So, you've spent the last few months agonising and arguing over your first dance. You've listened to some of your favourite songs so much that you now hate them. You've practiced slow dancing to songs in the mirror, debating if the tempo is too fast or slow. Clichéd songs have been dropped, obscure songs dismissed with a heavy heart. You've fought and fought and fought about it... And all this time you haven't spared a thought towards how the night will end up.
Just picture it: You, your friends and family are all on the dance-floor. The best man has his tie around his head. The Bridesmaids have no idea where their shoes are. You're still shellshocked from the sight of your Granny dancing to Tupac. Your friends are lifting you up off the ground, onto their shoulders. There's five minutes left and the DJ has JUST ONE MORE SONG...
As a wedding DJ, I guess I'm a bit biased. While Andrew and the band usually get to play the first song - it's the one everyone makes a fuss about - for me, the most important song is usually the very last one. It's the one that closes the night and, when done right, it's a really special moment that you'll cherish forever.
So spare a thought for the last dance of the night... and here's some suggestions based on what we've done in the past:
ARCADE FIRE - TUNNELS
Remember, I said the last song can be a special moment you treasure forever? Well, I thought it would be a good idea to kick things off with a special moment I treasure - the last song at my own wedding. An absolute alternative classic that builds and builds into a euphoric close. A great choice if you've filled the dance-floor with your muso friends - substitute in 'Rebellion(lies)' if you want something more well known.
TAKE THAT - NEVER FORGET
It's passed from the realm of 'cheesy' into the land of 'cheesy classics.' A massive chorus with appropriate lyrics and a simple dance routine that every drunken guest will either know or learn pretty quickly.
QUEEN - BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
We've seen weddings where the guests range from 2 years old to 90 years old, and Bohemian Rhapsody is one of those great songs that unites generations together. Everyone knows it because 1) it's a classic and 2) it's bloody amazing.
AC/DC - YOU SHOOK MY ALL NIGHT LONG
I've lost count of the amount of grooms that have pleaded with me to play this at weddings, but it's not just a song for the guys. Pick up your air guitars and rock out one last time.
THE BEATLES - HEY JUDE
NA NA NA NANANANAHHHHH, NANANANAAAAAHHHH... Enough said.
BEN E KING - STAND BY ME
Are you feeling soppy? Of course you are - you just married the love of your life! Stand by me is one of those cool classics with probably one of the nicest sentiments of any love song. Beautiful.
FLEETWOOD MAC - EVERYWHERE
Sweet, beautiful and very danceable. If you don't appreciate a bit of the Mac then there is no hope left for you...
LCD SOUNDSYSTEM - ALL MY FRIENDS
Older guests already gone? If you find yourself surrounded by all your friends at the end of the night I can think of few better songs to dance to.
VENGABOYS - WE LIKE TO PARTY (THE VENGABUS)
Throwing this curveball at you only because it was part of a great wedding memory for me last year. I was told to announce that the bus had arrived to take guests home from the venue and I played this song while all the guests did a conga out of the room. Respect the cheese...
JOHN MURPHY & DAVID HUGHES - ZORBA THE GREEK
You might not even know this song when it starts, but by the end your dance-floor will look like Temple Bar on St.Patrick's night...
DEAN MARTIN - THAT'S AMORE
Ok, ok... I have to throw one massive cliche in here and I can't bring myself to recommend the other usual suspects like 500 miles and Auld Lands Syne (it's not even NYE ffs!), so I've gone for a bit of Dean. It's a song that everyone knows most of the words to and no matter how cool you think you are, it's impossible to resist a bit of crooning after a few drinks.
By all means, don't just stick to these suggestions - after all, you know your friends and family better than we do. Find that special song that you know they'll all love and you'll end your wedding with a delighted floor full of people you love!