Most requested wedding songs in South Africa

Ceremony & processional

Instrumental or gentle vocal tracks that carry a walk down the aisle without competing with the vows. Test the length against the actual walk in rehearsal.

1. 01

   A Thousand Years — Christina Perri

   Most-requested processional. Have the instrumental version ready.

2. 02

   Canon in D — Pachelbel

   Timeless. Use a string quartet arrangement for a warmer feel.

3. 03

   Marry Me — Train

4. 04

   Perfect (Instrumental) — Ed Sheeran

5. 05

   All of Me (Instrumental) — John Legend

6. 06

   Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles

   Good bridesmaids entrance.

Bridal-party entrance to the reception

High-energy tracks that lift the room the moment the doors open. Keep intros short — 20 to 40 seconds is usually enough per couple.

1. 01

   Jerusalema — Master KG ft. Nomcebo Zikode

   SA classic — expect a dance-along.

2. 02

   Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) — Shakira ft. Freshlyground

3. 03

   Marry You — Bruno Mars

4. 04

   Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

5. 05

   Signed, Sealed, Delivered — Stevie Wonder

6. 06

   I Gotta Feeling — Black Eyed Peas

First-dance favourites

The most requested first-dance songs by SA couples in the last two seasons. Always confirm the exact version — album, acoustic or live cut — well in advance.

1. 01

   Perfect — Ed Sheeran

   Most-requested first dance in SA for several seasons running.

2. 02

   Thinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran

3. 03

   All of Me — John Legend

4. 04

   At Last — Etta James

5. 05

   Can't Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley

6. 06

   Die Heel Beste — Kurt Darren

   Popular Afrikaans first-dance choice.

7. 07

   Speechless — Dan + Shay

8. 08

   Say You Won't Let Go — James Arthur

Parent dances

Father–daughter and mother–son moments. SA couples often edit these down to 2 minutes to keep the pace up.

1. 01

   My Girl — The Temptations

2. 02

   I Loved Her First — Heartland

3. 03

   Cinderella — Steven Curtis Chapman

4. 04

   You Are the Sunshine of My Life — Stevie Wonder

5. 05

   A Song for Mama — Boyz II Men

6. 06

   Simple Man — Lynyrd Skynyrd

Dance-floor openers

The first three songs after the formalities matter most — they set whether the floor stays full for the night. Mix a guaranteed sing-along with an SA anthem.

1. 01

   September — Earth, Wind & Fire

2. 02

   Dancing Queen — ABBA

3. 03

   Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond

4. 04

   Jerusalema — Master KG ft. Nomcebo Zikode

5. 05

   Shosholoza — Traditional

   Guaranteed lift at SA weddings.

6. 06

   Mr. Brightside — The Killers

Sokkie & Afrikaans set

A short Sokkie block earns its keep at most Cape and Highveld weddings. Keep it tight — 4 to 6 tracks — then transition back to a mainstream set.

1. 01

   Loslappie — Kurt Darren

2. 02

   Kaptein (Span Die Seile) — Kurt Darren

3. 03

   Meisie Meisie — Bok van Blerk

4. 04

   Cavalera — Snotkop

5. 05

   Wielie Wielie Walie — Steve Hofmeyr

6. 06

   Ek Verlang Na Jou — Theuns Jordaan

Amapiano & Afro-house moment

A 15–25 minute Amapiano block lands well at almost every SA reception now. Watch the tempo — the log-drum builds slowly, so seed the floor with a familiar hit first.

1. 01

   Woza — Mr JazziQ ft. Kabza De Small, Lady Du & Boohle

2. 02

   Mnike — Tyler ICU & DJ Maphorisa

3. 03

   Adiwele — Young Stunna ft. Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa

4. 04

   Emcimbini — Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Aymos, Samthing Soweto

5. 05

   Water — Tyla

   Crossover hit — works with a mixed crowd.

6. 06

   Osama — Zakes Bantwini & Kasango

Late-night sing-along closers

The final 30 minutes should be everybody's-favourite songs, not new material. End on a track the couple has personally chosen.

1. 01

   Don't Stop Believin' — Journey

2. 02

   Livin' on a Prayer — Bon Jovi

3. 03

   I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston

4. 04

   Time of My Life — Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

5. 05

   Africa — Toto

   Reliable SA closer.

6. 06

   Wonderwall — Oasis

How to use this list in a real planning meeting

• Confirm the exact version (studio, acoustic, live) for the first dance and parent dances well in advance.
• Ask for a short must-play list (10–20 songs) and a do-not-play list. Do not ask the couple to build the whole set.
• Edit the first dance and parent dances down to 2:00–2:30 unless choreographed.
• Confirm whether Sokkie, Amapiano, or a specific cultural set is expected — this varies sharply by region and family.
• Share the final structure (not the full track-list) with the couple so nothing is a surprise on the night.

Frequently asked questions