30 Best Dinner Music Songs For The Perfect Vibe At Your Wedding

When you hire Mike Bills Entertainment, you are getting a true professional wedding DJ who is very experienced in helping brides and grooms craft the perfect soundtrack that gives them the best chance for the most memorable wedding day. An integral part of your wedding playlist is the dinner music portion of your wedding reception. Whether or not you are planning on heavy hor d'oeuvres, buffet stations, or a more upscale plated dinner for your reception, the dinner music you select should be light, but not too sleepy. The energy level and volume level of the music during this time should lower and slowly increase in tempo as dinner transitions into dancing.  As one of the best Charleston Wedding DJs, I've created this selection of songs that have been used over the years at many of the weddings that I have been hired for. 

 When I think of an "ideal" dinner music vibe, I think of a nice playlist that is chock full of tunes that you can actually have  a conversation over. Music that is not too abrasive because this is going to be the time where you are probably going to try and grab a bite to eat all while being pulled in numerous different directions from guests and relatives who have not seen you in years and want to congratulate and hug you.

I just reconnected so to speak with a bride and groom (by way of photos) from one of my preferred vendors photo albums from April 2014 out at the Cotton Dock at Boone Hall Plantation. There are some couples who go to great lengths to pick and choose most all of their songs for their playlist. Reese & Courtney were one of those couples. Every song had meaning behind it. I saw how they responded to all the music that was played that night. They responded so well and a result, their guests fed off of that, which in turn made for an even more enjoyable night. Their dinner selections ranged from Zac Brown to the Rolling Stones with Jack White to Bill Withers to Ray Charles with a side of The Meters and Otis Shuggie. Your lower tempo MUST PLAY songs of the evening can be played during this time. I want my brides and grooms to hear the music they selected, so this means if you step away for a sunset photo with your photographer, I'll make sure I don't play one of your MUST PLAY tracks.

Then there were Whitney and Trey at Middleton Place back about two years ago now in March 2015. One of the most memorable weddings of my 2015 season because of their attention to detail when it came to the selection of their music. From richie Havens to fleetwood Mac, and from The Band to The Drive-By Truckers, Whitney & Trey handpicked some awesome vibes for their dinner music portion of the evening.

From a few light country songs to 80s soft rocks to jazz and even Indie / atenrative tracks, you can make yourself a wonderful dinner music selection on your playlist. The right DJ will ensure the well chosen dinner music tracks are heard by you, further enhancing the soundtrack to th emost memorable day of your life. These are my choices for an amazing mix of music during the dinner portion of your wedding reception.

If you are interested in listening to these songs right now, find me on Spotify and look for DJ Mike Bills. On my Spotify, you'll find this playlist, as well as my other popular wedding playlists that are there to provide inspiration for my clients. If you don't do Spotify, feel free to click on each link in the title of each song on this post to listen to the song on YouTube.

"You Make Loving Fun" | Fleetwood Mac
This fourth single to be released off their mega album Rumours in 1977 would break into the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has become one of the most requested Fleetwood Mac over the years at my weddings.

"Better Together" | Jack Johnson
Released back in 2005 on the album In Between Dreams, "Better Together" would peak at #23 on the Mediabase Triple A chart. The laid back chill of Jack Johnson's music is also a popular choice for cocktail hour too.

"I'm Yours" | Jason Mraz
You can find this song on Jason Mraz's 2008 album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.  I'm not trying to sound like a radio station when I say this, but its the perfect vibe. It's not too sleepy and not too abrasive. It's just right and it's a song that connects with a lot of my clients. The song went to Number 1 on the Adult Top 40 and Adult Contemporary chart.

"Love Song" | Adele
This 10th track on her incredible 21 album is actually one of my favorites because it's cover of one of my favorite 80s alterative bands. Adele did an excellent job on this cover of The Cure. Take a listen by clicking the link in the song title and let me know what you think.

"Moondance" | Van Morrison
Moondance is one of my favorite dinner music songs. It's the title track of Van Morrison's 1970 album.  The album would break into the Top 30 on the album chart in America. I think it's one of my favorites because of it's vibe. While it's a bit uptempo, it's not too much for dinner.

 "Paradise" | Sade
One of my favorite songs by Sade. You can find this song on her 1088 album Stronger Than Pride.  I remember hearing the song on a Miami radio station when I was traveling down there and it was the perfect song to hear as I approached Miami. The song would peak at #3 on the adult contemporary chart. If you are a big fan of Sade, check out this post about her songs for your wedding playlist.

"The Best Is Yet To Come" | Frank Sinatra
Originally written in 1959, Frank Sinatra would record this classic and release on his album It Might As Well Be Swing.  Michael Buble, Bob Dylan, and Lisa Stansfield have also recorded this song.

 "Everything" | Michael Buble
"Everything" is one of the Top 5 requested songs by Michael Buble by my clients. The song was released back in April of 2007 and would peak at #1 on the adult contemporary chart. 

"I Just Called To Say I Love You" | Stevie Wonder
The career of Stevie Wonder was still going strong into the 80s, and even to the point where he write and record the best selling song of his career. I gotta disagree with the lyrics when he says "No weddings in the month of June", as that is one of the most popular wedding months. The song would reach #1 on the Hot 100 and adult contemporary chart in America, and also top the charts in 16 other countries.

 "A Groovy Kind Of Love" | Phil Collins
Phil Collins had a tremendous solo career outside of Genesis and it 1988 he starred in the movie, Buster. His version of this classic reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"She's Got A Way" | Billy Joel
Billy Joel first released this song back in 1971, but it was not until he recorded it for the live album Songs From The Attic that it became a hit as it peaked inside the Top 5 on the adult contemporary chart in 1982.

"Here Comes The Sun" | The Beatles
2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the release of the album Abbey Road by the Beatles. "Here Comes The Sun". With all the buzz of the anniversary, the song would peak at #3 on the Billboard Hot Rock chart in 2019. The song would later be covered by Richie Havens and Nina Simone.

"Mandolin Rain" | Bruce Hornsby
Bruce Hornsby bursted onto the scene in 1986 when he was released the album, The Way It Is.  "Mandolin Rain" was released as a single in 1987 and would hit #1 on the Adult contemporary charts. It's a soft rock vibe to it that is optimum for most dinner music crowds.

"I Second That Emotion" | Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Released in September of 1967, this is one of the most requested Smokey Robinson songs. It would later be covered Diana Ross & The Supremes, as well as the Temptations.

"A Sunday Kind Of Love" | Etta James
This beautiful song was on Etta's 1960 album "At Last". At Last is a very popular slow dance song that is also oftentimes used for a couple's first dance.

"Higher Love" | James Vincent McMorrow
If I were Steve Winwood, I would be very happy on how his 1986 classic song was covered by James Vincent McMorrow. It's slower and just perfect for dinner at your wedding.

"Bennie & The Jets" | Elton John
Elton John is a popular request favorite from a lot of my clients at their weddings. Bennie & Jets was released in Febroary of 1974 and can be found on the classic album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The song would hit #1 on the Hot 100, which would be a common theme for Elton John through out the 70s. If you are interested in more Elton John songs, be sure to click the link.

"Into The Mystic" | Van Morrison
If you were paying attention, you saw the first Van Morrison song on this post. Into The Mystic was also released as part of the Moondance album. It's a beautiful song that's been covered by so many talents including the Zac Brown Band, as well as The Wallflowers.

"Faithfully" | Journey
Outside of the very popular "Don't Stop Believin", which is often played toward the end of the night, "Faithfully" is a very popular request for dinner or for a slow dance. If you are into songs like this, be sure to check out one of the most popular posts on my blog about 80s Soft Rock During Dinner.

"The Promise" | When In Rome
Originally recorded in 1987, this great 80s love song was released in America in 1988,  and would peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. Take a listen to it by clicking the link in the song title. 
 
"Hands To Heaven" | Breathe
Breathe was a jazzy, oftentimes poppy, very adult-contemporary chart friendly band from England that made its debut in 1987 with the release of their album All That Jazz. "Hands To Heaven" would be released in 1988 and make it all the way to #2 on the Hot 100 and AC charts that summer.

"The Captain Of Her Heart" | Double
Double was a duo from Switzerland who scored a one-hit wonder when they released "The Captain Of Her Heart" in 1985.  It's jazzy and chill vibe allowed it to peak at #4 on the adult contemporary chart in 1986.

"Let It Be Me" | Ray Lamontagne
"Let It Be Me" can found on the  2008 album, Gossip In The Grain, and is another very popular request. Also on this album is the heavily requested "You Are The Best Thing".

"My Cherie Amour" | Stevie Wonder
This title track to Stevie Wonder's 1969 album has an excellent vibe for music to be played during dinner at your wedding. The song would peak at #3 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart.

 "Skinny Love" | Bon Iver
Bon Iver is a popular choice for modern brides and grooms who are into the Indie artists. "Skinny Love" can be found on the album For Emma, Forever Ago, which was released in 2007.

"Venus" | Shocking Blue
And I bet you though Bananarama originally recorded this song in the 80s. The original is actually one of my favorite songs of the 60s.  The song would reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. It would also hit #1 in several other countries.

"When A Man Loves A Woman" | Percy Sledge
Michael Bolton would cover this song, but it's the original that everyone seems to want to hear at most all of my weddings. Released in 1966, Percy Sledge would score a #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the R&B chart.

"La Isla Bonita" | Madonna
This is one of my all-time favorite songs by Madonna, back when she was dabbling in Spanish culture in the mid 1980s. It's got such a chill vibe and is truly a timeless song.  It would peak at #4 on the Hot 100, while making it to Number 1 on the adult contemporary chart in 1987.

"When I Fall In Love" | Clive Griffin & Celine Dion
The perfect romantic song for your dinner is right here. If you are a romantic at heart, you probably saw the movie Sleepless In Seattle. This cover of the Nat King Cole classic was part of the soundtrack.  The song would peak at #6 on the Billboard adult contemporary charts in the fall of 1993.

"The Look Of Love" | Diana Krall
If you are a fan of modern jazz, you probably know the amazing voice of Diana Krall. I got to see her do her version of this classic in concert. She is truly amazing and offers the perfect vibe for dinner at your wedding. Care to learn more about popular Diana Krall songs that are requested at my weddings? Be sure to click the preceding link.

Are You Interested In Talking To Mike About Being Your Wedding DJ?
Are you in the hunt for a true professional wedding DJ for your wedding in Charleston? Are you enjoying this blog and wish to sit down and meet with a DJ who truly will do all he can to make your wedding day the most memorable ever? Click HERE to schedule a consultation and let's grab coffee. I would really love to DJ your wedding ceremony and reception.