Soundtrack To Your Wedding

Wedding Music Advice – Why I Wrote The Soundtrack to Your Wedding Day

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After years of DJing weddings across Essex, the UK, and beyond, one thing has always stood out to me.

Your wedding day has a soundtrack, whether you plan it or not.

From the moment guests arrive, to the ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast, first dance and right through to the final song of the night, music shapes how the day feels. It sets the tone, lifts emotions, calms nerves, and creates the moments people remember long after the flowers have faded.

That’s exactly why I wrote The Soundtrack to Your Wedding Day, a practical guide packed with real wedding music advice for couples who want their day to feel personal and relaxed.

Why this wedding music advice matters

I’ve seen couples spend months choosing venues, outfits, menus, and décor, then leave the music until the last minute. Often with the best intentions, but without realising just how much impact it has.

As a wedding DJ, these are the questions I’m asked most often:

  • “We don’t know where to start with wedding music”

  • “How do we choose music that works all day, not just in the evening?”

  • “How do we avoid wedding music clichés?”

  • “What actually works for guests of all ages?”

This book is my way of sharing clear, honest wedding music advice in one place, based on real experience.

What the book covers

The Soundtrack to Your Wedding Day takes you through the full wedding timeline, offering practical advice on wedding music choices for every part of the day, including:

  • Wedding ceremony music, including pre-ceremony and entrances

  • Drinks reception music and creating the right atmosphere

  • Background music for the wedding breakfast

  • First dance ideas and alternatives

  • Evening reception music that works for mixed ages

  • How to end the night on a high

It’s not about telling you what songs to pick. It’s about helping you understand why certain music works, so you can make confident decisions that suit you as a couple.

Wedding music advice from real experience

This isn’t theory. Everything in the book comes from thousands of weddings I’ve worked as a wedding DJ and host.

From intimate ceremonies to packed dancefloors, countryside barns to grand hotels, I’ve seen what works beautifully, and what doesn’t. More importantly, I’ve seen how the right music choices can completely change the energy of a wedding day.

That real-world experience is what shapes the advice in this book.

Who this book is for

This book is for couples who:

  • Want their wedding music to feel natural and unforced

  • Care about atmosphere, not just playlists

  • Are planning a wedding with guests of all ages

  • Want expert wedding music advice without being told what to do

Whether you’re booking a wedding DJ, a live band, musicians, or a mix of everything, the principles in this book apply.

Now available

I’m really proud to say that The Soundtrack to Your Wedding Day is now available in paperback on Amazon.

If you’re looking for calm, practical wedding music advice to help you plan a day that flows beautifully from start to finish, this book will guide you every step of the way.

Buy Soundtrack To Your Wedding Day Here

And if you’ve already booked me as your wedding DJ, this book gives you a clear insight into how I approach wedding music and atmosphere for every couple I work with.

If you would like to have a chat  about how music can lift your wedding day then please complete the short contact form, email, or WhattsApp me here or to see if I am available to be your wedding DJ check your wedding date here

Ian Stewart wedding Dj - An engaging experience

Top 200 Requested Wedding Songs

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Top 200 Requested Wedding Songs

Every wedding dancefloor tells its own story, but some songs are timeless. Each year, my booking software, DJ Event Planner — compiles data from thousands of real weddings to reveal the most requested songs.

Here are the top 200 songs that couples across the UK have chosen for their wedding celebrations last year. You’ll find everything from disco classics to modern anthems that keep guests singing all night long.

 

last Years Positions In Brackets

  1. The Killers – Mr Brightside (1)
  2. Abba – Dancing Queen (3)
  3. Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (2)
  4. Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline (4)
  5. Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Murder On The Dancefloor (95)
  6. Toploader – Dancing In The Moonlight (6)
  7. Walk The Moon – Shut Up & Dance (7)
  8. Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayor (5)
  9. Taylor Swift – Love Story (27)
  10. Earth Wind & Fire – September (9)
  11. Shania Twain – Man! I Feel Like A Woman! (17)
  12. Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen (10)
  13. Bryan Adams – Summer Of 69 (8)
  14. Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag (15)
  15. Arctic Monkeys – I Bet You Look Good On The Danceflloor (12)
  16. Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire (11)
  17. Ike & Tina Turner – Proud Mary (13)
  18. Beyonce Ft Jay-Z – Crazy In Love (16)
  19. Gala – Freed From Desire (23)
  20. Mark Ronson Ft Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk (14)
  21. Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten (_)
  22. ABBA – Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) (96)
  23. Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (20)
  24. Sean Paul – Temperature (33)
  25. Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (18)
  26. Rihanna Ft Calvin Harris – We Found Love (21)
  27. Oasis – Wonderwall (25)
  28. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’ (19)
  29. Spice Girls – Wannabe (25)
  30. Robin S – Show Me Love (26)
  31. DJ Casper – Cha Cha Slide (22)
  32. ABBA – Mamma Mia (29)
  33. Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want To Have Fun (28)
  34. Chris Brown – Forever (61)
  35. Outkast – Hey Ya! (31)
  36. Candi Staton – Young Hearts Run Free (40)
  37. Usher – Yeah! (39)
  38. Taylor Swift – Shake It Off (35)
  39. Mark Ronson Ft Amy Winehouse – Valerie (34)
  40. Cher – Believe (55)
  41. Blink-182 – All The Small Things (41)
  42. Los Del Rio – Macarena (32)
  43. Fratellis – Chelsea Dagger (38)
  44. Flo Rida Ft T-Pain – Low (46)
  45. Bruno Mars – Marry You (30)
  46. Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up (47)
  47. Luther Vandross – Never Too Much (23)
  48. S Club 7 – Reach (37)
  49. Cascada – Everytime We Touch (123)
  50. Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You GoGo (36)
  51. Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine (42)
  52. Coldplay – A Sky Full Of Stars (92)
  53. Erasure – A Little Respect (68)
  54. Lou Bega – Mambo No. 5 (53)
  55. Kenny Loggins – Footloose (44)
  56. Elton John – I’m Still Standing (52)
  57. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – (I’d Had The) Time Of My Life (54)
  58. Village People – YMCA (49)
  59. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (45)
  60. Backstreet Boys – Everybody (Backstreet Back) (65)
  61. B-52’s – Love Shack (50)
  62. Snap! – Rhythm Is A Dancer (51)
  63. Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl (48)
  64. Rednex – Cotton Eye Joe (58)
  65. Tina Turner – The Best (62)
  66. Shakira – Hips Don’t Lie (57)
  67. Dolly Parton – 9 To 5 (63)
  68. B*Witched – C’est La Vie (70)
  69. Robbie Williams – Rock DJ (82)
  70. Florence & The Machine / The Source Ft Candi Staton – You Got The Love (60)
  71. Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger (73)
  72. Sweet Female Attitude – Flowers (64)
  73. P!nk – Raise Your Glass (78)
  74. Miley Cyrus – Party In The USA (135)
  75. Sean Paul – Get Busy (86)
  76. The Jacksons – Blame It On The Boogie (71)
  77. House Of Pain – Jump Around (59)
  78. Whitney Houston – How Will I Know (79)
  79. Steps – 5678 (75)
  80. TLC – No Scubs (88)
  81. The Weeknd – Blinding Lights (67)
  82. Sister Sledge – We Are Family (69)
  83. Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup (66)
  84. Lionel Richie – All Night Long (72)
  85. ABBA – Waterloo (84)
  86. A-Ha – Take On Me (85)
  87. Cameo – Candy (108)
  88. Venga Boys – Boom, Boom, Boom (107)
  89. Smash Mouth – All Star (136)
  90. Billy Joel – Uptown Girl (80)
  91. John Travolta & Olivia Newton John – Grease Megamix (74)
  92. Beyonce – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) (56)
  93. The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) (83)
  94. Scouting For Girls – She’s So Lovely (172)
  95. Whigfield – Saturday Night (91)
  96. Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy) (_)
  97. Busted – Crashed The Wedding (168)
  98. Busted/Jonas Bros – Year 3000 (142)
  99. Pitbull Ft Ne-Yo – Give Me Everything (110)
  100. Beyonce – Love On Top (94)
  101. Ultrabeat – Pretty Green Eyes (175)
  102. Darkness – I Believe In A Thing Called Love (200)
  103. Majestic & Boney M – Rasputin (130)
  104. One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful (109)
  105. Pibull Ft Kesha – Timber (116)
  106. The Beatles – Twist & Shout (76)
  107. Toto – Africa (90)
  108. The Courteeners – Not Nineteen Forever (124)
  109. Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed Delivered (I’m Yours) (103)
  110. Bruce Springsteen – Dancing In The Dark (119)
  111. Ed Sheeran – Perfect (89)
  112. Kanye West – Gold Digger (106)
  113. Robbie Williams – Angels (148)
  114. The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men (129)
  115. Avicii – Wake Me Up (97)
  116. Estelle – American Boy (170)
  117. Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – One Kiss (98)
  118. Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love (99)
  119. LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem (113)
  120. Swedish House Mafia – Don’t Worry Child (122)
  121. UB40 – Red Red Wine (101)
  122. George Ezra – Shotgun (77)
  123. Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way (93)
  124. Luis Fonsi Ft Daddy Yankee – Despacito (81)
  125. Faithless – Insomnia (118)
  126. Avicii – Levels (125)
  127. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (112)
  128. Daft Punk – One More Time (183)
  129. Earth Wind & Fire Ft The Emotions – Boogie Wonderland (132)
  130. Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere (141)
  131. Billy Ocean – Red Light Spells Danger (184)
  132. Oasis – Champagne Supernova (143)
  133. Nicki Minaj – Starships (162)
  134. Pitbull – Fireball (_)
  135. Spice Girls – Spice Up Your Life (140)
  136. Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca (192)
  137. Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way (178)
  138. Pharrell Williams – Happy (102)
  139. Katrina & The Waves – Walking On Sunshine (105)
  140. Stevie Wonder – Superstition (100)
  141. N-Trance – Set You Free (167)
  142. Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling In Love (114)
  143. The Temptations – My Girl (128)
  144. Kool & The Gang – Celebration (131)
  145. Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (165)
  146. Softcell – Tainted Love (120)
  147. ELO – Mr Blue Sky (137)
  148. Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop The Feeling (104)
  149. Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger (117)
  150. Drake – One Dance (138)
  151. ABBA – Take A Chance On Me (182)
  152. Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive (127)
  153. Kygo & Whitney Houston / Steve Winwood – Higher Love (121)
  154. The Supremes – You Can’t Hurry Love (111)
  155. Cobra Starship – You Make Me Feel (158)
  156. Olly Murs – Dance With Me Tonight (126)
  157. The Game – Dreams (181)
  158. David Bowie – Let’s Dance (134)
  159. Kevin Lyttle – Turn Me On (145)
  160. David Guetta Ft Sia – Titanium (133)
  161. The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris (174)
  162. Noah Kahan – Stick Season (_)
  163. Take That – Never Forget (115)
  164. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Can’t Hold Us (_)
  165. Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits (87)
  166. R Kelly – Ignition (Remix) (162)
  167. Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar (157)
  168. Rocky Horror Picture Show – The Time Warp (139)
  169. Human League – Don’t You Want Me (164)
  170. Michael Jackson – Don’t  Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (151)
  171. Paramore – Still Into You (_)
  172. Coldplay – Viva La Vida (_)
  173. Hall & Oates – You Make My Dreams Come True (144)
  174. DJ Sammy – Heaven (191)
  175. Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso (_)
  176. Aerosmith – I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing (150)
  177. Paul Simon – You Can Call Me Al (160)
  178. Billy Ocean – Love Really Hurts Without You (_)
  179. Haddaway – What Is Love (156)
  180. Rihanna – Don’t Stop The Music (186)
  181. Benson Boone – Beautiful Things (_)
  182. Take That Ft Lulu – Relight My Fire (173)
  183. John Denver / Hermes House Band – Take Me Home Country Roads (_)
  184. Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi (_)
  185. Rudimental – Feel The Love (187)
  186. Ben E King – Stand By Me (198)
  187. Pitbull & Ne-Yo – Time Of Our Lives (_)
  188. Madonna – Like A Prayor (_)
  189. Four Seasons Ft Frankie Valli – December 1963 (Oh, What A Night) (155)
  190. Pitbull – Hotel Room Service (_)
  191. OMI – Cheerleader (146)
  192. Soul II Soul – Keep On Movin’ (193)
  193. Madness – One Step Beyond (163)
  194. Katy Perry – Firework (196)
  195. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – Islands In The Stream (_)
  196. Natalie Cole – This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) (_)
  197. Maroon 5 – Sugar (153)
  198. Shania Twain – That Don’t Impress Me Much (_)
  199. Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music (177)
  200. Barry White – You’re The First, The Last, My Everything (199)

Download the list Top 200 Requested Songs

Looking for the perfect soundtrack for your own wedding?

As an award-winning Wedding DJ based in Essex, I use this data alongside your personal requests to create a bespoke playlist that fits your style and keeps your dancefloor full all night. Whether it’s soul, disco, house or pop, your wedding music should feel like you. Then either call on 07736-880 790, WhattsApp me here, or email me at [email protected], or complete the short form here