy is perfect for this moment.

If there is no bridal party then it will be just the newlyweds being introduced. As the MC will be speaking over the top of the music, this is typically DJed.

TIP: While this is usually one song for the whole group, you can choose to have different songs for each couple as they come into the room (and sometimes dance into the room!) 

Cutting Of The Cake

This song plays in the background to add atmosphere as your photographer & guests take photos. Sometimes couples choose songs with a ‘sweet’ theme in the lyrics, otherwise a simple love song can be perfect.

TIP: If you can, always eat dessert BEFORE dancing!  Bringing out dessert once the party has started is a dancefloor killer.  It also helps to give your guests a big sugar hit right before they hit the dancefloor!

First Dance

This can be any love song that means something to the two of you.
When possible the first dance should always take place after all of the meals (including dessert) and the speeches have concluded. The party music & dancing will start immediately after this song.

TIP 1: Whichever song you choose, I would definitely recommend that you Google the lyrics!  You’d be surprised how often a song ‘sounds’ romantic but is actually a break-up song etc.   

TIP 2: If you are not confident dancers I would recommend having the bridal party (or another group of guests) join you on the dancefloor after the first chorus. This will give your photographer enough time to take some photos first. By the end of the song all of your guests will be out of their chairs and we can kick off the party music with a packed dancefloor!

TIP 3: If you are planning to do an actual bridal ‘waltz’ some good options to consider are “You & Me” – Lifehouse, “Come Away With Me” – Norah Jones, “Moon River” – Andy Williams and “Extraordinary Magic” – Ben Rector

Father / Daughter Dance (optional)

The Father / Daughter or Mother / Son dance can be a beautiful moment at your wedding and a nice way to say thank you to your parents.

TIP: If your ‘First Dance is taking place earlier in the night or in a different location (eg. outside under the stars)  then this dance can be a good substitute.  In this scenario the dance would take place after all of the meals / speeches and immediately before the party music – we can invite your guests to join you midway through and then kick off the party!

Bouquet Toss (optional)

Something upbeat to get the girls dancing is perfect for this. If you feel like there won’t be many single ladies at your wedding you can always invite ALL of the girls onto the dancefloor – afterall it is just a bit of fun!

TIP: Rather than scheduling a time for this, it is a great idea to keep it flexible.  If there is ever a time when the dancefloor is quiet, it is a great way to get all of the girls on the dancefloor again and kick off the party!

Throwing Of The Garter (optional)

Something raunchy and fun is the way to go!

TIP: Again, if you feel like there won’t be many single men at your wedding you can always invite ALL of the men onto the dancefloor.

Farewell

After the last dance song of the night, the MC or myself will invite your guests to form a tunnel (2 lines) from the exit back into the room. As the celebration music starts you will run through the tunnel of guests as they cheer you out the door. It is great way to finish the night on a high and signals to your guests that the celebrations have concluded  (this is especially helpful if your venue has given you a definitive time that guests need to have left by!)

TIP: Your guests will likely have had a few drinks so something that is a good sing-along will make the send-off even more fun!

Let’s Get The Party Stated!

Check out our blog post “5 Tips To Get EVERYONE On Your Wedding Dancefloor”