Last Song of the Night: Wedding Final Songs Our Couples Chose
By Ryley Smithson, Tennyson Events · Updated October 2026
The most popular last songs on our wedding run sheets are "Closing Time" by Semisonic, "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machine and "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, each chosen by 3 of our couples. Next, at 2 couples each, are "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", "First Date", "Iris", "Untouched", "Afterglow", "Forever", "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Never Tear Us Apart".
These counts come from 183 Tennyson weddings (2017 to 2026, mostly 2024 to 2026). Of those, 70 named a final song, with 82 picks across 68 different songs. Almost everyone picks something different, so the numbers are small. Use them as a menu, not a verdict.
Last songs our couples chose
Closing Time – Semisonic (chosen by 3 couples)
Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine (chosen by 3 couples)
Love Story – Taylor Swift (chosen by 3 couples)
(I've Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes (chosen by 2 couples)
First Date – Blink-182 (chosen by 2 couples)
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls (chosen by 2 couples)
Untouched – The Veronicas (chosen by 2 couples)
Afterglow – Wilkinson (chosen by 2 couples)
Forever – Chris Brown (chosen by 2 couples)
Don't Stop Believin' – Journey (chosen by 2 couples)
Never Tear Us Apart – INXS (chosen by 2 couples)
Don't Dream It's Over – Crowded House (chosen by 1 couple)
You're the Voice – John Farnham (chosen by 1 couple)
Mr Brightside – The Killers (chosen by 1 couple)
Dancing Queen – ABBA (chosen by 1 couple)
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond (chosen by 1 couple)
My Happiness – Powderfinger (chosen by 1 couple)
Midnight City – M83 (chosen by 1 couple)
Taylor Swift is the top artist here, with 4 picks across different songs.
Listen to every final song we've played: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7hnkMMqBQwlezk5Wbd6Dfb
Three ways to end the night
The last song does one of three jobs. Pick the job first.
The singalong. Arms around shoulders, everyone knows the words. "Closing Time", "Iris" and "Never Tear Us Apart" are in this camp.
The last burst of energy. A song to dance to right to the end, such as "Dog Days Are Over" or "Afterglow".
The slow landing. A softer finish after a long dance floor, such as "Love Story" or "Don't Dream It's Over".
To be honest, none of these really matters. It all depends on the crowd. We always love a good singalong or a good banger to finish on. What I like best is an anthemic song that trails off, so everyone can get around, cheer, and end on a high.
How to end the night well
Tell the room the end is coming. About 30 minutes out, then again at 15 minutes, I let the crowd know it's nearly the end of the night. People have wandered off for last drinks, the bar or the bathroom, and it helps to give them some context: "We've only got 15 minutes left to party with the happy couple." Then it's everyone on the floor, time for the final song.
Lead into it, don't drop it. Build the last few songs so the final track lands on a high or a gentle comedown.
Check the end of the track. Some songs fade, some stop on a big note. We can cut or edit the ending so it finishes cleanly, or let an anthemic song trail off so everyone ends on a high.
Know your curfew. Our run sheets include outdoor music curfews at 23:00 (2 couples), guest buses at 23:30 (2 couples) and at midnight (2 couples). Work back from the hard stop so the last song isn't cut mid-chorus. Confirm the curfew and bus times with your venue.
Be ready for an encore. Every crowd wants one more song. That's why we do a fake last song in the last 10 minutes, then play two more. If we're finishing at 10, I'll call the "final song" (really the second to last), play one more banger after it, and before that song I'll get on the microphone and start my own "one more song" chant, so everyone gets around it and knows. They go last song, then they get one more, then they're gone. By faking it, you take the sting out of the night. Dance floors usually run 2 to 3 hours, and wild crowds 4 to 5, so we plan the finale with some give.
Our run sheets also include 2 couples who asked for a windback mix to bring the night down gently before the end.
Cake cutting songs
A small note on sample size: only 7 of our 183 couples named a cake cutting song, so these are examples, not a trend. Six different songs were chosen:
L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole (chosen by 2 couples)
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles (chosen by 1 couple)
I Want to Be Loved by You – Sinead O'Connor (chosen by 1 couple)
Dreams – The Cranberries (chosen by 1 couple)
Heavy Eyes – Zach Bryan (chosen by 1 couple)
What My World Spins Around – Jordan Davis (chosen by 1 couple)
Timing varies too. 3 couples cut the cake straight after their entry, and 2 cut it before dinner. 2 cut the cake with a sword. keep cake cutting songs to around a minute; the cut is quick More on running order in our wedding reception timeline.
Quick answers
What is the most popular last song at a wedding?
On our run sheets, "Closing Time", "Dog Days Are Over" and "Love Story", each chosen by 3 couples.
What should the last song of a wedding be?
One your guests know well enough to sing, ideally one that matches how the night is going. Pick the job first: singalong, burst of energy or slow landing.
Should the last song be a slow song or a fast one?
Either works, and both appear on our lists. It depends on the crowd. A singalong or a banger, ideally an anthemic song that trails off, lets everyone end on a high.
How do you announce the last song at a wedding?
Your DJ or MC does it, with warnings at 30 minutes and 15 minutes to go, then a call to get on the floor for the final song. We follow it with one more banger.
What are good cake cutting songs?
Our small sample includes "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole (2 couples) and "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles.
Plan the whole night
See wedding DJ hire in Adelaide, our first dance songs, the recessional songs for the other end of the day, and the full wedding songs hub.