Become a VIP for Exclusive Song Ideas
My Wedding Songs
  • Charts
    • Hot 50 Wedding Songs
    • Top 100 All-time
    • Best New Songs
    • Wedding Day Playlist
    • Love Songs
  • Song Ideas
    • Wedding Playlists
      • Wedding Song Lists
      • Ballroom Dance Songs
      • Era Song Lists
      • Genre Song Lists
      • Love Song Lists
      • Songs By Year
    • Unique Playlists
      • Music Artist Songs
      • Cultural Songs
      • Holiday Songs
      • Words in Song Title
      • Offbeat Playlists
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Wedding Music Blog2 / Wedding Song Lists3 / List of Moments to Set to Music During Your Wedding Reception
Wedding Song Lists

List of Moments to Set to Music During Your Wedding Reception

parts of your wedding reception needing music

Music played during the wedding reception starts as soon as the first guest arrives and does not stop until the last guest leaves – technically. If you were to hire a DJ to play wedding reception songs, the music should never stop as all music is pre-recorded.

parts of your wedding reception needing music

However, if you hire a band to perform music at your wedding reception, then they could take scheduled, much needed, breaks during the night. If you were to hire background music musicians such as pianists and quartets, for cocktail and dinner-time then they typically do not take breaks as they are playing for smaller amounts of time.

Your wedding reception songs should be determined by your type of event. You would only play jazz music during cocktail hour if your wedding’s decor and style match the upscale theme of jazz music. Let’s start by laying out what portions of your wedding reception will need songs played. Of course, if no songs are played, it would add an unexpected focus to the moment as well.

Wedding Reception Events to Set to Songs

Wedding reception sections that need music:

  • Cocktail and appetizer time
  • Grand entrance
  • Eating time
  • Cake cutting
  • Formal dances
  • Bouquet and garter processes
  • Party music
  • Special dedications

Now that you have a list of each part of a wedding reception, you need to decide what styles of music you want for each section. Our guide is not a must-do or end-all to wedding reception songs. It is just a helpful guide.

Wedding Reception Songs – Cocktail Hour

When guests arrive at a wedding reception, they are excited and ready to be entertained. They really don’t want to be rocked to sleep. We do suggest jazz and adult contemporary styles of music for the cocktail hour. However, it cannot rock your guests to sleep. This is the start of a grand event but should put them in a good mood, not in a docile one. Play music like George Benson’s song On Broadway and Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon. These songs are considered jazz classics but will also not rock your guests to sleep.

Wedding Reception Songs – Grand Entrance

Grand Entrance songs announce you, the bridal couple, to all of your wedding guests. It’s the official title should be: here we are and let’s party! The song should put the spotlight on the bride and groom but also put guests in a frame of mind to relax and have little fun.

Wedding Reception Songs – Eating Time

Dinner music typically is very similar to the cocktail hour. Even if you have a classy event, we still do not recommend playing classical music. We also do not suggest playing romantic jazz classics. We suggest playing the music that will fill time but also gradually gain tempo through the night. You want to create the anticipation for the dancing music.

Wedding Reception Songs – Cake Cutting

Cake cutting songs typically have the theme of the act of cutting the cake or the sweet dessert wedding cake. However, this also can be one of those times when no music played can create a focus on the event itself. If no music is played, guests will know that a special event is occurring.

Wedding Reception Songs – Formal Dances

Formal dances can be as simple as only having the first dance song of the bride and groom. Formal dances can also include the father-daughter dance, mother-son dance, bridal party dance, money dance, and many others. IT is up to you what formal dance songs you want at your wedding. However, we do suggest that each song has a special meaning to each dancer.

Wedding Reception Songs – Bouquet and Garter

The bouquet and garter toss events usually have accompanying songs playing during the activities. These include the bouquet toss, garter removal, garter toss, and garter placement. Each activity can have its very own custom song.

Wedding Reception Songs – Party Music

The wedding reception songs to be played during the party music should be primarily left up to the music providers. They should know how to read the crowd and play what will fill the dance floor. However, the bridal couple should give some initial guidance as to the music style preferred by themselves and their friends. If you know that you and all of your family and friends prefer country music and would fill the dance floor, you must convey that to the music provider in preparation to have the correct style of music for your event. You should also provide a list of music you prefer not to be played during your reception. Check out our list of best party songs to fill the dance floor at your wedding reception!

Wedding Reception Songs – Special Dedications

Special dedications are not saved until last because they should be played last. It is because they can be played throughout the whole night. We left out a section for the last dance song as we feel the last dance is a kind of special dedication from the bridal couple to their wedding guests. Special dedications can also be played for loved ones lost.

In order to help bridal couples to plan their weddings, we put together a wedding reception worksheet. The worksheet gives a helpful list of everything you will need for your wedding reception songs. Please also review our common format of a wedding reception article to know the standard order of events.


Wedding Song Ideas Delivered Monthly!

LAST UPDATED February 22, 2021/0 Comments/by Matthew Campbell
Share And Save
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share by Mail
Matthew Campbell

About Matthew Campbell

Matthew (Matt) is the founder and editor of My Wedding Songs. He was a DJ in Montana in the 90s as DJ Express. Matt hosts the Wedding Songs Podcast and is the author of the Wedding Music Playlist. He has written for Mobile Beat Magazine and DJ Times and has been referenced in Rock n Roll Bride, Ruffled, Offbeat Bride, and 100 Layer Cake. Matt lives in Las Vegas with his wife and kitty Katniss. Read more about his inspiring story.

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the latest wedding music tracks in your inbox – Delivered Monthly

  • I agree to receive amazing song ideas. I have read and understood My Wedding Songs' Privacy Policy.

amazon book banner

Popular Wedding Song Lists

  • Bride Entrance Songs
  • Dinner/Cocktail Songs
  • Entrance/Introduction Songs
  • Father Daughter Dance Songs
  • First Dance Songs
  • Groom Processional Songs
  • Last Dance Songs
  • Mother Daughter Songs
  • Mother Son Dance Songs
  • Party Songs
  • Processional Songs
  • Recessional Songs
  • Sister Brother Songs
  • Unity Songs

Genre Wedding Song Lists

  • Christian Wedding Songs
  • Country Wedding Songs
  • EDM Wedding Songs
  • Folk Wedding Songs
  • Hip Hop Wedding Songs
  • Indie Wedding Songs
  • Instrumental Wedding Songs
  • Pop Wedding Songs
  • R&B Wedding Songs
  • Rock Wedding Songs
  • Spanish Wedding Songs

Playlist Categories

  • Wedding Song Lists
  • Love Song Lists
  • Era Song Lists
  • Ballroom Dance Song Lists
  • Genre Song Lists
  • Cultural Song Lists
  • Music Artist Song Lists
  • Holiday Song Lists
  • Word in Song Title Lists
  • Offbeat Song Lists

Giving Back

In 2021, we will donate $0.25 for every 1,000 website visitors to Girls Who Code.

Follow Us!

My Wedding Songs on Facebook My Wedding Songs on Pinterest My Wedding Songs on Instagram
My Wedding Songs on Spotify
My Wedding Songs on YouTube

Wedding Songs Podcast

spotify-podcast-badge
Apple-Podcasts

The Company

  • Subscribe for Song Ideas
  • Playlist Book
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Promote Your Wedding Song

My Wedding Songs App

Download app on Google Play

© 2003-2021 My Wedding Songs All Rights Reserved.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
We've worked hard to implement tools and processes to help you maintain your privacy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Affiliate Disclosure
Scroll to top