It tends to be a belter. A guilty pleasure. An anthem.

It's the last song of the night on your wedding day, and it's more important than you think!

Photo by Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay via Wedding Party App

I remember going to my friend Charlie's wedding, she had an awesome playlist filled with party favourites, cool garage tracks, and some killer R'n'B. While some of the older guests sat it out, the dancefloor was never empty.

But when the last song of the night came on, almost every single person in the room formed a massive circle, with the happy couple in the middle basking in the success of their big day, as their guests belted the lyrics at the top of their lungs.

The song? Bohemian Rhapsody. All five minutes and 55 seconds of it. And not only did it close the night, we sung it the whole way home on their vintage Routemaster too.

It was the perfect ending to a beautiful wedding, and one of Charlie and her new husband's fondest memories of their day.

Photo by Photography by Clare via Bridal Musings

So with our love for a great finale in mind, we decided to hit up an expert for advice and asked top UK wedding DJ, Richard Porter about his picks for the big last number.

Music is such an integral part of any wedding. It provides the soundtrack and sets the tone to the biggest day of your life. Most brides and grooms will spend time carefully selecting the music to represent key moments of their day. How much thought goes into the last track of the night though? Is this last dance really as important as the first? As a Wedding DJ I can categorically say that yes, the last dance is of upmost importance. The last song of the evening is an opportunity to get everyone off their seat and onto the dance floor. When you choose this track you need to make sure it is upbeat and uplifting, it should be a song that gets everyone's arms in the air, their feet stomping, and their singing voices booming. It is your chance to celebrate the success of the day with your nearest and dearest standing next to you, shoulder to shoulder.

Photo by Rutko Photographers via Bridal Musings

I personally find these last dance moments the most emotional. I can see the expressions of pure joy on everyone's faces because the day is complete and has been perfect. The lead up to a wedding can be years in the making, the stress, the money and the time it all takes can get on top of even the most organized of couples. However, in this moment, as they stand in the middle of their friends and family, singing their hearts out, I can see it in their eyes, it has all been worth it. The last dance is the song that your guests will leave singing; it will be their final and lasting memory of the entire day.

Photo by Nate Gowdy Photography via Bridal Musings

For all these reasons make sure you give it the time and thought it deserves. I have compiled a list of the top 10 songs that I have seen work tremendously as the final tune to help you make this important decision; This is by no means an extensive list and as I say to all my clients, their choice of music should reflect them as individuals but these are all tracks that I know work well. I advise you to discuss the options as a couple and with the DJ. If you have hired a professional who is as passionate about weddings and music as I am then they will support you to find the perfect way to end your perfect day.

DJ Richard's Top Ten Last Dance Songs for Weddings

1. Frank Sinatra - New York New York

2. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes - Time Of My Life

3. Take That - Never Forget

4. Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline

5. Queen - Don't Stop Me Now

6. Oasis - Don't Look Back In Anger

7. Journey - Don't Stop Believing

8. Robbie Williams - Angels

9. The Beatles - All You Need Is Love

10. The Blues Brothers - Everybody Needs Somebody To Love

Photo by Doug Keese of Arte De Vie via Bridal Musings

The Bridal Musings Perfect Last Dance Playlist

We've added DJ Richard's picks and a few of our own to a Spotify playlist, so you can give them a spin and see what works for you as the perfect song to close your party.

Thanks so much to DJ Richard Porter for giving us his great expert advice on what songs work well at the end of a wedding.

We'd love to hear your thoughts, let us know what songs you've choosing to end your night with a bang - we'll even add them to our playlist!

And don't forget to follow Bridal Musings on Spotify for more great wedding music ideas.

For more wedding music ideas, see some of our favourite audio-inspiration posts from the archives...