40 Cocktail Hour Songs and Wedding Dinner Songs Your Guests Will Love

What is good music for a cocktail hour?

The best cocktail hour music is upbeat but easy to talk over. Jazz and swing standards like "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra and "L-O-V-E" by Nat King Cole are classic, and acoustic favorites like "Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones and "Better Together" by Jack Johnson keep things relaxed. Save the big dance songs for later.

Jazz and swing standards

1. "Fly Me to the Moon", Frank Sinatra: elegant and upbeat.
2. "The Way You Look Tonight", Frank Sinatra: a romantic classic.
3. "L-O-V-E", Nat King Cole: short and sweet.
4. "Sway", Dean Martin: a playful mambo.
5. "Cheek to Cheek", Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: a legendary duet.
6. "Dream a Little Dream of Me", Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: dreamy and warm.
7. "Feeling Good", Michael Bublé: big-band confidence.
8. "Everything", Michael Bublé: modern swing romance.
9. "Moon River", Andy Williams: a slow, classy waltz.
10. "La Vie en Rose", Louis Armstrong: romance with a French accent.

Acoustic and mellow cocktail hour songs

11. "Come Away with Me", Norah Jones: soft and smoky.
12. "Don't Know Why", Norah Jones: easy listening at its best.
13. "Better Together", Jack Johnson: relaxed and happy.
14. "Banana Pancakes", Jack Johnson: laid-back and sunny.
15. "Bubbly", Colbie Caillat: light and sweet.
16. "Put Your Records On", Corinne Bailey Rae: breezy soul.
17. "Lucky", Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat: a sweet duet.
18. "Riptide", Vance Joy: upbeat ukulele.

Soul and Motown for the cocktail hour

19. "Let's Stay Together", Al Green: smooth and romantic.
20. "Lovely Day", Bill Withers: pure sunshine.
21. "Valerie", Amy Winehouse: retro and fun.
22. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours", Stevie Wonder: joyful energy.
23. "My Girl", The Temptations: everyone hums along.
24. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell: a classic duet.
25. "Sunday Morning", Maroon 5: laid-back pop soul.

Feel-good pop for the end of cocktail hour

26. "Brown Eyed Girl", Van Morrison: a crowd-pleaser.
27. "Build Me Up Buttercup", The Foundations: everyone knows the chorus.
28. "September", Earth, Wind & Fire: the build toward the party.
29. "Mr. Blue Sky", Electric Light Orchestra: bright and happy.
30. "Dancing in the Moonlight", King Harvest: easy and fun.
31. "Uptown Funk", Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars: the last song before dinner is announced.

Instrumental cocktail hour music

32. "Take Five", The Dave Brubeck Quartet: the coolest jazz standard.
33. "The Girl from Ipanema", Stan Getz and João Gilberto: bossa nova elegance.
34. "So What", Miles Davis: smooth modal jazz.
35. "Viva la Vida", Coldplay, as a string quartet cover.
36. "Canon in D", Johann Pachelbel, for a formal reception.

Wedding dinner songs

37. "At Last", Etta James: timeless and romantic.
38. "Unforgettable", Nat King Cole: smooth background for dinner.
39. "Can't Help Falling in Love", Elvis Presley: soft and familiar.
40. "Make You Feel My Love", Adele: quiet and heartfelt.

During dinner, keep the volume low and avoid songs with big drops or loud choruses so guests can talk. Save the energy for after the speeches.

Cocktail hour songs by wedding style

• Classic and elegant: Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and a string quartet.
• Rustic or barn wedding: Jack Johnson, Norah Jones and acoustic covers.
• Beach wedding: "Banana Pancakes", "Riptide", "Better Together" and "The Girl from Ipanema".
• Retro party: Motown, "Valerie" and "Build Me Up Buttercup".

Live music or a playlist?

A jazz trio, string quartet or acoustic guitarist makes the cocktail hour feel special and can read the room, but costs more. A well-built playlist on a good speaker works just as well for most weddings: test it in the venue, set a volume that allows conversation and ask one person to keep an eye on it.

Songs for the photo session

While guests enjoy cocktail hour, the couple is often outside taking photos. A short playlist on a phone, with "Lucky", "Better Together" and "Lovely Day", keeps the mood light for the couple and the photographer.

How long is a wedding cocktail hour playlist?

Most cocktail hours last 60 to 90 minutes, which is about 18 to 25 songs. Plan a little extra in case photos run late, and add another 15 to 20 songs for a two-course dinner.

Cocktail hour playlist tips

• Start soft: jazz and acoustic while guests arrive.
• Build slowly: move to soul and feel-good pop as the hour goes on.
• Avoid your big songs: keep your first dance song and party anthems for later.
• Check the lyrics: grandparents are listening.
• Use live music if you can: a guitarist or jazz trio makes the hour feel special.

More wedding song lists

For the rest of the reception, see our lists of first dance songs, cake cutting songs, slow dance songs and last dance songs.

A song about the two of you for the reception

A personalized song can be the surprise of the evening: your names, how you met and the story of your day, played at the end of cocktail hour or during dinner. It also makes a lovely gift from the wedding party to the couple.

How to create a wedding song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: jazz, acoustic, pop, country and more.
2. Add both of your names.
3. Share three moments from your story.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Add your own love song to the reception: create a song and hear four previews for free.