50 Themed Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlists | Ambient DJ Service

Most New Jersey weddings feature a cocktail hour.  Cocktail hour provides an opportunity for guests to loosen up with a delicious cocktail and catch up with long lost family and friends.  Music helps set the mood.  Ideally, cocktail hour music should be atmospheric. It's not yet time to dance, but it is appropriate to be raising the energy level to foreshadow the fun that is soon to follow.

Some couples opt for live music for cocktail hour.  This could be the same musician that performed at your onsite ceremony (such as a violinist, pianist, harpist or guitarist).  Or it could be a new player such as a Caribbean steel drummer.  Most couples however opt for their DJ company to provide music for the onsite cocktail hour.

If utiliziing your wedding DJ to provide cocktail hour service, couples are encouraged to provide a musical theme.  There is no need to settle for elevator music or outdated Kenny G anthems (sorry Kenny!).  Cocktail hour is a great time to program non-conventional or non-danceable styles of music.  Don't be afraid to think outside of the box!  While traditional cocktail hour fare like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jason Mraz or Jack Johnson will get the job done, don't be afraid to try something unique.  To that end, the team at Ambient DJ Service has compiled 50 themed wedding cocktail hour playlists.

Sample playlists from this list include:

1) The New Jersey Homegrown Playlist - featuring all NJ artists and focusing on the classic Jersey Shore sound.

2) Boardwalk Empire / Great Gatsby - recapture the opulence of the Jazz Age with big band sounds and modern electro-swing derivatives.

3) The Tropical Tradewinds Playlist - take a trip to the islands with this authentic Caribbean playlist with selections from Jamaica and Haiti.

4) The Country Playlist - Enjoy the sounds of modern country artists like the Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker and Florida-Georgia Line.

5) The Miami Vice Playlist.  The 80s-infused cocktail hour playlist that Detective Sonny Crockett would use at his wedding.

6) The All-Broadway Playlist.  A collection of modern and classic Broadway show tunes compiled by a past theater-loving wedding client of ours!

7) The Savannah Southern Charm Playlist.  For those trying to emulate a wedding with southern charm, try this authentic playlist compiled by a Savannah-based guest blogger.

8) The New York State of Mind Playlist.  New York has inspired many a musical artist, from Frank Sinatra to Billy Joel to Jay-Z.

9) The Disney Playlist.  Disney is a leading brand and lifestyle.  Disney lovers can make a statement using this playlist with hits from diverse movies like The Lion King, Snow White, Cinderella, Tarzan, Aladdin and Toy Story.

10) TV Themes Playlist.  Need a conversation starter?  Try this all television themes cocktail hour playlist with soundtracks ranging from the Love Boat, Dynasty, Hill Street Blues, True Blood, CSI Miami, Friends and many more.

11) The Fifty Shades of Grey Playlist.  For something different and exotic, try this 50 Shades playlist featuring smooth R&B, sexy funk and sleek electronica.

12) The Hip Hop Playlist.  Rappers fall in love too!  This playlist features the softer side of hip hop and R&B.

TO VIEW ALL FIFTY WEDDING COCKTAIL HOUR PLAYLISTS

To view all 50 themed wedding playlists and click through to the individual playlists, click here. 

One final tip for wedding couples - consider getting your wedding portraits done prior to cocktail hour, so that you can enjoy at least a portion of the cocktail hour - and the music of course!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ambient DJ Service is a full-service mobile DJ entertainment company based in New Jersey and specializing in weddings.  For more information about our services, visit www.ambientdj.com.