60 Best Wedding Cocktail Hour Songs for Your Perfect Playlist

5+ PHOTOS
4 PRO TIPS
wedding cocktail hour songs musician at wedding reception
Photo by

karinawiebe_photography

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Right at the end of the ceremony and just before the reception is the most anticipated fun wedding cocktail hour. This is the time for guests to unwind, chat with other guests, and start-up on the fun and drinks. For this part of the wedding, you need a perfect playlist of appropriate wedding cocktail hour songs for background music.

ADVERTISEMENT

These cocktail hour songs should be a mix of different genres and must shine through without drowning the guests’ conversations. To create the cocktail songs’ perfect lineup, see our list of wedding cocktail music genres to keep you inspired.

Modern Wedding Cocktail Hour Music

Modern wedding cocktail music will feature more new wedding songs. This is perfect for young couples getting married. This can also fly if a larger percentage of the guests are youngsters. Modern songs are popular among the youngsters, ones they will enjoy while playing catch up with other guests.

  1. “She Moves in Her Own Way,” by The Kooks
  2. “Lego House,” by Ed Sheeran
  3. “Chasing Cars,” by Snow Patrol
  4. “She’s Electric,” by Oasis
  5. “Happy Accidents,” by Saint Motel
  6. “Suit and Tie,” by Justin Timberlake
  7. “22,” by Lily Allen
  8. “Valerie,” by Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse
  9. “Ten Cent Pistol,” by The Black Keys
  10. “Doin Time,” by Lana Del Rey
  11. “Can’t Stop Now,” by Major Lazer
  12. “Lovers,” by Anna Of The North
  13. “Still Feel,” by Half Alive
  14. “Hot To Touch,” by Alex Jaehn
  15. “Miracle,” by Caravan Palace

ADVERTISEMENT

Best Cocktail Hour Songs

Some of the songs you play during the cocktail hour will be part of your reception music. So, your playlist for a wedding cocktail hour should include songs that are fit for the reception proper. The best cocktail hour songs will include lots of relatable souls, jazz and romance.

  1. “Got to Give It Up (Part 1),” by Marvin Gaye
  2. “For Once in My Life,” by Stevie Wonder
  3. “ABC,” by the Jackson 5
  4. “Do You Love Me,” by The Contours
  5. “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me),” by the Temptations
  6. “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” by Marvin Gaye
  7. “I Second That Emotion,” by the Miracles
  8. “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” by Four Tops
  9. “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
  10. “Baby Love,” by the Supremes
  11. “You Make My Dreams,” by Daryl Hall & John Oates
  12. “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” by The Temptations
  13. “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” by Natalie Cole
  14. “Giant Steps,” by John Coltrane
  15. “My Funny Valentine,” by Tony Bennett

ADVERTISEMENT

Upbeat Cocktail Hour Music

So while some are chatting away and making new friends, others may want song genres that the can move to. For their benefit, make jazz, line dance songs, and other upbeat selection as part of your cocktail music for the wedding. These songs have a way of keeping the audience lively.

  1. “Mess Is Mine,” by Vance Joy
  2. “Ho Hey,” by Lumineers
  3. “L-O-V-E,” by Nat King Cole
  4. “Drunk on Your Love,” by Brett Eldredge
  5. “Drunk On You,” by Luke Bryan
  6. “Dog Days Are Over,” by Florence & The Machine
  7. “You and I,” by Wilco
  8. “Electric Love,” by BORNS
  9. “Rhythm Of Love,” by Plain White T’s
  10. “Baby I’m Yours,” by Arctic Monkeys
  11. “I Would Do Anything For You,” by Foster The People
  12. “Better Together,” by Jack Johnson
  13. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” by Lauryn Hill
  14. “Let’s Get Married,” by Jagged Edge
  15. “Loving You Easy,” by Zac Brown Band

ADVERTISEMENT

Classic Wedding Cocktail Hour Songs

Your wedding cocktail hour music playlist is incomplete if they don’t feature classic songs. These are songs for generations that are never out of style and make the perfect transition into wedding dinner music. They cut across all ages, keep everyone happy, and are timeless serenades for guests present at your nuptials.

  1. “Papa Loves Mambo,” by Perry Como
  2. “Beyond the Sea,” by Bobby Darin
  3. “Misty,” by Johnny Mathis
  4. “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby,” by Frank Sinatra
  5. “At Last,” by Etta James
  6. “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
  7. “Summertime,” by Sarah Vaughan
  8. “Come Fly with Me,” by Frank Sinatra
  9. “The Way You Look Tonight,” by Frank Sinatra
  10. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” by Andy Williams
  11. “My Funny Valentine,” by Tony Bennett
  12. “By Your Side,” by Sade
  13. “Someone To Watch Over Me,” by Ella Fitzgerald
  14. “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” by James Taylor
  15. “Here Comes The Sun,” by The Beatles

In these refreshing categories, we’ve shown you how to create an outstanding wedding cocktail hour music playlist. Music is one of the most important features of weddings because they help with a seamless flow of things. So, getting it right in every aspect is non-negotiable. It so happens that music for cocktail hour is as important too because the right music expels any boredom. Take a cue from our suggestions of cocktail music for a wedding and give your guests the end unforgettable showdown.

ADVERTISEMENT