Every wedding reception is so different but the majority of them still have a lot of similarities. Almost every wedding reception has a first dance, cake cutting, and open dance, and often times a lot of weddings play a few of the same songs during the open dance. Most of these songs that we end up playing quite a bit are more often than not group dances. We’ve put together some of the most popular group wedding reception dances and categorized each dance into sections based on what kind of night you’re looking to have!
Beginning of the Night/Getting the Party Started
Typically, when starting the night out, you want songs that can get EVERYONE out on the dance floor, and we mean everyone! We want grandma and your maid of honor both busting a move during the same song early on in the night. Here are some of the best songs to break out the dance floor early in the wedding:
Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper
The “Cha Cha Slide” is oftentimes one person’s favorite wedding song while it can simultaneously be another person’s most hated wedding song. However, if your guest list is one that you think might dance to this, trust us when we say they absolutely WILL dance to this song! It’s a tried and true ice breaker song that is clean, fun, and everyone can dance to.
Shout! by The Isley Brothers
This song is such a classic! Of course, it’s a pretty dated song, however, it’s an absolute classic that everyone loves. Your grandparents, parents, and aunts, and uncles will all love hearing the sound of the “Shout!” intro and it will bring out all of your friends and family in one song.
We Are Family by Sister Sledge
70’s disco early in the night is sure to be a hit. “We Are Family” is such a great song that can bring everyone out to the dance floor and sing along! It’s always a perfect go-to when it comes to the early wedding reception dances and music.
Middle of the Night/Icebreakers
Throughout the wedding reception, you’ll want your DJ to throw out some ice breakers that bring everyone back out on the dance floor after a slow song or when the dance floor slows down a bit. Ice breakers essentially serve as a “reset” when the DJ wants to kick things back up. These songs will get people out on the dance floor anytime during the night but are usually the best ones to pick people back up during the middle of the reception.
The Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
Just like “Cha Cha Slide”, “The Cupid Shuffle” is an absolute wedding staple and most people either hate or love the song. It’s a clean song that can get everyone up to dance without insulting or offending anyone at the wedding and is an absolute crowd-pleaser.
Jump on It by The Sugar Hill Gang
This song is a blast and everyone knows the dance! Some songs require some teaching either by the DJ or the dance floor will have some leaders getting together to teach certain dances. However, when Jump on it comes on, EVERYONE gets right into it! This song does an amazing song of kicking things back into action in the middle of the open dance.
The Bangers/Closing Out the Night
Towards the end of the night, you can get a bit loose and play some songs that wouldn’t typically flow well earlier in the night. You can be a bit more modern with your music and play songs that, frankly, came out within the last 25 years. Here are some of the top late-night songs for wedding reception dances:
The Wobble by V.I.C.
This line dance song is a great late-night song that still fits the category of being a line dance. Often times with this one the DJ might come out and teach it to get people going but once everybody’s in rhythm and knows what they’re doing its smooth sailing from there! The Wobble is a great hit to start the late-night songs off and then we can go into some other fun songs either in the Top 40s, 2000’s Hip/Hop, or today’s Hip/Hop.
Crank That by Soulja Boy
Crank That by Soulja Boy is such a fun song to play especially if many of your friends grew up dancing to this during Jr. High or High School dances. This is one of the best late-night wedding reception dances that, just like “Jump on It”, most people know right away how to dance to!
Complete Weddings + Events in Orlando
Don’t be afraid to reach out to Florida wedding professionals to help you or connect you to more wedding resources to make sure you’re getting help where it’s needed. Complete Weddings + Events in Orlando is a text or phone call away (407.720.9337). Contact Complete for advice or to set up a consultation to chat through your event today!