Congratulations on your engagement! Now it’s time to start building the perfect soundtrack for your special day. Building an appropriate musical playlist for a wedding can be a daunting task.  Special songs such as parent dances can be particularly challenging.

Welcome to the Wedding Music Master Class, updated for 2018. This blog article is published by wedding entertainment specialist Ambient DJ Service. The Wedding Music Master Class is now in its sixth year of publication and contains over 2,000 hand-selected  and field-tested songs.

Who is Ambient DJ Service? Ambient DJ is a New Jersey-based mobile DJ company specializing in weddings.  Music is our business – and our passion!

Regrettably, there are many inferior musical playlists circulating the internet that were not compiled by working wedding professionals. To that end, we are sharing this Master List of our best song ideas for a wedding: from ceremony music, to the reception celebration with lists for Grand Entrance songs, First Dance, Father-Daughter Dance, Mother-Son Dance, Cake Cutting, Bouquet and Garter songs and Grand Finale songs. We also share our Top 100 Songs for a 2017 Wedding, 98 Themed Cocktail Hour playlists, 12 Songs NOT to play at a wedding, 7 Musical Programming Tips for a Wedding, and more. The majority of the songs in this blog were used by our actual clients, while the rest were selected with great care with regards to lyrics, mood and danceability.  To our knowledge, there is no publicly available wedding music resource that is more comprehensive and up-to-date than the Ambient DJ Wedding Music Master Class.

Take a listen to our wedding playlists with the included links on Spotify. We recommend using Spotify as a powerful online resource to help organize your wedding song ideas. Create a free Spotify account, start a playlist, and begin adding your song candidates to it (note: the premium Spotify version at just $9.99 per month (first month free) is even more powerful and is highly recommended for music lovers in particular).

If you find these lists and ideas useful, please share them with a friend by posting on Social Media. You can follow us on Facebook here , on Instagram here , or on Pinterest here. We are a mobile DJ entertainment company servicing New Jersey, New York, Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware with an expertise in weddings. If you are planning a wedding in these areas, please keep us in mind for your special day!

For a wealth of additional planning tips, check out our book available on Amazon “The Bride’s Guide to Selecting the Perfect Wedding DJ”. It is available as either a hard copy or ebook.  Also, special thanks to this year’s cover photo models – bride Jacalyn and groom Tom.  Photos used with their gracious permission.

Now let’s get into the music!  (click on table of content item to jump to that section)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Wedding Ceremony Music – Classical Selections

• Wedding Ceremony Music – Modern Selections

• Grand Entrance Songs

• First Dance Songs – Modern Selections

• First Dance Songs – Classic and Timeless Selections

• First Dance Songs Used by Celebrities

• Father-Daughter Dance

• Mother-Son Dance

• Cake Cutting Songs

• Bouquet & Garter Songs

• Grand Finale Songs

• 100 Songs for a 2017 Wedding

• Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlists

• 25 Songs for a California / West Coast Wedding

• 25 Key Latin Tracks for a Wedding

• 25 Key Country Tracks for a Wedding

• 12 Songs Not to Play at a Wedding

• Tips for Musical Programming at a Wedding

• Wedding Music Power Sets

• About Ambient DJ Service – The New Jersey-based Wedding DJ /Author of this blog

Wedding Ceremony Music – Classical Selections (Prelude or Processional unless otherwise noted)

1. Canon in D – Pachelbel
2. Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major – Bach, performed by Yo-Yo Ma
3. Sleepers Awake – Johann Sebastian Bach
4. Sarabande – Johann Sebastian Bach
5. Air on a G String – Johann Sebastian Bach
6. Gabriel’s Oboe – Ennio Morricone
7. Nimrod (from Enigma Variations) – Edward Elgar
8. Romantic Pieces, Op. 75 (Allegro Moderato) – Antonin Dvorak
9. I Was Glad – Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (used by Prince William & Princess Kate)
10. Spring (from The Four Seasons) – Antonio Vivaldi
11. Bridal Chorus (“Here Comes the Bride”) – Richard Wagner (* do not use for Jewish couples)
12. Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark’s March) – Jeremiah Clarke
13. Trumpet Tune – Henry Purcell
14. La Califfa – Sarah Brightman
15. Nella Fantasia – Ennio Morricone
16. Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy
17. Etude No. 2 – Philip Glass
18. Gymnopedies No. 1 – Erik Satie
19. Highland Cathedral – Phil Coulter (Celtic selection)
20. Alla Hornpipe – G.F. Handel (recessional)
21. Wedding March – Felix Mendelssohn (recessional) (* do not use for Jewish couples)
22. Water Music: Suite No. 2 in D Major – George Frideric Handel (recessional)
23. Scotland the Brave – Boston Pops Orchestra (recessional, Celtic)

To listen to these wedding ceremony song ideas on Spotify, click here.

Wedding Ceremony Music – Modern Selections (Prelude or Processional unless otherwise noted)

1. From the Ground Up – Dan + Shay
2. Songbird – Eva Cassidy
3. Cowboys and Angels – Dustin Lynch
4. Feels Like Home – Chantal Kreviazuk
5. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
6. Like I’m Gonna Lose You (cover) – Jasmine Thompson
7. Love Me Like You Do (cover) – Brooklyn Duo
8. Beautiful in White (cover) – Matt Johnson
9. Tenerife Sea – Ed Sheeran
10. Ribbon in the Sky – Stevie Wonder
11. River Flows in You – Yiruma
12. Variations on the Kanon – George Winston
13. Fairytale – Enya
14. River Flows in You – Yiruma (New Age)
15. Nocturne – Secret Garden (New Age)
16. Love Story – Luc Serra (New Age)
17. First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes
18. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
19. 1, 2, 3, 4  (cover) – Vitamin String Quartet
20. Crazy Little Thing Called Love (cover) – Paul Canning
21. Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
22. Halo – Beyonce
23. A Thousand Years (piano instrumental) – The Piano Guys
24. Bittersweet Symphony (instrumental only) – The Verve
25. God Bless the Broken Road (piano instrumental) – performed by The O’Neill Brothers
26. Angels – Robin Thicke
27. This Ring – T. Carter Music
28. Holocene – Cover Version of Bon Iver performed by Vitamin String Quartet
29. The Prayer (instrumental) – The O’Neill Brothers (candlelighting or sand ceremony)
30. Here We Stand – T. Carter Music (candlelighting or sand ceremony)
31. Over the Rainbow – “Iz” (candelighting or sand ceremony)
32. All You Need is Love – Beatles (recessional)
33. Sugar – Maroon 5 (recessional)
34. Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder (recessional)
35. You’re My Best Friend – Queen (recessional)
36. Love on Top – Beyonce (recessional)
37. Head Over Boots – Jon Pardi (recessional)
38. Everlasting Love (This Will Be) – Natalie Cole (recessional)
39. You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne (recessional)
40. Now That We Found Love – Heavy D. and the Boyz (recessional)
41. Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix) – OMI (recessional)
42. I’m a Believer – Smash Mouth (recessional)
43. Rhythm of Love – Plain White T’s (recessional)

To listen to these wedding ceremony song ideas on Spotify, click here.

Helpful Hints – Looking for a blend of classical and modern? Check out the strings arrangements of classic rock, modern rock, Indie rock and dance music performed by the Vitamin String Quartet (www.vitaminstringquartet.com). For special songs that were custom-written for weddings, visit T. Carter Music or Wedding Music Central. To read Ambient DJ’s interview with Wedding Music Central, click here. To read Ambient DJ’s interview with T. Carter Music, click here.

 

Grand Entrance Songs for Wedding Reception

1. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars (pop/funk)
2. Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake (pop)
3. A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay (pop/dance)
4. Game of Thrones (Armin Van Buuren Remix) – Ramin Djawadi (EDM)
5. Sugar – Maroon 5 (pop)
6. Theme Song from Star Wars (soundtracks)
7. Best Day of My Life – American Authors (pop)
8. On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons (pop)
9. Feel So Close – Calvin Harris (dance/EDM)
10. It Takes Scoop (Mashup) – Fatman Scoop (hip hop)
11. Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon (dance)
12. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson w/ Bruno Mars (pop/funk)
13. Turn up the Speakers – Martin Garrix (EDM)
14. Boneless – Steve Aoki (EDM)
15. Love on Top – Beyonce (R&B)
16. Let’s Go Crazy – Prince (80s)
17. Top Gun Anthem – Harold Faltermeyer (soundtracks)
18. Hell Yes – Beck (alternative)
19. Chank – John Scofield (funky jazz)
20. Booty Swing – Parov Stelar (electro-swing)
21. Happy – Pharrell Williams (pop)
22. Forever – Chris Brown (pop)
23. Marry You – Bruno Mars (pop)
24. Time of Our Lives – Pitbull f/ Ne-Yo (dance)
25. Tremor – Dmitri Vegas, Martin Garrix and Like Mike (EDM)
26. Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO (dance)
27. Pump It Up – Danzel (dance)
28. Bailando (Gregor Salto Remix) – Enrique Iglesias f/ Sean Paul (Latin/Trap)
29. Now That We Found Love – Heavy D. and the Boyz (90s/dance)
30. Paper Planes – M.I.A. (alternative)
31. You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates (80s)
32. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole (soul)
33. I Blame You – Ledisi (R&B)
34. When Love Takes Over – David Guetta f/Kelly Rowland (dance)
35. Thunderstruck – AC/DC (rock)
36. I Believe in a Thing Called Love – The Darkness (modern rock)
37. The Final Countdown – Europe (80s glam rock)
38. Let’s Get Married (Remix f/ Reverend Run) – Jagged Edge (R&B)
39. Bring ‘Em Out – T.I. (hip hop)
40. Beautiful Day – U2 (rock)
41. Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts (country)
42. Theme Song from Pirates of the Caribbean (soundtracks)
43. Theme Song from the Avengers (soundtracks)
44. Sirius – Alan Parsons Project (i.e. Chicago Bulls theme song)
45. Heavy Action – Johnny Pearson (i.e. Monday Night football theme song)
46. Fox Football Theme – Twilight Trio (sports)
47. Watch Me – Silento (urban line dance)
48. Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix) – OMI (pop/Caribbean)
49. Viva La Vida – Coldplay (modern rock)
50. Welcome to the Jungle – Guns and Roses (rock)
51. We Will Rock You – Queen (rock)
52. Levels – Avicii (EDM)
53. My House – Flo Rida (pop)

To listen to these wedding grand entrance song ideas on Spotify, click here.

 

First Dance Songs – Modern or Alternative Selections

1. Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur (acoustic)
2. Perfect – Ed Sheeran (pop)
3. Tennesse Whiskey – Chris Stapleton (country)
4. Never Tear Us Apart – INXS (80s)
5. Die a Happy Man – Thomas Rhett (country)
6. From the Ground Up – Dan + Shay (wedding)
7. Forever Like That – Ben Rector (acoustic)
8. In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young (country)
9. Perfect – Sara Evans (country)
10. How Would You Feel (Paean) – Ed Sheeran (pop)
11. The Nearness of You – Norah Jones (jazz ballad)
12. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding (pop)
13. Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meghan Trainor & John Legend (pop)
14. All of Me – John Legend (R&B)
15. You are My Starship – Norman Connors (soul)
16. Baby I’m Yours – Shai (R&B)
17. Everytime I Close My Eyes – Babyface  & Mariah Carey (R&B)
18. Angel of Mine – Monica (R&B)
19. Your Love is King – Sade (jazz / R&B)
20. Best of Me – Anthony Hamilton (R&B)
21. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green (soul)
22. I Will Be There – Odessa (indie)
23. Sea of Love – Cat Power (indie)
24. Maps – The Yeah Yeahs (indie)
25. Cinema (cover) – Jason Evigan (ballad)
26. Last Night on Earth – Green Day (punk)
27. Love Like You – Steven Universe (soundtrack)
28. Love You ‘Till the End – The Pogues (alternative rock)
29. Grow Old With Me – The Postal Service (indie)
30. Hey Pretty Girl – Kip Moore (country)
31. Whatever It Is – Zac Brown Band (country)
32. Best Friend – Jason Mraz (pop)
33. Marry You – Train (pop)
34. I Choose You – Sara Bareilles (pop)
35. You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne (folk rock)
36. Wanted – Hunter Hayes (country)
37. The Book of Love – Peter Gabriel (singer/songwriter)
38. A Thousand Years – Christina Perri (pop)
39. Just a Kiss – Lady Antebellum (country)
40. God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton (country)
41. Me and You – Kenny Chesney (country)
42. Smile – Uncle Kracker (pop)
43. Cheerleader – OMI (Reggae/Tropical)
44. Fade Into You – Mazzy Star (alternative rock)
45. Such Great Heights – Iron & Wine (alternative)
46. First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes (alternative)
47. I Only Have Eyes for You – Jamie Cullum (cover)
48. Count on Me – Bruno Mars (pop)
49. True Companion – Marc Cohn (folk rock)
50. I Don’t Dance – Lee Brice (country)
51. Mean to Me – Brett Eldredge (country)
52. Head Over Heels – Rascal Flatts (country)
53. Love Never Fails – Brandon Heath (acoustic)
54. Of Crows and Crowns – Dustin Kensrue (Christian)
55. You and Me – Lifehouse (modern rock)
56. Tangled Up in You – Staind (rock)
57. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz (pop rock)
58. Better Together – Jack Johnson (folk rock)
59. I’ll Be – Edwin McCain (pop rock)
60. Low Light – Pearl Jam (rock)
61. Two Luv Birds – Robin Thicke (R&B)
62. By Your Side – Sade (R&B)
63. No One – Alicia Keys (R&B)
64. Stay With You – John Legend (R&B)
65. Suddenly – Adriana Evans (R&B)
66. Come Away With Me – Norah Jones (adult contemporary)
67. The Way You Look Tonight – Michael Buble (modern crooner)
68. Fallen – Lauren Wood (from Pretty Woman sountrack)
69. Lovesong – The Cure, or 311 (80s/New Wave)
70. The Way I Am – Ingrid Michaelson (indie folk)
71. This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) – The Talking Heads (for stripped down acoustic version, check out Shawn Colvin’s rendition) (80s/New Wave)
72. All Mine – Portishead (electronic downtempo)
73. Angels – The XX (electronic downtempo)
74. Holocene – Bon Iver (indie rock)
75. The Luckiest – Ben Folds (pop rock)
76. My Favourite Book – Stars (indie pop)
77. Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley (acoustic rock)
78. I Could Not Ask for More – Edwin McCain (pop rock)
79. When the Stars Go Blue – Ryan Adams (indie)
80. I Will Follow You Into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie (indie)
81. History in the Making – Darius Rucker (country)

To listen to these modern first dance song ideas on Spotify, click here.

First Dance Songs – Traditional and Timeless Selections

1. When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge (soul)
2. My One and Only Love – John Coltrane w/ Johnny Hartman (jazz/vocalist)
3. Little Trip to Heaven – Tom Waits (jazz/vocalist)
4. You Make Me Feel Brand New – The Stylistics (soul)
5. The Closer I Get to You – Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway (soul)
6. These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding (soul)
7. It Had To Be You – Harry Connick, Jr. (jazz/big band)
8. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra (big band) or Tony Bennett (ballad)
9. Crazy Love – Van Morrison (acoustic rock)
10. My Baby Just Cares for Me – Nina Simone (soul)
11. I Will – The Beatles (pop rock)
12. Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts (country)
13. Amazed – Lonestar (country)
14. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton (rock)
15. I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders (rock)
16. Love of a Lifetime – Firehouse (rock)
17. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis (oldies)
18. Faithfully – Journey (rock)
19. Heaven – Bryan Adams (80s)
20. I Will Be Here – Steven Curtis Chapman (Christian)
21. Songbird – Eva Cassidy (singer-songwriter)
22. Don’t Want To Miss a Thing – Aerosmith (rock)
23. I Want to Know What Love is – Foreigner (rock)
24. Is This Love – Bob Marley (reggae)
25. Little Wing – Jimi Hendrix (classic rock)
26. At Last – Etta James (soul)
27. Always and Forever – Heatwave (R&B)
28. All My Life – K.C. and Jojo (R&B)
29. Through the Fire – Chaka Khan (R&B)
30. Here and Now – Luther Vandross (R&B)
31. One in a Million You – Larry Graham (R&B)
32. Ribbon in the Sky – Stevie Wonder (R&B)
33. For Once in My Live – Stevie Wonder (R&B / soul)
34. From This Moment – Shania Twain w/Bryan White (country)
35. It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill (country)
36. I Cross My Heart – George Strait (country)
37. I Swear – John Michael Montgomery (country)
38. How Deep is Your Love – The Bee Gees (disco/soft rock)
39. I Just Want to Be Your Everything – Andy Gibb (disco/soft rock)
40. Crazy for You – Madonna (80s)
41. Lost in Love – Air Supply (soft rock)
42. Into the Mystic – Van Morrison (soft rock)
43. Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers (oldies)
44. We Have All the Time in the World – Louis Armstrong (jazz/vocalist)
45. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons – Nat King Cole (crooners)
46. Follow You, Follow Me – Genesis (pop)

To listen to these classic first dance song ideas on Spotify, click here.

First Dance Songs -Used by Celebrities

1. Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanion – “Beauty & the Beast” (Tale as Old as Time) – soundtrack – into “If I Can’t Have You” – Yvonne Elliman
2.  David Tutera and Joey Toth  – “Rise Up” – Andra Day
3. Idina Menzel and Aaron Lohr – “Por una Cabeza” (from Scent of a Woman) – Gerardo Matos Rodriguez
4. Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux – “Chandelier” – Sia (live performance)
5. Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt – “It Had to Be You” – Frank Sinatra
6. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia deRossi – “Ribbon in the Sky” – Stevie Wonder
7. Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odum – “Angel” – Anita Baker
8. Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto – “On the Ocean” – K’Jon
9. John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette – “Forever in My Life” – Prince
10. John F. Kennedy and Jackie O. – “I Married an Angel” – performed by The Meyer Davis Orchestra at the Waldorf Astoria, NYC
11. Prince William and Princess Kate – “Your Song” by Elton John, performed live by Ellie Goulding
12. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama – “You and I” – Stevie Wonder
13. Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz – “First Day of My Life” – Bright Eyes
14. Reese Witherspoon and Jim Tosh – “Make You Feel My Love” – Bob Dylan
15. Shannen Doherty and Kurt Iswarienko – “My Baby Just Cares for Me” – Nina Simone
16. Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman – “No One’s Gonna Love You” – Band of Horses
17. Fergie and Josh Duhamel – “Sweethearts Together” – The Rolling Stones
18. Ivanka Trump and Jason Kushner – “This Years’ Love” – David Gray
19. Michael Buble and Luisano Lopilato – “Everybody Loves Somebody” – Dean Martin
20. LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian – “When It Don’t Come Easy” – Patti Griffin
21. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban – “At Last” – Etta James
22. Shania Twain and Frederic Thiebauld – “I’m Your Man” – Michael Buble
23. Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton – “No Doubt About It” – Neal McCoy
24. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes – “Songbird” – Fleetwood Mac
25. Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards – “Open Arms” – Journey
26. Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan – “Last Night on Earth” – Green Day
27. Katherine Heigl & Josh Kelley – “Heavenly Day” – Patti Griffin
28. Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott – “Amazed” – Lonestar
29. Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher – “Love Never Fails” – Brandon Heath
30. George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin – “Why Shouldn’t I? – Cole Porter

To listen to these celebrity first dance songs on Spotify, click here.

Father-Daughter Dance

1. Dance With My Daughter – Jason Blaine (country)
2. Father & Daughter – Paul Simon (folk rock)
3. Daddy Dance With Me – Krystal Keith (country) (for alternate version, try Krystal’s duet with Christopher Keith)
4. Daddy Dance with Me – Christopher Keith (yes, it’s a separate and distinct version)
5. I Loved Her First – Heartland (country)
6. Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman (vocalist)
7. Tupelo Honey – Van Morrison (singer songwriter)
8. Walk With You – Edwin McCain (acoustic rock)
9. My Little Girl – Tim McGraw (country)
10. Stealing Cinderella – Chuck Wicks (country)
11. Mom – Garth Brooks (country)
12. Ready, Set, Don’t Go – Billy Ray Cyrus (country)
13. Just Fishin’ – Trace Adkins (country)
14. Daddy’s Angel – T. Carter (Wedding/Country)
15. Dad, You’re My Hero – Teresa James (Wedding)
16. Daddy’s Little Girl – Michael Buble or Al Martino (vocalists)
17. When You Need Me – Bruce Springsteen (singer/songwriter)
18. I Believe in Happy Endings – Neil Diamond (vocalists)
19. Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion (vocalists)
20. Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle (Christian)
21. Daughters – John Mayer (pop)
22. Daughter – Loudon Wainwright III (folk)
23. My Little Girl – Steve Kirwan (wedding)
24. Gracie – Ben Folds (singer/songwriter)
25. Time in a Bottle – Jim Croce (singer/songwriter)
26. If It Wasn’t For Your Love – Heather Headley
27. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – “Iz” (Acoustic/Hawaiian)
28. Look to the Rainbow – Astrud Gilberto (Brazilian/International)
29. Tu Guardian – Juanes (Latin)
30. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban (classical)
31. Unforgettable – Natalie Cole w/Nat King Cole (wedding classic)
32. Daddy – Beyonce (R&B)
33. Ballerina Girl – Lionel Ritchie (80s ballad)
34. Isn’t She Lovely -Stevie Wonder (soul) (note: we recommend editing out the intro section with crying baby)
35. My Girl – The Temptations (Motown/Soul)
36. Wildflowers – Tom Petty (acoustic rock)
37. Father-Daughter – Michael Bolton (singer/songwriter)

To listen to these Father-Daughter song ideas on Spotify, click here.  Note: some of these songs were composed specifically for weddings and must be purchased from artist websites.

Mother-Son Dance

1. Never Alone – Jim Brickman f/ Lady Antebellum w/ Hillary Scott
2. Loves Me Like a Rock – Paul Simon (folk rock)
3. Mama – Lunchmoney Lewis (upbeat pop, fun song!)
4. All to You – DJ Keo (country)
5. My Wish – Rascal Flatts (country)
6. Stand By Me – Ben E. King (soul)
7. A Mother’s Song- T. Carter Music (wedding/country)
8. On This Day – Christian Barnes (wedding)
9. Mom – Garth Brooks (country)
10. Humble and Kind – Tim McGraw (country)
11. Don’t Blink – Kenny Chesney (country)
12. I’ll Always Love My Mama – The Intruders (R&B/Soul)
13. There You’ll Be – Faith Hill (country)
14. Singing a Song for My Mother – Bohannon (R&B/Soul)
15. A Song for Mama – Boyz II Men (R&B/Soul)
16. You Raise Me Up – Josh Groban (classical)
17. I Wish You Love – Luke Higgins (acoustic)
18. Close to You – The Carpenters (soft rock)
19. Child of Mine – Carole King (folk)
20. Song for My Son – Mikki Viereck (wedding)
21. It Happens in a Heartbeat – Teresa James (wedding)
22. The Man You’ve Become – Molly Pasutti (wedding)
23. You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Randy Newman w/Lyle Lovett (Disney)
24. The Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler (vocalist)
25. I Hope You Dance – LeAnn Womack (country)
26. Through the Years – Kenny Rogers (country)
27. The Circle Game – Joni Mitchell (folk)
28. Mae Querida – Tony Carreira (Portuguese)
29. You’ll Be in My Heart – Phil Collins (pop)
30. Happy Everafter In Your Eyes – Ben Harper (singer/songwriter)
31. Forever Young – Alphaville (80s)
32. Simple Man – Lynrd Skynrd (southern rock) or Shinedown (hard rock)
33. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong (classic)
34. High Tide or Low Tide – Bob Marley (reggae)
35. Baby Mine – Bette Midler (vocalist)
36. The Perfect Fan – Backstreet Boys (Boy Band)
37. Can’t Smile WIthout You – Barry Manilow (vocalist)

To listen to these Mother-Son song ideas on Spotify, click here.  Note: some of these songs were composed specifically for weddings and must be purchased from artist websites.

Cake Cutting Songs

1. Sugar, Sugar – The Archies (oldies)
2. Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups (oldies)
3. Sugar – Maroon 5 (pop)
4. Cake by the Ocean – DNCE (pop)
5. Everlasting Love (This Must Be) – Natalie Cole (R&B/soul)
6. L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole (R&B/soul)
7. Theme from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – Ennio Morricone (soundtracks)
8. Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar (80s)
9. I Want Candy – The Bow Wow Wow (80s)
10. Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard (80s rock)
11. Lips Like Sugar – Echo & the Bunnymen (80s/New Wave)
12. Silly Love Songs – Paul McCartney & Wings (pop)
13. I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher (60s)
14. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) – Marvin Gaye or James Taylor (R&B/soft rock)
15. For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder (Soul)
16. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – The Four Tops (Motown)
17. When I’m 64 – The Beatles (pop)
18. Love is Strange – Mickey & Sylvia (oldies)
19. Cut the Cake – Average White Band (disco)
20. Candy – Cameo (funk)
21. Wanna Grow Old with You – Adam Sandler (soundtrack)
22. Super Mario Brothers Theme Song (soundtrack)
23. Eat It – ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic (song parody)
24. Candyman – Christina Aguilera (pop)
25. Candy Girl – New Edition (R&B)
26. Marry You – Bruno Mars (pop)
27. Lucky – Jason Mraz f/ Colbie Caillat (pop)
28. I Do – Colbie Caillat (pop)
29. 1,2,3,4 – Plain White Tees (pop)
30. Safe and Sound – Capital Cities (modern)
31. Firecracker – Josh Turner (country)
32. Honey Bee – Blake Shelton (country)
33. Say Hey, I Love You – Michael Franti (dance)
34. My Favourite Book – Stars (alternative)
35. No One’s Gonna Love You – Band of Horses (alternative)
36. Rain or Shine – Matthew Perryman Jones (rock)
37. Love and Marriage – Frank Sinatra (vocalist)
38. It Had to Be You – Harry Connick, Jr. (big band/vocalist)
39. Everything – Michael Buble (vocalist)
40. Ice Cream – Sara McLachlan (vocalist)
41. Marshmallow World – Dean Martin (crooner)
42. Candy – Mandy Moore (pop)
43. The Sweetest Love – Robin Thicke (R&B)
44. By Your Side – Sade (R&B)
45. The Power of Love/Love Power – Luther Vandross (R&B)
46. Love Light in Flight – Stevie Wonder (R&B)
47. P.D.A. (We Just Don’t Care) – John Legend (R&B)
48. Birthday Cake – Rihanna (R&B) (note: loop chorus only… other lyrics are inappropriate!)
49. Dearest (cover) – The Black Keys (rock)
50. Spin Spin Sugar (Armand Van Helden Remix) – Sneaker Pimps (electronic)
51. Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen (rock)
52. You’re My Best Friend – Queen (rock)

To listen to these Cake Cutting song ideas on Spotify, click here.

Bouquet & Garter Ceremony

1. Single Ladies – Beyonce (Bouquet Toss)
2. Dear Future Husband – Meghan Trainor (Bouquet Toss)
3. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper (Bouquet Toss)
4. Country Girl, Shake It – Luke Bryan (Bouquet Toss)
5. Little White Church – Little Big Town (Bouquet Toss or Grand Finale)
6. Haven’t Met You Yet – Michael Buble (Bouquet Toss)
7. Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison (Bouquet Toss)
8. Run the World (Girls) – Beyonce (Bouquet Toss)
9. Girls, Girls, Girls – Motley Crue (Bouquet Toss)
10. Maneater – Nelly Furtado (Bouquet Toss)
11. Where Them Girls At – Flo Rida, David Guetta and Nicki Minaj (Bouquet Toss)
12. Holding Out for a Hero – Bonnie Tyler (Bouquet Toss)
13. American Woman – Lenny Kravitz (Bouquet Toss)
14. Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups (Bouquet Toss)
15. Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani (Bouquet Toss)
16. Theme from Mission Impossible (Garter Removal)
17. Filthy – Justin Timberlake (Garter Removal or Grand Finale)
18. I’m Too Sexy (Touch this Skin) – Black Stereo Faith (Garter Removal or Grand Finale)
19. Bad Things (from First Blood) – Jace Everett (Garter Removal)
20. Legs – ZZ Top (Garter Removal)
21. The Stripper – Traditional (Garter Removal)
22. Pink Panther Theme Song (Garter Removal)
23. Foxey Lady – Jimi Hendrix (Garter Removal)
24. You Can Leave Your Hat On – Joe Cocker (Garter Removal)
25. Theme from the movie Jaws (Garter Removal)
26. Hot Legs – Rod Stewart (Garter Removal)
27. The Man – Aloe Blacc (Garter Toss)
28. Death of a Bachelor – Panic! at the Disco (Garter Toss)
29. Danger Zone – Kenny Loggins (Garter Toss)
30. Peter Gunn – The Blues Brothers (Garter Toss)
31. Theme from Rocky – Rocky Orchestra (Garter Toss)
32. Oh Yeah (Yello) – from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Garter Toss)
33. Bad Boys – Inner Circle (Garter Toss)
34. Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top (Garter Toss)
35. The Boys are Back in Town – Thin Lizzy (Garter Toss)
36. Bad to the Bone – George Thorogood (Garter Toss)
37. Big Pimpin’ – Jay-Z (Garter Toss)
38. Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf (Garter Toss)
39. Another One Bites the Dust – Queen (Grand Finale)
40. Keep Your Hands to Yourself – The Georgia Satellites (Grand Finale)
41. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke (Grand Finale)
42. Let’s Get it On – Marvin Gaye (Grand Finale)
43. You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate (Grand Finale)
44. Marvin Gaye – Charlie Puth f/ Meghan Trainor (Grand Finale)
45. I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred (Grand Finale)
46. Sensual Seduction – Snoop Dogg (Grand Finale)
47. Bump n’ Grind – R. Kelly (Grand Finale)
48. I Wanna Sex You Up – Color Me Badd (Grand Finale)
49. The Distance – Cake (Grand Finale)
50. Pony – Ginuwine (Grand Finale)
51. Hot in Herre – Nelly (Grand Finale)
52. Cherry Pie – Warrant (Grand Finale)
53. Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO (Grand Finale)
54. Wild Thing – Tone Loc (Grand Finale)
55. Whoomp! (There It is Is) – Tag Team (Grand Finale)
56. Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? – Rod Stewart (Grand Finale)

To listen to these Bouquet and Garter song ideas on Spotify, click here.

Grand Finale (Final Song of Reception)

1. Save the Last Dance for Me – Michael Buble (contemporary)
2. (I’ve Had the) Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (soundtracks)
3. Time (the Dirty Bit) – The Black Eyed Peas (modern dance)
4. One More Time – Daft Punk (electronic dance)
5. Piano Man – Billy Joel (singer/songwriter)
6. Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker (country)
7. Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks (country)
8. Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John (soundtracks)
9. Die a Happy Man – Thomas Rhett (country)
10. New York, New York – Frank Sinatra (crooners)
11. Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z w/ Alicia Keys (hip hop/R&B)
12. Party Till We Die – MAKJ & Timmy Trumpet (EDM)
13. Tremor – Dmitri Vegas, Martin Garrix and Like Mike (EDM)
14. Sandstorm – Darude (EDM)
15. Let’s Get Married (Remix) – Jagged Edge with Reverend Run from Run-D.M.C. (R&B)
16. Times of Your Life (Good Riddance) – Green Day (punk rock)
17. Take Me Home Tonight – Eddie Money (80s rock)
18. Your Love – The Outfield (80s rock)
19. This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads (80s/New Wave)
20. Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight – The Spaniels (oldies)
21. Shower the People (live version) – James Taylor (folk rock)
22. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton (soft rock)
23. At Last – Etta James (soul)
24. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa f/ Charlie Puth (pop / hip hop)
25. Amazed – Lonestar (country)
26. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (rock)
27. Closing Time – Semisonic (rock)
28. We Are Young – Fun w/ Janelle Monae (pop)
29. Save Tonight – Eagle Eye Cherry (rock)
30. Home – Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (alternative rock)
31. Send Me On My Way – Rusted Root (alternative rock)
32. Glory Days – Bruce Springsteen (rock)
33. Don’t Stop Believing- Journey (rock)
34. Last Dance – Donna Summer… for a modern day twist, try the Masters at Work Remix which gives the original a smooth house treatment (disco/house)
35. Please Don’t Go – KWS (freestyle)
36. Don’t Stop the Party – Pitbull f/ TJR (modern dance)
37. Feel This Moment – Pitbull f/ Christina Aguilera (modern dance)

To listen to these Grand Finale song ideas on Spotify, click here.

100 Songs for a 2018 Wedding (Mixed Genres) (compiled by DJ Iron Mike and DJ Gregg Ambient)

1. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars (pop/funk)
2. Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake (pop)
3. Rescue Me – Fontella Bass (soul)
4. Just One Look – Doris Troy (soul)
5. Come and Get Your Love – Redbone (rock)
6. Do Wah Diddy – Manfred Man (oldies)
7. Here I Am (Come and Take Me) – Al Green (soul)
8. Land of 1,000 Dances – Wilson Pickett (soul)
9. Get Ready – The Temptations (Motown)
10. Nowhere to Run – Martha Reeves & the Vandellas (Motown)
11. Respect – Aretha Franklin (Motown)
12. I Just Want to Celebrate – Rare Earth (Motown)
13. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops (Motown)
14. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (Motown)
15. Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker or Old Crow Medicine Show (country)
16. Body Like a Back Road – Sam Hunt (country)
17. Honey, I’m Good – Andy Grammer (pop/country)
18. Island Song – Zac Brown Band (country)
19. Perfect – Ed Sheeran (pop ballad)
20. Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton (country ballad)
21. Versace on the Floor – Bruno Mars (R&B)
22. Death of a Bachelor – Panic! at the Disco (alternative rock)
23. Dani California – Red Hot Chili Peppers (modern rock)
24. HandClap – Fitz and the Tantrums (alternative rock)
25. Could You be Loved – Bob Marley (reggae)
26. Tempted to Touch – Rupee (dancehall reggae)
27. Turn Me on – Kevin Lyttle (dancehall reggae/soca/calypso)
28. Temperature – Sean Paul (dancehall reggae)
29. Apache – Sugarhill Gang (old skool)
30. Planet Rocket – Afrika Bamaataa & the Soul Sonic Force (old skool)
31. Cupid Shuffle – Cupid (line dance)
32. The Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper (line dance)
33. Stayin’ Alive – The Bee Gees
34. You to Me are Everything – The Real Thing (disco)
35. Keep it Comin’ Love – KC & the Sunshine Band (disco)
36. September – Earth, Wind & Fire (disco)
37. Do You Wanna Funk – Sylvester (disco/funk)
38. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) – Michael Jackson (disco)
39. Super Freak – Rick James (funk)
40. Spice Up Your Life – The Spice Girls (90s)
41. Hey Mr. D.J. – Zhane (90s)
42. Fired Up! – Funky Green Dogs (90s)
43. Make the World Go Round – Sandy B. (90s)
44. Finesse – Bruno Mars w/ Cardi B (pop/dance)
45. Runaround Sue – Dion (oldies)
46. Twist and Shout – The Beatles (60s rock)
47. Beyond the Sea – Bobby Darin (oldies)
48. Duke of Earl – Gene Chandler (doo wop / oldies)
49. I Only Have Eyes for You – The Flamingos (ballad)
50. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra (crooners)
51. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green (soul)
52. At Last – Etta James (soul)
53. Die a Happy Man – Thomas Rhett (country)
54. I’ll Always Love You – Tito Nieves (salsa)
55. Despacito (Remix) – Luis Fonsi w/ Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber (Latin pop)
56. Havana – Camila Cabello w/ Young Thug (pop)
57. Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony (salsa)
58. Mi Gente – J. Balvin w/ Willy William (reggaeton)
59. La Vida Es Un Carnaval – Celia Cruz (salsa)
60. Doe Locos – Monchy & Alexandra (bachata)
61. Mi Reina – La Makina (merengue)
62. Dos Locos – Monchy & Alexandra (bachata)
63. Mi Ultima Carta – Prince Royce (bachata)
64. Mi Reina – La Makina (merengue)
65. Guallando – Fulanito (merengue)
66. Danza Kuduro – Don Omar (Latin dance / Merengue)
67. Bailar – Deorro with Pitbull & Elvis Crespo (EDM / Merengue)
68. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones (classic rock)
69. American Girl – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (classic rock)
70. Holiday – Madonna (80s)
71. How Will I Know – Whitney Houston (80s)
72. What is Love – Haddaway (90s)
73. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham! (80s)
74. Higher Love – Steve Winwood (80s)
75. Head Over Heels – Tears for Fears (80s)
76. Stars – Simply Red
77. I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5 (soul)
78. Let Me Clear My Throat – DJ Kool (old skool)
79. No Diggity – Blackstreet f/ Dr. Dre (R&B)
80. Hypnotize – The Notorious B.I.G. (hip hop)
81. In Da Club – 50 Cent (hip hop)
82. Ignition (remix) – R. Kelly (R&B)
83. Fantasy – Mariah Carey w/ Ol’ Dirty Bastard (R&B)
84. Too Close – Next (R&B)
85. Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison (R&B)
86. Real Love (remix) – Mary J. Blige (R&B)
87. Ride Wit Me – Nelly (hip hop)
88. Scenario – A Tribe Called Quest (hip hop)
89. Party in the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus (pop)
90. Shake it Off – Taylor Swift (pop)
91. One Dance – Drake w/ Wizkid and Kyla (R&B)
92. This Girl (Kungs vs. Cookin’ on 3 Burners) – Kungs (dance)
93. Fireball – Pitbull (Latin/Dance)
94. This is What You Came For – Calvin Harris w/ Rihanna (EDM)
95. Closer – The Chainsmokers (EDM)
96. Shouts (Parts 1 and 2) – The Isley Brothers (soul)
97. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond (sing-along)
98. Party Till We Die – MAKJ and Timmy Trumpet (EDM peak hour)
99. I Love It (Tiesto’s Club Life Remix) – Icona Pop (EDM peak hour)
100. Game of Thrones (Armin Van Buuren Remix) – Ramin Djawadi (EDM)

To listen to these Top 100 wedding song ideas for 2018 on Spotify, click here.

The Ambient DJ Service Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist Menu

The list below features the name/theme of the Cocktail Hour Mix, the selected accompanying cocktail, and the DJ who created the playlist in parentheses. Access the individual blog entries/playlists by clicking on the links.

1. Alternative Rock Cocktail Hour, Craft Beer (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
2. The Quintessentially Mixed Cocktail Hour, Long Island Iced Tea (DJ AQ). Click here.
3. Good Vibes Cocktail Hour, Pina Colada (DJ Iron Mike). Click here.
4. Head to Shoulder Dip Cocktail Hour, Hairy Navel (DJ Gary G). Click here.
5. Retro Soul Cocktail Hour, Ciroc Havana Coconut Martini (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
6. Smooth Sail Cocktail Hour, Malibu Bay Breeze (DJ Mike K). Click here.
7. Back to the Eighties Cocktail Hour, Midori Sour (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
8. Beach Themed Cocktail Hour, Red Stripe Beer (DJ Spinz). Click here.
9. Classic Wedding Cocktail Hour, Tanqueray & Tonic (DJ Garrett B.). Click here.
10. International Excursions Wedding Cocktail Hour, Sangria (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
11. Country Wedding Cocktail Hour, Manhattan (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
12. Crooners Wedding Cocktail Hour, Jack Daniels on the Rocks with a Splash of Water (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
13. Chanteuse Wedding Cocktail Hour, The White Lady (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
14. TV Theme Songs Wedding Cocktail Hour, Coca-Cola with a side of Popcorn (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
15. Christmas Wedding Cocktail Hour, Eggnog (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
16. Boardwalk Empire / Great Gatsby Wedding Cocktail Hour, Rum Punch for a Crowd (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
17. Classic R&B Wedding Cocktail Hour, Ciroc Blue Ocean (DJ Iron Mike). Click here.
18. James Bond Wedding Cocktail Hour, Vespa Martini that is shaken not stirred! (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
19. Valentines Wedding Cocktail Hour, Godiva Chocolate Martini (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
20. Miami Vice Wedding Cocktail Hour, Cuba Libre (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
21. The “Super Happy Hour” Wedding Cocktail Hour, The Bob Marley (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
22. The Brazilian Wedding Cocktail Hour, Caipirinha (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
23. The New Jersey Homegrown Wedding Cocktail Hour, Boat Beer (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
24. The French Connection Wedding Cocktail Hour, 2010 Chateau Canon-la-Gaffeliere St. Emilion (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
25. The Disco Love Wedding Cocktail Hour, Sloe Gin Fizz (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
26. The Super Funky Soul Wedding Cocktail Hour, Funky Cold Medina (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
27. The Acid Jazz Wedding Cocktail Hour, Gimlet (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
28. The 70s Soft Rock Wedding Cocktail Hour, Miller High Life (DJ Iron Mike). Click here.
29. The New York State of Mind Wedding Cocktail Hour, Bronx Martini (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
30. The Disney Wedding Cocktail Hour, Vibrant Orange Juice Frosty (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
31. The Summer Pop Wedding Cocktail Hour, Jameson & Ginger Ale (DJ Spinz). Click here.
32. The Colorful Wedding Cocktail Hour, Shot of Goldschlager (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
33. The Inspiring Women of Music Wedding Cocktail Hour, Brandy Alexander (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
34. The Psychedelic Wedding Cocktail Hour, Death in the Afternoon (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
35. The Surf’s Up Wedding Cocktail Hour, Italian Surfer (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
36. The 90s Grunge Rock Wedding Cocktail Hour, Whiskey Sour (Guest bloggers Pash & David). Click here.
37. The “Nice and Easy” Wedding Cocktail Hour, Dirty Martini (DJ Greg Nice). Click here.
38. The All Beatles Wedding Cocktail Hour, Bass Ale (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
39. The Savannah Southern Charm Wedding Cocktail Hour, Sweet Tea Vodka Lemonade Mojito (Guest Blogger Cindy Brown). Click here.
40. The All Covers Version Wedding Cocktail Hour (Volume 1) , Tecate Beer (Team Ambient ). Click here.
41. The Giants of Jazz Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , The Jazz Martini (DJ Gregg Ambient ). Click here.
42. The Smooth Jazz Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Kahlua & Cream (DJ Gregg Ambient ). Click here.
43. The Vintage Soul Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Old-Fashioned (Guest Blogger DJ Ali Gruber ). Click here.
44. The Acquired Taste Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Fernet Branca (Guest Blogger DJ Toad). Click here.
45. The Jamaican Love Song Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Hummingbird (DJ Jazz). Click here.
46. The Motown Wedding Cocktail Hour, The Last Word (DJ Spinz) . Click here.
47. The All-Broadway Wedding Cocktail Hour, Fuzz Greyhound (Guest Bloggers Kris Longwell and Wesley Loon) . Click here.
48. The Fifty Shades of Grey Wedding Cocktail Hour, Bollinger La Grande Annee Rose (1999) (DJ Gregg Ambient) . Click here.
49. The Hip Hop Wedding Cocktail Hour, Cristal Champagne (DJ Iron Mike) . Click here.
50. The Tropical Trade Winds Wedding Cocktail Hour, Barbados Rum Punch (DJ Marti Gras) . Click here.
51. The Reggae Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Red Stripe Beer/ Dirty Banana Cocktail (DJ Sully) . Click here.
52. The Mellow Country Rock Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Cherry Coke & Cola (DJ Gregg Ambient) . Click here.
53. The Space Travelers Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Astronaut (DJ Gregg Ambient) . Click here.
54. The Freestyle Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Dark and Stormy (DJ Iron Mike) . Click here.
55. The African Safari Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Castle Lager Beer (DJ Gregg Ambient) . Click here.
56. The Sunset Sessions Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Mojito (Guest Blogger, DJ Troy Michael via Hawaii) . Click here.
57. The 70s Soft Rock Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist – Volume 2 , Scotch on the Rocks (DJ Iron Mike) . Click here.
58. The Bar Life Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Margarita (DJ Gregg Ambient) . Click here.
59. The New Orleans Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Hurricane (DJ Gregg Ambient) . Click here.
60. The Classy Covers Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Southern Revival (DJ Spinz) . Click here.
61. The Blues Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Blonde Manhattan (DJ Marti Gras) . Click here.
62. The 80s 90s Something Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Bottle of Zima (DJ Gregg Ambient) . Click here.
63. The “Lush” Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Botanist Cocktail (DJ Cloak Dagger) . Click here.
64. The Boy Bands Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist (Volume One) , Bubble Martini (DJ Iron Mike) . Click here.
65. The New Years Eve Style Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne (DJ Gregg Ambient) . Click here.
66. The Valentines Day Wedding Cocktail Hour (Volume 2), Frangelico on the Rocks (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
67. The New Age Wedding Cocktail Hour (Volume 1), Maple Breakfast Stout (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
68. The 420 High Times Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Summer Shandy beer (Joint DJ Collaboration).  Click here.
69. The Bossa Chill Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Caipirinha (DJ Dre Ovalle).  Click here.
70. The Fourth of July Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Bottle of Budweiser (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
71. The Vineyard Vibes Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist, Bottle of 2012 St. Eden Vineyards Chardonnay (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
72. The 60s Gold Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist , Zombie (DJ Gregg Ambient). Click here.
73. The 1990s R&B Wedding Cocktail Hour, Espresso Martini (DJ Iron Mike). Click here.
74. The “Cool, Relax” Wedding Cocktail Hour, Basilico (DJ Statle). Click here.
75. The A List B-Side Wedding Cocktail Hour, Black Russian (guest blogger Darrell Gartrell). Click here.
76. The Stone Cold Soul Wedding Cocktail Hour, Laid Back (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
77. The Bar Rock Wedding Cocktail Hour, Bloody Mary (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
78. The Disco Love Wedding Cocktail Hour, Singapore Sling (DJ Iron Mike).  Click here.
79. The Far East Wedding Cocktail Hour, Suntory Whiskey on the rocks (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
80. The Doo-Wop Wedding Cocktail Hour, Tom Collins (DJ Iron Mike).  Click here.
81. The Spa Sessions Wedding Cocktail Hour, Serendipi-Tea (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
82. The Fashion Show Wedding Cocktail Hour, Negroni (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
83. The All Trumpet Wedding Cocktail Hour, Sparkling French Martini (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
84. The Fine Day to Say “I Do” Wedding Cocktail Hour, Aperol Spritz (DJ Linda Leigh). Click here.
85. The International Excursions Wedding Cocktail Hour (Volume 2), Aguardiente Sour (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
86. The 80s Power Ballad Wedding Cocktail Hour, Bartyles & James Wine Cooler (Gregg Ambient). Click here.
87. The Indie Folk Wedding Cocktail Hour, Hippie Juice served in Mason Jar (DJ Marti Gras).  Click here.
88. The DJ’s Choice Wedding Cocktail Hour, Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar craft beer (DJ Iron Mike).  Click here.
89. The Retro Wedding Cocktail Hour, Pear Barbotage (DJ Nick Kaminski).  Click here.
90. The Yacht Rock Wedding Cocktail Hour (Volume 1), Sex on the Beach (DJ Iron Mike).  Click here.
91. The Noc Boots Wedding Cocktail Hour, Black Diamond (DJ Cloak Dagger).  Click here.
92. The Philadelphia Freedom Wedding Cocktail Hour, Poor Richard’s Tavern Spice Ale (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
93. The Indian Electronic Lounge Wedding Cocktail Hour, Kingfisher Beer (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
94. The Viva Las Vegas Wedding Cocktail Hour , La Paloma cocktail (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
95. The Sixties Soul Wedding Cocktail Hour, Brown Derby cocktail (DJ Iron Mike).  Click here.
96. The Sunset Beach Party Wedding Cocktail Hour, Pineapple Mojito (DJ Ted Ganung).  Click here.
97.  The 90s Pop Wedding Cocktail Hour, Cosmopolitan (DJ Gregg Ambient).  Click here.
98.  The Sax Man’s Choice Wedding Cocktail Hour (Vol. 1),  Sentimental Melody (Joseph Grillo).  Click here.

25 Key Songs for a California / West Coast Wedding

The following list was curated by our friend and respected industry colleague Dan Rosenbach. Dan is a NJ transplant who operates “Love in the Mix” located in the San Francisco Bay Area. As per Dan, “the following playlist is a collection of songs you might typically hear at the most modern San Francisco venue or a rustic vineyard setting in Napa. From country to hip hop, a summary of Bay Area flavors.”

Love in the Mix is the Bay Area’s freshest DJ and lighting design team. Featured in DJ Times Magazine and TLC’s Four Weddings, the company provides beautiful sights and sounds to create unforgettable weddings and corporate events. To learn more about Dan’s awesome DJ service, visit www.loveinthemix.com.

1. California Love – 2Pac Shakur
2. California Gurls – Katy Perry f/ Snoop Dogg
3. Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
4. Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
5. Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
6. I Left My Heart in San Francisco – Tony Bennett
7. Shakedown Street – The Grateful Dead
8. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
9. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
10. Regulate – Warren G.
11. This is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
12. The Sound of San Francisco – Global Deejays
13. California Soul – Marlena Shaw
14. San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) – Scott McKenzie
15. We Built This City – Starship
16. Save Me, San Francisco – Train
17. Bernie Lean – ATM
18. Happy Ending – Sugarland
19. My Wish – Rascal Flatts
20. Blow the Whistle (clean) – Too $hort
21. Playaz Club (clean) – Rappin’ 4-Tay
22. Players Holiday – T.W.D.Y. f/ Too $hort
23. Sprinkle Me – E-40 & Suga-T
24. Game Recognize Game – JT the Bigga Figga & Mac Mall
25. Get Stupid (Remix) – Mac Dre

25 Key Latin Tracks for a Wedding

The following list was compiled by Ambient DJ’s Latin music specialist Andre Ovalle, aka “DJ Dre Ovalle” – Dre’s selections below feature an assortment of Latin dance styles designed to appeal to a variety of cultures – including Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Vallenato, Cumbia and Reggaeton.

1. Escapate Conmigo – Wisin & Ozuna (reggaeton)
2. Siguela Bailando – Ozuna (reggaeton)
3. Vacaciones – Wisin (reggaeton)
4. Loco Enamorado – Abraham Mateo (reggaeton)
5. Sobredosis – Romeo Santos (Bachata)
6. Me Sobran Las Palabras – Zacarias Ferreira (Bachata)
7. Just As I Am – Prince Royce w/ Chris Brown (Bachata)
8. Nadie Como Ella – Marc Anthony (Salsa)
9. Esa Boquita (Salsa Version) – J. Alvarez f/ Tito Nieves (Salsa)
10. Amores Como el Nuestro – Jerry Rivera (Salsa)
11. La Duena del Swing – Los Hermanos (Merengue)
12. Vente Pa’ Ca – Ricky Martin w/ Maluma (reggaeton)
13. Despacito (Remix) – Luis Fonsi w/ Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber (pop)
14. Timbalero – Hector Lavoe (Salsa)
15. Rebelion – Joe Arroyo (Salsa)
16. La Negra Tiene Tumbao – Celia Cruz (Salsa)
17. Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony (Salsa)
18. Bailar – Deorro w/ Pitbull and Elvis Crespo (Electronic/Merengue)
19. Stand by Me – Prince Royce (Bachata)
20. Un Beso – Aventura (Bachata)
21. La Luna Y Tu – Rafaga (Cumbia)
22. La Gota Fria – Carlos Vives (Vallenato)
23. Guallando – Fulanito (merengue)
24. Volvi a Nacer – Carlos Vives (Vallenato)
25. La Quiero a Morir – D.L.G. (Salsa)

Take a listen to our top Latin dance tracks on Spotify by clicking here

25 Key Country Tracks for a Wedding

This list is dedicated to our blog readers located in the South – we know there are many of you! A collection of classic and contemporary country tunes, ballads and line dances – this playlist will delight country music lovers from across the land.

1. Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show or Darius Rucker
2. Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
3. Die a Happy Man – Thomas Rhett
4. In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young
5. Crazy – Patsy Cline
6. H.O.L.Y. – Florida Georgia Line
7. Island Song – Zac Brown Band
8. Body Like a Back Road – Sam Hunt
9. I Don’t Dance – Lee Brice
10. Forever and Ever, Amen – Randy Travis
11. Don’t Rock the Jukebox – Alan Jackson
12. I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash
13. Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks & Dunn (line dance)
14. Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus (line dance)
15. Copperhead Road – Steve Earle (line dance)
16. Family Tradition – Hank Williams
17. I Swear – John Michael Montgomery
18. I Cross My Heart – George Strait
19. Islands in the Stream – Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton
20. Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy – Big & Rich
21. Dirt Road Anthem – Jason Aldean
22. Man, I Feel a Woman! – Shania Twain
23. Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
24. Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
25. Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts
26. Country Girl (Shake it for Me) – Luke Bryan

To preview these selected country songs on Spotify, click here

12 Songs Not to Play at a Wedding

1. Hello – Adele. Despite being an emotionally powerful song, this hit single off Adele’s recent album is a break-up song. Substitute with her cover version of the Cure’s “Lovesong” or Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love.”
2. Stay With Me – Sam Smith. In this song, the emotionally tortured protagonist is a master of “one night stands” and proclaims “this ain’t love it’s clear to see, but darling, stay with me” and “deep down I know this never works, but you can lay with me so it doesn’t hurt.” Hardly appropriate wedding fare!  Substitute with “Latch” (Disclosure with Sam Smith) or Smith’s fun cover version of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” set to a house beat.
3. You’ll Never Find a Love Like Mine – Lou Rawls. This song oozes sex appeal with Rawl’s baritone voice over a vintage piano and strings disco arrangement. However, the premise of the song is that Rawl’s former partner will never find a love as good as his post their breakup. As a substitute, try George McCrae’s “Rock Your Baby.”
4. Easy – The Commodores.  This song deceptively sounds like a love song for Sunday morning in bed, but actually reflects the protagonist’s easy attitude as he segues out of a torturous relationship.  Lionel Richie fans are better served by wedding ballads like “Endless Love” or “Truly” – or upbeat selections “All Night Long” or “Dancing on the Ceiling.”
5. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor. This song is about a woman’s turmoil and strength after a breakup. As a disco alternative at a similar tempo, try Cheryl Lynn’s uplifting “Got To Be Real.”
6. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones. This infectious rock n’ roll jam regrettably contains lyrics that one music critic describes as “gross, sexist and stunningly offensive to black women” – trust us, the lyrics are that bad. If you love the Stones, try “Satisfaction” “Start Me Up” or another hit song from their extensive catalog.
7. What’s Going On? – Marvin Gaye. If you enjoy hearing about war, picket lines and police brutality, then play this song at your wedding. Otherwise, try soulful crooner Gaye’s “Aint’ No Mountain High Enough” or super-funky “Got to Give it Up” which your DJ can then skillfully mix into Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.”
8. The Macarena – Los del Rio. Line dances at a wedding can be great ice breakers. However, this cheesy line dance has grown even more fungus with age. Modernize your wedding with a newer novelty dance such as the “Cupid Shuffle”
9. Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin is an incredible rock band.  Yet this anthem is hard to dance to with its long, uncomfortable breakdowns. If you must play Zeppelin at your wedding, try “All of My Love” or “Thank You.” For a beach wedding, try their hidden gem “Down by the Seaside.”
10. Gucci Gang – Lil Pump.  A hot 2018 hip song, this song – even in its super clean edited version – has no redeeming lyrical features.  Avoid this ratchet song like the plague for weddings.
11. MotorSport – Migos w/ Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.  Downtempo dreary drug music whose radio edits do little to sanitize the lyrics and themes.  Save this song for the afterparty!
12. Get It Together – Drake w/ Black Coffee.  Regrettably, Drake ruined the original soulful house version by Black Coffee with tortured and profain lyrics.

To preview these selected “no play” songs on Spotify, click here.

For additional thoughts on musical lyrics at wedding receptions, check out our article on that topic here.

Tips for Musical Programming at a Wedding

After engaging the services of a wedding DJ for your special day, a key task in the planning process is picking music for your wedding reception. Some couples are very “hands on” with the playlist, while others give a general direction to their DJ, trusting his or her expertise.

Assuming a four hour reception and 15 songs per hour, you would have a playlist of 60 songs. How many songs should you pick in advance? Our recommendation would be to prepare a list of up to 20 “must play” songs, plus another 20 “play If possible” tracks. That leaves an additional 20 tracks for your DJ to select. However, the DJ will pick these additional songs within your genre parameters. For example, if you love 90s dance music but dislike country music, the DJ would keep the mix within these guidelines.

In picking specific songs for your wedding reception, listed below are seven tips:

1. Select a variety of musical styles. Your wedding reception will feature a wide range of guest ages, most likely from teenagers to older adults. You would be wise to select songs that cater to the various age brackets, so all guests feel like they are a part of your special day.
2. Start your dance sets with recognizable oldies. For the initial dance set after your first appetizer course, begin with oldies genres such as 60s Rock, Motown, or Disco, to gain the trust of older guests. By doing so, they are more likely to go with the flow for your modern dance selections later in the night!
3. Use non-danceable selections for cocktail hour or dinner music. If you enjoy non-danceable genres such as indie rock, use these selections for the atmospheric cocktail hour or dinner music. For open dancing after dinner, this eclectic fare will likely fail and result in a thin or empty dance floor.
4. For open dancing, gravitate towards mainstream selections. After dinner, the DJ needs to quickly mobilize your diverse group of guests and create a packed dance floor. It is sound advice to use songs that are recognized by most guests! For example, young adults will recognize a classic party jam like “Shout” from the movies, while adult guests will have heard today’s super-hits by the likes of Pitbull, Rihanna or Jennifer Lopez on the radio.
5. Consider using line dances as icebreakers. Yes, there has been a trend in recent years towards “non-tacky” DJ entertainment with minimal or no line dancing. You know, the usual suspects like the Electric Slide and Cupid Shuffle. That said, for the right crowd, line dances can quickly pack a dance floor with guests of all ages. The DJ can then guide this packed dance floor to the music that you really want to hear.
6. Include several ballad sets. Wedding receptions are celebrations that should feature a combination of romance and fun. We recommend two or three ballad sets of two songs each. Incorporating slow dancing makes sense because; first, this allows your shy and older guests to join the action. Second, ballads are a welcome relief from extended sets of high tempo dancing. We recommend programming ballads in pairs because typically a couple will not get to the dance floor until the middle of the first song.
7. Have a detailed discussion about music with your wedding DJ. Professional wedding DJs are highly experienced with musical programming and can provide suggestions that will enhance the quality of your event. Show the DJ your playlist and ask for their candid feedback. Have a detailed discussion with the DJ about your guest demographics that may provide clues on what music will work. Discuss your policy on fielding guest requests, line dances, and your expectations for the dance floor action. If you envision a mellower party, don’t be afraid to let the DJ know that a frenetic dance floor is not your goal.

If you found these playlists and tips helpful, for even more ideas check out our book available on Amazon “The Bride’s Guide to Selecting the Perfect Wedding DJ”.

Wedding Music Power Sets

A new feature of this year’s blog, we’re sharing some wedding DJ power sets to give you a sense on how we might structure sets at a wedding reception.   These sets are limited to 3-5 songs.  This section is under construction, so look forward to future sets as 2018 progresses!

Set:  90s Power Hour

• Hip Hop Hooray – Naughty by Nature
• Jump – Kriss Kross
• Jump Around – House of Pain
• It Takes Two- Rob Base & EZ-Rock
• Poison – Bel Biv Devoe

Set:  Hot Latin Dance Set

• Despacito (remix) – Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber
• Llororas – Oscar D’Leon
• Mi Gente – J. Balvin w/ Willy William
• Fireball – Pitbull
• Danza Kuduro – Daddy Yankee

Set:  Classy Crooner Dinner Music

• That’s Amore – Dean Martin
• Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
• Quando, Quando, Quando – Michael Buble w/ Nelly Furtado
• The Girl from Ipanema – Stan Getz w. Joao Gilberto & Astrud Gilberto
• Desafinado – George Michael w/ Astrud Gilberto

Set:  Line Dance Fever

• The Cha-Cha Slide – DJ Casper
• The Cupid Shuffle – Cupid
• Apache – Sugarhill Gang
• Rapper’s Delight – Sugarhill Gang
• It’s Tricky –  Run-D.M.C.

About Ambient DJ Service

Ambient DJ Service is a full-service mobile NJ DJ entertainment company based in Central New Jersey that specializes in wedding DJ entertainment. Ambient DJ is a 20178 winner of the Knot Best of Weddings award as well as of the WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Award.  We have a deep passion for the music that we play and enjoy collaborating with our brides and grooms to create unforgettable parties! We would be delighted to perform at your wedding in the New Jersey / Philadelphia / New York Tri-State area, or destination wedding. For more info and to read our wedding reviews, visit us on the web at www.ambientdj.com.  Listen to a sampler of our DJ mixes at www.mixcloud.com/ambient_dj_service