Weddings

How to Pick the Perfect Last Dance Song for Your Wedding

End your night on the right note with these go-to hits.

All photographs by Clarence Chan Photography.

Annapolis-based MyDeejay entertains at 400 weddings a year, so we got in touch with Jennifer Reitmeyer, MyDeejay president, to share her insider tips on ending your night on the right note.

Related: The 30 Best First Dance Songs

Don’t take the decision lightly.

The last dance is the soundtrack to guests’ final impression of the wedding. Choose a song that represents the vibe of your reception and reflects your personal tastes.

Get the crowd involved.

If a lot of the guests are from the same area or went to school together, certain songs are always a hit. New Jerseyans will be happy to hear Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and WVU grads often request John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

Or go the sentimental route.

A song with personal significance, such as your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding song, is a fantastic option. Alternately, a more modern cover of a classic song, like Michael Bublé’s “Save the Last Dance For Me,” is appealing to guests of all generations. We’ve concluded many receptions with a slow, romantic song that gets all the couples swaying.

Avoid anything that’s too obscure.

You want as many guests as possible on the dance floor.

Take a listen to Reitmeyer’s recommendations for the best last dance songs in the Spotify playlist below!

Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.