Music is a crucial part of any celebration, and wedding dinner music is not an exception. Many couples don’t pay enough attention to this point in their wedding planning – which is a pity! Reception dinner music might not have such an overwhelming effect, as some of the other musical choices of this important event.
Dinner music for a wedding is more of a background than a center of attention. Still, it gives the atmosphere to the whole event – so decide wisely! One can hardly underestimate the influence the music has on the overall mood of everyone involved! But how to choose the best music for your reception?
We have come up with the list of the best 55 tracks, including some latest 2018 music, to be among your top wedding dinner songs.
Have fun!
How to Choose the Best Wedding Dinner Music?
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There are several tips to follow when you choose background music for wedding dinner:
- First of all, relax. The wedding cocktail songs are the songs that will play during your cocktail hour and probably the most delicious meal you’ve ever had. It should add to the atmosphere, but not distract your guests from socializing. Which means – this is an important part of the wedding, but don’t just stress out yet!
- There are several traits of any great playlist: it should include songs of different genres, tempos, and some well-known hits as well as some unknown ones. Still, all these various music pieces have something in common to make the wedding dinner playlist flow smoothly. It should have a kind of common ‘vibe’.
- Think about your feelings after the wedding. Would you feel romantic or celebratory? This is quite important and will help you understand the general direction of your music choice…
- Leave dance hits for later to get everyone on the dance floor.
- Doesn’t matter if you decided to go for live music or a DJ – soundcheck is a must. You could make a trial list and use it as your rehearsal dinner songs to see if everything is fine and the sound is even.
- Make a must-play list for your DJ. Check the availability of tracks well in advance to be able to add them to your playlist.
- Make a do-not-play list. Considering the fact cocktail hour music playlist is usually about 1.5 hours long – it’s important for the DJ to know your musical tastes well enough. If something goes not the way it was planned and the cocktail hour takes longer than planned, the DJ better know what NOT to play.
- No R-rated music – remember your Grandma and the little cousins will be there too!
- If in doubt about making all the complicated music choices – just choose a singer\band you like and play an entire album.
- Trust the professional – show the DJ\ band songs you like – it will help them to get the idea. Maybe your DJ\band has several tunes to offer. As a professional, your DJ knows much more musical hits than you.
Best Wedding Reception Dinner Music 2018
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First of all, you are going to need some nice music to accompany your wedding reception and dinner, there can be even wedding toast songs to create the right mood for your well-wishing. The music starts playing as soon as the guests arrive and keeps playing through the meal and cocktail hour as they are waiting for you. As any other fabulous playlist, it should be a mix of ‘something old, something new’. Do include your favorite music, that is not upbeat enough to get everyone moving on the dancefloor, but suits the occasion. The music shouldn’t be too loud to allow your guest to communicate easily.
Want some examples of best wedding dinner songs? Here you are!
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P!nk – Raise Your Glass
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Rihanna – Diamonds
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Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
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The Beatles – All You Need is Love
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Ben E. King – Stand by Me
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Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
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French Montana – Unforgettable
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Zara Larsson – So Good
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The Weekend, Daft Punk – I Feel It Coming
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Andy Grammer – Fresh Eyes
Looking for more wedding music ideas? Check out
50 First Dance Songs For Your Wedding: Modern & Classic Ideas
Country Wedding Dinner Playlist 2018
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Country music is a must if you are planning a western or a country-style wedding. It is definitely a part of the vibe for a rustic or boho wedding. But even if your big day is a classic white wedding with no definite theme, country is perfect as wedding reception dinner music. Music will add to the general atmosphere of the event, creating the right mood. Country music can be a great addition to your list of wedding songs.
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Keith Urban – Making Memories of Us
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Faith Hill – This Kiss
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Garth Brooks – To Make You Feel My Love
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Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – It’s Your Love
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Kenny Chesney – Me and You
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Dustin Lynch – Cowboys and Angels
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Keith Urban – Somebody Like You
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Brooks & Dunn – Ain’t Nothin’ Bout You
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Reba McEntire – Sunday Kind of Love
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The Dixie Chicks – Cowboy Take Me Away
Most Romantic Cocktail Hour Wedding Music
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Сocktail hour songs are usually soft compositions that play as a background while your guests enjoy snacks and conversation. As you are going to be away, it is absolutely necessary to think about cocktail hour wedding music well in advance. Remember, that purpose of the cocktail hour is to buy you and your bridal party time while you arrive at the reception site. What does it mean? The mood is essential. Choose the most romantic music, something, that will get to the hearts and souls of your guests and gives them this ultimately romantic vibe. This kind of music will prepare them for your arrival.
Modern wedding cocktail hour music is usually soft old-school lounge, with a sprinkle of pop hits. Still, don’t be afraid to include some of the recent romantic music.
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Ed Sheeran – Perfect
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Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
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Michael Buble – Sway
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Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – Cheek to Cheek
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The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
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Ellie Goulding – ‘Love Me Like You Do
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Michael Bolton – When a Man Loves a Woman
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Haley Reinhart – ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love
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John Legend – All of Me
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Frank Sinatra – Fly Me To The Moon
Wedding Reception Background Music
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When considering reception wedding songs, wedding reception background music probably seems the less important of all. After all, it is just a background music nobody listens to, right? Well, it may be – but it still has to add to the vibe of the evening.
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John Mayer – You’re Gonna Live Forever in Me
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James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
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Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
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Katy Perry – Unconditionally
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Beyoncé – Halo
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Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love
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Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie – You Are So Beautiful
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Joe Cocker – When I Look At You
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Sir Elton John – Something about the way you look tonight
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Van Morrison – Days Like This
Latest Songs for Wedding Dinner
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Every year musicians create more and more pieces that will make perfect wedding reception dinner songs! You can easily make your own list of top wedding songs just looking at the trendy charts or listening to the radio. If you are looking for ‘something new’ it’s easy. We have found the best of the best of 2018 to make your wedding the most up-to-date and romantic party of the year!
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Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper – Shallow
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Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé – Perfect Duet
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Brian Fallon – If Your Prayers Don’t Get to Heaven
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Zac Efron, Zendaya – Rewrite the Stars
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Cheat Codes, Fetty Wap, CVBZ – Feels Great
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Selena Gomez – Wolves
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Sia – The Greatest
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Harry Styles – Sweet Creature
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Cash Cash, Dashboard Confessional – Belong
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Sylvan Esso – There Are Many Ways to Say I Love You
Oldies But Goodies You Want Still to Hear
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Tired of all the modern music? Why don’t you go classic for a wedding cocktail hour music? If you want something very traditional, you could check our Christian wedding music list. (By the way, I bet you will be surprised by the variety of Christian music that is available these days). We all know that tastes differ – but you can not go wrong with our oldie but goldie music list. Even your grandma will approve!
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Doris Day – Dream A Little Dream of Me
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Aretha Franklin – I say a little prayer
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Diana Ross & The Supremes – Can’t Hurry Love
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Elvis Presley – ‘Love Me Tender
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Sixpence None The Richer – Kiss Me
Want help planning the wedding music for your big day? Check out our expertly curated wedding playlists for perfect parent dances!
Top 50 Father-Daughter Dance Song Ideas For 2018
125 Mother Son Dance Songs For Tender Moment
Music to Avoid at Your Wedding Dinner
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Probably, you would also want to know which genres and examples of music you should probably avoid playing at your wedding dinner.
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DJ Casper – Cha-Cha Slide
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Los Del Rio – Macarena
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Cupid – Cupid Shuffle
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Village People – YMCA
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Marcia Griffiths – Electric Boogie
First of all, as we have mentioned, wedding dinner music is all about a background. Make it good, but don’t waste the hits you want to be the center of attention later. Your wedding dinner songs should be moderately popular and mostly calm.
Don’t try to include any songs about dinner – it will be hard to find something appropriate, and the event is not about food, anyway. Much less convenient genres as metal, punk, hard rock and hip-hop are also not very typical for a wedding.
Still, the exact music choice depends on your music tastes (don’t forget to consult your significant other on this point). Don’t be shy to ask a professional for advice – your DJ or your band can help you a lot – music is their job, after all!
And always remember, that it is your wedding, so you are the one to makes the final decision on all the small details. So choose the music you like and enjoy your special day to the fullest!
