The Song Choices Brides Regret (and What to Play Instead)
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When you picture your wedding, the soundtrack feels like everything. Songs carry emotion, spark energy, and lock memories into place. But brides often admit later—some choices didn’t land the way they hoped.
Maybe it was a track that cleared the floor, a ballad that dragged too long, or a favorite song whose lyrics told the wrong story. No bride sets out to regret their playlist, but hindsight has a way of revealing the misses.
The good news? You don’t have to guess. With a little foresight, you can dodge the most common regrets and swap them for songs that fuel your night.
Here’s the breakdown of songs brides wish they had skipped—and the swaps that keep your reception moving, emotional, and unforgettable.
1. Overplayed Clichés
At one wedding, the bride cringed as YMCA hit—her younger guests laughed while her photos captured people reluctantly flapping their arms. It felt more like a throwback joke than a celebration. A stronger play? High-energy hits like Shut Up and Dance or September that get everyone moving without the cheese factor.
2. Songs with Awkward Lyrics
Every Breath You Take sounds romantic at first—until you realize it’s about obsession. Brides often regret first dances to songs with hidden meanings. Instead, couples who chose Perfect by Ed Sheeran or From the Ground Up by Dan + Shay look back loving how true the lyrics felt.
3. Line Dances at the Wrong Time
Line dances can be fun—but not when dropped too early. Brides regret seeing a half-empty floor when the Cha Cha Slide played during dinner. The fix? Save the line-dance block for later in the night when energy peaks, and suddenly you’ve got everyone—grandma to groomsmen—on the floor together.
4. Songs That Kill the Mood
At one reception, the DJ slid My Heart Will Go On into dinner and the whole vibe went somber. Brides later regret mood-killers like this. Instead, couples who went with light background instrumentals (Can’t Help Falling in Love acoustic covers, for example) kept the romance flowing without draining the energy.
5. Personal Favorites That Don’t Translate
Your college indie anthem might mean the world to you, but if guests don’t connect, it lands flat. One bride forced her deep-cut song into peak time—and spent the whole track watching an empty dance floor. A better play? Place your personal gems in cocktail hour, while keeping crowd-magnet anthems like Uptown Funk for the main dance sets.
6. Jarring Genre Shifts
Guests love variety, but a sudden lurch from George Strait to Skrillex can cause whiplash. Brides often regret hard jumps that cleared their floor. A smoother approach? Let your DJ bridge the gap with crossover hits like Levitating by Dua Lipa or Timber by Pitbull & Kesha—songs that connect the dots naturally.
7. Songs That Haven’t Aged Well
That viral TikTok hit felt fresh when you booked it—but by your wedding night, guests rolled their eyes. Brides regret leaning on trend songs that age in months. Safer swaps are timeless crowd-belters like Don’t Stop Believin’ or Shout—songs that light up every generation.
8. Overly Long Ballads
Slow songs are romantic—until they overstay. Brides often regret dragging 6-minute ballads that made guests wander off. Couples who instead chose short, sweet slow dances (Can’t Take My Eyes Off You is a favorite) kept the vibe tender without losing momentum.
9. Songs with Inside Jokes
That goofy anthem you and your besties loved in college? Guests outside the circle might not get it. Brides regret alienating half their crowd. A smarter option? Save inside-joke songs for after-party playlists, while sticking to all-in crowd favorites during prime time.
10. Choosing Songs Alone
One of the biggest regrets isn’t a specific song—it’s not collaborating. Brides who micromanaged every track often wish they had let their DJ breathe. Those who shared must-plays, set guardrails, and then trusted the pro to read the room remember a packed floor instead of a rigid playlist.
Quick FAQ
Should I avoid cliché songs altogether?
Not if they mean something to you. Just make them intentional choices, not default fillers.
How many must-plays should I give my DJ?
Keep it under 20 so your DJ has room to respond to your guests.
What if I regret my first-dance song after the fact?
If it was true to you in the moment, you won’t regret it. Just double-check lyrics first.
Next Steps
Packed floors don’t happen by accident. Brides who made smart swaps (and gave their DJ the right balance of input + freedom) walked away with zero music regrets.
Not booked yet? Enter your date in the Check Availability widget on this page and complete the inquiry form. Prime Saturdays disappear quickly—if your date is open, we’ll lock a quick planning chat on the calendar and start your music plan the same day.
