If there is one part of the wedding that guests really love it is the cocktail hour. This is the best opportunity for friends and family to socialize and unwind together. They can grab a drink and this is when the fun begins.
Of course, you want to encourage everyone to feel comfortable and have some fun. This means that most weddings will feature music during cocktail hour. This is often to act as background music and it can really have an impact on the mood in a room. So, here are some great cocktail hour songs you can play at your wedding.
Loving You Easy by Zac Brown Band
You want songs that are easy for your guests to listen to and that do not overshadow conversations. But you also want songs that are happy and upbeat. This is where Zac Brown Band comes in. They are popular and ‘Loving You Easy’ is a favorite song for a lot of people. It is perfect for a wedding and it is catchy. You can keep your guests smiling and happy during cocktail hour and beyond.
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri
Songs about love are perfect to play during a cocktail hour at a wedding. So, we introduce ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri. This was a song that was actually played during the Twilight Breaking Dawn movie, which is why people might recognize it. But it also became a hit in its own right and remains popular to this day. Of course, the lyrics are all about love, which is going to make it great for listening to in the background at cocktail hour.
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Get Started With PlanningCome Fly with Me by Frank Sinatra
If there is one artist you have to play at a wedding it is Frank Sinatra. All of his songs are catchy and famous, which means that your friends and family members are going to enjoy listening to them. So, why not play ‘Come Fly with Me’ during your cocktail hour? This is a song that everyone will know and it will keep everyone happy. It will not overshadow conversations and still provide timeless entertainment in the background.
22 by Taylor Swift
A lot of people are familiar with Taylor Swift and her music. Indeed, ‘22’ is a popular song that most people know. If they do not, they are going to find it catchy during cocktail hour at your wedding. It has an upbeat and fun tempo that is going to get people ready to dance. In fact, mixed in with a few drinks, you may find some of your guests ready to get their dancing shoes on!
Ho Hey by Lumineers
When you are the bride and groom, you do not always notice how long the wedding day is for the guests. This is why you want to make a lot of effort during the cocktail hour and to choose the right music. In particular, keeping it upbeat and lively is a good way to keep your friends and family’s energy high. In particular, we like the song called ‘Ho Hey’ by Lumineers. This is a pleasant song to listen to with easy lyrics and nice guitar music. But it also makes you feel good. It also follows the theme of love, which is perfect for a wedding.
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Another popular artist that you will have to consider for your cocktail hour playlist is Ed Sheeran. A lot of people love his music and how calm but uplifting it can be. In particular, one of his most popular songs is ‘Thinking Out Loud’. The lyrics are suitable for all ages and they fit in well with a wedding.
Papa Loves Mambo by Perry Como
At the end of the day, you want to make your guests feel good at your wedding. Happy hour is something that can do that. So, you want to put in a lot of effort into the playlist as the music can affect everyone’s mood. If you play catchy and upbeat songs, this is going to make people smile and enjoy themselves. Thus, we recommend adding ‘Papa Loves Mambo’ to your list. This is by Perry Como and it is a classic song that remains popular today. Guests are going to feel great listening to the band.
All of Me by John Legend
If you are creating a playlist and want to stick to romantic songs to play during cocktail hour, we recommend ‘All of Me’ by John Legend. This is a beautiful song that can be emotional for some people. But it is also nice to listen to in the background especially during a wedding. ‘All of Me’ was a huge hit and this means that most people will know it already.
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head by Dean Martin
Dean Martin was a very popular singer in his day. But he still remains a favorite for many people and playing his songs during cocktail hour is sure to be a hit. In particular, one of his biggest songs was ‘Ain’t That a Kick in the Head’. It has an uplifting band playing, which is going to match your wedding well without being too overpowering during cocktail hour. His lyrics are also about love. This is a song that is going to have your friends and family members tapping their toes while they enjoy a drink and snack.
A Whole New World by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga
If there are any Disney fans out there, they are going to love this selection during cocktail hour. ‘A Whole New World’ is one of the most popular Disney songs of all time and it is from the Aladdin movie. But it also has beautiful lyrics that make it fantastic for a wedding. It has a calming and soothing effect, which might be just what your guests need. It appeals to all ages and will let everyone enjoy the music together.
Kathy
Kathy is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about all aspects of a wedding—from the planning to the event itself. She graduated from the University of Technology in Sydney (yes, Australia!), with a degree in media and communication. She also became an American citizen and loves her new home country. Kathy has somewhat of a boho spirit and enjoys some great rock-n-roll music. She is married and enjoys working from home with her husband, who’s also a writer. They both try to get out as often as possible by taking long walks, visiting wineries on the weekend, and more. While they don’t yet have kids, Kathy and her husband have plans to expand their family in the next year or two!
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