We reached out to 5 Toronto DJs for them to share their top 20 songs that should be spinning at a wedding day reception, cocktail hour, and on the dance floor. And they also shared popular first dance songs, favorite dance floor memories and their greatest of all time movie soundtracks.

Not only did we enjoy listening to each and every playlist included in this article but insights on what their experience is on the otherside of a rocking party or social event. Follow our Spotify account for more specially requested playlists. 

Meet DJ Lissa Monet – A Wedding Wonderland Playlist

There’s no mistaking, DJ Lissa Monet rocks parties. A one of a kind talent, DJ Lissa Monet has captivated tastemakers, influencers, party-goers, and music lovers that delivers the right tracks and vibe to events with modesty and intelligence. Most known for her “That Slow Jam Party” event—this playlist is a MOOD setter.

Genre of spins (what type of music do you usually play?): I generally play EVERYTHING, but my heart lies in spinning old school hip hop and R&B music

DJ Lissa Monet an artscape Venues PlaylistMust play song for a Wedding Day: “Lovely Day” – Bill Withers (because Wedding Days are exactly that)

Popular first dance song: That’s a tough one because every couple has a unique story. I will tell you this, my parent’s first dance was to Lionel Richie & Diana Ross – “My Endless Love” 

Memorable dance floor moment: Omg, I have so many! But my fave has to be spinning at Eritrian Weddings! The traditional ceremonies are absolutely beautiful and Eritrian Music is HIGH ENERGY!

Favorite movie soundtrack: Spike Lee’s “Crooklyn” (the best 70s soul music are in that soundtrack, it’s also my favourite movie of all time)

 

Meet Impact DJ – A Wedding Day Hits Playlist

A Wedding Wire award winner, Impact DJ is a group of the best DJs in Toronto with years of experience and a focus on the guest’s music tastes, these DJs entertain with elegance, professionalism and FUN. Guests have the final say on everything that will happen at their function, from the announcements made to the songs that get played. This is a playlist that has a collection of curated hits.

Genre of spins (what type of music do you usually play?): Primarily being a wedding DJ company, our team focuses on open-format playing meaning all genres are game! Impact DJ An Artscape Venues Playlist

Must play song for a Wedding Day: Tough one. I guess I’ll default to one that gets requested the most based on our planning tools. Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin'”

Popular first dance song:  Another tough one. So many great ones we’ve seen. Let’s go with the Ingrid Michaelson version of Can’t Help Falling in Love. A modern version of a classic love song. 

Memorable dance floor moment: When you do hundreds a year you have a lot of amazing moments to choose from! A great example: All your high school and college friends gathering on the dance floor to sing the words to “I Want it That Way” (By the Backstreet Boys) as loud as they can! 

Favorite movie soundtrack: The Big Chill. So many classic and fun Motown jams!

 

Meet DJ O-nonymous – A Wedding Day Soulful Vibes Playlist

After years of quiet anonymity DJ O-nonymous, took his love for music beyond the comfort of being a “bedroom DJ” past the threshold of his front door. DJ O, produces, hosts and spins at a weekly morning show on VIBE105 FM where he is also the Music Coordinator. Lo-key and determined, diverse and talented it’s easy to see why he’s identified as ‘the most known-unknown‘ DJ in the city. This is a playlist that has wedding day soulful vibes written all over it.

Genre of spins (what type of music do you usually play?): I’m an open format DJ, so quite often whatever the crowd wants. For my weekly on-air DJ O-nonymous An Artscape Venues Playlistresidencies, it’s 50/50 hip hop & R&B (specifically slow jams).

Must play song for a Wedding Day: Every bride is uniquely different but “We are Family” never fails. 

Popular first dance song: If I had I guess I would say “Thousand Years” Christina Perry. I encourage couples to think of their love story and choose something personal to them! 

Memorable dance floor moment: I’d say one of the most recent memories has to be when the wedding guest list was a mix of young people who wanted to “turn up” and older people who wanted Polka music. Keeping the dancefloor full was my biggest challenge and where I got the most sincere feedback because of the contrasting music styles. 

Favorite movie soundtrack: It’s Love & Basketball for several of the key songs in the movie like, “A Woman’s Work” but that song didn’t make it on the official soundtrack—so I’ll say Prince “Purple Rain”.

 

Meet DJ Flavia – A Wedding Day Dance Track Playlist

Flavia Abadía is a Female Latin Crossover DJ/MC, Songwriter and Artist, based in Toronto. Colombian and French Canadian, Flavia loves to fuse musical genres from latin to hip hop and other world elements. Flavia is the first and only woman to DJ a Toronto Raptors NBA Game (DJed during the 2019 championship season). This is a playlist that will move your body to the dance floor.

Genre of spins (what type of music do you usually play?): Everything, it depends on the event. My specialty is catering to a diverse crowd especially of different cultures. I play everything from Top 40, way backs, Motown, DJ Flavia An Artscape Venues Playlisthip hop, dancehall, soca, Latin (salsa, bachata, reggeaton, cumbia, regional and more), moombahton, EDM, deep house, soul house, multicultural and more.

Must play song for a Wedding Day: Whatever the couple’s must-play songs are for their wedding are mine as well. I customize the music to their day and make sure they’re happy first and foremost. However, one of my favourites right now is “Higher Love” by Whitney Houston and Kygo.

Popular first dance song: This is a tough one because every couple has their own “inside” song. Popular ones I’ve seen are “All Of Me” by John Legend or “Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony.

Memorable dance floor moment: Wow there have been so many!! My favourite thing is when I play a song the audience wasn’t expecting and they put their hands up, shout, dance or bounce around in excitement.

I also really like the end of the night when I play nice concluding songs and everyone is in a circle, either holding hands or their arms around each other’s shoulders and are really feeling the love.

My favourite moments are seeing people happy ?!

Favorite movie soundtrack: For my listening, I like a combination of chick flick songs from the 90s – 2000s. Songs in this include “Perfect Day” by Hoku, “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton, “Ultimate” by Lindsay Lohan and “Why Not” by Hilary Duff.

 

Meet DJ Jenno – A Dance Floor Jams Playlist

DJ Jenno An Artscape Venues Playlist

And lastly Artscape’s own. Most recently featured on Toronto Star’s “#StarRotation playlist for self-isolation amid COVID-19”. Jenno Christian is a Toronto-based DJ who runs a number of different events in the city. This is a playlist that you never knew you needed in your wedding day rotation.

Genre of spins (what type of music do you usually play?): hip hop

Must play song for a Wedding Day: Get You – Daniel Caesar

Popular first dance song: All of Me – John Legend

Memorable dance floor moment: A couple’s baby girl stole the show with her own TikTok dances

Favorite movie soundtrack: Love & Basketball

 

Planning a Wedding Day? Start by locking down a date.

Then secure a DJ to create the Wedding Day Playlist that will cement feel-good memories for a lifetime. Thank you to the DJs featured for sharing their top 20 list, it isn’t easy to narrow down classics or hit records.