Printable Wedding Reception Music Guide
Know popular wedding reception moments to set to music. Get song ideas too!
Wedding Reception Music Guide
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Reception Music Tips:
Skip playing classical, jazz, and instrumental standards from the beginning of the reception until the end of the meal. Try to mix mid-tempo songs to set the mood for fun and romance. Boring music will result in many guests leaving early.
If your music preferences are unique, feel free to play as background music during cocktail hour and dinner. However, for dancing at the reception, most guests will dance to songs they recognize and are popular at the moment.
Don't forget to sprinkle in a couple of slow dance songs. It could create special moments for relatives such as Aunt Judy and her nephew John.
Select music that has special meaning to you and your guests. If you and your friends always jammed to a song - have it on the playlist.
Create a wedding playlist on a streaming service such as Spotify. Separate important moments into folders such as ceremony, meal, formal dances, and dancing.
Consider your guests when selecting songs too. It's OK to play different music styles and eras for guests' music tastes. But, you don't need to play songs commonly played on every big day. There are plenty of hits.
Just because it is not party time after all of the formalities, it doesn't mean you have to wait for dancing. You can have dancing as guests arrive and before cutting the wedding cake.
If hiring music entertainment, give them a guide as to your favorite music but with the leeway to play what packs the dance floor.
It's OK to have a "do not play" list. Try not to be too limiting as the goal is to play music that gets people dancing when it's time to par-tay.