45 Upbeat Wedding Cocktail Hour Songs – Don’t Bore Guests!

Cocktail hour is a time when your wedding guests first arrive at your wedding reception. The “I Do’s” are done and now they are ready to get the party started. A music entertainer’s job is to know what style of music the bride and groom want for their cocktail hour songs (or happy hour songs.)

As stated above, your wedding guests are feeling good and looking forward to tonight, or the day, socializing and having a great time with friends and family during your reception. The cocktail hour sets the mood for the rest of your event.

How do you wish to set the mood? If you are having an uptown black-tie wedding, then jazz and big-band music may be your choice.

We are going to focus on music that will set the mood with popular cocktail songs in many different music styles.

Folk is a very broad style and we will include some Rock songs that are categorized as Folk Rock. We added a few indie songs in there too.

Play the Cocktail Hour Playlist

Upbeat Wedding Cocktail Hour Songs

Lifetime – SG Lewis

Released in 2022 on the album AudioLust & HigherLove, Genre: EDM

Lovable Lyrics:

Playin’ on my mind, so I wanna take the time
To tell you how I feel for you, you know that

I’ve waited for a lifetime
To tell you I love you

Little Bit More – Suriel Hess

Released in 2022 as a single, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

I fall in love with you a little bit more
Little bit, little bit, more than before
Even on the days I’m not so sure

Turning Onto You – First Aid Kit

Released in 2022 on the album Palomino, Genre: Folk

Lovable Lyrics:

Oh, the night holds promises
That the morning can’t fulfill
But look at me, I’m happy still
If I’m turning onto you

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square – Michael Bublé

Released in 2022 on the album Higher, Genre: Jazz

Lovable Lyrics:

There was never a dream to compare
What that hazy, crazy night we met
When a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

What A Wonderful World – SOFI TUKKER

Released in 2022 on the album Wet Tennis, Genre: EDM

Lovable Lyrics:

I see friends shaking hands
Saying “how do you do?”
But they’re really saying
I love you

Where I Go – NxWorries, Anderson .Paak, Knxwledge, H.E.R.

Released in 2022 as a single, Genre: Hip Hop

Lovable Lyrics:

But this is me (that’s not my fault)
I love her from head to toe (head to toe)
And in between (girl, I love all of you)

All 4 Nothing (I’m So In Love) – Lauv

Released in 2022 on the album All 4 Nothing, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

I’m so in love, I’m so in love
I don’t ever wanna stop this ride that we’re on
I don’t ever wanna say goodbye

Immediately following the cocktail hour is the grand entrance of the wedding party. See a list of wedding entrance and introduction songs for the wedding party and wedding couple.

Keeps On Fallin’ – Babyface, Ella Mai

Released in 2022 on the album Girls Night Out, Genre: R&B

Lovable Lyrics:

So baby don’t forget
Girls like you make the world go round
You make the world go round and round

Hold Me Closer – Elton John & Britney Spears

Released in 2022 on the album The Lockdown Sessions, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

No Stoppin’ Us – Charlie Wilson, Babyface & Johnny Gill feat. K-Ci Hailey

Released in 2022 as a single, Genre: R&B

Lovable Lyrics:

Let’s keep the music playing
While we dance all night
Never letting go because there
Ain’t no stoppin’ us now

Missing Piece – Vance Joy

Released in 2022 on the album In Our Own Sweet Time, Genre: Indie

Lovable Lyrics:

I get lost in the crowd
Because when I’m in a room with you
That missing piece is found

I’m In Love With You – The 1975

Released in 2022 on the album Being Funny In A Foreign Language, Genre: Rock

Lovable Lyrics:

I feel like I can loosen my lips
I can summarize it for you
It’s simple and it goes like this
I’m in love with you

Dancin’ In The Moonlight – Chris Lane, Lauren Alaina

Released in 2022 as a single, Genre: Country

Lovable Lyrics:

And girl, I’m just feeling pretty damn lucky
Just watching you sway, yeah, I love the way you’re
Dancin’ in the moonlight

Sway My Way – R3HAB, Amy Shark

Released as a single in 2022, Genre: EDM

Lovable Lyrics:

Say you’ll stay
Don’t come and go
Like you do (like you do)
Sway my way

After the wedding couple enters the reception hall, the food line begins. See a list of wedding dinner songs while everyone is eating.

I Like You (A Happier Song) – Post Malone, Doja Cat

Released in 2022 on the album Twelve Carat Toothache, Genre: Hip Hop

Lovable Lyrics:

Ooh, girl, I like you, I do (I do)
I wanna be your friend, go shoppin’ in a Benz
I like you, I do (I do)
I’ll hit you when I land, can you fit me in your plans?

Left and Right – Charlie Puth, Jung Kook, BTS

Released in 2022 on the album Charlie, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

Memories follow me left and right
I can feel you over here, I can feel you over here
You take up every corner of my mind

Bad Decisions – benny blanco & BTS & Snoop Dogg

Released in 2022 as a single, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

I can’t seem to ever get you out of my mind
And it feels like, ooh, ah
I want you, ooh, baby, all of the time

Music For A Sushi Restaurant – Harry Styles

Released in 2022 on the album Harry’s House, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

It’s ’cause I love you, babe
In every kind of way
Just a little taste
Know I love you, babe

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Jennifer Hudson

Released in 2021 as a single, Genre: R&B

Lovable Lyrics:

Ain’t no mountain high enough
Ain’t no valley low enough
Ain’t no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you, babe

Sunroof – Nicky Youre & dazy

Released in 2021 as a single, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

I only got one thing in the back of my mind
I’m feeling like this might be my time to shine
With you, with you, with you

Blessed – Hil St. Soul, Noel Gourdin

Released in 2021 as a single, Genre: R&B

Lovable Lyrics:

I never felt, never felt
Sensations so sweet in my life
And it’s all because of you
I’m feeling so blessed

When the meal is done, it’s time for dessert. Play a song while cutting your wedding cake.

Steal My Love – Dan + Shay

Released in 2021 on the album Good Things, Genre: Country

Lovable Lyrics:

If I couldn’t call you mine
Then, baby, you know I don’t want no one
My car, my clothes, my money
Take it all, but there ain’t nobody gonna steal my love

I Get A Kick Out Of You – Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga

Released in 2021 on the album Love For Sale, Genre: Jazz

Lovable Lyrics:

I get no kick in a plane
Flying too high with some gal in the sky is my idea of nothing to do
Yet, I get a kick out of you

You’re The One I Love – Shenseea & Rvssian

Released in 2021 as a single, Genre: Reggae

Lovable Lyrics:

Me ah stay right by your side
Not a ting can change my mind
You are the one I love

My Universe – Coldplay x BTS

Released in 2021 on the album Music of the Spheres, Genre: Alternative

Lovable Lyrics:

You (you), you are (you are) my universe
And I (I) just want (just want) to put you first

Steal My Sunshine – Portugal. The Man, Cherry Glazerr

Released in 2021 on the album Steal My Sunshine / Novocaine For The Soul, Genre: Alternative

Lovable Lyrics:

My sunshine, my sunshine
Just making sure I’m not in too deep
Keeping versed and on my feet

Love Story (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift

Re-released in 2021 on the album Fearless (Taylor’s Version), Genre: Country

Lovable Lyrics:

I’ll be waiting, all there’s left to do is run
You’ll be the prince, and I’ll be the princess
It’s a love story, baby, just say yes”

Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) – Elton John & Dua Lipa

Released in 2021 as a single, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time
‘Til touchdown brings me ’round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home

Not sure what songs you need for your reception? See our complete list of wedding reception songs needed.

You – benny blanco & Marshmello & Vance Joy

Released in 2021 as a single: Genre: Dance

Lovable Lyrics:

When the night is over out of all the places I could choose
I go to you, only you
Feel you just below the surface, darling
All I wanna do is go to you

Antidote – Nao feat. Adekunle Gold

Released in 2021 on the album And Then Life Was Beautiful, Genre: R&B

Lovable Lyrics:

You changed my life, it’s a miracle
I’m in love, you already know
‘Cause you’re my
You’re my antidote

Hypotheticals – Lake Street Dive

Released in 2021 on the album Obviously, Genre: Indie

Lovable Lyrics:

I got a Plan A, and I got a Plan B
And if it’s absolutely necessary, we’ll go to Plan C
Whatever I gotta do to be with you

Butterflies – MAX, Ali Gatie

Released in 2021 as a single, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

You won’t stop running through my mind
For the rest of both our lives
You give me butterflies

Silly Love Songs – Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr.

Released in 2021 on the album Blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons, Genre: R&B

Lovable Lyrics:

Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs
And what’s wrong with that?
I’d like to know, ’cause here I go again
I love you

Saturday – twenty one pilots

Released in 2021 on the album Scaled And Icy, Genre: Alt. Rock

Lovable Lyrics:

Might get loud (ayy) on Friday
But on Saturday, Saturday, Saturday
We paint the town

Love’s Train – Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic

Released in 2021 on the album An Evening With Silk Sonic, Genre: R&B

Lovable Lyrics:

Ooh, when in need, you said you would be here
And you hold the key to my very being, baby, I
(I love you, baby) I love you, baby

Formal dances are very common during a wedding reception. Get song ideas for your first dance as a married couple, the bride’s dance with her dad, and the groom’s dance with his mom.

Happy Anywhere – Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani

Released in 2020 on the album Body Language, Genre: Country

Lovable Lyrics:

You’re always my destination
You’re the only thing that I’m chained to
I could be happy anywhere
I could be happy anywhere with you

I Got You – Michael Franti & Spearhead

Released in 2020 n the album Work Hard and Be Nice, Genre: Folk

Lovable Lyrics:

Dance like nobody’s watching
Live life like we never did before
And through the highs and low

Baby I got you yeah

Whatever Forever Is – Devin Dawson

Released in 2020 on The Pink Slip EP, Genre: Country

Lovable Lyrics:

Now I just wanna spend eternity
With your lovin’ on me, just like this
Mm, for whatever forever is

Just the Way – Parmalee & Blanco Brown

Released in 2019 on the album For You, Genre: Country Hip Hop

Lovable Lyrics:

And you’re bound to see it too
‘Cause I was made for loving
Just the way God made you

Love You For A Long Time – Maggie Rogers

Released in 2019 as a single, Genre: Indie

Lovable Lyrics:

I swear that you’re the first thing that I’m thinkin’ of
I feel it in my body, know it in my mind, oh, I
I’m gonna love you for a long time

Fooled Around and Fell in Love – Miranda Lambert feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee

Released in 2019 as a single, Genre: Country

Lovable Lyrics:

Ah, but when the grass got greener on the other side
I’d just tear out that page

But then I fooled around and fell in love

Put It All On Me – Ed Sheeran feat. Ella Mai

Released in 2019 on the album No.6 Collaborations Project, Genre: Pop

Lovable Lyrics:

Can’t judge me ’cause I feel the same thing
And I’m here for whenever you need, you need, you need
To put it all on me

When the dancing begins, know what songs will pack the dance floor! Know the best party songs at weddings.

Valerie (Live At BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, London / 2007) – Amy Winehouse

Released in 2006 on the album Back To Black, Genre: R&B

Lovable Lyrics:

Oh, won’t you come on over?
Stop making a fool out of me
Why don’t you come on over, Valerie?

Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac

Released in 1987 on the album Tango in the Night, Genre: Rock

Lovable Lyrics:

We better make a start You better make it soon
Before you break my heart
Oh, I want to be with you everywhere

Mr. Blue Sky – Electric Light Orchestra

Released in 1977 on the album Out of the Blue, Genre: Rock

Lovable Lyrics:

Hey you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race
A celebration, Mr. Blue Sky’s up there waitin’

There you have it. Do you think a song should be added to the list? Be sure to comment down below so we can do so!