Rehearsal Dinner Music: The Secret Sauce for a Stress-Free Night
The rehearsal dinner is often the first time both families are in the same room together. Between the gluten-free buffet options and the looming nerves for the “Big Show” tomorrow, the right playlist can act as a soothing balm. My favorite strategy for this night? The Cover Song. When you play a modern version of a classic hit, you bridge the generational gap. Grandpa recognizes the melody, while your teenage niece recognizes the artist.
Bridging the Generational Gap with Covers
- The All-Ages Opener: “The Way You Look Tonight” – Maroon 5. Originally a Frank Sinatra staple, Adam Levine’s 2010 pop version keeps the classic charm but adds a modern polish that appeals to everyone.
- The Crowd-Pleaser: “Sweet Caroline” – Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Every Dad knows the words to Neil Diamond’s 1969 hit. This 1997 pop-punk cover adds just enough edge to make it feel fresh for the younger crowd while keeping the “hands touching hands” singalong energy.
- The “Boss” Tribute: “I’m On Fire” – Soccer Mommy. Bruce Springsteen fans (Uncle Jack) will perk up at this 2018 alternative remake. It keeps the haunting chemistry of the original but introduces it to a whole new generation through soft, modern vocals.
- The Cinematic Classic: “Moon River” – Frank Ocean. Whether they remember Audrey Hepburn or simply love R&B, guests will stop to listen to Ocean’s 2018 rendition of this timeless track. It’s a perfect “mood setter” as dinner is being served.
Expert Tips for Your Rehearsal Playlist
- The 90s Nostalgia Play: For the Millennials in the room, “What Is Love?” (Kiesza, 2014) is a brilliant nod to the 1993 Haddaway original. As noted in my 1990s book, the original reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, but this slowed-down version is much better suited for a dinner setting.
- Winding Down the Night: As the evening comes to a close, shift to soulful, intimate tracks. “So Into You”, as covered by Childish Gambino (2016), is a masterful tribute to Tamia’s 1998 R&B hit. It’s the perfect “thank you for coming” song for the couple to share with their closest friends and family.
- The Gift of Music: At the end of the dinner, consider giving guests a link to the playlist (or even a fun retro flash drive). It’s a great wedding favor that lets them take the vibe of the night home with them.
Our Music Planning Guides.
Don’t miss any moments of your wedding to incorporate your personality.
Instructions: Once everyone has arrived but before the appetizers, put this playlist on and watch your followers be soothed…
Songs for Rehearsal Dinner
The Way You Look Tonight – Maroon 5
Released in 2010, Genre: Pop
Grand Dad will love the Sinatra vibe and your teenage niece will swoon over Adam Levine’s take on this Jerome Kern classic. This intro to the playlist will signal to the room that something interesting and all-inclusive is up.
Keep that breathless charm
Won’t you please arrange it?
‘Cause I love you
Just the way you look tonight
Sweet Caroline – Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Released in 1997, Genre: Pop Punk
Dad will sing along and you will groove on the updated grunge-y take on Neil Diamond’s number-one hit from 1969. Watch as generations come together singing “Hands. Touching hands. Reaching out. Touching me. Touching you.”
Hands
Touchin’ hands
Reachin’ out
Touchin’ me, touchin’ you
Sweet Caroline
I’m On Fire – Soccer Mommy
Released in 2018, Genre: Alternative
Uncle Jack loves The Boss. Your kid’s sister has never even heard of him. This excellent remake combines the Springsteen chemistry with 2015’s Soccer Mommy’s haunting vocals.
Tell me now baby, is he good to you?
Can he do to you the things that I do?
Oh no, I can take you higher
Moon River – Frank Ocean
Released in 2018, Genre: R&B
Now things get really fun. Every octogenarian in the room will stop chewing for a second and perk up to hear Frank Ocean’s beautiful rendition. Just as your Great Aunt is about to start her lecture on socialism, this will stop her in her tracks.
Moon river, wider than a mile
Crossin’ in style someday
My dream maker, heartbreaker
Wherever you’re goin’, I’m goin’ the same
What Is Love? – Kiesza
Released in 2014, Genre: Dance
The Millennials munching down on the gluten-free bread will get a smile at the 90’s staple updated and they will mention that they expected something just for them.
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more
What is love?
Baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more, no more
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – CHROMATICS
Released in 2015, Genre: Alternative
Here is where the music wins your mom over. Stressed out and drinking her third glass of rosé, she needs the reminder that this wedding stuff is supposed to be fun. She’ll probably sing along while doing a swaying dance move as she starts her fourth glass.
That’s all we really want some fun
When the working day is done
Oh girls, they wanna have fun
Earth Angel – Death Cab for Cutie
Released in 2005, Genre: Alternative
This is the moment in the evening when your grandparents slowly get up and dance. You get to cut in and dance with them and the appreciation will be felt throughout the night and the next day (when it really counts).
Earth angel, earth angel
Please be mine
My darling dear
Love you all the time
The Chain – Harry Styles
Released in 2017, Genre: Pop
The kids will dig on Harry and stop throwing the Garlic Mashed Potatoes at one another; the parents will smile as they remember conceiving you to this song in the back seat of a Bronco.
If you don’t love me now
(If you don’t love me now)
You will never love me again
(Never love me again)
Black is the Color – Rhiannon Giddens
Released in 2015, Genre: Folk
Cmon. This is just amazing. Grandma will remember when her hair wasn’t grey and who doesn’t dig on Rhiannon Giddens?
I love my love, and well he knows
I love his love and love, it grows
Until I know that I would burst
And still I feel the strongest thirst
Things are winding down now. Everyone has been smiling, no talk of where they will sit at the reception, and the promise of an extraordinary couple with damn fine taste in music in the air. Time to wind things down.
Keep on Loving You – Cigarettes After Sex
Released in 2015, Genre: Alternative
REO Speedwagon? Cigarettes After Sex? It may take the folks to listen for a beat but once your Dad hears this, his fears and sadness over losing a child will fade away. He will always ‘keep on loving you.’
And I meant every word I said
When I said that I love you, I meant that I love you forever
And I’m gonna keep on lovin’ you
‘Cause it’s the only thing I wanna do
All I Have to Do Is Dream – The Dandy Warhols
Released in 2005, Genre: Alternative
Your emo nephew will join hands with your 72-year-old aunt and they will nibble on the chocolate tort together.
I need you so that I could die
I love you so and that is why
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Dream
All of Me – Meiko
Released in 2009, Genre: Jazz
One more for the Boomers. And for the two of you.
All of me
Why not take all of me
Can’t you see I’m no good without you
So Into You – Childish Gambino
Released in 2016, Genre: R&B
Finally, to close out the night, here’s one for the couple. Tamia’s 1998 song as covered by Childish Gambino has it all.
With every passing moment
Thoughts of you run through my head
Every time that I’m near
I realize that your heaven sent, baby
I think you’re truly something special
Just what my dreams are really made of
Let’s stay together, you and me boy
There’s no one like you around, oh babyI really like
What you’ve done to me
I can’t really explain it
I’m so into you
I really like
What you’ve done to me
I can’t really explain it
I’m so into you
At the end of the dinner, you can gift everyone a flash drive, CD, or cassette tape of your playlist along with the flasks and perfume sprayers with the tassels for your wedding party.
Now go home, get some rest, because tomorrow is the Big Show!
Do you have a favorite song to play at a rehearsal dinner? Please share your song below in the comments.
