Wedding Reception Music Ideas

When it comes to wedding reception music ideas, you have even more choices to make than with your ceremony music.

But with just a few simple but helpful ideas, you can have the unique reception you have dreamed of.

As with the ceremony, keep your venue and wedding size in mind when making your music selections.

Outdoor Reception

If your reception is being held outside, a string quartet is a great idea to use. Plus, you can save some money by having the string quartet play during your wedding ceremony, if it is held outside too.

However, keep in mind that a string quartet is not going to be able to play at a high volume and they are limited on what songs they can play.

If you really want a string quartet to play during your reception, I would suggest having them play while everyone is eating and during any transitional times during your reception. That way everyone will get to enjoy the music.

Picture of violin being played at a wedding reception

Live Band

Another wedding reception music idea is to hire a live band.

Hiring live bands and DJs or a combination of both is very popular for receptions. Of course, you can use these regardless of where your reception location is - inside or outside.

It's always important to make sure that when you hire a band you use a professional act to provide your wedding reception music.You will want a band that can play a variety of music.

If you want to hire a band, another important thing to consider, is that they tend to be very expensive and can take a huge chunk out of your budget.

So, it is very common to have either the band leader or DJ to act as emcee for the evening. Have them announce the couple and wedding party, the first dance, cake cutting, the couple’s departure, etc. This way you can save a little money to spend on another part of your wedding.

What To Tell The Band

If you choose either of these methods, here are a few wedding reception music ideas to consider:

Give the band/DJ a song list of any particular songs that you want played to ensure they know how to play those songs or that those songs are in the DJ’s play list.
Make it clear to the band/DJ what types of music you like.
Provide as much information as you can to any hired musicians.

Give them the wedding date and time.
Parking information, along with where to load and unload any equipment. Be sure to allow enough time for them to get there and to get set up.
Provide them with the schedule of the events for your reception. This should include the list of names, if they are announcing anyone.

Picture of band performing at a wedding reception.

The more information you can give them the better prepared everyone will be. Allowing for a flawless performance - creating a perfect reception for you.

If you use a DJ, you can usually give them a complete song list and they will play the music you want.

If you don’t have any preferences on particular songs you like, DJ's are always resourceful and can play the appropriate songs at the appropriate times.

Wedding ceremony music ideas

List of wedding songs to use at your reception.

Burning Your Own CD's

Another simple wedding reception idea is to burn all of the songs you want played during your reception onto CD's. Then have someone play the CD's during the reception. It is very inexpensive and allows you to play exactly what songs you want. This idea also allows for more creativity/freedom in the song selection.

If you choose to go with this wedding reception music idea,

Remember to assign someone to be in charge of playing the CD's.
Be sure to have someone check the sound equipment at the venue and to test all the CD's before hand to make sure they play properly on the equipment.
Ensure that you have enough music to last the entire time of your reception.
You will also need to assign someone as emcee to make all of the important announcements.

Whatever wedding reception music idea you decide to go with, there are some rules of thumb when it comes to reception music to keep in mind.

A couple of these rules are:

Make sure you have designated songs for all of the special moments (i.e. announcing the couple and wedding party, first dance, father/daughter dance, cake cutting, and departure), so that they will be as memorable as possible.
You will also want the appropriate music to accompany each event.
It is best to play slow tempo music while the guests are eating, fast temp music for dancing, etc.

Unique Wedding Reception Ideas

Here are a few fun and unique ideas for your reception music:

If you are having a themed wedding, then music that can go along with your theme is perfect to play.
Moroccan ensemble with a belly dancer.
A couple of violinists playing in harmony.
A harp and woodwind ensemble.
A single cello.
A barbershop quartet.
A free juke-box filled with golden oldies that the guests can select - one of my personal favorites.
A swing band.
A country and western band.