Tim and I were lucky enough to have found a reception site that employed their own DJ’s [they also ran a night club.] For us, that meant we were able to get a DJ for about half of the price it would have been to bring in an outside vendor. Which is great! But as part of that deal, we were in charge of providing a playlist for the cocktail and dinner hours—roughly 2.5 hours. [The DJ emceed the reception, but he didn’t officially “start working” until the first dance.]
Creating a playlist for this occasion wasn’t as easy as I thought it would have been. Maybe it’s because I was trying to decide between two different styles of music and was extremely picky. When it got down to just a few days before the wedding and the list wasn’t finalized, I stopped caring about the style of music and decided a mix would be best. So, I thought I would share the playlist that Tim & I came up with for those 2.5 hours in hopes it gives others some help.
The music is listed alphabetically by artist, but this wasn’t the ordered that was played. I will warn that it is a bit random and some songs may not make sense, but just select shuffle and let your iPod do the rest.
Amos Lee: Sweet Pea
Band of Horses: No One’s Gonna Love You
The Beatles: Here Comes the Sun • When I’m Sixty-Four
Billie Holiday: Come Rain or Come Shine
Billy Joel: Just the Way You Are
Bon Iver: Skinny Love
Colbie Caillat: Fallin’ for You
Coldplay: Paradise
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros: Home
Frank Sinatra: Come Fly With Me • Lucky Be a Lady • That’s Amore featuring Dean Martin • The Way You Look Tonight
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Ingrid Michaelson: The Way I Am
Jason Mraz: I’m Yours
John Mayer: Half of My Heart
Jonsi: Go Do
Josh Turner: Time Is Love
Joshua Radin: I’d Rather Be With You • Brand New Day
Landon Pigg: Falling In Love at a Coffee Shop
The Lumineers: Ho Hey
Marvin Gaye: How Sweet It Is
Matt Nathanson: Faster
Michael Bublé: Save the Last Dance for Me
Norah Jone: Love Me Tender
Of Monsters and Men: Little Talks
Parachute: She is Love
Paul McCartney: Maybe I’m Amazed
Phillip Phillips: Home
Pussycat Dolls: Sway With Me
Ray LaMontagne: You Are the Best Thing
She & Him: Me and You
Taylor Swift: Enchanted • Today Was a Fairytale
Other songs that were on my list, but just ran out of time to get everything downloaded…
Billie Holiday: There is No Greater Love
Count Basie & His Orchestra: Oh, Lady Be Good
Dean Martin: Memories are Made of This
Ella Fitzgerald: Cheek to Cheek
Frank Sinatra: The Best is Yet to Come
Harry Conick Jr: We Are in Love
Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E
Radical Face: Welcome Home
In the end, people don’t really listen too closely to the music that is played during those couple hours. They are so busy eating, drinking, and conversing to care much. Those people are just happy to be there for you and help you celebrate. So chose music that you feel fits the vibe and style you’ve established for your reception. Oh yes, and just sit back, relax, and have fun.
—m.