The ultimate wedding playlist has been revealed with 'Dancing Queen' by Abba taking the top spot, 46 years after it was first released. A poll of 2,000 wedding guests saw 'Don’t Stop Me Now', by Queen and Neil Diamond’s 'Sweet Caroline', complete the top three.
The 'big day' top 40 playlist also included 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams, Toploader’s 'Dancing in the Moonlight', and 'Mr Brightside', by The Killers. 'Single Ladies', by Beyonce, and 'One Love', by Blue also featured.
The research also found 59 per cent love the cheesiness of a wedding playlist, and 21 per cent enjoy nothing more than a good boogie with pals to celebrate someone tying the knot. Savoury biscuit brand Mini Cheddars, which commissioned the research, has created the ultimate wedding superband, featuring Blue's Duncan James and Claire Richards, from Steps, which will perform for one night only this September.
Leighton Wall, a spokesperson for global snacking company, pladis UK&I, said: "Weddings are a great way to let loose, at their heart, they are all about happiness. Part of this happiness comes from letting go of inhibitions, hitting the dance floor and fully embracing those ‘guilty pleasures’.
"For some reason, showing emotions and being authentically yourself is seen as somewhat cheesy among many - but we say embrace it, not just at weddings but any time you fancy.”
The study also found 30 per cent of those polled believe speeches are typically the cheesiest part of any wedding ceremony. Second on this list was the often-awkward first dance (27 per cent) followed by the music choices (26 per cent).
But more than one in 10 admit they never dance at weddings they attend. And the age-old question of whether wedding planners should go for a DJ, or a live band, hasn’t been answered - with Brits split right down the middle on what they prefer.
On the big day, the wedding ceremony itself, including the exchanging of vows, was deemed slightly better than the evening party (24 per cent compared to 22 per cent). But 15 per cent simply look forward to enjoying the wedding breakfast.
The average adult has attended eight weddings, putting them in a good position to judge how well one has gone - while 10 per cent estimate they’ve been to 15 or more. And of those who are already married, one in five had a row with their other half about what tunes should go on the all-important evening do playlist.
Blue star Duncan James said: “It can be hard to reach a compromise on music if one person loves heavy metal and the other’s a pop-peddler. This is why it’s often best to leave your preconceived notions of what music is ‘good’ at the door, and let a DJ play the biggest crowd pleasers in their record collection.
"There’s a reason many of the songs in this ultimate wedding playlist have been mainstays for decades. They’re timeless classics everyone knows, and Claire and I can’t wait to play a few of ours on one couple’s special day.”
Steps singer Claire Richards said: “To play such an amazing role in one couple’s wedding will be a real honour. I know how important music is at a wedding, and Duncan and I can’t wait to make sure every guest fully embraces that no-care feeling you only get dancing your heart out at a wedding.“
To find out how to have Duncan James and Claire Richards perform at your wedding visit here – the competition closes on Friday, August 19.
Top 40 wedding playlist songs
1. Dancing Queen by Abba
2. Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
3. Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
4. Happy by Pharrell Williams
5. Mamma Mia by Abba
6. Oh What a Night by Frankie Valli
7. Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader
8. Night Fever by the Bee Gees
9. I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas
10. Don’t Stop Believin' by Journey
11. I’m Still Standing by Elton John
12. Mr Brightside by The Killers
13. Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
14. Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake
15. Are You Ready for Love? by Elton John
16. Let Me Entertain You by Robbie Williams
17. Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
18. Believe by Cher
19. How Will I Know by Whitney Houston
20. Single Ladies by Beyonce
21. Valerie by Amy Winehouse
22. One Love by Blue
23. Blame it on the Boogie by Jackson 5
24. Reach by S Club 7
25. Mambo No. 5 by Lou Bega
26. Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon
27. American Pie by Don McLean
28. Proud Mary by Tina Turner
29. Could It Be Magic by Take that
30. Hey Jude by The Beatles
31. Shut up and Dance by Walk the Moon
32. September by Earth, Wind and Fire
33. 5, 6, 7, 8 by Steps
34. Thriller by Michael Jackson
35. Chain Reaction by Steps
36. Spice Up Your Life by The Spice Girls
37. 99 Red Balloons by Nena
38. Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus
39. All Rise by Blue
40. C’est la Vie by B’witched
