MEAL MUSIC

You and your guests won't be eating in silence - there's usually some fairly unobtrusive yet entertaining music playing in the background. 

Our recommendations for meal music are the same as for the cocktail hour, with two additions:
a. Big Band/Jazz Vocalists/Standards & Classics
b. Love songs from the 1960’s through present day

a. Big Band/Jazz Vocalists/Standards & Classics
What does this music consist of?
Some popular artists included in this mix would be Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Mathis, Glenn Miller, Bobby Darrin, and a few contemporary jazz artists like Harry Connick Jr or Diana Krall.

b. Love songs form the 1960’s through present day
What does this music consist of?
This would include a mix of many of the classic love songs and artists of the pop era. Some examples: “Cherish”- The Association, “Say You Love Me”- Fleetwood Mac, “Keep On Loving You” - REO Speedwagon, “Always Be My Baby” - Mariah Carey, “Fallin" - Alicia Keys, “Just The Way You Are” - Bruno Mars. You could choose a mix consisting of just one or two decades, or one that would span the entire era. For instance, you may want songs from only the 1980’s and 90’s, or just the those songs from the new millennium.

When choosing music for meal time, you want to consider both your own tastes, and those of your audience. For instance, if you have a lot of older guests who’ll be leaving shortly after the meal, they might enjoy listening to the Big Band/Jazz Vocalists/Standards & Classics mix. If it’s mostly a younger crowd, they might enjoy a Love Songs of the 90’s to Present Day mix. If it is an Irish wedding, then Irish Celtic music might be appropriate. Also, consider the atmosphere you want to create. More formal might call for Classical Music or Big Band era. Less formal might call for the Love Songs mix, or Instrumental Jazz. Finally, consider the location of your reception. Big and fancy might call for Big Band era. Small and simple might call for a Love Songs mix.

What most couples do:
Many couples choose the Big Band/Jazz Vocalists/Standards & Classics mix, but quite a few choose the Love Songs mix, Instrumental Jazz, and Classical Music.

Another possibility:
You may want to change the tempo of the music as dessert and time for open dancing approaches. You can do this by asking your DJ or Band to play more upbeat, sing-a-long type songs just before the end of the meal. For instance, songs like “Going To The Chapel”, “That’s Amore”, “Love And Marriage”, and "Marry You." These are songs with wide popular appeal that get people singing and tapping their feet, and it is a good prep for the dancing that is to follow. Again, you’ll want to base your decision on your tastes, your guests, the reception location, and the atmosphere you’re trying to create.

And Finally…
One other option: At some receptions, the function hall may be a bit slow getting the meal out after the salad or first course. In these circumstances, if it is OK with the hall and if requested by the Bride and Groom the DJ or band can break from the dinner music to play some slow dance songs so the crowd has a chance to do some dancing. Think about whether this is something you might want to have done at your reception.