Wedding Dinner Music & Cocktail Hour Songs 2022

Updated on January 27, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell

Wedding background music sets the tone for the entire reception from the time cocktail hour starts until the dinner is complete.

It can be played as early as when the guests arrive at the reception. Many times the wedding party is busy with the photographer at this point, anyway.

When Do You Play Wedding Dinner Music?

Play dinner music in the background as early as the cocktail hour and right up until the couple’s first dance.

You can choose to have cocktail hour music before dinner or skip it.

You may even want to change the vibe of the music for cocktail hour and calm it down for dinner.

Background dinner music continues until the end of the main course at a wedding reception.

Depending on the chain of events selected by the wedding couple, background dinner music usually plays for about an hour and a half.

Need help with the order of events? View our common format of a wedding reception article.

We’ve talked to wedding couples through social groups and analyzed hundreds of wedding DJs’ playlists across the U.S. that provide reception music.

We selected a list just for you of the most popular and unique background songs for setting the mood.

Every couple’s music tastes are different.

Thus, we selected wedding background songs for the cocktail hour and dinner that include many different genres.

Our Top 10 Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

1. “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” by Elton John, Dua Lipa
2. “Antidote” by Nao feat. Adekunle Gold
3. “Missing Piece” by Vance Joy
4. “Saturday” by twenty one pilots
5. “Steal My Love” by Dan + Shay
6. “Everywhere” by Niall Horan & Anne-Marie
7. “Blessed” by Hil St. Soul, Noel Gourdin
8. “My Universe” by Coldplay, BTS
9. “A-O-K” by Tai Verdes, 24kGoldn
10. “I Get A Kick Out Of You” by Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga

The Best Background Songs to Play?

What vibe do you prefer while you’re eating? Something fast or something relaxed? Do you want to honor a genre or a memory? We want to know your favorites, too. What dinner background or cocktail hour songs should we add to our list?

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R&B Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

Skate – Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
2021, R&B

No, no, don’t be shy, just take my hand and hold on tight
Oh, skate to me, baby

Blessed – Hil St. Soul, Noel Gourdin
2021, R&B

I never felt, never felt
Sensations so sweet in my life
And it’s all because of you

Lie To Me (Remix) – Kem, Wiz Khalifa
2021, R&B

I already got the ring
I’m ready to wife you, girl

You Complete Me – Lamone, Najee
2021, R&B

Ever since you came into my life
You made me whole

Steam – Leon Bridges
2021, R&B

We don’t need nobody
Baby, you and me tonight

Waves of Blue – Majid Jordan
2021, R&B

I’m in love with the thought of being in love
In love with you (love with you)

Silly Love Songs – Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr.
2021, R&B

Love doesn’t come in a minute
Sometimes it doesn’t come at all
I only know that when I’m in it

Antidote – Nao feat. Adekunle Gold
2021, R&B

You changed my life, it’s a miracle
I’m in love, you already know

I Feel Good – Pink Sweat$
2021, R&B

Livin’ life in color
Everything around me looks so beautiful and sweet

Lucky Star – Robin Thicke
2021, R&B

Don’t you let me lose my faith
I won’t give up (ooh)
All I need is a little of your love

Friends & Family – The Isley Brothers
2021, R&B

Let’s make a toast to the ones that we love
And we miss and could not be here

Saturday – twenty one pilots
2021, R&B

But on Saturday, Saturday, Saturday
We paint the town

One I Got – Charlie Wilson
2020, R&B

You can have everything you’ve ever seen but
Ain’t no woman like the one I got

Already Knew You – Eric Roberson
2020, R&B

I love you more than you’ll ever know

Love Somebody – Rotimi
2020, R&B

Trust me you haven’t lived
Until you love somebody

In Your Eyes (Remix) – The Weeknd feat. Kenny G
2020, R&B

In your eyes
I see there’s something burning inside you

Ain’t Nothin Like The One I’ve Got – Calvin Richardson
2019, R&B

I love you trust me for the rest of our lives

Flirtin’ w / Forever – Wayne Brady feat. Cat Gray
2019, R&B

I think we’re flirting with forever
Every sunrise and every sunset with you

A Good Night – John Legend x BloodPop®
2018, R&B

I think I just met my wife (yeah, I said it)
I know it’s gonna be a good night

How Deep Is Your Love – Pj Morton
2017, R&B

Breaking us down, when they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

Coming Home – Leon Bridges
2015, R&B

You’re the only one that I want
I wanna be around

Marry Me – Jason Derulo
2013, R&B

I swear that I will mean it
I’ll say, “Will you marry me?”

Let Me Love You – Mario
2004, R&B

You should let me love you
Let me be the one to
Give you everything you want and need

Let’s Get Married (ReMarqable Remix) – Jagged Edge feat. Run
2000, R&B

Been feelin’ you all the while, girl, I must confess (girl, I must confess)
Let’s get married

Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You – Lauryn Hill
1998, R&B

I love you, baby, trust in me when I say, “Okay, it’s okay”
It’s okay

When We Get Married – Larry Graham
1980, R&B

Our wedding day is not very far
And ooh, folks will whisper
And they’ll say how lovely we both are

Lovely Day – Bill Withers
1977, R&B

Just one look at you
And I know it’s gonna be
A lovely day

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
1974, R&B

You brought a lot of a sunshine in to my life
You filled me with happiness I never knew

ABC – Jackson 5
1970, R&B

ABC, one, two, three
Baby, you and me, girl

Pop Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

Fall Into Me (Acoustic) – Forest Blakk
2022, Pop

I’d give you my life
From now till forever
I’m falling in love with you
Over and over again

All Too Well (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
2021, Pop

Back before you lost the one real thing you’ve ever known
It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well

Everywhere – Niall Horan & Anne-Marie
2021, Pop

Why is loving you not fair?
You’re everywhere

Shivers – Ed Sheeran
2021, Pop

I wanna drink that smile, I wanna feel like I’m
Like my soul’s on fire, I wanna stay up all day and all night

Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) – Elton John, Dua Lipa
2021, Pop

And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time
‘Til touchdown brings me ’round again to find

My Universe – Coldplay, BTS
2021, Pop

And you (you), you are (you are) my universe
And you make my world light up inside

Holiday – KSI
2021, Pop

Strawberry shirts in the sunshine
Ice-cold drinks ’til the moonlight
You’re my holiday

Only Wanna Be With You (Pokémon 25 Version) – Post Malone
2021, Pop

I can’t help it if I’m lucky
I only wanna be with you

Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
2021, Pop

Say you’ll see me again
Even if it’s just in your
Wildest dreams

Best of You – Andy Grammer with Elle King
2020, Pop

You trust in me and I’ll trust you too
‘Cause the best of me, loves the best of you

Bohemian Rhapsody – Angelina Jordan
2020, Pop

Anyone can see
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters to me

pov – Ariana Grande
2020, Pop

I’ma love you even though I’m scared (oh, scared)
Learnin’ to be grateful for myself

The Way You Look Tonight – Joey Stamper
2020, Pop

There is nothing for me but to love you
And the way you look tonight

Watermelon Sugar – Zita feat. Jonah Baker
2020, Pop

Breathe me in, breathe me out
I don’t know if I could ever go without
Watermelon sugar high

You’re the One That I Want – Dylan Rockoff with Caroline Kole
2019, Pop

You’re the one that I want (You are the one I want)
Ooh, ooh, ooh

Adore You – Harry Styles
2019, Pop

I’d walk through fire for you
Just let me adore you

u r my everything – Leslie Odom, Jr
2019, Pop

Without you, my life would be a mess
Because you are my, you’re my everything

When You Say Nothing at All – Music Travel Love
2019, Pop

The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall
Oh, you say it best, when you say nothing at all

I’ll Be There – Jess Glynne
2018, Pop

Yeah, I’m gonna, I’m gonna, I’m gonna come through
You’ll never be alone, I’ll be there for you

New Light – John Mayer
2018, Pop

Oh we can go far from here
And make a new world together babe

Have It All – Jason Mraz
2018, Pop

Here’s to the fact that I’ll be sad without you
I want you to have it all

Love Someone – Lukas Graham
2018, Pop

If you love someone
And you’re not afraid to lose ’em
You probably never loved someone like I do

Love – Matt White
2013, Pop

What is love, what is love?
I just want it to be love

Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
2010, Pop

The whole world stops and stares for a while
‘Cause girl, you’re amazing
Just the way you are

Lucky – Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
2008, Pop

Lucky we’re in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

1,2,3,4 – Plain White T’s
2008, Pop

Those three words (three) and that’s what I’ll do… (four)
I love you (I love you)

Collide – Howie Day
2003, Pop

Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find
You and I collide

Angel – Shaggy feat. Rayvon
2000, Pop

Girl, you’re my angel
You’re my darling angel

I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
1999, Pop

You are my fire
The one desire
Believe when I say
I want it that way

Lovefool – The Cardigans
1996, Pop

Love me love me
Say that you love me

Kiss – Prince
1986, Pop

Ain’t no particular sign
I’m more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your
Kiss

Country Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

Songs For You – Brian Kelley
2021, Country

What a picture perfect end to a day
I’ll play my, I’ll play my, I’ll play my songs for you

Steal My Love – Dan + Shay
2021, Country

My heart is yours forever
If I couldn’t call you mine
Then, baby, you know I don’t want no one, no one

My Masterpiece – Darius Rucker
2021, Country

But, baby, when my life is through
I hope they say my masterpiece is lovin’ you

Whatever Forever Is – Devin Dawson
2021, Country

Now I just wanna spend eternity
With your lovin’ on m?, just like this
Mm, for whatever for?ver is

Friends Don’t Let Friends – Lady A feat. Carly Pearce & Thomas Rhett & Darius Rucker
2021, Country

You shouldn’t make it on your own
No, friends don’t let friends drink alone

Love Is Real – Morgan Evans
2021, Country

The way I feel, I know I always will
I am yours, you are mine, love is real

Happy Anywhere – Blake Shelton feat. Gwen Stefani
2020, Country

I could be happy anywhere
I could be happy anywhere with you

The Way You Look Tonight – Tenille Townes feat. Keelan Donovan
2020, Country

So tell me that I’m yours and I’ll tell you that you’re mine
I’ve never seen anything quite like
The way you look tonight

Real Love – Tyler Rich
2020, Country

We’re all looking for that real love
I’m talking head over heels love
That makes you wanna get down on your knee

Just the Way – Parmalee & Blanco Brown
2019, Country

‘Cause I was made for loving
Just the way God made you

Fooled Around and Fell in Love – Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack
2019, Country

But since I met you baby, love’s got a hold on me
Fooled around and fell in love

World For Two – King Calaway
2019. Country

So come here, make it all disappear like lovers do
Girl, for you, I wish that I could build a world for two

From the Ground Up – Caleb and Kelsey
2019, Country

Just take my hand
‘Cause you are the man my dad hoped that you’d be
And we’ll build this love from the ground up

Live Forever – Kane Brown
2018, Country

If all we get is just to be together
It makes me wanna live forever

Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not – Thompson Square
2011, Country

But you’re ’bout to miss your shot
Are you gonna kiss me or not?”

Rock Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

All Roads – Arkells
2021, Rock

There’s only one thing that I want
All roads will lead me to back you

Headspace – Dirty Heads
2021, Rock

Everything that you do
Keep me in that good headspace
Oh, never wanna come down from your love

If It’s Love – Sting
2021, Rock

If it’s love, it has no season
If it’s love, there is no cure
If it’s love, it won’t see reason

Lost on You – LP
2017, Rock

Let’s raise a glass or two
To all the things I’ve lost on you, oh-oh

Fall For You – Secondhand Serenade
2008, Rock

You always thought that I was stronger
I may have failed
But I have loved you from the start

Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn
1991, Rock

Yeah, I got a first class ticket
But I’m as blue as a boy can be
Then I’m walking in Memphis

Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest
1972, Rock

It’s such a fine and natural sight
Everybody’s dancin’ in the moonlight

Folk Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

heavenly light (work tape) – Wilder Woods
2021, Folk

But you’re my evidence, my hallelujah
That leads me to another life

There Is Only One You – Us The Duo
2020, Folk

I pretend like I ain’t got no clue
But you shut me up and you do it with love
There is only one you

EDM Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

Dancing In The Moonlight – Aexcit & HILLA
2020, EDM

It’s a supernatural delight
Everybody was dancin’ in the moonlight

Kiss Me – Lucas Estrada & AJ Salvatore
2020, EDM

Oh, kiss me
Beneath the milky twilight
Lead me
Out on the moonlit floor

Dreams – Phil Soda and GoodLuck
2020, EDM

In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost
Of what you had
And what you lost

Just the Two of Us – Yann Muller
2019, EDM

Just the two of us
We can make it if we try
Just the two of us

Something Just Like This – Chainsmokers & Coldplay
2017, EDM

Oh, I want something just like this
I want something just like this

Reggae Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead, Cherine Tanya Anderson
2008, Reggae

But I know one thing that I love you (baby girl)
I love you, I love you, I love you

One Love / People Get Ready (Medley) – Bob Marley
1977, Reggae

One love, one heart
Let’s get together and feel all right

Indie Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

A-O-K – Tai Verdes, 24kGoldn
2021, Indie

Living in this big blue world
With my head up in outer space
I know I’ll be A-O, A-O-K

Missing Piece – Vance Joy
2021, Indie

I get lost in the crowd
Because when I’m in a room with you
That missing piece is found

I Was Born To Love You – Ray LaMontagne
2020, Indie

I was born to love
I was born to
Born to love

‘Til I Found You – Jeremy Loops
2020, Indie

I won’t, I won’t stop
‘Til I found you

Here Comes the Sun – Imaginary Future
2017, Indie

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun and I say
It’s alright

Jazz Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

I Get A Kick Out Of You – Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga
2021, Jazz

So tell me why should it be true, mmm, yeah
I get a kick out of you

My Baby Just Cares For Me – Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra & Haley Reinhart
2018, Jazz

My baby just cares
My baby just cares
My baby just cares for me

Hip Hop Cocktail Hour/Dinner Songs

I’m the One – DJ Khaled feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne
2017, Hip Hop

Yeah, you’re lookin’ at the truth, the money never lie no
I’m the one, yeah, I’m the one

Please comment on the songs below. We read and respond to all the suggestions.

Similar song lists for further reading:

• Upbeat Cocktail Hour songs
• Boy Band Cocktail Hour songs
• Rehearsal Dinner playlist

How Much Dinner Music Does a Wedding Reception Need?

That is a great question. The short answer is that it depends. This is why, as a wedding couple, you should have a conversation with your wedding planner and the DJ.

If the wedding dinner is a formal, sit-down dinner with courses, you may need at least an hour. Add another half hour for pre-dinner cocktails. Your wedding planner will help you decide when the dinner music should end.

A black-tie event will have different background music than a backyard cookout. Music outdoors can be louder because the sound will escape the area. Your professional DJ should be given a tour of the dinner space so they can properly place speakers and play the correct volume.

Background Music Isn’t Dance Music

We know that “Baby Got Back” brings back some great memories, but your wedding guests are trying to eat. You know Aunt Margaret is going to get up and start dancing in the middle of the courses if you play that song. Don’t let her embarrass herself — at least yet.

Think about dinner music as background music — music barely noticed. It sets the tone for the evening. It allows people to have conversations. It’s not the dominant sound. It’s in the back of the noise.

Dinner Music & Cocktail Hour Ideas

One way to choose wedding dinner music is to honor a relative that has passed. You can do this by including their favorite genre or song. It’s a gentle nod and not a distraction.

Some sites say never to play Michael Bublé, we’re not going that route. Choose what makes you feel comfortable. Better yet, have a conversation with your wedding planner and professional DJ. Professional DJs are music historians; they choose music to set the tone.

We could literally list millions of songs in all different music styles. That’s impossible. We will guide you through a mixture of old and new songs in a few music styles. Know your guests and their music likes. Stick to your wedding’s theme, too.

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