Best Indian Wedding Songs for 2023
Updated: Sep 3, 2022
Want to know the best Bollywood, Hindi and Punjabi songs to play during your Big Fat Indian Wedding weekend in 2023 or later? You've come to the right place.
I'm going to explain:
the best tunes and music for your American Shaadi,
why they are perfect for your wedding
also keep in mind you're probably in America or Canada or somewhere that's not India.
Music not to play at your wedding
Your guests are probably mostly Indian, but you want to play the right Bollywood tracks and ensure EVERYBODY has a good time on that dance floor and also how they remember your wedding.
Your parents have also gotten used to being in America, but nostalgia is still a massive part of the Indian experience right?
My goal is to give you a list but also explain shaadi songs that are perfect for each event like the Sangeet or the Mehendi and specifically why these songs are good for them.
This post is different also because on a few of these tracks, I'll explain WHY I've selected these songs for Indians who grew up outside of India.
Not everyones' marriage needs these songs, but for some families they're just PERFECT.
Post Structure
Since this is a fairly long guide, scroll down to any of the sections below:
Why Music Can Make Your Wedding
Importance of the Right Wedding Songs
Importance of Bollywood Dance Music
Best Mehndi Songs
Best Sangeet Songs
Best Bridal Entrance Songs
Best Bridal Entrance Songs (Slow)
Best Bridal Entrance Songs Gujarati
Best Indian Wedding Reception Entrance Songs
Best Indian Songs for Any Indian Wedding Function
Music you Want to Avoid
Why Music Can Make or Break Your Indian Wedding
All over America, Indian Bride and grooms celebrate their shaadi. And the entire wedding planning process culminates on the dance floor.
Music is super important for how you and your guests remember your wedding.
If your DJ isn't playing the best Hindi or Punjabi dance songs to pack your dance floor, especially when people should be dancing...well, why not!
Great music from a great Indian or Desi DJ can:
Make your photos look even better
Bring emotions amongst friends and family
Make your videos look amazing
End your entire wedding on a high.
Importance of the RIGHT Wedding Songs
I can personally tell you I've heard "ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga"a 100 times and it still pulls at the heart strings like nobody's business. Seeing your mom and dad get emo while the right song starts playing is one of the best parts of the job.
Most songs at weddings are about romance, and well...duh, here we are.
But some are also meant to lift the mood, and a select few are also meant, if the timing is right, to get your mom and dad to shed those tears. So in music, just like stand up comedy...timing is everything!
Remember, most of us who grew up in Los Angeles or New Jersey or Texas probably don't listen to the Hindi songs and process the lyrics and meaning, but your parents and aunties probably do! So the words do often matter!
As some of the best Indian DJs in this space, we love to talk about the latest songs that rock every wedding (along with the classics). There is nothing more satisfying watching a bride rock out to a track you played, at the right place, right time and watching 300 hands go up, all looking for you and yours.
Importance of Bollywood Dance Music at your Wedding!
T-Series just passed pewDePie to become the largest youTuber on the planet. In America, In Thailand, In Singapore, In Canada...everywhere.
The world loves its Bollywood and you'll need it at your wedding. I see a lot of couples in the middle of America hire a DJ who only knows like 5 Bollywood songs *cough* Slumdog millionaire* cough and then they end up simply running up to him every 10 minutes with their iPhone to play this or that track. This also happens at Indian weddings in Mexico or Hawaii where couples have sourced a local DJ but realize he not that equipped to handle uncle's jams!
Plan ahead and then enjoy your special occasions!
So what are the best Punjabi and Bollywood songs for your special occasion, when you have like 1000 a year to choose from?
We get asked this question all the time.
.
From Drake to dandias...you ready bro?
LETS GO!
Best Mehndi Songs in 2020
Mehndi or Mehendi (both work) are normally kick off parties for Indian weddings in the west. They're usually held in a hotel or a house and serve as pool parties, welcome lunches and general upbeat affairs to start the festivities. And it's where you get your hand painted with henna!
1. Gallan Goodiyaan | Middle Class Party Vibes
WHY: You'll see uncles singing along going "Hello Hello!"From the movie Dil Dhadakne Do, which means "Let the heart beat." The main character Anil Kapoor is a middle-aged businessman who knows that mo money means mo problems, which is *cough* like many uncles we know. The entire movie takes place on a cruise ship and most mehendi are brunch/pool time vibes which are very similar to partying on a boat.
LYRICS:
everyone has wanted this thing, that we get a partner for all our lives (even if there are more than one lives) here something like that has happened, you have got it, right?
2. (CLASSIC) Mehndi Laga ke Rakhna | the Most Popular Movie Ever.
WHY: An absolute class and must play, thing song is pretty much about the mehendi event itself. Aunties will get sentimental, younger kids will remember it playing on the TV as kids. They'll probably also sing along. People who want to start dancing already even before Sangeet can as well. But the beauty is the song talks about putting the henna (hand paint) which is exactly what the occasion is all about!
LYRICS:
Your beloved is coming, put your henna on girl!
3. Aankh Marey | Matchmaking Your Guests
WHY: Remakes of classics are so in these days, and this flirtatious wedding song is literally about giving somebody the wink. Those two friends you want to set up at your wedding? Take note when the DJ is blasting this one. It will set the tone for your weekend. ;) :)
As Mehndi's are usually the first event, in weddings with more than 200 people everybody is scoping each other out, love is in the air and well, we are here for love right, maybe not just the bride and grooms eh? Plus, since it's a remake all the above 35 year olds will get super into this fresh remix also.
LYRICS:
The girl winks at me, Wherever I go, He follows me there, All the roadside Romeos, Want to be my beloved
4. Navrai Majhi | Your Parent's Immigration Jam
WHY: I can hear this song at any wedding and I always get emotional about the late Sridevi. If you've seen the movie, it's all about an Indian housewife moving to America and trying to get used to the new world.
*cough *your parents* cough* probably thirty years ago right? Your mom and dad will probably dance hard to this tune because it reminds them of moving to California or New Jersey or Texas many years ago!
LYRICS:
"my new bride has been brought up with lot of love, she has a liking for the moon, she has been gifted by God!
5. Mehndi Hai Rachnewali| the one Song you Need to Play
WHY: Although the movie was a bit on the sadder side, this song is all sorts of Bollywood meets Jason Mraz ready to kick off the brunch and pool party. It's slightly uptempo and INSTANTLY recognizable. Oh...and it's from the world famous A.R. Rahman!
You can probably be sure you'll be faster than Shazaam on this one!
Lyrics:
My friends say, now flower buds, Are going to blossom in your hands, Your heart, your life, Are going to receive new joys, Oh fresh bride, To take you away, your lover is going to come
Best Sangeet Songs
Sangeets are the first of 3 main events, which are the Sangeet, Wedding and Reception. The Sangeet is all about dancing so a good Sangeet playlist is heavy on the beats and party jams. They're also songs that can be danced to and lip-synced in case you use them for choreographed dances! In many Indian weddings in the west drinks are also flowing so things can be a little crazy!
1. Morni Banke
WHY: Yet again another remake, the lyrics might sound creepy in English but watch the video and you'll see it's literally meant for a wedding. And since it's a retro remake, you'll get the 20 year olds and the 50 year olds getting down.
LYRICS
"Baby! Your stride is like a catwalk Living that backless top." Oh boy!
2. Gud Naal Ishq Mitha (Remake or Original)
WHY: Another Punjabi take on a classic. But I'm telling you, people request these all the time. Younger folks will know this song, parents will know the remake and it's a perfect song for young and older folks to dance to at the Sangeet. Watch Anil Kapoor in the video of the latest video and you'll see how he jams as a father basically hosting a big shindig. (Kind of like the big fat wedding right?!?)
LYRICS:
The beautiful Moon and the wedding dress is shining, The instruments is echoing all around, After applying colourful henna, The hands are filled
3. Dil Chori
WHY: Remake again. Oh Bollywood why do you keep doing that. But yes yes yes, all these songs are played at Indian weddings in America because PEOPLE GO MAD CRAZY WHEN THEY COME ON AND SING ALONG! Yo Yo Honey Singh started his career with people rolling their eyes thinking he's trying to be a fake rapper in Bollywood, and now he's literally cracked how to transition from fake swag to real swag. The answer? Fake it till you make it! His beats are some of the best in the business and combine that with a retro nostalgia song and you have what Indians love....trendy yet traditional!
A great song for guys to dane backstreet boys style to serenade the ladies!
LYRICS:
"You stole my heart."
4. Queen: London Thumakda
WHY: Similar to Sridevi above, Kangana killed it in this song and movie about female empowerment and it was one of those "oh this is an INSTANT classic for weddings."
Ironically she runs out of her wedding at the start of this film from an overbearing dude, but she finds herself throughout the process. But the song itself is about a Big Fat Indian wedding celebration and people will ALWAYS dance when they hear it!
LYRICS:
You've gone from one to two, Oh girl now what to do, Now you belong to your husband, You've started flying like a kite
(the belonging to your husband part is translated loosely, so don't take it literally, we get it!)
Best Bridal Entrance Songs in 2020 (SLOW):
1. Afreen Afreen (Coke studio):
WHY: Coke studio is MTV Unplugged for Bollywood and has a massive following in the country and across the world! Even people who don't speak Hindi love hearing this music in passing. This beautiful modern rendition of a legendary late singer is something else. Listen and know why. Even my American friends and coworkers end up downloading it and play it, although they have no clue what it means.
LYRICS:
We have never seen one with such beauty as she Hers is the beauty of the sculptured idols of Ajanta Her beauty has bewitched our gaze Her beauty is an alluring song Her beauty is a heady fragrance Hers is the beauty of scented moonlight
2. Kaun Tujhe
A beautiful melody, this is another perfect song to enter on. From the M.S. Dhoni movie which is all about cricket, so for younger folks who want newer tracks a good choice. Chances are your parents may not know it though.
LYRICS:
You come in my heart Whenever I inhale I pass through the lanes of your heart every day
3. Din Shagna Da:
WHY: A lovely film that has very YouTube cover singer meets Jason Mraz acoustic vibes, this is a great track for a young bride to enter on, and also the parents will quickly translate the song in their heads and likely jump on board.
LYRICS:
i met my soulmate happiness of meeting him he will come with the doli to take me veranda is decorated
Ok maybe the lyrics don't translate well in English but I guarantee you they're beautiful!
Best Bridal Entrance Songs in 2020 (Faster):
1. Tune Maari Entriyaan
WHY: This one should be self explanatory but it literally means "you entered and my heart is ringing." Priyanka Chopra steals the show as usual in pretty much anything she touches!
Every wedding uses it these days and for good reason, so don't miss out!
LYRICS:
You entered my heart!
Best Bridal Entrance Songs in 2020 (Gujarati):
1. Shubhaarambh
"Kai po che" is what people say when they cut each other's kites during the kite festival (Uttarayan)! This one is a hit at Gujarati weddings and all the aunties and uncles who speak Gujarati will know exactly what it's about, whether they're from New Jersey, Surat, Baroda or even Kambhat. Anybody from Kambhat in the house?
Best Indian Wedding Reception Entrance Song
1. MIA Twinbeatz Mashup
Mashups are amazing because in an age of decreasing attention spans, we want it all and all at once. I just love the mixture of flavors (like a good curry!) in this track, and have one listen and you'll know the exact 60 seconds you want to enter your big fat wedding reception on!
One of the best tracks to enter on!
NOW MAKE SOME NOISE, FOR the VERY FIRST TIME.... MR AND MRS.....(you and your partner's names)!!!!
2. GDFR
Florida actually plays Indian weddings all the time, so naturally these two tracks are perfect for desi weddings because for some strange reasons the uncles and aunties know it.
Don't ask me now but hey, it works! I know this isn't Bollywood but trust me, you'll hear it even in India at all Hindi weddings!
3. Florida My house
WHY: Again, for some reason, people in India love this song probably because Indians love welcoming people home? I really don't know. But you should ask your DJ to include it at least once.
LYRICS:
Open up the champagne, welcome to my house!
4. Shaam Shaandar
WHY: A catchy beat from a super flop movie, that's why I love Bollywood. Alia Bhatt breaks out dancing in this track and if you're the type of crowd that is hardcore Bollywood and great choreography, well, here you go.
Often times the soundtrack lasts longer than the movie! Young people know this track and often dance to it!
LYRICS:
Bow down Your head and salute this wonderful evening It has been bestowed to us from heaven, this wonderful evening
Best "Any Event at an Indian Wedding" Songs
1. Get them Suits Out
WHY: Nobody is having a better career at the moment than Guru Randhawa, and if you're having an Indian wedding without playing his tracks well, you're doing it wrong. Even the beats are going to drive the non-Indians to shake a leg. This song is all about how Indian girls are more frequently wearing Non-Indian clothes, but Indian clothes are still the bomb. And since you're at a Big Fat Indian wedding where everybody is "rocking that Desi Swag," well it fits perfectly for the occasion!
Plus all the young Romeo's in New Jersey and Chicago are going to serenade whoever they find on the dance floor, so enjoy! This song is very popular at Punjabi weddings all across North America!
LYRICS:
Oh you look like a woman from Punjab, Look like such a babe, You look different than every other woman, A (Punjabi) suit, suits you well
2. For that dub-step and Trap Bollywood Vibe
WHY: I request you simply listen to this video first (forward about 30 seconds) and then comment below if you don't like the song instantly. The main reason is that people under 30 think they're cooler than anybody above 30. We get it bruv. You like drum and bass, trap music, funk, techno, whatever. We also know that at weddings you have to please everybody. This jam literally will do just that, with Hindi flare but some insanely sick beats!
LYRICS:
We just became the era Slow, slow was the moment Now only that's gonna happen what the world does We just became the era Slow, slow was the moment Now only that's gonna happen what the world does
3. Lamberghini
WHY: Bollywood is interesting, because often times you hate the music at first, then you keep hearing it and before you know, what at first was so cheesy, now you just love it. Well, that's the Bollywood formula. I see you Honey Singh!
This song is a perfect example. I guarantee 21 year olds might make fun of it, and then start dancing to it, and before you know it, just as the backstreet boys were cheesy, you end up jamming and coordinating a dance to it!
It reminds me so much of Imran Khan's Amplifier and is a hit amongst Indian weddings in the UK, Australia, the US and anywhere you'll find Punjabis and Pakistanis also!
LYRICS:
Your love has trapped me, And you took my heart away with you, It has been a year since am after you.
BONUS: See the super famous choreography here:
CONCLUSION
Not every wedding will have all Hindi, or all Bollywood, but you'll definitely want a good chunk of it at your big fat wedding in the states.
Even if your parents say they don't want to dance, start the night with Bollywood and once all the older folks have left or sat down, get that hip-hop or EDM vibe going.
You'd be surprised, even your non-Indian friends will end up wanting to hear more Bollywood because I mean...the first time someone experiences Bollywood beats, it is something beautiful...we're just used to it!
Have fun!
For folks in Los Angeles, California and/or even destination weddings, if you need expert Indian DJs for your big fat wedding please do reach out to us. Or if you just have questions about song selections comment them below! We got you!
Need the perfect Indian or Punjabi or Gujarati DJ at your South Asian wedding? Check our availability now!
DJ Bhavin Shah is one of the best Gujarati DJs in North America with over 20 years of experience catering to high end South Asian events.