Don't Play Boring Songs. Join MusicLetter.
My Wedding Songs
  • eBook
  • Start Here
    • Ceremony
      • Prelude Songs
      • Bride Entrance Songs
      • Processional Songs
      • Unity Songs
      • Exit Songs
    • Reception
      • Entrance & Intros
      • Cocktail Hour Songs
      • Dinner Music
      • Bouquet Toss Songs
      • Party Songs
    • Dances
      • First Dance
      • Father-Daughter Dance
      • Mother-Son Dance
      • Mother-Daughter Songs
      • Longest Married Dance
    • Genres
      • Country Songs
      • EDM & Dance Songs
      • Hip Hop Songs
      • Indie Songs
      • R&B Songs
    • Eras
      • 2010s Songs
      • 2000s Songs
      • 1990s Songs
      • 1980s Songs
      • 1970s Songs
  • Music & Songs
    • Wedding Playlists
      • Wedding Song Lists
      • Era Song Lists
      • Genre Song Lists
      • Multicultural Lists
    • Unique Playlists
      • Artists & Bands
      • Ballroom Dance Songs
      • Love Song Lists
      • Songs by Year
    • Charts
      • MWS Newly Released
      • MWS Hot 50
      • 100 Best Wedding Songs
      • Wedding Day Playlist
      • Love Songs
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Home > Ceremony & Reception Song Lists > 100 Wedding Dinner Song To Set The Tone (Fun To Laid-Back)
wedding dinner music ideas

100 Wedding Dinner Song To Set The Tone (Fun To Laid-Back)

Updated on August 29, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell

My Wedding Songs is a reader-supported website. As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission but also support the artists.

Wedding background music sets the tone for the entire reception from the time cocktail hour starts until the dinner is complete.

It can be played as early as when the guests arrive at the reception. Many times the wedding party is busy with the photographer at this point, anyway.

When Do You Play Wedding Dinner Music?

Play dinner music in the background as early as the cocktail hour and right up until the couple’s first dance.

You can choose to have cocktail hour music before dinner or skip it.

You may even want to change the vibe of the music for cocktail hour and calm it down for dinner.

Background dinner music continues until the end of the main course at a wedding reception.

Depending on the chain of events selected by the wedding couple, background dinner music usually plays for about an hour and a half.

Need help with the order of events? View our common format of a wedding reception article.

wedding dinner music ideas

You will enjoy a list of the most popular and unique background songs for setting the mood.

Every couple’s music tastes are different. Thus, we selected wedding background songs for dinner that include many different eras and music styles.

 

 

Table of Contents

  • Top 10 Dinner Songs
  • Listen to Dinner Songs
  • Dinner Music
  • R&B Dinner Songs
  • Pop Dinner Songs
  • Country Dinner Songs
  • Folk Dinner Songs
  • EDM Dinner Songs
  • Reggae Dinner Songs
  • Indie Dinner Songs
  • JazzDinner Songs
  • Hip Hop Dinner Songs
  •  

 

Our Top 10 Dinner Songs

  1. “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” by Elton John, Dua Lipa
  2. “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles
  3. “Keeps On Fallin'” by Babyface, Ella Mai
  4. “What A Wonderful World” by SOFI TUKKER
  5. “Missing Piece” by Vance Joy
  6. “Saturday” by twenty one pilots
  7. “Steal My Love” by Dan + Shay
  8. “Everywhere” by Niall Horan & Anne-Marie
  9. “My Universe” by Coldplay, BTS
  10. “I Get A Kick Out Of You” by Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga

Listen to Dinner Songs

The Best Background Songs to Play?

What vibe do you prefer while you’re eating? Something fast or something relaxed? Do you want to honor a genre or a memory? We want to know your favorites, too. What dinner background or cocktail hour songs should we add to our list?

 

R&B Dinner Songs

trust – Thuy, RINI
2022, R&B
download song

How do I
Make you realize
I’ma stick around
If it’s with you, you, you

Handle Me Gently – Ne-Yo
2022, R&B
download song

I have a tendency to step in my own way (my own way)
Baby, I’d love you no less than the day you said, “Yes”
So know I hear you clearly when you say, “Hey”

Let’s Get It On (Flight Facilities Remix) – Marvin Gaye
2022, R&B
download song

There’s nothing wrong with me
Loving you, baby no no
And giving yourself to me can never be wrong
If the love is true

Keeps On Fallin’ – Babyface, Ella Mai
2022, R&B
download song

And if you ask me why I want him
I can’t lie I love him
I won’t let it go

sun and moon – Anees
2022, R&B
download song

Baby, baby, you’re my sun and moon
Girl, you’re everything between
A lot of pretty faces could waste my time
But you’re my dream girl

Oh to Be Loved by You – Joss Stone
2022, R&B
download song

You just know when I’m down and lonely
You take hold of whatever’s hurting me
it’s so beautiful
Oh, to be loved by you

Always (I’ll Be Waiting For You) – Isabel Bailey Band
2022, Blues/R&B
download song

To make it better, For better or worse
Baby it’s you
Kiss me once
Kiss me twice
Kiss me every day and night

No Stoppin’ Us – Charlie Wilson, Johnny Gill, Babyface, K-Ci Hailey
2022, R&B
download song

They wish they could
Turnin’ up here on the floor
And there ain’t no stoppin’ us now

Love’s Train – Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
2022, R&B
download song

And if by chance, you let me just hold ya
I’m down on my knee, I wanna please you, baby
Ooh, I’ll be your righteous lover

Blessed – Hil St. Soul, Noel Gourdin
2021, R&B
download song

I never felt, never felt
Sensations so sweet in my life
And it’s all because of you

 

Silly Love Songs – Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr.
2021, R&B
download song

Love doesn’t come in a minute
Sometimes it doesn’t come at all
I only know that when I’m in it

Antidote – Nao feat. Adekunle Gold
2021, R&B
download song

You changed my life, it’s a miracle
I’m in love, you already know

 

Friends & Family – The Isley Brothers
2021, R&B
download song

Let’s make a toast to the ones that we love
And we miss and could not be here

Love Somebody – Rotimi
2020, R&B
download song

Trust me you haven’t lived
Until you love somebody

 

In Your Eyes (Remix) – The Weeknd feat. Kenny G
2020, R&B
download song

In your eyes
I see there’s something burning inside you

Ain’t Nothin Like The One I’ve Got – Calvin Richardson
2019, R&B
download song

I love you trust me for the rest of our lives

Flirtin’ w / Forever – Wayne Brady feat. Cat Gray
2019, R&B
download song

I think we’re flirting with forever
Every sunrise and every sunset with you

A Good Night – John Legend x BloodPop®
2018, R&B
download song

I think I just met my wife (yeah, I said it)
I know it’s gonna be a good night

How Deep Is Your Love – Pj Morton
2017, R&B
download song

Breaking us down, when they all should let us be
We belong to you and me

 

Marry Me – Jason Derulo
2013, R&B
download song

I swear that I will mean it
I’ll say, “Will you marry me?”

Let Me Love You – Mario
2004, R&B
download song

You should let me love you
Let me be the one to
Give you everything you want and need

Let’s Get Married (ReMarqable Remix) – Jagged Edge feat. Run
2000, R&B
download song

Been feelin’ you all the while, girl, I must confess (girl, I must confess)
Let’s get married

Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You – Lauryn Hill
1998, R&B
download song

I love you, baby, trust in me when I say, “Okay, it’s okay”
It’s okay

 

When We Get Married – Larry Graham
1980, R&B
download song

Our wedding day is not very far
And ooh, folks will whisper
And they’ll say how lovely we both are

Lovely Day – Bill Withers
1977, R&B
download song

Just one look at you
And I know it’s gonna be
A lovely day

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
1974, R&B
download song

You brought a lot of a sunshine in to my life
You filled me with happiness I never knew

ABC – Jackson 5
1970, R&B
download song

ABC, one, two, three
Baby, you and me, girl

 

Pop Dinner Songs

Bad Decisions – benny blanco & BTS & Snoop Dogg
2022, Pop
download song

I can’t seem to ever get you out of my mind
And it feels like, ooh, ah
I want you, ooh, baby, all of the time

Late Night Talking – Harry Styles
2022, Pop
download song

If you’re feelin’ down
I just wanna make you happier, baby
Wish I was around
I just wanna make you happier

Blue Dream Baby – Fancy Hagood, Kacey Musgraves
2022, Pop
download song

We’re so close to the edge, we’re touching on paradise
Even if it’s all in my head, know we’re gonna be alright
Even for one night

Fall Into Me (Acoustic) – Forest Blakk
2022, Pop
download song

I’d give you my life
From now till forever
I’m falling in love with you
Over and over again

All Too Well (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
2021, Pop
download song

Back before you lost the one real thing you’ve ever known
It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well

Everywhere – Niall Horan & Anne-Marie
2021, Pop
download song

Why is loving you not fair?
You’re everywhere

Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) – Elton John, Dua Lipa
2021, Pop
download song

And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time
‘Til touchdown brings me ’round again to find

My Universe – Coldplay, BTS
2021, Pop
download song

And you (you), you are (you are) my universe
And you make my world light up inside

 

Only Wanna Be With You (Pokémon 25 Version) – Post Malone
2021, Pop
download song

I can’t help it if I’m lucky
I only wanna be with you

Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift
2021, Pop
download song

Say you’ll see me again
Even if it’s just in your
Wildest dreams

Electric Swing – Goldkimono
2020, Pop
download song

We don’t sit on champagne seats
No we do it just because
All we want is the boom of the beat to
Shake the jeep

 

pov – Ariana Grande
2020, Pop
download song

I’ma love you even though I’m scared (oh, scared)
Learnin’ to be grateful for myself

The Way You Look Tonight – Joey Stamper
2020, Pop
download song

There is nothing for me but to love you
And the way you look tonight

Watermelon Sugar – Zita feat. Jonah Baker
2020, Pop
download song

Breathe me in, breathe me out
I don’t know if I could ever go without
Watermelon sugar high

You’re the One That I Want – Dylan Rockoff with Caroline Kole
2019, Pop
download song

You’re the one that I want (You are the one I want)
Ooh, ooh, ooh

 

Adore You – Harry Styles
2019, Pop
download song

I’d walk through fire for you
Just let me adore you

When You Say Nothing at All – Music Travel Love
2019, Pop
download song

The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall
Oh, you say it best, when you say nothing at all

I’ll Be There – Jess Glynne
2018, Pop
download song

Yeah, I’m gonna, I’m gonna, I’m gonna come through
You’ll never be alone, I’ll be there for you

New Light – John Mayer
2018, Pop
download song

Oh we can go far from here
And make a new world together babe

 

Have It All – Jason Mraz
2018, Pop
download song

Here’s to the fact that I’ll be sad without you
I want you to have it all

Love Someone – Lukas Graham
2018, Pop
download song

If you love someone
And you’re not afraid to lose ’em
You probably never loved someone like I do

Love – Matt White
2013, Pop

What is love, what is love?
I just want it to be love

Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
2010, Pop
download song

The whole world stops and stares for a while
‘Cause girl, you’re amazing
Just the way you are

Lucky – Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
2008, Pop
download song

Lucky we’re in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

 

1,2,3,4 – Plain White T’s
2008, Pop
download song

Those three words (three) and that’s what I’ll do… (four)
I love you (I love you)

Collide – Howie Day
2003, Pop
download song

Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find
You and I collide

Angel – Shaggy feat. Rayvon
2000, Pop
download song

Girl, you’re my angel
You’re my darling angel

I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
1999, Pop
download song

You are my fire
The one desire
Believe when I say
I want it that way

Lovefool – The Cardigans
1996, Pop
download song

Love me love me
Say that you love me

Kiss – Prince
1986, Pop
download song

Ain’t no particular sign
I’m more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your
Kiss

 

Country Dinner Songs

Songs For You – Brian Kelley
2021, Country
download song

What a picture perfect end to a day
I’ll play my, I’ll play my, I’ll play my songs for you

Steal My Love – Dan + Shay
2021, Country
download song

My heart is yours forever
If I couldn’t call you mine
Then, baby, you know I don’t want no one, no one

My Masterpiece – Darius Rucker
2021, Country
download song

But, baby, when my life is through
I hope they say my masterpiece is lovin’ you

Whatever Forever Is – Devin Dawson
2021, Country
download song

Now I just wanna spend eternity
With your lovin’ on me, just like this
Mm, for whatever forever is

Happy Anywhere – Blake Shelton feat. Gwen Stefani
2020, Country
download song

I could be happy anywhere
I could be happy anywhere with you

The Way You Look Tonight – Tenille Townes feat. Keelan Donovan
2020, Country
download song

So tell me that I’m yours and I’ll tell you that you’re mine
I’ve never seen anything quite like
The way you look tonight

Just the Way – Parmalee & Blanco Brown
2019, Country
download song

‘Cause I was made for loving
Just the way God made you

 

Fooled Around and Fell in Love – Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack
2019, Country
download song

But since I met you baby, love’s got a hold on me
Fooled around and fell in love

World For Two – King Calaway
2019. Country
download song

So come here, make it all disappear like lovers do
Girl, for you, I wish that I could build a world for two

From the Ground Up – Caleb and Kelsey
2019, Country
download song

Just take my hand
‘Cause you are the man my dad hoped that you’d be
And we’ll build this love from the ground up

Live Forever – Kane Brown
2018, Country
download song

If all we get is just to be together
It makes me wanna live forever

Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not – Thompson Square
2011, Country
download song

But you’re ’bout to miss your shot
Are you gonna kiss me or not?”

 

Rock Dinner Songs

Happiness (Dance Floor Edit) – The 1975
2022, Alternative
download song

I’m feelin’ like I’m messin’ it up
Because I’m callin’ out your name and God help me
‘Cause oh, I’m never gonna love again, hey

Slow Song (with Dragonette) – The Knocks
2022, Alternative
download song

I’ll play you like a slow song
Yeah, I’ll keep you spinning
Spinning circles ’til the groove’s gone

Saturday – twenty one pilots
2021, R&B
download song

But on Saturday, Saturday, Saturday
We paint the town

All Roads – Arkells
2021, Rock
download song

There’s only one thing that I want
All roads will lead me to back you

Headspace – Dirty Heads
2021, Rock
download song

Everything that you do
Keep me in that good headspace
Oh, never wanna come down from your love

If It’s Love – Sting
2021, Rock
download song

If it’s love, it has no season
If it’s love, there is no cure
If it’s love, it won’t see reason

Lost on You – LP
2017, Rock
download song

Let’s raise a glass or two
To all the things I’ve lost on you, oh-oh

Fall For You – Secondhand Serenade
2008, Rock
download song

You always thought that I was stronger
I may have failed
But I have loved you from the start

 

Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn
1991, Rock
download song

Yeah, I got a first class ticket
But I’m as blue as a boy can be
Then I’m walking in Memphis

Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest
1972, Rock
download song

It’s such a fine and natural sight
Everybody’s dancin’ in the moonlight

Folk Dinner Songs

If I Say That I Love You – Foster
2022, Folk
download song

Deep in our hearts where it matters
We can stay there forever and after

heavenly light (work tape) – Wilder Woods
2021, Folk
download song

But you’re my evidence, my hallelujah
That leads me to another life

There Is Only One You – Us The Duo
2020, Folk
download song

I pretend like I ain’t got no clue
But you shut me up and you do it with love
There is only one you

 

EDM Dinner Songs

What A Wonderful World – SOFI TUKKER
2022, WET TENNIS
download song

I see friends shaking hands
Saying “how do you do?”
But they’re really saying
I – I love you

Dancing In The Moonlight – Aexcit & HILLA
2020, EDM
download song

It’s a supernatural delight
Everybody was dancin’ in the moonlight

Kiss Me – Lucas Estrada & AJ Salvatore
2020, EDM
download song

Oh, kiss me
Beneath the milky twilight
Lead me
Out on the moonlit floor

Dreams – Phil Soda and GoodLuck
2020, EDM
download song

In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost
Of what you had
And what you lost

Just the Two of Us – Yann Muller
2019, EDM
download song

Just the two of us
We can make it if we try
Just the two of us

Something Just Like This – Chainsmokers & Coldplay
2017, EDM
download song

Oh, I want something just like this
I want something just like this

 

Reggae Dinner Songs

Say Hey (I Love You) – Michael Franti & Spearhead, Cherine Tanya Anderson
2008, Reggae
download song

But I know one thing that I love you (baby girl)
I love you, I love you, I love you

One Love / People Get Ready (Medley) – Bob Marley
1977, Reggae
download song

One love, one heart
Let’s get together and feel all right

Indie Dinner Songs

AMAZING – Rex Orange County
2022, Indie
download song

I can’t believe you’ve come and saved me
We can stay here, spend every day here
I don’t mind, no

A-O-K – Tai Verdes, 24kGoldn
2021, Indie
download song

Living in this big blue world
With my head up in outer space
I know I’ll be A-O, A-O-K

Missing Piece – Vance Joy
2021, Indie
download song

I get lost in the crowd
Because when I’m in a room with you
That missing piece is found

I Was Born To Love You – Ray LaMontagne
2020, Indie
download song

I was born to love
I was born to
Born to love

 

‘Til I Found You – Jeremy Loops
2020, Indie
download song

I won’t, I won’t stop
‘Til I found you

Here Comes the Sun – Imaginary Future
2017, Indie
download song

Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun and I say
It’s alright

Jazz Dinner Songs

I Get A Kick Out Of You – Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga
2021, Jazz
download song

So tell me why should it be true, mmm, yeah
I get a kick out of you

My Baby Just Cares For Me – Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra & Haley Reinhart
2018, Jazz
download song

My baby just cares
My baby just cares
My baby just cares for me

 

Hip Hop Dinner Songs

For My Hand – Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran
2022, Hip Hop/World
download song

Baby, it’s magic any time that we’re together
I make I just love you and hold you for my hand

I’m the One – DJ Khaled feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne
2017, Hip Hop
download song

Yeah, you’re lookin’ at the truth, the money never lie no
I’m the one, yeah, I’m the one

Please comment on the songs below. We read and respond to all the suggestions.

 

Similar song lists for further reading:

  • Upbeat Cocktail Hour songs
  • Boy Band Cocktail Hour songs
  • Rehearsal Dinner playlist

How Much Dinner Music Does a Wedding Reception Need?

That is a great question. The short answer is that it depends. This is why, as a wedding couple, you should have a conversation with your wedding planner and the DJ.

If the wedding dinner is a formal, sit-down dinner with courses, you may need at least an hour. Add another half hour for pre-dinner cocktails. Your wedding planner will help you decide when the dinner music should end.

A black-tie event will have different background music than a backyard cookout. Music outdoors can be louder because the sound will escape the area. Your professional DJ should be given a tour of the dinner space so they can properly place speakers and play the correct volume.

 

Background Music Isn’t Dance Music

We know that “Baby Got Back” brings back some great memories, but your wedding guests are trying to eat. You know Aunt Margaret is going to get up and start dancing in the middle of the courses if you play that song. Don’t let her embarrass herself — at least yet.

Think about dinner music as background music — music barely noticed. It sets the tone for the evening. It allows people to have conversations. It’s not the dominant sound. It’s in the back of the noise.

Dinner Music & Cocktail Hour Ideas

One way to choose wedding dinner music is to honor a relative that has passed. You can do this by including their favorite genre or song. It’s a gentle nod and not a distraction.

Some sites say never to play Michael Bublé, we’re not going that route. Choose what makes you feel comfortable. Better yet, have a conversation with your wedding planner and professional DJ. Professional DJs are music historians; they choose music to set the tone.

We could literally list millions of songs in all different music styles. That’s impossible. We will guide you through a mixture of old and new songs in a few music styles. Know your guests and their music likes. Stick to your wedding’s theme, too.

 

Wedding Songs For The Ultimate Party!


About Matthew Campbell

Matthew (Matt) Campbell is a veteran wedding DJ. He is the founder of My Wedding Songs and became a leader in the music industry by curating hundreds of wedding song lists for over 20 years. Matt’s work has been referenced in Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, Forbes, Style Me Pretty, and The Knot. He hosts the Wedding Songs Podcast and is the author of the Wedding Music Playlist. Matt lives in Las Vegas, NV with his wife and cat, Katniss. Read Full Bio.

Continue On

love songs in the title100 Best Songs With Love in the Song Title isnt she lovelyWedding Song Lyric Quotes With Sharable Images wedding ceremony reception song listsCeremony & Reception Song Lists authoritative unique song listsOffbeat Song Lists ethnic wedding songsMulticultural Song Lists

2 responses to “100 Wedding Dinner Song To Set The Tone (Fun To Laid-Back)”

  1. Matthew Campbell says:
    June 18, 2018 at 4:28 pm

    Thanks Robert for stopping by and checking out our site.

    Reply
  2. Robert Miskey says:
    June 18, 2018 at 5:43 am

    Hi, music plays an important role in dinner and cocktail party. It helps to create a different environment. Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

downlad greatest wedding songs epage

Trending Articles

Wedding Music Planning

  • Ceremony & Reception Song Lists
  • Artists & Bands
  • Dance Style Song Lists
  • Era Song Lists
  • Genre Song Lists
  • Love Songs Lists
  • Multicultural Song Lists
  • Songs By Year

Connect With Us

My Wedding Songs on Facebook My Wedding Songs on Pinterest My Wedding Songs on Instagram My Wedding Songs on YouTube

Wedding Songs Podcast

spotify-podcast-badge
Apple-Podcasts

The Company

  • About Us
  • Newsletter
  • Reviews
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Your Wedding Song

Giving Back

In 2022, your website visit will increase our donation to help local youth.

© 2003-2022 My Wedding Songs All Rights Reserved.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
We've worked hard to implement tools and processes to help you maintain your privacy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Affiliate Disclosure | How We Make Money
Scroll to top