Complete Music Checklist: Ceremony, Cocktail and Party
8 min read · Updated January 2026
A wedding has dozens of musical moments — and forgetting one can create an awkward silence. This complete checklist ensures every second of your day has the perfect soundtrack.
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The ceremony is the emotional heart of the wedding. Every entrance and exit needs thoughtful music.
- ☐ Guest arrival — soft ambient music while waiting (15-30 min)
- ☐ Groom's entrance — optional, some grooms prefer to already be at the altar
- ☐ Ring bearer/bridesmaids entrance — if applicable
- ☐ Bride's entrance — THE MOMENT. Choose carefully.
- ☐ During the ceremony — soft instrumental moments (optional)
- ☐ Ring exchange — background music or silent moment
- ☐ Signing the register — ambient music
- ☐ Couple's exit — celebration! Joyful and festive music
Ceremony suggestions
- • Bride's entrance: "Canon in D" (Pachelbel), "A Thousand Years" (Christina Perri), "Marry Me" (Train)
- • Couple's exit: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" (Stevie Wonder), "Happy" (Pharrell), "Lovely Day" (Bill Withers)
🥂 Cocktail
Cocktail hour is the decompression moment. Guests socialize, eat canapés, take photos. Music should be present but not invasive.
- ☐ Continuous playlist — 1.5 to 2 hours of ambient music
- ☐ Appropriate volume — easy conversation is priority
- ☐ Coherent style — lounge, jazz, bossa nova, acoustic
- ☐ No silences — smooth transitions between songs
Genres that work for cocktail
- • Soft jazz and bossa nova
- • Acoustic covers of pop hits
- • Lounge/chill music
- • Instrumental fado (Douro weddings love this)
If you want a packed dance floor and music tailored to your day, confirm your date now.
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During dinner, music accompanies without dominating. Guests are chatting, eating, listening to speeches.
- ☐ Couple's entrance to the room — special moment, energetic music!
- ☐ During starters — soft ambient music
- ☐ Speeches — SILENCE (only soft music if requested)
- ☐ Cake cutting — festive music, celebration moment
- ☐ Transition to party — energy gradually rising
🎉 Party
The moment everyone awaits. The dance floor, the energy, the celebration. Here the DJ shines — or fails.
- ☐ Couple's first dance — The most special song of the night
- ☐ Parent dances — optional but very emotional
- ☐ Opening the floor — invite everyone to dance
- ☐ Main playlist — 2-4 hours of party
- ☐ Must-play songs — couple's special requests
- ☐ Bouquet toss — fun music
- ☐ Last song — memorable closing
First dance: popular suggestions
- • "Perfect" - Ed Sheeran
- • "All of Me" - John Legend
- • "At Last" - Etta James
- • "Thinking Out Loud" - Ed Sheeran
- • "Can't Help Falling in Love" - Elvis Presley
📋 Template to send to the DJ
Make your DJ's life easier (and yours). Send this information before the wedding:
- 1. Bride's entrance song: _____
- 2. Ceremony exit song: _____
- 3. Reception entrance song: _____
- 4. First dance: _____
- 5. Father-daughter dance (if applicable): _____
- 6. Mother-son dance (if applicable): _____
- 7. Must-play songs: _____
- 8. Do-not-play songs: _____
- 9. Preferred genres: _____
- 10. Genres to avoid: _____
As a wedding DJ in Porto, Braga and Douro, I always receive this type of information in advance. It allows me to prepare a truly personalized experience.
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