After months, maybe years, of planning, your big day and night has finally come to an end! You’ve had the first dance, you’ve cut the cake, and you’ve exchanged the rings – all accumulating in that all important ‘I Do.’ Now what?
There is one part of the wedding night that is incredibly important to think about, after all of the planning is done – the last dance! Yes, that’s right – it’s time for that one final request from the DJ to help your night to end with a bang!
Of course, you are spoiled for choice with incredible songs that you can end your big day with, so it can be difficult to know what to choose.
Thankfully, we’re here to help! Here are a couple of fantastic songs that you can use on your big day to really help to solidify the night in your guests’ minds for years to come!
What is the Last Dance?
The last dance is the final element to your perfect wedding reception.
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There are two key options for you when it comes to ending your night: you could opt for an upbeat song or a slower song for the couples that just need another reason to sway side to side to show their love.
What are the pros and cons of each? Well, a slower song is going to help your guests to slow down after the evening’s festivities.
It will also help to indicate that the party is finished, and that it’s time to go home. It’s also a good chance to cater to the lovebirds in the room!
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You can also opt for a more upbeat song surrounded by all of your friends.
By finishing the wedding reception on a high, everyone is going to keep your wedding locked in their memories by ending the night with plenty of fun!
How to Decide on the Last Dance Song
Ultimately the choice of the final song of the evening comes down to you.
There are a few pointers to follow though! Try to stay away from break up songs – that goes for if they are upbeat too! This is about romance, not heartbreak!
With that being said, if you want to go for a break up song then it is your wedding.
Some common last dance songs that we will also go into in more epth later include upbeat songs such as the classic party hit Mr Brightside, or you could go for a slow, romantic song such as You’re Still the One by Shania Twain.
You may also wish to go for a more well-known song to end off the night. Consider the median age of your guests to figure out what most people are going to know.
If you are in a hurry and wish to listen to the songs directly, feel free to use our curated Spotify playlist, and if you wish to see why we choose these songs for our best last dance wedding songs chart, scroll further.
Best Last Dance Wedding Songs
Upbeat Songs
1. Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
There is no way we could ever write a list of the best last dance wedding tracks without mentioning this classic – Come on Eileen!
Even if your guests were not around when this bop came out, we’re pretty sure they can join in with screaming COME ON EILEEN, especially after they may have had a little too much sugar!
It doesn’t matter how old your guests are, they will have a great time dancing to this hit. The words don’t really make a great deal of sense though!
2. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
There are many songs by music legends, Queen, that you could use to help your night end with a bang, but there truly is nothing quite like the 1975 hit classic Bohemian Rhapsody.
This track is 6 minutes long in total, and is by far one of the most popular songs in the last century! Even today in 2020, this song still holds up to the test of time.
Your guests will have an incredible time singing the ‘Mama Mia’ section back and forth to eachother, and channeling their inner air guitarist to the sweet chords of the tail end of the song.
3. Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
Another oldie that still sounds incredible even now. We’re pretty sure that a good chunk of your wedding guests will know the lyrics to this classic at the very least.
Some particularly note worthy lyrics that really tie in with the theme of ever lasting love include ‘She says, we’ve got to hold on to what we’ve got/ It doesn’t make a difference if we make it or not/ We’ve got eachother and that’s a lot for love.’
A profound lyric from such an upbeat song that will truly be a crowd pleaser!
4. Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
If your aim is to get the entire room up on the dance floor, why not end your night with Don’t Stop Believing?
This power ballad has maintained its popularity through the years, and was brought back into the public attention by the hit musical TV show Glee back in the mid 2010s.
Whether young or old, you are sure to get some happy guests up on the dancefloor with this song. It’s also a great one for your guests to sing along to, and you can even have a bit of air guitar for good measure!
5. Reach – S Club 7
There’s nothing quite like a little bit of cheese to end the perfect night!
People just can’t help it – they hear those sweet bops and it’s like they are no longer in control of their body – they’re dancing whether they want to or not! If you want to create some happy vibes to end your reception, then there ain’t no party like an S Club party! Reach by S Club 7 is a fantastic, upbeat track to end your evening on a high.
6. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Looking to end your evening with a little bit of Motown? Superstition by Stevie Wonder may be just the track you are looking for.
You’ll have a hard time finding anyone that doesn’t know this iconic track. You may even see your guests bust a couple of moves that they may regret in the morning, once they realise their grooving has been recorded on couple dozen mobile phone cameras!
7. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
Ultimately, a wedding marks the unification of two distinct families. What better way to mark the occasion than with We Are Family by Sister Sledge.
Featuring a funky beat, you sure to get the whole family moving and grooving with this iconic track. Sure, it’s a little retro, but a classic nonetheless!
8. Shut Up and Dance – Walk the Moon
Now for something a little more modern! This song literally instructs your guests to get up and dance, not just by the title either.
This song invites some sick moves with a pop rock sound that your guests, young and old, are sure to love.
9. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
This is not simply a track for Friday night karaoke at the local bar! Oh no, Sweet Caroline is a song that will be the perfect end to the perfect evening.
This song has stood up to the test of time, with both young and old people knowing the chorus at the very least. There’s truly no better way to get everyone dancing.
10. Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley is just one of those songs that you are unlikely to find anyone that doesn’t know it.
Popular among the older generation and among those meme loving fiends at your wedding, you’re sure to hear a lot of people screaming the lyrics to this one while they have a good boogie on your special day.
Just beware, some of your older guests may not know why some of your guests have started laughing or groaning when this song has come on.
Slow Songs
11. Hey Jude – The Beatles
The Beatles are iconic, and Hey Jude is certainly one of their most well known tracks. This simple piano ballad packs a lot of emotion inside of the lyrics and melody combined.
This is a timeless track that will have your whole party up swaying in no time. Let the music move you as you sing, na na na nanana naaaaaa!
12. (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
A love song through and through with an epic story surrounding it, (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life made its debut in the well known movie Dirty Dancing.
If you really want to show off, you and your new spouse could even attempt the iconic lift towards the end. May not be recommended if you or a partner are wearing a massive ball gown wedding dress, though…
13. One Love – Bob Marley
One Love by Bob Marley is the ultimate song to relax and sway to and the end of a wonderful, yet potentially tiring day.
It’s a great song to play to just enjoy the company of your guests, with lyrics like ‘Let’s get together and feel alright.’
14. Wonderwall – Oasis
Another slow classic that most of your guests are sure to know. This is by far one of the most popular last dance wedding songs out there, as it’s well known and will allow you to slow dance with your new spouse!
There was no way we could do a list about the best last dance wedding songs without including this song on here.
15. Time after Time – Cyndi Lauper
‘If you’re lost you can look and you will find me, time after time’ – lyrics that perfectly encompass a new, blossoming marriage.
If you didn’t snag this gorgeous song for your first dance song, it’s certainly the perfect song to enjoy as a last dance. This 1980’s defining track has everything you could possibly want in a slow last dance song, and will definitely be a favorite among your guests.
There’s also an alternate acoustic version by Eva Cassidy that would be fantastic for a first dance!
16. Angels – Robbie Williams
This well known song by Robbie Williams is sure to encite the mass sing along that you’re looking for at the end of your wedding night.
It’s a great song for couples looking to slow dance to, but it still has the catchy value for your single guests to enjoy with other guests.
17. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
This rock ballad is a staple of weddings through the years, and it’s hardly a surprise that it’s maintained its popularity through the years.
It’s the perfect romantic piece to end your wedding night with, and your guests are sure to love this one – especially for those who are also happy in love!
18. At Last – Etta James
This is truly one of those songs that will send a shiver down your spine when you hear it. It’s an incredibly popular song for last dances, but many people have also walked down the aisle to it too.
It’s great for a slow dance or just a song to chill out to at the end of the evening. Certainly a crowd pleaser to end your evening on.
19. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
While this song is about a breakup, it’s actually a great song for romance, and it has a beat that you can sway to.
Just beware of your local vocalist attempting to hit those astronomically high notes towards the end! This is a crowd pleaser song that your guests are sure to appreciate at the end of your wedding.
20. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
The quintessential wedding song, Can’t Help Falling in Love is the perfect song about falling in love. This song has been around for generations and it’s one that your guests are going to love singing along to and swaying to.
It’s also a great opportunity for you and your new husband or wife to bask in your love for one another.
Conclusion
The perfect track for your last dance of your wedding night is truly a necessity, so hopefully in this list of the best last dance wedding songs we’ve helped you to find the perfect way to end your wedding.
And here’s the full list of last dance wedding songs put together in a YouTube playlist.
