28 Upbeat First Dance Songs for a Fun, Modern Twist

The Swedish sensation just lives on and on and on. But there is nothing like the Benny, Bjorn, Anni-Frid and Agnetha effect to get your party started and invite your family and friends - of every generation - to let their hair down!

King of The Minions, Pharrell, has had people clapping along to this ear worm since 2013 - and your celebration need be no different. Give it a splash of happiness by making sure this comes early on the playlist.

The Peas’ futuristic R&B sounds as energetic and relevant today as it did on its release in 2009. I mean, its your wedding! Tonight IS going to be a good night!

You can’t make it through a wedding celebration without The Voice herself making at least one appearance and this 1987 poppy, collaborative crowd-pleaser is the perfect place to start.

From it’s pounding piano introduction to its lung-busting choruses, this anthemic ballad will elevate your celebration and inevitably bring with it ties round friend’s heads and unexpected air guitars.

Not just for the autumnal wedding celebration, this is a certified banger all year round with wordless hooks for everyone to sing a long to and a feel good funk to get even the most stubborn of guests on the dancefloor.

Have you even been to a wedding if you haven’t loosened your shirt, donned an invisible guitar and put a finger in the air while screaming the choruses to this timeless rock ballad? I think not. Now is your time.

The relentless hit machine has been at it again and this time its fun for all the family. Prepare for kids and adults alike to attempt to reach the high notes in the chorus and groove their way through this 2016 bop.

Every good party needs a touch of retro to slip your hips back into the twist and turn gears of years gone by. This will be a bigger hit with all generations than you might expect.

The irresistible inclusion for every party playlist, funk up your evening with this 2015 global smash hit that will have members of your family strutting around the dancefloor in ways you may find tricky to forget.

Standing the test of time in event playlists worldwide, this soft rock party anthem has been fully inducted into the wedding reception Hall of Fame by now. Do the honours and press play on this bad boy one more time.

This disco classic not only gives everyone the chance for synchronised dance routines galore but, by the end of it, also basically counts as your gym ‘arms day’ for the week.

Prancing all the way into your evening from 1984 and promising to help you ‘hit that high’, you’re in safe, well-partied hands with Michael and Ridgeley.

Trust me, just play it. You’ll be seeking out family members (near relations and those that are not so near but somehow made the cut) before the first chorus is even out - screaming this truth in their faces and not finding it half as uncomfortable as you thought you would.

Pure, bubblegum pop goodness with plenty of scope for a ‘phone-hand’ dance move, this is an essential inclusion for your wedding party playlist that guarantees smiles on faces all round.

This 1980 track is forged in a joyful syncopation that simply cannot be denied by your dancing feet - particularly on a wedding day when the sentiment rings (hopefully) so true as well.

A little cameo from Nick, Joe and Kevin is crucial to the success of any party playlist and this Grammy-nominated comeback hit will do the job nicely.

Nothing is going to stand between you, your friends and that dancefloor when this comes on. Step aside Auntie Barbara, you don’t have what it takes for this 1984 Kenny classic.

It’s a bit funky, it’s a bit flirty and it’s an absolute must for your wedding playlist. Not as fast a tempo as you might think so maybe dig out a remix if you haven’t got a band playing it live for you.

I mean, it’s exactly what we’re here to do and Kool (and his gang) wrote a whole song about it. So stick it on, embrace the cheese, add an extra side of corny but funk-filled vibes, and you’re good to go.

Near National Treasure, Styles has been repeatedly hitting the jackpot since this release in 2019 that simultaneously makes you want to take your clothes off in the sunshine and strike a Madonna-style pose after every phrase he sings.

Yes they do. And with this corker from Cyndi Lauper, they can. Get the bride tribe together (*throws up in a nearby bucket*) and belt this in honour of just that you know literally unforgettable hen do yeah.

And while your forming an impromptu girl band on the dance floor, pick a favourite spice and prepare for the peak as you inform the rest of the room exactly what it is that you really, really want.

She’s in to superstition and you’re in to Spanish-infused bangers from just before the Millennium. Well, marriage is all about compromise and, luckily, Ricky is here with the perfect solution to start you off together.

Just a little sprinkle of sexy Britney strings that will pass the grandparents by but have everyone else imagining their a semi-nude air hostess that can play THAT hook on the violin.

Unapologetically cheesy and fun in equal measure, you all know the words and you’re not going to be denied the chance to show that off. Early Miley knew how to party without a care in the world.

You’re insecure, don’t know what for! Because you made a bangin’ party playlist for your wedding and now everyone is on the dancefloor-or-orrr.

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag…? Well, give your self-esteem a little boost with this explosive, assured pop anthem that needs to break free from its 5th November shackles and realise its euphoric potential year round on wedding dance floors.

Did somebody order a banger? Mr Worldwide is making his way round the globe and dropping off this party anthem at your dance floor tonight. You all having a good time out there?