Between the wedding ceremony and reception, the guests often converge on the reception site while the bride, groom and wedding party go to a picturesque location for photos. This is a key time in setting the mood for an evening of fun, and music plays a big part in that.
The key to picking great cocktail and dinner music is familiarity. It doesn’t have to have been played on the radio a lot recently, but I don’t play much of anything that wasn’t in one way or another a mainstream hit.
This is a version of my very popular cocktail hour playlist that I use for weddings. This playlist is perfect for a very diverse crowd like you’d see at a wedding. Grandma is there, so are the nieces and nephews. It needs to be upbeat, but it’s not quite time to start the dance music.
I love this section of music because it combines the best that ever sang a song with the best of today.
You Send Me – Sam Cooke
Then He Kissed Me – the Crystals
Don’t Be Cruel – Elvis Presley
Sunday Morning – Maroon 5
I Do – Colbie Caillat
Something’s Got a Hold on Me – Etta James
You Are the Best Thing – Ray Lamontagne
Miracle – Foo Fighters
Something – the Beatles
So Com Voce – Thievery Corporation
Rhythm of Love – Plain White T’s
Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain and Tenille
I Got You, Babe – Sonny and Cher
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
End of the Line – Traveling Wilburys
All I Want is You – Barry Louis Pollstar
Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
I Will – the Beatles
Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
The Best is Yet to Come – Frank Sinatra
Teach Your Children – Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Mysterious Ways – U2
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye or James Taylor
Just The Way You Are – Billy Joel
Martina McBride – I Love You
Alison Kraus and Union Station – When You Say Nothing At All
Cruisin’ – Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Something In The Way She Moves – James Taylor
Happy Together – the Turtles
Marry You – Bruno Mars
Lucky – Jason Mraz (feat. Colbie Caillat)
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Let’s Stay Together – Bill Withers
Forever Young – Rod Stewart
The Best Is Yet To Come – Frank Sinatra
I Feel the Earth Move – Carole King
You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me – Smokey Robinson
SEE PAUL'S PICKS FOR FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE SONGS
Source:
http://tri1025.com/best-cocktail-hour-songs/