Reception Music Ideas

Music can be a big part of your wedding reception. And even if you don't have strong opinions on the type of music you want played at your reception, there are a few formalities where song choice is totally up to you. You can choose meaningful songs, or songs that reflect you and your new spouse, or just fun songs. For some inspiration, here are the songs the married ladies of Proud to Plan used for formalities at our receptions. 

Introductions:

Parents-

Christie: Beautiful Day by U2

Erin: Darth Vader Imperial March

Jen: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham

Becky: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

Bridal Party-

Christie: I Got a Feelin' by Black Eyed Peas

Nicole: Crazy in Love by Beyonce

Erin: Rollercoaster of Love by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Lisa: Bridesmaids- Damn Girl by Justin Timberlake; Groomsmen- Thunderstruck by AC/DC

Laura: Paparazzi by Lady Gaga

Jen: Raise Your Glass by Pink

Bride and Groom-

Christie: Crazy in Love by Beyonce

Erin: So Fresh, So Clean by Outkast

Lisa: Forever by Chris Brown

Laura: Love You Madly by Cake

Jen: Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO

Annemarie: Shots by LMFAO

Becky: Lovely Day by Bill Withers

First Dance:

Christie: I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

Nicole: All I Want is You by U2

Erin and Lisa: Better Together by Jack Johnson

Laura: This Will Be Our Year by The Zombies

Jen: I Do by Dashboard Confessional

Annemarie: Whatever It Is by Zac Brown Band

Becky: If I Didn't Have You by Amanda Marshall

Father/Daughter Dance:

Christie: Arms Wide Open by Creed

Nicole: Medley of Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart and My Girl by The Temptations

Erin: You Are My Special Angel by Bobby Helms

Lisa: In My Life by The Beatles

Laura: Dancin' on Daddy's Shoes by Leon Redbone 

Jen: Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Becky: My Girl by The Temptations

Mother/Son Dance: 

Christie: Forever Young by Rod Stewart

Nicole: Sunrise, Sunset

Erin: In My Life by The Beatles

Laura: You'll Be in My Heart by Phil Collins

Jen: Mama by Boyz II Men

Becky: Close to You by The Carpenters

Cake Cutting: 

Christie and Becky: How Sweet It Is by James Taylor

Nicole: That's Amore

Erin: Cake was unannounced, in another room, but my favorite wedding song "Apache" was playing during it

Lisa: Save Room by John Legend

Annemarie: Candy Shop by 50 Cent

Bouquet Toss:

Christie and Jen: Single Ladies by Beyonce

Erin: Rag Doll by Aerosmith

Garter Removal:

Christie: Wild Thing

Garter Replacement:

Christie: Right Round

Erin: Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard

Anniversary Dance:

Christie: Through the Years by Kenny Rogers

Laura: What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

Last Song of the Night: 

Christie: I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz

Nicole: Save the Last Dance for Me by Michael Buble

Lisa: Philadelphia Eagles Chant

Laura: Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

-Becky

Parent Song Dance Ideas

Carolyn and Brian's Wedding
Photo courtesy of 217 Photography

After much research, it's dawned on me that song selections for parent dances can be hard to pin down. There are a slew of sentimental songs out there that immediately come to mind, but most couples want to find a song that's unique to their special day; a song that holds meaning to their relationship with their parent. 

Consulting a list takes most of the individuality out of the selection process, but hopefully the suggestions compiled below will strike a cord. The tough part is finding that fits you and your parent's personality. Here are few songs that I've stumbled upon over the years. 

For the Father/Daughter 

Daughter by Loudon Wainwright III

Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Greg Laswell

My Girl by The Temptations

Daughters by John Mayer

Dream by Priscilla Ahn

The Way You Look Tonight by Fred Astaire

Sweet Pea by Amos Lee

For the Mother/Son

Holding Out for a Hero by Ella Mae Bowen

I'll Always Love My Mama by The Intruders

Pink Moon by Nick Drake

I'll Stand By You by The Pretenders

God Only Knows by The Beach Boys

Sea of Love by Cat Power

I'll Be There by Jackson Five

For Both

Twisting the Night Away by Sam Cooke

Make Somebody Happy by Jimmy Durante

What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker

Sweet Child of Mine by Sheryl Crowe

Young at Heart by Frank Sinatra

These Are the Days by Jamie Cullum

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by The Beatles

Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

You're My Best Friend by Queen

You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes

You've Got a Friend by Carole King

Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamikawiwo'ole

Do You Realize by The Flaming Lips

Nothing beats the versions you've come to know and love, but if you opt to have a live band at your wedding, be sure to check in first on your parent dance song choices before the big day. Live covers can lead to great reinterpretations, but if your heart is set on the original, have it handy the day of. 

No matter what, choose a song that is representative of both you and your parent. Deciding to break out in a choreographed dance, to a medley of upbeat music could be epic. However, don't wait until your wedding day to step out of your comfort zone or guilt your parent into making a fool out of themselves. As much as it's your day to shine, your parent should also feel at ease on the dance floor alongside you. If you're on the fence, go for the more traditional slow dance. Just be sure to add your own bit of flair with the music you pick. 

-Melanie