Wedding Dinner Music Ideas: Fun to Laid-Back Bliss Vibes
Updated November 15, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell
Wedding background music sets the tone for the entire reception from the time guest line up for the buffet (or order their meal) until the dinner is complete.
Once the doors open and guests arrive at the reception – this would be more of the cocktail hour time. It is typically more upbeat.

The background music should be used for:
- Find out what genres of music guests like by watching their reactions to songs.
- Get an overview of the ages of guests and know what eras have them grooving to.
- Get guests in the mood for fun and romance. Don’t bore them!
As an experienced wedding DJ, I’ve assembled a list of songs for the first dance. Songs are selected by the meaning of the song and popular hits by today’s couples. Besides new and trending, additional lists are grouped by genre to match your taste in music.
New Dinner Songs
- “A Night To Remember” by beabadoobee, Laufey (Jazz – 2023)
- “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe” by Jason Morales (R&B 2023)
- “Drift Away” by Jac Ross (R&B – 2023)
- “Loving You” by Cannons (Alternative – 2023)
- “Can’t Go” by Dinner Party, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington (R&B – 2023)
- “Summer Baby” by Jonas Brothers (Pop – 2023)
- “Fast Car” by Luke Combs (Country – 2023)
- “Calm Down” by Rema & Selena Gomez (Afrobeats – 2023)
- “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus (Pop – 2023)
- “A Feeling So Beautiful” by Hil St. Soul (R&B – 2022)
Stream Dinner Music
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Listen to your favorite songs on streaming services!
What vibe do you prefer while you’re eating? Something fast or something relaxed? Do you want to honor a genre or a memory? We want to know your favorites, too. What dinner background songs should we add to our list?
Acoustic Covers
- Watermelon Sugar (Acoustic) – Jonah Baker
- You’re Still The One – Teddy Swims
- Stay With Me – Hannah Trigwell
- Stuck on You – Dave Fenley
- Stand By Me (Acoustic) – Matt Johnson
- Cheerleader – Pentatonix
- Nothing Compares 2 U – Chris Cornell
- When You Say Nothing at All – Music Travel Love
- Can’t Help Falling In Love – Kina Grannis
- You’re the One That I Want – Dylan Rockoff with Caroline Kole
Tip
Another dinner during the wedding festivities is a rehearsal dinner that you can play on this playlist!
R&B Favorites
- This Is – Ella Mai
- IT’S YOU – MAX, keshi
- Penny Lover – Lionel Richie
- In Your Eyes (Remix) – The Weeknd, Kenny G
- Ain’t Nothin Like The One I’ve Got – Calvin Richardson
- How Deep Is Your Love – PJ Morton
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
- Leave The Door Open – Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
- Waterfalls – TLC
- With You – Chris Brown
- So In Love – Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton
- It’s Alright – Chanté Moore
- Let Me Love You – Mario
- Coming Home – Leon Bridges
- Lovely Day – Bill Withers
- That’s The Way Love Goes – Janet Jackson
- Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
- Better – Khalid
Tip
Before the meal is served, drinks will be flowing for all guests. See our list of cheerful cocktail hour songs playlist.
Jazz Hits
- Valerie (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge) – Amy Winehouse
- I Get A Kick Out Of You – Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
- That’s Amore – Dean Martin
- Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra & Count Basie & His Orchestra
- Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
- Crazy Love – Michael Bublé
- A Wink and a Smile – Harry Connick Jr.
- Sunrise – Norah Jones
Tip
After the guests finish their meal, it is time for dessert! See a list of new and trending cake cutting songs (or cupcakes, donuts, candy, etc.)
Pop Tracks
- Woke Up in Love (Acoustic) – Kygo, Gryffin, Calum Scott
- Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez, Em Beihold
- Marvin Gaye – Charlie Puth, Meghan Trainor
- Everywhere – Niall Horan & Anne-Marie
- Stuck with U – Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber
- Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
- I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
- This Town – Niall Horan
- Sunflower – Post Malone & Swae Lee
- Fresh Eyes – Andy Grammer
- Señorita – Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
- Kiss On My List – Daryl Hall & John Oates
- Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae
- Love On The Brain – Rihanna
- We Don’t Talk About Bruno – Carolina Gaitán
Tip
If you want to have a theme for your background playlist, see our lists of best yacht rock hits for engaged couples and boy band background playlist.
Country Mood Setters
- Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not – Thompson Square
- Family Table – Zac Brown Band
- All On Me – Devin Dawson
- Yeah Boy – Kelsea Ballerini
- Play It Again – Luke Bryan
- GOOD TIME – Niko Moon
- You – Chris Young
- King Of The Road – Roger Miller
- Meant to Be – Bebe Rexha, Florida Georgia Line
- Islands In the Stream – Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
- Greatest Love Story – LANCO
- Blessed – Thomas Rhett
- Livin’ On Love – Alan Jackson
- Chasing After You – Ryan Hurd, Maren Morris
- Rumor – Lee Brice
- Bluebird – Miranda Lambert
- Thank God – Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown
- ‘Til You Can’t – Cody Johnson
- Rainbow – Kacey Musgraves
Reggae Chart Toppers
- I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash
- Red Red Wine – UB40
- Angel – Shaggy, Rayvon
- Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
- Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley
- Baby, I Love Your Way – Big Mountain
Tip
After dessert, the formal dances begin. If you decide to save your own dance until after dinner, begin with the music for the first dance followed by the bride’s dance with her dad and the groom’s dance with his mom.
Rock Must Plays
- Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn
- Drops Of Jupiter – Train
- Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest
- Vienna – Billy Joel
- Got My Mind Set On You George Harrison
- Wherever You Will Go – The Calling
- Come and Get Your Love – Redbone
- What’s Up? – 4 Non Blondes
- Sweater Weather – The Neighbourhood
- Time In A Bottle – Jim Croce
- Africa – Toto
- Heat Waves – Glass Animals
- Electric Love – BØRNS
- 1979 – The Smashing Pumpkins
- Life Is Better With You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
- Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Tip
Lastly, don’t forget about how your reception ends. Pick songs for the wedding couple’s (bride and groom) final dance at the reception.
Unique Folk Songs
- I Was Born To Love You – Ray LaMontagne, Sierra Ferrell
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
- Rest of Our Lives – The Light the Heat
- Alone with You – Canyon City
- Where’s My Love – SYML
- September Song (Guitar Acoustic) – JP Cooper
- Flowers In Your Hair – The Lumineers
- If You Could Read My Mind – Gordon Lightfoot
- Simply The Best – Billianne
- My Silver Lining – First Aid Kit
- Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman
Please comment on the songs below. Let me know if you have any recommendations. I read and respond to all the comments.
FAQs
Why trust
?DJ, Author, Music Lover
Matthew (Matt) Campbell is the founder/editor of My Wedding Songs from his experience as a wedding DJ. He is the author of two wedding planners: ‘Wedding Songs Planner’ and ‘The Wedding Music Toolkit’. Matt is the host of the ‘Wedding Songs Podcast’. He shares music inspiration in his weekly newsletter the ‘Wedding MusicLetter’. His articles have been published on Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, and DJ Times. Matt resides in the wedding capital of the world – Las Vegas.
Thanks Robert for stopping by and checking out our site.
Hi, music plays an important role in dinner and cocktail party. It helps to create a different environment. Thank you for sharing it.