Top 10 Wedding Cocktail Hour Music Choices
Some of you may wonder, “Why do cocktail hour choices matter? Can’t we just let anything play in the background? After all, the ceremony is over, and the party hasn’t started yet”. These thoughts of yours are not entirely wrong. However, letting just anything play in the background will create a flat atmosphere. The right wedding cocktail hour music isn’t just to fill the void; it’s a carefully curated selection that transforms this transitional part of your big day into a memorable experience for you and your guests.
Read on as we tell you why wedding cocktail hour music is important, and share our secret ten cocktail hour music choices.
Why Cocktail Hour Music is Important
Even though some of you may think cocktail hour is not the ‘actual party’ part of your wedding, this transition between the ceremony and the reception plays a big part in setting the mood. Whether you go for smooth jazz, upbeat, or even acoustic, the right songs will create a warm, lively atmosphere that helps prepare the guests for the main attraction of your wedding.
Great choices of wedding cocktail hour music can elevate your guests’ experience. Besides setting a relaxed, welcoming vibe, those songs will keep the energy up and turn a quiet and potentially awkward break moment into a part of the wedding festivities. Because, let’s be honest, those crickets’ chirping moments make everyone uncomfortable, and you don’t want that to be the one your guests remember.
The right cocktail hour music is meant to complement, not dominate, the mingling part of your wedding. Gentle background music will encourage your guests to talk to one another and allow them to comfortably catch up with old friends they haven’t seen in ages. A big plus: They don’t need to shout over the sound while doing that.
Top 10 Wedding Cocktail Hour Music Choices

As promised, we will share our secret top 10 wedding cocktail hour music options you can choose from:
Classic and Timeless
If you and your soon-to-be husband or wife are a couple of old souls, these classic and timeless songs can be your go-to. Songs like “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley and “At Last” by Etta James will create an enchanting atmosphere, evoking a sense of romance and nostalgia that transports your guests to a more elegant era. Smooth melodies and heartfelt lyrics set a dreamy tone, perfect for relaxing while appreciating the love surrounding them.
Other tunes from the old-but-gold era of the 50s and 70s, like “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole and “Fly Me To The Moon” by Frank Sinatra, can also bring an upbeat and full of joy energy mix to your cocktail hour. Its soulful and celebratory vibe is contagious, inviting your guests to share smiles and laughter and setting the stage for a fun reception ahead.
Upbeat and Lighthearted
To get your guests to loosen up by swaying their bodies, a more upbeat and lighthearted option of wedding cocktail hour music with infectious rhythm like “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder is a must. In this playlist, you also have to include songs from a more recent era with the same catchy melodies that everybody can sing-a-long like “Love on Top” by Beyonce and “Marry You” by Bruno Mars.
Indie and Acoustic
Your wedding should reflect who you and your partner are as a couple. If you don’t fit into mainstream pop songs, you certainly don’t have to! Charming indie and acoustic songs like “Bloom” by The Paper Kites can bring a cozy atmosphere to your wedding with personal and heartfelt lyrics. You might also consider the fun and quirky “Home” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, which fits your unique love story.
However, if you’re worried that your slightly more mainstream guests don’t know these songs, you can always find common ground by including popular acoustic hits like Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.” This way, you can have a wedding cocktail hour music playlist that feels true to you while still inviting everyone to enjoy the celebration.
How Premier Wedding DJ Can Enhance Your Cocktail Hour

Now, let us show you how our professional DJs at Premier Wedding DJ can bring your cocktail hour to the next level. First, we’ll collaborate with you to make the wedding playlist of your dreams. After all, it’s your wedding, and you should have full control over the music. At the same time, we also understand that putting all your ideas into life is not easy. And that’s where we assist you, making sure your vision comes to life through music that sets the right mood for your celebration.
Next, we’ll bring our own professional equipment, which is definitely something you’d want to consider when looking for a wedding DJ. That way, you can enjoy your party without constantly being in ‘alert mode,’ fearing that technical errors can happen anytime and ruin the night (or day, if you prefer) of your life. With a simple set-up, we can basically play anywhere, so you can also take your mind off finding a spot just to accommodate the equipment and find your perfect location.
End Note
As we wrap things up, choosing the songs for your wedding cocktail hour is no trivial task. Our top 10 wedding cocktail hour music choices can create a warm, lively atmosphere for your guests warm-up routine before the main party, elevate their experiences, and encourage them to mingle and connect. With the different genres we provided, you can have a playlist that is the perfect match for you.
If you’re looking for expert advice and personalized help to bring your wedding music vision to life, reach out to us at Premier Wedding DJ! We’re here to help you create the perfect playlist and make sure your special day is everything you dream of!