Finding the Perfect Wedding Reception Music

Music can set the mood for your entire wedding reception. While a reception is being planned, any deejay worth his salt will ask for a playlist of songs for special events and that absolutely need to be played. This article is jam-packed with suggestions and links to music videos to help plan your perfect reception soundtrack.

The bridal introduction should symbolize the happy couple: laid back, classy, or playful. Do you want your wedding party entering the room with the flourish of a tango? Do you want everyone to walk in waving like Miss America, or do you want a fun-filled dance routine to LMFAO's "I'm Sexy and I Know It?"

• Accidentally in Love - Counting Crows
• Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
• Bailamos - Enrique Iglesias
• Beautiful Day - U2
• Days Go By - Dirty Vegas
• Hot in Herre - Nelly
• I Feel Good - James Brown
• It Takes Two - Rob Base
• Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas

No matter the tone of the first dance (romantic to the point of being sappy or light and fun, fast or slow), the dance should encapsulate the bride and groom's relationship and tastes.

• Better Together - Jack Johnson
• Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts
• Count on Me - Bruno Mars
• Everything - Michael Buble
• Finally - Cece Peniston
• Finally - Journey
• Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
• Forever - Chris Brown
• Good Morning Beautiful - Steve Holy
• I Am For You - Lisa Tucker
• I Could Not Ask For More - Edwin Mccain
• I Do - 98 Degrees
• I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do - ABBA
• I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
• I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher
• I Wanna Be Loved - Eric Benet
• I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
• I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
• If I Could - Regina Belle
• I've Had the Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
• Kiss from a Rose - Seal
• Let's Stay Together - Al Green
• Long Time Coming - Oliver James
• Love - Sugarland
• Love & Happiness - Al Green
• Your Love - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Mothers and fathers have the biggest impact, good or bad, on their children's lives. The tradition of the Daddy/Daughter and Mother/Son Dance pays homage to the individuals who helped with homework, stayed up late crafting Halloween and school play costumes, played chauffeur to sports games, and provided support throughout the years.

• Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
• Count on Me - Whitney Houston
• I'll Be There - Mariah Carey
• Tiny Dancer - Elton John
• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler

A wedding isn't just about the happy couple (although it mainly is). It is also about the people that got them there: the friends that introduced the bride and groom, the friends who held back hair after nights of drinking, and the friends who helped keep the couple sane as they planned the wedding. Honor these friends with group dances and dedications that will mean something and create memories.

For the ladies

• Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
• Hey Ladies - Beastie Boys
• Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
• Into the Groove - Madonna
• Lady - Lenny Kravitz

For the gents

• All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down - Hank Williams Jr
• Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks
• Sexyback - Justin Timberlake

Friends & Family

• Friends - Michael W. Smith
• I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts
• We Are Family - Sister Sledge

A wedding is about bringing two people together. A reception is a party to celebrate said couple. The key word here is party. There are some songs like "The Chicken Dance" and "YMCA" that need to be played to get people off their butts and onto the dance floor.

• Boogie Shoes - KC & the Sunshine Band
• Celebration - Kool & the Gang
• Cha-Cha Slide - Mr. C the Slide Man
• Dynamite - Taio Cruz
• Gangnam Style - Psy
• Get this Party Started - Pink
• I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
• Jump Around - House of Pain
• Jump in the Line - Harry Belafonte
• Just Dance - Lady Gaga
• Macarena - Los Del Rio
• Party Rock - LMFAO
• This is Love - Will.I.Am