Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist

A wedding cocktail hour is a time to set the mood.  A wedding cocktail hour is a transition point between the serene ceremony, and the convivial wedding reception party that is to follow.  Ingredients for a great cocktail hour mix include:  1) atmospheric selections that put guests in a good mood,  2) a mix of current and classic music, 3) an increasing energy level as the cocktail hour progresses (and the drinks kick in!);  and 4) intelligent song selections that include re-inventions of classics and some international spice.

At Ambient DJ, we do not use stock cocktail hour mixes, but rather custom program each set to reflect the unique style of the event.

Listed below are 50 of our favorites:

1) The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz (jazz/international)

2) Quando, Quando - Michael Buble w/Nelly Furtado (standards)

3) Besame Mucho - Diana Krall (standards)

4) Sem Contencao (Truby Trio Remix) - Bebel Gilberto (electronica/international)

5) Look to the Rainbow - Astrud Gilberto (international)

6) So Come Voce - Thievery Corporation (lounge)

7) We Have All the Time in the World - Louis Armstrong (standards)

8) Fever - Peggy Lee (jazz)

9) Here Comes the Sun (Francois K. remix) - Nina Simone (standard/electronica)

10) Whatever Lola Wants (Verve Remixed) - Sara Vaughan (standard/electronica)

11) I Only Have Eyes for You - Jamie Cullum (electronic)

12) Space Maker - Air (electronica)

13) The Scientist - Coldplay (alternative)

14) Bittersweet Symphony (alternative)

15) Thank You Too - My Morning Jacket (alternative)

16) 5:55 - Charlotte Gainsbourg (international)

17) Lovesong - Adele (Retro Soul)

18) Valerie - Amy Winehouse (Retro Soul)

19) For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder (Soul)

20) More Today Than Yesterday - Spiral Starecase (60s)

21) Be My Baby - The Ronettes (soul)

22) Paradise - Sade (jazz)
23) I Can't Help It - Michael Jackson (R&B)
24) Giving You the Best That I Got - Anita Baker (R&B)
25) Sweet Seasons - Carole King (70s)

26) Marry Me - Train (acoustic/modern)

27) The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson (acoustic/modern)

28) I’m Yours - Jason Mraz (acoustic/modern)

29) Awake My Soul - Mumford and Sons (acoustic/modern)

30) Far, Far Away - Wilco (alternative)

31) First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes (acoustic/modern)
32) The Best of My Love - The Eagles 

33) The Blower’s Daughter - Damien Rice (acoustic)

34) Bellissimio - Ilya (New Age)

35) Only Time - Enya (New Age)

36) Thank You - Dido (vocalists)

37) Don’t Look Any Further - Dennis Edwards (soul)

38) Is It Love - Bob Marley (reggae)

39) I Belong to You - Lenny Kravitz (modern)

40) Bamako - Youssou N’Dour (international)

41) Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre) - Gotan Project (electronica/international)
42) It Could Be Sweet - Portishead (trip hop)

43) Take Five - Dave Brubeck (jazz)

44) Rise - Herb Alpert (jazz)

45) Stella by Starlight - Miles Davis (jazz)
46) Breezin' - George Benson (jazz)
47) Just the Two of Us - Grover Washington, Jr. (jazz)
48) Chameleon - Herbie Hancock (jazz/funk)

49) You are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne (alternative)
50) Crazy Love - Van Morrison (vocalists)

A Word About Kenny G

Kenny G?  Kenny, who is an excellent player, received a bad rap due to his own success.  Some disc jockeys overplayed Mr. Gorelick, resulting in a backlash! Two of my favorite Kenny G. tracks that occasionally make it into the mix are "Brazil" and "The Girl from Ipanema" (w/Bebel Gilberto)

About Ambient DJ Service

Ambient DJ Service is an award-winning mobile DJ service based in Central New Jersey.  Our company prides itself on its deep musical knowledge and programming skills.  To learn more about our wedding, corporate and private party services, visit us on the web at http://www.ambientdj.com or become our   Facebook Fan at http://www.facebook.com/ambientdj