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If you’re a music lover, one of the best parts of wedding planning is choosing the special songs that will be the soundtrack of your big day.
The processional song. The first dance song. The mother-son dance. The father-daughter dance. The bridal party introduction song. The jams that get your guests on the dance floor. The last song of the night …
Whether you want your wedding reception to be an all-out hip hop dance party or to include all sorts of musical genres, here are the 19 best hip hop and R&B songs for weddings.
Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To
Every bride wants to make her wedding ceremony processional a memorable one — and that means walking down the aisle to a beautiful song.
If you want to kick off your wedding festivities with a great R&B tune, these two songs are the perfect way to show your love to your spouse-to-be:
“All of Me” by John Legend
Since it was released in 2014, many brides and grooms have walked down the aisle to “All of Me.” With its beautiful piano intro, it’s perfect.
“Halo” by Beyonce
“Halo” is one of those songs that tugs at the heart. The intro is instantly recognizable, and there won’t be a dry eye in the house if you walk the aisle to this tune. We love the original with Beyonce’s vocals, but an instrumental version works just as well!
Bridal Party Entrance Songs
When your bridal party makes their entrance into your wedding reception, you’ll want the song to set the tone for the entire party. From Chris Brown to Dr. Dre to DJ Khaled, there’s plenty of potential entrance songs.
But, these two are our favorites:
“Crazy in Love” by Beyonce (featuring Jay Z)
If you’re in the Beyhive, we already know that you’re going to play “Single Ladies” when you toss your bouquet! But if you want to add another Queen B song to your wedding playlist, consider playing “Crazy in Love” to kick off your reception. It’s an all-time favorite — perfect for bridal party entrances and introductions!
“All I Need” by Method Man and Mary J. Blige
“All I Need” is a great choice if you want to get the party going with a song that gives off some chill vibes. This song is perfect for a bridal party entrance because even your oldest wedding guests will recognize the beat and lyrics from the 1968 Marvin Gaye hit “You’re All I Need to Get By.”
Related: 33 Memorable Wedding Entrance Songs
First Dance Songs
Photo: Bella Dallas / Lindsay Mueller
Of all the wedding songs you’re going to put on your playlist, the most important one is the one you dance your first dance to. There are endless options to pick from, but we have a few suggestions, depending on your wedding day style.
For a ‘90s vibe, there are two classics that will surely have your wedding guests singing along and swaying in their chairs.
These choices will bring back old memories and create new ones at the same time:
Want to dance your first dance to a timeless tune that everyone knows but that’s not Etta James’ “At Last”?
Gorgeous vocals, meaningful lyrics, and stellar piano playing combine in the always classic:
Prefer something a bit more unconventional?
With lyrics like “sipping bubbly, feeling lovely,” and “I admire your poppin’ bottles and dippin’,” these two songs are ideal for the modern couple looking to create a one-of-a-kind wedding moment that’s 100% them:
Find more options in our 9 Best First Dance Songs article!
Songs to Play During Your Reception
Photo: Bella Birmingham
If you’re a diehard hip hop fan, there’s a good chance that you like to dance! When choosing reception songs to add to your playlist, there are a handful of tunes that are guaranteed to get your guests out of their seats and onto the dance floor.
When the dinner dishes are cleared and it’s time to get the party started, we say kick it old school! Some of the best hip hop wedding songs are throwbacks from the ‘80s and ‘90s.
So tell your DJ to turn down the lights, get the crowd hyped, and play:
It’s always fun when DJs and wedding bands play a variety of music from throughout the decades. So when it’s time to shift from old-school classics to newer music, tell your DJ to segue with some Snoop Dogg, Usher, Pharrell Williams, and Nelly. As the night progresses, be sure to sprinkle in some Drake, Flo Rida, Kanye West, and Post Malone.
And don’t forget to add some hip hop ladies and R&B divas into the mix. Your ultimate hip hop wedding playlist won’t be complete without a little Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Missy Elliott!
Conclusion
From old-school rap songs to smooth R&B jams to bass-thumping club remixes, there are countless hip hop songs that you can enjoy throughout your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
Just be sure to tell your wedding DJ what songs you want to dance to throughout the night and (more importantly) what songs you do NOT want to hear.
There’s no question that hip hop and R&B music has the power to get most people up and dancing. So even if your favorite musical genre is hard rock, EDM, indie rock, or country, it’s always a good idea to add a few hip hop bops to the mix!
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