The bouquet toss can be one of the more fun and lighthearted moments of a wedding reception. It’s a chance to get guests out of their seats, bring some energy toward the dance floor, and have a little fun.
It’s also completely optional. Some couples love the tradition, some put their own spin on it, and others skip it altogether.
If you decide to have one, the music should fit the kind of moment you want to create.
Choosing the Right Bouquet Toss Song
There’s no rule that says a bouquet toss song has to be about being single, getting married, or finding the next person to walk down the aisle.
Those songs can certainly be fun, but you can also choose something simply because it has the right energy.
A few things to consider:
- Keep it fun and upbeat
- Choose something that fits your personality
- Playful or slightly sassy can work well
- Consider who you’re inviting to participate
- Pick something you’ll enjoy hearing while everyone gathers for the toss
Popular Bouquet Toss Songs
These are some familiar choices that fit the traditional bouquet toss:
- Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)
- Shania Twain – Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
- Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want to Have Fun
- Spice Girls – Wannabe
- The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men
- Beyoncé – Run the World (Girls)
- Kool & The Gang – Ladies’ Night
- Destiny’s Child – Independent Women, Pt. 1
A Few Different Directions
You don’t have to stay with the traditional theme. Sometimes a song with the right attitude or energy works just as well.
- TLC – No Scrubs
- Pat Benatar – Hit Me With Your Best Shot
- Gwen Stefani – Hollaback Girl
- Rihanna – Only Girl (In the World)
- Lizzo – Truth Hurts
And if none of those feel like you, choose something completely different. The song doesn’t have to be an obvious “bouquet toss song” if there’s something else that fits you better.
Think About Who You Invite
The traditional bouquet toss usually invites single women to the dance floor, but that isn’t the only way to do it.
You can invite whoever you want to participate, open it to everyone, or change the tradition completely. Some couples also replace the bouquet toss with something like a T-shirt toss that allows the entire crowd to participate.
The point is to have a moment that fits your wedding rather than doing something simply because it has traditionally been part of wedding receptions.
Another Option: Dedicate the Bouquet
Instead of tossing the bouquet, some brides choose to dedicate it to someone special.
This might be a mother, grandmother, or another person who has played an important role in their life. The bride can invite that person onto the dance floor, say a few words if she would like, and present the bouquet to them.
If you’re planning a bouquet dedication, the music can be completely different from a traditional bouquet toss song. Rather than looking for something playful or upbeat, you might choose a song that represents your relationship with that person or simply has special meaning to the two of you.
It can turn a traditional wedding moment into something much more personal.
A Quick Tip
Even though the actual bouquet toss happens quickly, the entire moment takes a little longer. Guests need time to gather, get into position, and get ready for the toss. A typical three-minute song can work very well from the time the announcement is made until the bouquet has been caught.
I’ll start the music as everyone gathers and handle the timing based on what is happening rather than worrying about whether we use the entire song.
Where you place the bouquet toss can also help with the flow of the reception. It can happen during open dancing, or it can be used before the dance floor opens to get people out of their seats and gathered near the dance floor.
For more ideas for your ceremony, special dances, and reception, visit my Songs for Your Wedding page.