Song Ideas for Your Wedding Reception Entrance

Today we have a treat for you from Ashley of Hi-Fi Weddings, a wedding blog specializing in all things music at weddings. I asked Ashley to compose a list of songs for the bride and groom’s entrance to their wedding reception. Read her post below!

For music lovers, the tunes played at their wedding receives higher priority than the flowers. After all, a song can totally set the mood of the event. At Hi-Fi Weddings, we have an ever-growing list of songs that can be used for several aspects of the wedding day. We also have brides and grooms submit their REAL wedding playlists, which can lead to that ah-ha moment among newly engaged couples looking for the perfect songs to walk them through their day. Christine asked me to compile a list of songs that would work great for the bride and groom introduction at the reception! Here are my favorites:

1. The Archies – “Bang-Shang-A-Lang!” (An upbeat, happy tune. It would be super-cute to see a couple create a dance to this song as they entered the room!)
2. David Bowie – “Life on Mars” (This would most likely become a sing-a-long.)
3. Bright Eyes – “First Day of My Life” (The lyrics are absolutely adorable!)
4. Cherry People – “And Suddenly” (With such an immediate start to the song, it would be cute to have the couple enter right after the “and suddenly, my life is full of sunshine.”)
5. Talking Heads – “This Must Be the Place” (This song has a long, yet recognizable, intro if you opted to just use that … although the words are so good!)
6. Diamond Rings – “All Yr Songs” (A newer, upbeat, sweet love song.)
7. Dr. Dog – “Heart It Races” (Super-upbeat, happy clappy song!)
8. The Droge and Summers Blend – “Two of the Lucky Ones” (A slower tune that would also double as a great first dance!)
9. Iron and Wine – “Love and Some Verses” (One of my favorite Iron and Wine songs — this would also double as a beautiful first dance song.)
10. The Kinks – “You Really Got Me” (A classic from the Kinks!)
11. Sam Cooke – “Wonderful World” (One of my all-time favorite Sam Cooke songs!)
12. Modest Mouse – “Float On” (Popular among the younger crowd, this would be another upbeat sing-a-long type song.)
13. Elvis Presley – “Such a Night” (Who doesn’t love Elvis?)
14. John Prine & Iris DeMent – “In Spite of Ourselves” (A whimsical and lighthearted song.)
15. The Troggs – “Love Is All Around” (Another classic!)
16. The Turtles – “So Happy Together” (Happy, upbeat, sing-a-longable — what more could you need?)
17. M. Ward – “Poison Cup” (A mellow tune … kinda short, but super sweet.)
18. Wilco – “I Got You (At the End of the Century)” (Another younger generation favorite.)
19. She & Him – “I Was Made for You” (Who can resist the sweet sounds of Zooey?)
20. The Zombies – “This Will Be Our Year” (Another classic.)

Readers — feel free to chime in with your favorites! Many thanks, Ashley!

Check out our follow-up posts with Ashley and others on “Non-Cheesy Father-Daughter Dance Wedding Reception Songs,” “10 Unique First Dance Song Ideas” and  “More Unusual First Dance Song Ideas.” And for tips on reception music, check out our article “A Super-Official Formula to Get Guests Dancing.”

Photo by White Rabbit Studios