Songs at the wedding reception

Songs at a wedding reception are a fantastic addition that really are an integral part of the celebrations – they break the ice, lift the mood and foster a sense of togetherness around the tables. Choosing the right songs for the wedding reception ensures that guests feel part of the joy. Here we’ve put together a selection of classic and light-hearted songs that are perfect for including in the programme and letting guests sing along to throughout the evening.

Popular songs for the wedding reception – our top tips

Melody: On these sunny summer days

Right at the start of the party
, let’s treat ourselves to the gesture
of introducing each other.
Our bride and groom will begin whilst we listen.

The bride and groom: We found each other, our dream came true,
we’ve become husband and wife.
We now wish
to strive together for all that a happy life entails.
Surely we appear deeply in love;
together we’ve reached a safe harbour.

Ladies: We wives now wish to highlight
the troubles that fire can cause.
It may well get a bit tricky at times,
but everything will turn out fine with a woman’s cunning.
Let him believe that he
is the man
of the house who always gets to decide as he pleases,
but just make sure
, slyly, that everything he does and decides
is exactly what you have commanded.

Gentlemen: If your wife now starts to rule
the roost and move your
furniture about, we’ll have a proper
say in where the cupboard should stand – hey, hey!
Though of course it’s rather nice
when the old woman gets going.
It’s a funny thought, though a bit naughty –
you could have the furniture on wheels.
Yes, should she become
unbearable to us, you can count on it, hello, hello.

Ladies: And should you fall
out and start to quarrel and bicker
, we’ll give our support to our XXX,
you can count on it, hello, hello.
For if he acts like a fool, don’t hold your tongue
—give him a slap so he’s silenced
, and say firmly: ‘This is no joke!
‘ Always have the last word.
Yes, should he become
unbearable, you can count on our help to give the old man a thrashing.

Gentlemen: You clearly weren’t listening to the advice—
and you’re forgiven straight away—
given to the newlyweds,
XXX. Look, the woman’s still the same; what logic!
They think that when they’ve issued
a command, the law must be obeyed in every respect.
But look, they were thoroughly mistaken
: we do obey, but only to a certain extent.
After all, we are despots
who hand out orders without any haggling.

All: Here ends the conversation
, which was held in a jocular tone.
We merely wanted to
lift the spirits with this song; that was the intention, after all.
So let us really give it
our all and let the song’s finale be
a truly heartfelt congratulation;
let every lung be put to work
in this shared wish of ours:
May you fare well as each other’s servants!

Melody: Winged Butterfly

Welcome to all
of you who have gathered here today
To rejoice
with the bride and groom in a merry and festive company.
Here we shall celebrate and offer
our best wishes; here we shall cheer all day long.
Here the bride and groom shall be honoured
with music and antiphonal singing.

Here, young and old shall come
together for a convivial wedding celebration.
Here, joyful welcome notes
shall radiate from every guest.
We shall have a truly lovely
time; we shall all help one another.
Here there shall be
no sorrows, no sombre lament.

Here, the bride and groom shall feel
that we wish them all the best.
That we wish them much happiness
, peace and joy in abundance.
It is a wedding, a young couple’s wedding,
and we rejoice together.
We shall rejoice with one another
on this wedding day.

Melody: Four dances and a Coca-Cola

Celebrate your wedding in a beautiful church
, exchange vows of fidelity.
Feel joy, vigour and strength
, and pray together to the Lord.
Growing closer together in life nourishes the flame
of love.
Celebrate your wedding in a beautiful church
and look forward to a future together.

Melody: Long May They Live

The bride and groom’s well-being,
joy and success –
now let us honour them as they stand at the altar.

Love as fiery as a flame,
faithfulness as steadfast as death;
may they live
many happy years.
Let the bells ring out;
we wish them many happy
years to come.

May harmony reign,
and may you find happiness.
Long may you live
, many happy years!

A song about the joys of everyday life, to be sung by the guests for the bride and groom:

Melody: Fresh Spring Winds

The ladies’/hen do’s song to the bride:
Bake and taste, fry and play
, set the table and use all your strength
to please; knit a jumper
better than the rag he had before.
Wash up and whisk, dust and scrub,
dry and find the strength to brush a shoe.
Wipe the children’s noses, change them and scold them;
be kind, lovely and sweet.

The men’s/stag do’s song to the Groom:
Strive for food, tremble for the state
—the tax for both will be colossal.
Cuddle, watch over, kiss and lull
the children and your wife to sleep, chase away the moths.
Take your dear wife out one evening;
she’ll be so happy and kind.
On sewing circle evenings, escape to places
where you might find a bit of peace and quiet.

To the bride and groom:
Life is meant to be a joy; let love sweep
away every trace of the grey everyday.
May youthful happiness hold
you both close in its embrace; may all go well for you!
Use your common sense, argue with good reason
, and you’ll see that things will sort themselves out.
We wish
you both, now husband and wife, the lovely greenery of spring!

Melody: ‘My Bonnie’

(A balloon and a needle for every guest)
We all wish to honour our bride and groom,
as they become one on this day.
Let the whole hall resound with song,
for the dearest bride and groom we’ve ever seen.
Bride and groom, bride and groom, the most beautiful bride and groom we’ve ever seen.
Bride and groom, bride and groom, the loveliest couple we’ve ever seen.

With sounds both sweet and loud we’ll strive to
create a celebration quite original.
The crescendo shall rise ever higher and end at last with a bang.
Bride and groom, bride and groom, it’ll end at last with a bride-and-groom bang.
Bride and groom, bride and groom, it’ll end at last with a bride-and-groom bang

. First we take a deep breath into our lungs,
and put the balloon to our mouths.
We’ll stop singing for a moment and blow the balloon nice and round.
Blow, blow, we’ll blow the balloon with all our might.
Blow, blow, we’ll blow the balloon for a while.
(PAUSE TO BLOW!)
And once we’ve filled the balloon with air,
we’ll gather for a salute.
With the needle we pop the balloon,
once we’ve finished singing the song.
We set off, we set off, we set off a thunderous wedding firecracker!
We set off, we set off, we’re celebrating our bride and groom tonight!
(BANG! All the guests pop their balloons with the needle!)

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

We wish you both
a happy journey, we who have just witnessed this
; should you forget your
vows, think of us who stand here
as witnesses; we wish you both
a happy journey, we who have just witnessed this.

May your happiness be great
in the cottage where you live
; may the flowers of joy always thrive
there, and may you two never quarrel
– yes, that is the wish of every guest
at your joyful wedding celebration!

Plan your songs for the wedding reception

Finding the right balance between different songs at the wedding reception is the key to a lively evening. One tip is to mix well-known sing-alongs with more personal solo songs that mean something special to you both.

Don’t forget to print the lyrics clearly in the programme so that everyone can join in with your chosen songs at the wedding reception. With the right choice of music and lovely songs at the wedding reception, the atmosphere is guaranteed to be unforgettable!

Tip: Would you like to listen to the tunes and create your own playlist? You’ll find many of these classics on Spotify or other music streaming services so you can practise ahead of the reception.