Line dances and group dances can get a lot of people out of their seats and onto the dance floor at the same time. They can bring different generations together, give people who may not normally dance something familiar to do, and sometimes turn an empty dance floor into a packed one in a matter of seconds.
But not every couple wants them.
Some couples love line dances. Others tell me they don’t want a single one played. And plenty fall somewhere in the middle and are perfectly happy with one or two if the moment is right.
There isn’t a correct answer. Let your DJ know how you feel about them, and don’t feel like your wedding reception has to include a particular dance just because you’ve seen it at other weddings.
Popular Group Dances
These are some of the most recognizable group dances and songs I continue to see work on wedding dance floors:
- Cupid Shuffle – Cupid
- Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper
- Wobble – V.I.C.
- Electric Boogie (Electric Slide) – Marcia Griffiths
- Macarena – Los Del Rio
- YMCA – Village People
- Shout – The Isley Brothers
Some have been around for decades, but that’s part of why they can work. Guests already know them, and several generations can participate without having to learn something new.
Newer Group Dance Favorites
New group dances and dance trends continue to show up at weddings. Some catch on for a season, while others stick around much longer.
A few that I’ve been playing include:
- Flex – Cupid
- HOT TO GO! – Chappell Roan
- Boots on the Ground – 803Fresh
This is one part of a wedding music list that will continue to change. What works right now may be completely different a few years from now.
Country Line Dance Favorites
Country music has its own group of songs that can bring people onto the dance floor, especially when you have guests who already know the dances.
- Copperhead Road – Steve Earle
- Boot Scootin’ Boogie – Brooks & Dunn
- Watermelon Crawl – Tracy Byrd
- Chattahoochee – Alan Jackson
- Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex
Some crowds know every step. Others don’t. That’s another reason I wouldn’t automatically play one simply because it’s on a list of popular wedding line dances.
You Don’t Need a Lot of Them
One well-timed group dance can do more for a reception than playing four or five of them simply because they’re popular.
If the dance floor needs a little push and I know your guests will respond to the Cupid Shuffle, it can be exactly the right song. If the floor is already packed and everyone is having a great time, there may be absolutely no reason to interrupt what’s happening.
And if you’ve told me you don’t want line dances, we don’t need them at all.
A packed dance floor comes from reading your guests and playing the right music at the right time, not checking songs off a list.
For more ideas for different parts of your wedding day, visit Songs for Your Wedding.