“Do Not Play List: 20 Songs to Avoid at Your New Zealand Wedding”
Planning the perfect wedding playlist is just as important as choosing your venue or catering. At New Zealand DJ Collective, we’ve DJ’d hundreds of weddings across Aotearoa, from Queenstown to Auckland, and one thing we know for sure: your music makes or breaks the party.
While most couples spend time picking their “must plays,” it’s just as important to think about your “Do Not Play” list — the songs that are either outdated, cheesy, or just don't vibe with your big day. So, here’s our expert guide to the top 20 songs to avoid at your New Zealand wedding — and what to play instead.
Why a "Do Not Play" List Matters
Your wedding should feel like you. That means curating a soundtrack that reflects your vibe, your story, and your energy. A well-planned do-not-play list ensures you won’t be pulled out of the moment by a cringey tune or awkward request from a distant uncle.
Whether you're having a rustic vineyard wedding in Marlborough or a chic city celebration in Wellington, this list will help keep the dance floor classy, fun, and totally you.
20 Songs to Avoid at Your New Zealand Wedding
Here’s what we often recommend skipping — unless it’s ironically your favourite!
1. The Chicken Dance – Various Artists
🛑 More kids’ party than wedding.
2. Macarena – Los Del Rio
🛑 Feels dated and overdone. Plus, not everyone knows the moves.
3. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke
🛑 Lyrics raise more eyebrows than glasses.
4. YMCA – Village People
🛑 Iconic? Yes. Cheesy? Also yes.
5. Cottoneye Joe – Rednex
🛑 Unless you're going full rural-country theme, probably a pass.
6. My Humps – Black Eyed Peas
🛑 Not exactly romantic…
7. Gold Digger – Kanye West
🛑 Great beat, questionable lyrics at a wedding.
8. Baby Shark – Pinkfong
🛑 Please don’t.
9. Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) – Beyoncé
🛑 Ironically awkward at a wedding celebrating the opposite.
10. Love Shack – The B-52’s
🛑 Often requested, rarely danced to with genuine joy.
11. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
🛑 An anthem for breakups, not fresh starts.
12. Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
🛑 Overplayed, and full of women's names that aren’t the bride’s.
13. Tik Tok – Ke$ha
🛑 "Brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack" doesn’t quite scream “elegant wedding”.
14. Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO
🛑 Not quite the wedding mood you're after.
15. Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
🛑 Only if your whole theme is 90s country.
16. Who Let the Dogs Out – Baha Men
🛑 Do we really need to explain this one?
17. Gangnam Style – PSY
🛑 Unless it’s a private inside joke, let it go.
18. Shots – LMFAO ft. Lil Jon
🛑 Could derail your dance floor real fast.
19. The Hokey Pokey – Various
🛑 Belongs in kindergarten, not the reception.
20. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
🛑 Unless it’s your family's anthem, many find it too cliché.
What to Do Instead?
At New Zealand DJ Collective, we don’t just spin songs — we read the room, customise the vibe, and deliver unforgettable dance floors.
✅ Want upbeat but modern? Think Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Harry Styles.
✅ Want classic but cool? Fleetwood Mac, Earth Wind & Fire, Prince.
✅ Want Kiwi pride? Let’s throw in Six60, L.A.B., or Fat Freddy’s Drop.
We’ll work with you to create a tailored setlist that skips the cringe and keeps the party pumping.
Final Tip: Communicate With Your DJ
Whether you want zero cheese or are secretly partial to a little 90s nostalgia, make sure your DJ knows your preferences. That’s why we always ask for a Must Play / Do Not Play List during our planning meetings.
We bring the experience, you bring the vibe. Together, we create something unforgettable.
Planning Your NZ Wedding?
Let us help you craft a wedding soundtrack that reflects your love story — without the musical missteps. Contact New Zealand DJ Collective today for a custom quote, or check out our Wedding DJ Packages and Real Wedding Stories.
Tags: New Zealand Wedding DJ, Do Not Play List, Wedding Music Tips, NZ DJ Agency, Wedding Playlist Ideas, New Zealand DJ Collective