The Best Wedding Background Music

When we take a booking for any wedding or occasion, we first of all suggest our clients provide a playlist. We secondly suggest a blacklist of any tracks that they want to ensure are not played. This is not always a necessity because some clients leave the whole playlist to us. However, if a playlist is provided it gives us an idea of music tastes and an insight into what might work.

Another reason background playlists are important is that they allow us to plan a rough playlist for the quieter parts of the day. By doing so it allows more time to concentrate on the event. If there is a track we don’t have in our library we can download it in full high definition and drop it into the mix. This allows us to mix the track straight away.

Furthermore is Important to have a good knowledge of favourite songs and requests your wedding guests want to hear. This way we have a starting point for music and can work out the rough direction we want to take, dependant on the crowd. Requests are always included and blacklisted tracks are subsequently removed.

We never suggest picking a playlist and sticking to it song for song as this usually would not work at an event. There are many factors for this such as the taste of the guests and atmosphere on the night. Song requests on the night can also be a factor. A playlist is more of a musical taste guide than a set format for the whole evening.

Reasons For Creating A Background Music Playlist

One thing most clients forget when compiling there playlist is background music. In our eyes, this is certainly as important as the music for  peak time. Background music sets the mood for the event and furthermore warms things up for the rest of the evening. Like a club DJ playing a warmup set, the act of warming up a crowd is as important as the main event. 

There is nothing worse than loud music that prevents your guests from talking early on. Most special occasions are a time for friends and family who haven’t seen each other in a long time to catch up. The dancing can wait until later in the evening after all. The track selection is vital in addition to the music level.

When planning a playlist we always take into account the ages and tastes of our clients and the type of event. If the event is a wedding there will normally be several hours of dining, followed by speeches. This period of the day will need a subtle background playlist to match. Most wedding guests won’t want to hear Metallica playing whilst trying to enjoy a pâté or choosing a bread roll. In the same instance a 16th birthday party is unlikely to want to hear David Gray when their friends arrive.

 Here is a list of the most requested wedding background music tracks from our clients over the years. These are from mixed aged clients for a variety of different weddings. Whilst these are from wedding clients, others have also found the songs appropriate.

Top wedding background music requests in no particular order

• Morcheeba – The Sea.
• Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees.
• David Gray – Babylon.
• Jennifer Hudson – Spotlight.
• Gotye & Kimbra – Somebody That I used To Know.
• Ben Howard – Keep Your Head Up.
• Ed Sheeran – Kiss Me.
• Simply Red – Holding Back The Years.
• Alicia Keys  – Empire State of Mind.
• Emeli Sandé – Next To Me.
• The Cure  – Friday I’m In Love.
• Sam Smith – Latch (Acoustic Version).
• Maroon 5 – She Will Be Loved.
• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me.
• Michael Bublé – Everything.
• Adele – Someone Like You.
• Moby – Porcelain.
• The La’s – There She Goes (Acoustic Version).
• Maverick Sabre – I Need (Acoustic Version).
• Emeli Sandé – Heaven.
• Amy Winehouse – Valerie (BBC Live Lounge Version).
• Coldplay – Don’t Panic.
• Gabrielle – Out Of Reach.
• Ellie Goulding – How Long Will I Love You.
• Natalie Imbruglia – Torn.
• Birdy – Skinny Love.
• Eagle Eyed Cherry – Save Tonight.
• The Calling – Wherever You Will Go.
• Newton Faulkner – Dream Catch Me.
• Nina Simone – Feeling Good.
• Passenger – Let Her Go.
• Colbie Caillat – Bubbly.
• Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles.
• John Legend – Ordinary People.
• The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris.
• Counting Crows – Accidentally In Love.
• Lily Allen – Somewhere Only We know.
• Alicia Keys – Emire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down.
• U2 – One
• Ed Sheeran – Lego House.

The list captures a small amount of our clients favourite wedding background music. This list may not be suitable for all types of weddings and ages because all weddings differ from each other. 

To enquire about one of our DJ Hire Packages or Red Carpet Hire Packages in Kent, Surrey, Sussex or Essex please get in touch. 

We can also supply background music playlist samples for a range of other events and parties.