Make Them Move: Dj-Free Wedding Dancefloor Ideas

Getting people to dance at a wedding can be tricky, especially without a DJ. However, there are several ways to encourage guests to hit the dance floor. One way is to have a group or line dance, such as The Cupid Shuffle, where the dance is choreographed or the lyrics tell people what to do. Another way is to play popular songs that are guaranteed to get people moving, such as I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston or Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars. It's also a good idea to play slow songs, as some wedding guests will only dance to those. In addition, having the bride and groom on the dance floor will encourage guests to join, so it's important to keep them dancing as much as possible. One trick is to announce a group photo on the dance floor, so people feel obligated to join, and then play an upbeat song to keep them there. Interacting with the guests and creating a fun atmosphere is key to getting people dancing. It's also a good idea to play songs that women and girls will like, as they tend to have fewer inhibitions and will get the men to follow. Finally, it's important to adapt to the crowd and play music that suits their taste and keeps them engaged.

Play group/line dance songs

Group and line dances are a great way to get your guests moving and fill the dance floor. These dances are usually choreographed, with the lyrics of the song telling people what moves to do. They are simple, easy, and fun, and they get everyone involved in the wedding celebration.

• "Cha Cha Slide" by Mr. C The Slide Man (DJ Casper)
• "Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid
• "The Twist" by Chubby Checker
• "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" by Silento
• "Macarena" by Los Del Rio
• "Electric Boogie" ("Electric Slide") by Marcia Griffiths
• "Cotton Eye Joe" by Rednex
• "YMCA" by The Village People
• "The Locomotion" by Little Eva
• "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus
• "Conga" by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine
• "Gangnam Style" by Psy
• "Boot Scootin' Boogie" by Brooks & Dunn
• "Teach Me How to Dougie" by Cali Swag District
• "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
• "Wagon Wheel" by Darius Rucker
• "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" by Soulja Boy
• "Wobble" by V.I.C.
• "Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain
• "The Chicken Dance" by The Emeralds
• "Fancy Like" by Walker Hayes
• "The Hokey Pokey" by Ray Anthony
• "Jump In The Line" by Harry Belafonte
• "Coconut" by The Hit Crew
• "Rock The Boat" by Hues Corporation
• "Respect" by Aretha Franklin
• "Dancing Queen" by ABBA
• "Pour Me A Drink" by Post Malone and Blake Shelton
• "Dance The Night" by Dua Lipa
• "Hung Up" by Madonna
• "He's The Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge
• "Sweetheart From Venezuela" by Harry Belafonte
• "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire

Play for-sure songs

If you're looking to get people dancing at your wedding without a DJ, you'll need a carefully curated playlist of "for-sure songs" that are guaranteed to get your guests moving. Here are some tips to help you craft the perfect playlist:

Choose a mix of classics and modern hits

A good rule of thumb is to include a mix of classic hits and more modern tracks. Classics are usually a safe bet, as they tend to have a broader appeal across different age groups. However, including some newer songs can bring a fresh and energetic vibe to the dance floor.

Opt for upbeat and danceable tunes

When selecting songs, prioritize tracks that have an upbeat and danceable vibe. Songs with a strong beat and catchy rhythm are more likely to get people moving. Look for songs that fall into genres like pop, disco, funk, and soul.

Include a variety of tempos

While upbeat songs are essential, it's also a good idea to include some slower songs to give your guests a chance to catch their breath. A well-placed slow song can serve as a "reset" for the dance floor, allowing guests to take a breather before jumping back into more fast-paced tunes.

Consider songs with interactive elements

Interactive songs, such as those with a simple dance routine or call-and-response lyrics, can be a great way to get people involved. Songs like "The Cupid Shuffle" or "Y.M.C.A." by the Village People are sure to get your guests moving and grooving together.

Pay attention to lyrics

Lyrics can play a crucial role in getting your guests in the dancing mood. Look for songs with uplifting and celebratory lyrics that encourage movement and joy. Songs about love, happiness, and letting loose are ideal.

Create a balanced playlist

Variety is key when creating your playlist. Mix and match different genres, tempos, and styles to keep your guests engaged. Avoid playing too many songs by the same artist back-to-back, as this can make your playlist feel repetitive.

Take your guests' preferences into account

Consider the musical tastes and preferences of your guests. If you know that a particular genre or style is popular among your friends and family, include some of those songs in your playlist. This will increase the chances of your guests feeling connected to the music and wanting to dance.

Use a sound system with good sound quality

Invest in a decent sound system or speakers that can provide clear and crisp sound at a comfortable volume. This will ensure that your guests can hear the music clearly and feel the beat, enhancing their overall dance experience.

Create different playlists for different parts of the wedding

Consider creating separate playlists for different parts of your wedding, such as the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. This will allow you to tailor the music to the specific mood and energy level of each portion of your celebration.

Delegate music control to a trusted person

Assign someone you trust to manage the music during your wedding. This person can ensure that the music is played at the right moments and can troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise.

Example "For-Sure Songs"

• "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston
• "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys
• "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
• "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
• "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
• "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus
• "Shout" by The Isley Brothers
• "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
• "Dancing Queen" by ABBA
• "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" by Backstreet Boys
• "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
• "Yeah!" by Usher ft. Lil Jon and Ludacris
• "Low" by Flo Rida ft. T-Pain
• "WOP" by J. Dash ft. Flo Rida
• "DJ Got Us Falling In Love" by Usher
• "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leppard
• "Raise Your Glass" by P!nk
• "We Speak No Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP
• "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder
• "You're My Best Friend" by Queen
• "Now That We've Found Love" by Heavy D & The Boyz
• "The Way You Make Me Feel" by Michael Jackson
• "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by James Taylor
• "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates
• "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves
• "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees
• "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas
• "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers
• "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner
• "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by

Play slow songs

Slow songs are a great way to get people dancing at your wedding, especially those who feel uncomfortable "busting a move" or don't enjoy dance music. They're also a good way to "reset" the dance floor, as people can get tired after several fast, loud songs in a row.

When picking slow songs, it's important to include something for every generation. Classic ballads that inspire older guests to get up and dance include songs from artists like Etta James, Frank Sinatra, and The Temptations. For Gen Z, songs trending on Instagram and TikTok, such as "Until I Found You" by Stephen Sanchez, are a good choice.

• "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri
• "My Love Mine All Mine" by Mitski
• "Until I Found You" by Stephen Sanchez
• "Teenage Dream" by Stephen Dawes
• "Ocean Eyes" by Billie Eilish
• "Joy of My Life" by Chris Stapleton
• "Lover" by Taylor Swift
• "Coming Home" by Leon Bridges
• "At Last" by Etta James
• "Until the End of Time" by Justin Timberlake feat. Beyoncé
• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye
• "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
• "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys
• "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton
• "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli
• "Lady" by D'Angelo
• "All of Me" by John Legend
• "Keep on Loving You" by REO Speedwagon
• "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green
• "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz
• "Yellow" by Coldplay
• "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison
• "All My Life" by K-Ci & JoJo
• "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder
• "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper
• "Faithfully" by Journey
• "How Deep Is Your Love" by the Bee Gees
• "Overjoyed" by Stevie Wonder
• "Better Together" by Jack Johnson
• "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne
• "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King
• "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra
• "When a Man Loves a Woman" by Percy Sledge
• "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole
• "Fever" by Peggy Lee
• "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley
• "In My Life" by The Beatles
• "No One" by Alicia Keys
• "XO" by John Mayer
• "10,000 Hours" by Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber
• "Crash Into Me" by Dave Matthews Band
• "Adorn" by Miguel
• "Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones
• "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star
• "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
• "You Send Me" by Sam Cooke
• "This I Promise You" by NSYNC
• "Butterflies" by Kacey Musgraves
• "Love on the Weekend" by John Mayer
• "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer
• "Amazed" by Lonestar
• "Truly Madly Deeply" by Savage Garden
• "My Best Friend" by Tim McGraw
• "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran
• "Your Song" by Elton John
• "Everything" by Michael Bublé
• "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele
• "Best Part" by Daniel Caesar feat. H.E.R.
• "By Your Side" by Sade
• "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by James Taylor
• "California Stars" by Billy Bragg and Wilco
• "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney
• "Marry Me" by Train
• "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones
• "You're My Best Friend" by Queen
• "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey
• "My Girl" by The Temptations
• "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole
• "Here and Now" by Luther Vandross
• "Dancing in the Moonlight" by King Harvest
• "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young
• "Baby I Love You" by Aretha Franklin
• "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" by Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend
• "Say You Won't Go" by James Arthur
• "Islands in the Stream" by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers
• "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House
• "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" by The Miracles
• "Halo" by Beyoncé
• "Electricity (Acoustic)" by Silk City, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson, and Diplo
• "'Til Kingdom Come" by Coldplay
• "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion
• "I Swear" by All-4-One
• "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson
• "The Wedding Song" by Angus & Julia Stone
• "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
• "A Love Song" by Dazz Band
• "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers
• "Bring It On Home to Me" by Sam Cooke
• "Can We Talk" by Tevin Campbell
• "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley
• "Faithfully" by Journey
• "Forever Young" by Alphaville
• "How Deep Is Your Love" by Bee Gees
• "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner
• "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston
• "Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls

Play anthemic songs

Playing anthemic songs is a great way to get people on the dance floor at a wedding. These songs are usually characterised by their sing-along choruses and uplifting lyrics.

For a wedding without a DJ, it's a good idea to prepare a playlist of anthemic songs in advance to keep the party going. Here are some tips and song suggestions to get you started:

Tips for Choosing Anthemic Songs:

• Opt for songs that are well-known and popular across different generations. This will ensure that guests of all ages can join in the fun.
• Include a mix of oldies and modern hits to cater to a variety of musical tastes.
• Look for songs with catchy, upbeat rhythms and positive lyrics that will put people in a good mood and encourage them to dance.

Suggested Anthemic Songs:

• "Piano Man" by Billy Joel
• "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks
• "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys
• "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi
• "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
• "Summer Nights" from Grease
• "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
• "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston
• "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
• "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
• "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles
• "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon
• "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé
• "We Found Love" by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
• "Dancing Queen" by ABBA
• "Let's Dance" by David Bowie
• "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
• "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers
• "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift
• "Happy" by Pharrell Williams
• "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus

With a well-chosen selection of anthemic songs, your wedding guests are sure to be dancing the night away!

Take song requests

Taking song requests is a great way to get people on the dance floor and keep the party going. Here are some tips to consider when taking song requests at a wedding without a DJ:

Do's

• Make requests earlier in the evening: Encourage guests to make requests during the cocktail hour or dinner. This will allow you to understand what genres they want to dance to and give you time to plan how to incorporate the requests into your mix.
• Know the name of the song and artist: When making a request, it is important for guests to provide the name of the song and preferably the artist as well. This will make it easier for you to find and play the song.
• Make unusual requests: Don't be afraid to step out of the typical wedding playlist and make unusual requests. This can add a fun and unexpected element to the evening.
• Dance to your song request: If you request a song, be sure to dance to it when it's played! This will show your appreciation and encourage others to make requests as well.

Don'ts

• Ask to see what songs are available: Most wedding DJs will have a large library of songs, but it's unlikely that they will have every song ever released. Instead of asking to browse their collection, come prepared with specific songs in mind.
• Expect the DJ to play your song request immediately: A good DJ will play music that fits the vibe of the dance floor and may not be able to play your request right away. Trust that they will play it at the right moment.
• Be vague when making a request: Avoid making vague requests such as "play something from the 80s". Instead, provide the genre, artist, or band that you have in mind.

In addition to taking song requests, there are a few other things you can do to encourage people to dance:

• Play group or line dance songs that have choreographed moves or tell people what to do.
• Play slow songs, as some guests may only feel comfortable dancing to these.
• Play anthemic songs that people can sing along to.
• Announce a group photo on the dance floor to get people onto the dance floor.
• Call a specific group, such as the bride or groom's sorority or fraternity, to the floor for a special song.

Frequently asked questions