The romantic moments that occur during the cocktail hour of a wedding set the mood for the entire party. The correct music selection can give the environment a magical touch as people mingle and exchange tales.
These top 36 wedding cocktail hour songs that we’ve compiled are guaranteed to make priceless memories, whether you’re going for a romantic ambiance, a nostalgic feel, or an enthusiastic spirit.
Top 36 Wedding Cocktail Hour Songs For Your Playlist
Check out these other wedding songs playlists for the ultimate celebration on your big day:
- Wedding Send-off Songs To Memorably Exit Your Ceremony
- Black Wedding Songs To Walk Down The Aisle
- Indie Wedding Songs For Your Special Day
Let’s dive into the list of the leading 36 wedding cocktail hour song choices for your playlist.
1. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley
Memorable Lyrics: “Wise men say only fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you.”
A timeless classic that radiates romance and love, perfect for setting a tender mood.
2. “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
Memorable Lyrics: “L is for the way you look at me, O is for the only one I see…“
Nat King Cole’s smooth vocals and catchy melody bring a jazzy elegance to the occasion.
3. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
Memorable Lyrics: “I see trees of green, red roses too, I see them bloom for me and you…”
A heartwarming tune showcasing the world’s beauty and the love being celebrated.
4. “Cheek to Cheek” by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Memorable Lyrics: “Heaven, I’m in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak…”
A duet that oozes charm and grace, perfect for dancing cheek to cheek.
5. “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
Memorable Lyrics: “Fly me to the moon, let me play among the stars, let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars…“
Sinatra’s crooning invites guests to dream and embrace the romance of the occasion.
6. “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel
Memorable Lyrics: “Don’t go changing, to try and please me, you never let me down before…”
A heartfelt song celebrating the uniqueness and beauty of a loved one.
7. “All of Me” by John Legend
Memorable Lyrics: “Cause all of me, loves all of you, love your curves and all your edges…”
A modern ballad that speaks of deep love and acceptance.
8. “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
Memorable Lyrics: “Oh, my love, my darling, I’ve hungered for your touch…”
A hauntingly beautiful melody that evokes feelings of longing and desire.
9. “Moon River” by Andy Williams
Memorable Lyrics: “Two drifters off to see the world, there’s such a lot of world to see…”
An iconic tune that captures the romantic essence of a journey together.
10. “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
Memorable Lyrics: “It’s a beautiful night, we’re looking for something dumb to do, hey baby, I think I wanna marry you…”
An upbeat, feel-good song that celebrates the excitement of love and marriage.
11. “At Last” by Etta James
Memorable Lyrics: “At last, my love has come along, my lonely days are over…”
Etta James’ soulful voice conveys the joy of finding true love.
12. “Amazed” by Lonestar
Memorable Lyrics: “I don’t know how you do what you do, I’m so in love with you, it just keeps getting better…”
A country-infused track that expresses awe and admiration for a loved one.
13. “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by James Taylor
Memorable Lyrics: “How sweet it is to be loved by you, how sweet it is to be loved by you…”
A joyful tune that celebrates the sweetness and happiness of being loved.
14. “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
Memorable Lyrics: “You are the best thing, you’re the best thing, you’re the best thing baby…”
An upbeat melody that conveys the idea of a partner being the best thing in one’s life.
15. “Better Together” by Jack Johnson
Memorable Lyrics: “It’s always better when we’re together…”
A laid-back song that emphasizes the unity and companionship in a relationship.
16. “Something” by The Beatles
Memorable Lyrics: “Something in the way she moves, attracts me like no other lover…”
A classic Beatles tune that speaks of a special something that brings people together.
17. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
Memorable Lyrics: “Well you done done me and you bet I felt it, I tried to be chill but you’re so hot that I melted…”
A carefree, acoustic melody that celebrates surrendering to love.
18. “Ho Hey” by The Lumineers
Memorable Lyrics: “I belong with you, you belong with me, you’re my sweetheart…”
An indie-folk hit that exudes a joyful and carefree spirit.
19. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
Memorable Lyrics: “I have died every day waiting for you, darling don’t be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years…”
A modern ballad that beautifully captures the feeling of everlasting love.
20. “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor
Memorable Lyrics: “You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I’ll come running…”
A comforting and heartwarming song about the value of friendship and companionship.
21. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
Memorable Lyrics: “And I will always love you, I will always love you…”
A powerful declaration of enduring love that resonates deeply.
22. “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton
Memorable Lyrics: “It’s late in the evening, she’s wondering what clothes to wear…”
A song that paints a picture of a beautiful moment shared between two people.
23. “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat
Memorable Lyrics: “It starts in my soul, and I lose all control, when you kiss my nose, the feeling shows…”
A light and breezy tune that reflects the joy and excitement of new love.
24. “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King
Memorable Lyrics: “So darling, darling, stand by me, oh, stand by me…”
A timeless classic that speaks of the importance of support and companionship.
25. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
Memorable Lyrics: “I could stay awake just to hear you breathing, watch you smile while you are sleeping…”
A powerful rock ballad that expresses the intensity of love and the desire to be present.
26. “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison
Memorable Lyrics: “I can hear her heartbeat for a thousand miles, and the heavens open every time she smiles…”
Van Morrison’s velvety vocals enhance the sense of devotion in this romantic track.
27. “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. feat. Bill Withers
Memorable Lyrics: “I see the crystal raindrops fall, and the beauty of it all is when the sun comes shining through…”
A smooth jazz tune that captures the essence of togetherness.
28. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
Memorable Lyrics: “Unforgettable, that’s what you are, unforgettable…”
A duet that celebrates the enduring nature of unforgettable moments.
29. “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran
Memorable Lyrics: “Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know, she shares my dreams, I hope that someday I’ll share her home…”
A modern love song that paints a picture of a perfect moment.
30. “Everything” by Michael Bublé
Memorable Lyrics: “And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times, it’s you, it’s you, you make me sing, you’re every line, you’re every word, you’re everything…”
A song that encapsulates the feeling of completeness when surrounded by love.
31. “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
Memorable Lyrics: “If you’re lost you can look and you will find me, time after time…”
A heartfelt ballad about the constancy of love over time.
32. “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz
Memorable Lyrics: “I won’t give up on us, even if the skies get rough, I’m giving you all my love…”
A song about the determination to work through challenges in a relationship.
33. “Everything I Do (I Do It for You)” by Bryan Adams
Memorable Lyrics: “Look into my eyes, you will see, what you mean to me, search your heart, search your soul…”
A rock ballad that speaks of deep commitment and sacrifice for love.
34. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles
Memorable Lyrics: “Oh, please, say to me, you’ll let me be your man, and please, say to me, you’ll let me hold your hand…”
An upbeat and joyful track that captures the excitement of being close to a loved one.
35. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith
Memorable Lyrics: “Oh, won’t you stay with me, ’cause you’re all I need, this ain’t love, it’s clear to see…”
A poignant song that expresses the vulnerability of wanting someone to stay.
36. “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
Memorable Lyrics: “Some day, when I’m awfully low, when the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you…”
A song that captures the beauty and admiration in the way a loved one looks.
Conclusion
The 36 wedding cocktail hour songs we’ve listed cover a wide range of moods and themes, all of which add to the magical ambiance of this memorable occasion. Curating the ideal playlist can bring enchantment to your wedding day and make memories that will last a lifetime, whether you choose oldies, contemporary songs, or a combination of both.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about wedding cocktail hour songs that might interest you.
What Is a Cocktail Hour In A Wedding?
The cocktail hour at a wedding is generally an hour between the ceremony and the reception when attendees can partake in beer, wine, specialty drinks, and light appetizers.
How Many Songs Are In A Cocktail Hour?
While this depends on the song lengths, 13 to 14 tracks should be enough for an hour. But if you want to be extra ready, adding a few more to your playlist never hurts. Having about 20 selections would be great.
How Long Should A Cocktail Hour Playlist Be?
You should have a playlist around ten minutes longer than your cocktail hour. The music can be started before your guests arrive. Modern songs typically last three minutes, so plan on selecting 20 or so tracks for your playlist.
Serena & Dominic are a married couple and parents to 3 wonderful children. They plan weddings, run multiple small businesses, and curate wedding events.
By giving you everything you need to make your dream wedding attainable, you can eliminate stress, get the ‘wedding glow,’ and focus on spending this rocking day with the person you adore. Discover their podcast for more information