What Music Works Best for an LDS Wedding Reception in Utah?

I’ve seen how much difference the right music makes. LDS receptions often include family, friends, and guests who may not all have the same musical tastes. The best music choices are usually familiar, clean, upbeat, and easy for people to enjoy together.

The Best LDS Wedding Reception Music Is Clean, Familiar, and Fun

• Clean lyrics
• Positive energy
• Songs multiple generations recognize
• Nothing too suggestive
• Nothing that makes the couple feel like they need to apologize afterward
• Music that supports the evening instead of hijacking it

Background Music for Mingling, Dinner, and Reception Lines

Most receptions include some background music that isn’t meant to be flashy. Background music should add enjoyment and environment to your reception, not take center stage.

At this point, I keep the volume just loud enough so that audiophiles will hear what song is playing and enjoy it, but not loud enough that it prevents anyone from having conversations with each other, even if they’re sitting close to the speakers.

Background music is great for:

• Reception line / greeting guests
• Luncheon / Dinner or refreshments
• Photo time
• Open house style receptions
• Helping people transition from one part of the reception to another
  • While the guests go outside to get ready for the send-off
  • When it’s time to move from one area to another (such as come/go inside/outside)
  • While we’re telling people to gather around for cutting the cake or the first dance
• Getting ready for
  • announcements
  • special parts of your program
  • speeches
  • etc.

Background music makes everything feel coherent, smooth, and planned, even if someone behind the scenes is freaking out because something has went wrong. As your DJ, I’ll be prepared to help make everything appear to run perfectly.

Great background music for LDS receptions:

• Instrumental, acoustic, jazz, soft pop, Disney, soft country, piano covers
• Your favorite ‘couple’ songs that you want to hear while you’re standing around, but that aren’t the easiest songs to dance to.
• Songs that match the ‘theme’ of your reception, or your unique personalities…

A few of the receptions I’ve deejayed had specific requests for background music, including a few couples who really love Nintendo, Pokémon, and video games, and another couple who really love Star Wars. So we tailored the background music to exactly those preferences, and everyone was really happy to hear some of their favorites.

Many couples have a lot of favorite songs that are slow songs. You can only play so many slow songs during the dancing part of a reception, but slow songs can work great as background music.

Example background music playlists

These are actual requests from real couples. Some of the songs were new to me, which is part of the fun of being a DJ.

The point isn’t to use one of these lists for yourself, but to see that every couple is unique, and your playlist will be too– even your background music playlist.

Requests from a couple for a country themed wedding reception line in North Ogden in 2018
Abby Anderson – Daddy
Arctic Monkeys – Baby I’m Yours
Big & Rich – Look At You
Big & Rich – Lost In This Moment
Blake Shelton – Honey Bee (cleaned w/o alcohol)
Boyce Avenue – Say You Won’t Let Go (James Arthur cover)
Boyce Avenue – Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran cover)
Brad Paisley – She’s Everything
Bright Eyes – First Day of My Life
Chad Brock – Yes!
Chris Cagle – What a Beautiful Day
Dan+Shay – Speechless
Dashboard Confessional – Stolen
Diamond Rio – Meet In The Middle
Gloriana – (Kissed You) Good Night
Haley Reinhart – Can’t Help Falling in Love
half-alive – Pure Gold
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Jack Johnson – I Got You
Jason Mraz – Best Friend
Keith Urban – Making Memories Of Us
Keith Urban – Only You Can Love Me This Way
Kenny Chesney – Don’t Blink
Lady Antebellum – When You Got A Good Thing
Lawrence – Do You Wanna Do Nothing With Me?
Lee Brice – I Don’t Dance
Mark Wills – Back At One
OneRepublic – Good Life (clean)
Paramore – The Only Exception
Rascal Flatts – My Wish
Rodney Atkins – Take A Back Road
Sara Evans – I Could Not Ask For More
Shania Twain – Forever And For Always
Shinedown – I’ll Follow You
The Paper Kites – Bloom
Tim McGraw – My Best Friend
Tori Kelly – I Was Made For Loving You ft. Ed Sheeran
Train and Martina McBride – Marry Me
Ty Herndon – Living In A Moment
John Michael Montgomery – I Can Love You Like That
Trisha Yearwood – To Make You Feel My Love

Of course, I don’t just play them all in order, but you can see the sort of songs requested that worked for country background music.

And yes, that list is now somewhat out of date, which is why I spend hours before each reception preparing, and why I help each couple give me requests and inspiration for their own playlist.

Pop background music requests from a 2026 wedding in Saratoga Springs, UT

This couple really likes Owl City, so Owl City showed up in their background music, as their first dance, and in their dance party playlist.

Ben Rector – Wreck
Blake Shelton – I’ll Name the Dogs
Chad Brock – Yes!
Echosmith – Tell Her You Love Her Ft. Mat Kearney
He is We feat. Owl City – All About Us
Jordan Davis – Buy Dirt ft. Luke Bryan
Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi – I See The Light
One Direction – Last First Kiss
Owl City – My Muse
One Direction – Strong
Rascal Flatts – God Bless the Broken Road
The Piano Guys – Okay
The Piano Guys – Rewrite The Stars ft. Julie Nelson (from the Greatest Showman)
The Piano Guys – A Million Dreams (Piano Solo)
Zac Efron & Zendaya – Rewrite the Stars (from The Greatest Showman Soundtrack)
Ziv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams – A Million Dreams (from The Greatest Showman Soundtrack)

Not enough was requested, so I filled in with other similar music, and added some The Piano Guys music for transitions.

The Piano Guys – Beethoven’s 5 Secrets
The Piano Guys – Before You Go
The Piano Guys – BTS – Epiphany (PianoCello)
The Piano Guys – Fathers’ Eyes
The Piano Guys – First Dance
The Piano Guys – Grow As We Go – Ben Platt (Ben Platt Father-Daughter Cover)

When you are figuring out what music you want to play at your reception, the background music isn’t quite as important as other music, so if you don’t know what songs to play as appropriate background music, I will help you out. I’ll get to know your likes and interests, and gauge what songs to play based on your other requests.

Should You Give Your DJ a Full Playlist?

You should absolutely give your DJ music guidance, but you usually do not need to plan every single song for the entire reception. To create a good wedding DJ playlist, include your most important songs, your favorite styles, and mention anything you definitely want to avoid. From there, your DJ should be able to prepare a list, and then read the room and adjust the music based on who is actually dancing, how much energy the crowd has, and what kind of atmosphere you want.

For an LDS wedding reception, this can be especially helpful because the music often needs to work for a wide range of guests. You may have grandparents, young cousins, friends from school, coworkers, ward members, and non-LDS guests all in the same room. A strong LDS wedding DJ playlist gives the DJ enough direction to understand your standards and personality without locking the reception into a rigid song-by-song schedule.

A must-play list is a great place to start. These are the songs that matter most to you- the songs you would be disappointed not to hear. This might include your first dance, a favorite song from your dating years, a family favorite, or a song your friends always dance to. For most couples, a must-play list of 10 to 20 songs is plenty.

If you are wondering how many songs should I give my wedding DJ, the better question is usually: “Which songs are truly important?” A shorter list of meaningful songs is more useful than a giant playlist where every song has the same priority.

A do-not-play list can also be important, especially if you care about keeping the reception clean and family-friendly. You can list specific songs, artists, genres, or even general styles you want avoided. I automatically avoid any songs with explicit lyrics, heavy club music, songs about drinking, or anything with suggestive themes. Clean edits can help, but they do not fix every song. Some songs are still not a good fit even if the profanity is removed.

Even outside LDS weddings, many couples create a do-not-play list. Some songs are overplayed, awkward, or just not the right fit for your wedding reception. But if some of your favorite songs are on The Knot’s list of overplayed songs, don’t feel bad about that at all. Maybe you want to specifically request some of those songs on your list… that’s great! In Utah, we’re sort of a different breed and do things our own way. Just because someone else thinks that a song is overplayed doesn’t mean it might not be one of the best songs of the night.

It’s helpful to tell your DJ the overall style you want. Do you want the reception to feel romantic and elegant? Fun and high-energy? More country? More pop? More oldies and classics? Do you want music that gets families dancing together, or are you mostly planning on background music while people mingle? A little of all of the above? These details help your DJ choose songs that fit the tone of your reception.

Where couples can run into trouble is trying to control every song in order. A wedding reception is not the same as listening to a playlist in the car. The energy of the room changes. A song that looks perfect on paper might clear the dance floor, while a song you forgot about might be exactly what brings people back. A good DJ uses your playlist as a guide, but also watches the crowd and makes adjustments in real time.

A Good LDS Wedding Music Planning List Includes

Before your reception, try to give your DJ the songs and preferences that matter most. Your list does not need to be complicated, but it should include the key moments and boundaries for the night.

Include your first dance song, along with whether you want the full song played or just a shortened version. Many couples prefer a fade-out after a minute or two so the moment feels special without dragging on.

Include any parent dance songs, such as a father-daughter dance or mother-son dance. If you are not doing these dances, that is completely fine too. Just make that clear so your DJ does not plan for something you don’t want.

If you want to pick a cake cutting song that’s great. This song can be sweet, playful, or lighthearted depending on your personality. If you don’t pick a specific song, most background music will do fine.

Include bouquet or garter songs, if those traditions are part of your reception. Many LDS couples skip one or both of these, so your DJ should know what you are comfortable with. Beyonce’s Single Ladies is always a fun go-to song for a bouquet toss. A shortened version of Hit Me With Your Best Shot by Pat Benetar works great for a garter toss, even if most people don’t know it these days.

Include a last dance or send-off song if you want a specific ending moment. This can help the reception feel more intentional instead of simply fading out when guests start leaving. If you don’t choose one, I’ll save one of your favorites for the end of the night.

Include your must-play songs. These are the songs you genuinely want to hear, not just songs you kind of like.

Include your do-not-play songs. This is where you can list songs with inappropriate lyrics, songs tied to bad memories, overplayed songs, or anything that does not fit your standards.

Include any artists or genres to avoid. This is helpful if you do not want certain styles played at all, even if individual songs might technically be clean.

Finally, include any songs that are meaningful to you as a couple. These songs may not all be dance-floor hits, but they can work beautifully during dinner, mingling, photo moments, or the final part of the night.

The best playlist gives your DJ direction without tying their hands. When your DJ understands your taste, your standards, and your most important songs, they can keep the reception flowing while still making it feel like your wedding.

Example LDS Dance Playlist?

You want me to give away the recipe to my secret sauce?

Depending on the tastes of the couple, I definitely have some 4 and 5 star classics that I almost always play at an LDS reception, but what I play really depends on your tastes and what you’ve requested more than what I think is the best thing to play.

If I list songs here, one third of people reading this will judge them as something they don’t want, another third will see them and think that’s exactly what they want, skipping on the opportunity to talk together as a couple about their favorite songs.

I promise I’m on your side here: talking together about your favorite music is part of the process of what makes your reception “your reception“. Invest a couple of hours together discussing music and you’ll have some great conversations and find out more about each other and bond more as a couple. You’ll feel that much more invested in each other and happy about the music at your reception.

Try filling out my wedding reception planning guide together and see if you know what the other person would like for their song requests.

Together, we’ll make your night be what you hope for: memorable for all the right reasons.

Sample LDS Wedding Reception Music Flow

Here’s the Utah wedding reception music flow that I’ve seen most often. It’s really a typical LDS wedding reception music timeline.

Guest Arrival / Reception Line

Soft, welcoming background music.

Dinner or Refreshments

Light music that does not overpower conversation.

Couple Entrance or Announcement

Upbeat but tasteful.

First Dance

Romantic and meaningful. Usually shortened.

Parent Dance(s)

Sentimental, usually shortened.

Open Dancing

Start broad and familiar, then adjust based on who is actually dancing.

Mix in fast paced music with some slow dances. Slow dances give people a chance to breathe, and to invite some couples to the floor who want to share a romantic dance. Fast dances raise the mood, invite celebration and make people smile and want to take pictures.

Last Song / Send-Off

Positive, memorable, and easy for guests to join.

The basic above structure works well for any wedding reception DJ timeline, especially from what I’ve seen in Utah receptions and LDS receptions in general in other areas of the country over the last couple of decades.

Why Hiring a DJ Matters for an LDS Wedding Reception in Utah

A DJ who mostly works club-style events may not understand the tone many LDS couples want. My job is to help the reception feel fun, smooth, and appropriate- not awkward, preachy, or boring.

• Utah wedding culture is different
• LDS receptions often have a different rhythm than traditional bar-heavy receptions
• Many receptions are open-house style
• Some couples want dancing; some want mostly mingling

A local DJ understands cultural expectations, family dynamics, and clean music concerns.

I also understand that by the time you get to a wedding reception, you might have already had an early morning or afternoon temple sealing, possibly hours of pictures, travel and/or a luncheon, and that what you want for your reception line and party might be different than what a typical wedding DJ would provide. See my post about planning your LDS wedding reception timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions About LDS Wedding Reception Music

Should an LDS wedding reception have dancing?

Many LDS couples have dancing at their reception. The key is choosing music and dancing that fit the couple’s standards and family atmosphere.

How do I make a clean playlist for my wedding reception?

Most clean pop, oldies, country, acoustic, instrumental, Disney, jazz, or other family-friendly music works great at an LDS wedding reception. If your favorite songs don’t seem like they’ll fit, I can shorten and remove verses, but there is enough amazingly awesome music out there that is family-friendly that it isn’t hard to fill your evening with great music!

What is the best clean music for an LDS wedding dance?

Upbeat classics (new and old), clean pop, Motown, country, group dances, and songs that multiple generations know.

Should we make a do-not-play list?

This is especially helpful for songs, artists, or genres that aren’t you. I can make sure your play-list is clean whether you send me a do-not-play list or not.

Can the DJ use clean edits?

Yes, but clean edits are not always enough. Some songs still have suggestive themes even when profanity is removed.

How long should dancing last at an LDS wedding reception?

Depends on the crowd. Some receptions only need 30-60 minutes of dancing; others can support 90 minutes or more. It’s always better to end on a high note before people have left than to have no-one left to send you on your way with exit music.

Ready to get the Party Started?