If there is music during your wedding meal, it should remain discreet: low volume, a slow tempo, little percussion and few lyrics.
Should you play music during your wedding dinner, and if so, what style? Our wedding DJs often hear this question, and rightly so. Couples-to-be care about their guests' wellbeing: they are afraid of disturbing them with “intrusive” background noise during their conversations. Conversely, they feel that music can fill awkward silences between guests who did not know each other before the wedding. In both cases, they are right.
Music at the wedding meal: our DJs' advice
At Jour Précieux, we advocate moderation. Your guests deserve respect, and their listening comfort matters.
Dinner music is not there to be listened to attentively. It simply provides a light background and creates an overall atmosphere, just like the lighting. In our view, its volume should therefore remain low. Ideally, it is:
- without percussion, or almost;
- slow in tempo;
- without too many lyrics;
- played with few instruments.
Piano bar style music, for example, is perfect for a hushed, classy atmosphere during the wedding meal, and it will not tire your guests. This is only a sample: your DJ will have other genres to suggest.
What music for each moment of the meal?
The newlyweds' entrance into the room
Your arrival stands out from the rest of the meal: here you choose an upbeat track, ideally one your guests know. We go into this choice in detail in our article on the newlyweds' entrance music at dinner. This track can come back as short jingles to introduce a speech or an announcement.
The courses: background music
Once everyone is seated, the music moves back into the background: guests chat with their neighbours and share their memories.
Speeches and entertainment
Let your DJ know about the speeches and entertainment planned during the meal. He adapts the sound to each of these moments, so that everyone can hear whoever is speaking.
The warm-up from the cheese course
Discreet music does not stop you preparing for the party: at Jour Précieux, the DJs have what it takes to gently wake up and warm up the audience, with our “warm-up” from the cheese course onwards. The DJ gradually moves away from background music to more rhythmic, more singable tracks, without any abrupt break. Your guests will be ready for the opening of the dance floor!
Dessert and the wedding cake
The arrival of the wedding cake or dessert marks the end of the meal and the start of the party. The music is no longer just a background: it accompanies the moment the cake is revealed to the guests. We have devoted an article to it: what music to choose for the arrival of the wedding cake.
Which styles to choose for the atmosphere of the meal?
A genre is suitable if it stays soft, slow and uncluttered. Besides piano bar, several styles can work depending on your tastes:
- mellow jazz, preferably instrumental;
- bossa nova, as long as the percussion stays light;
- acoustic covers, on piano or guitar;
- soft soul, as long as the vocals stay discreet;
- lounge, without too much rhythm.
Set out your preferences in our preparation questionnaire: it is a real working tool for your DJ.
What volume for the dinner music?
The volume should be more moderate than during the drinks reception. Everyone must be able to talk normally at their table, including people sitting near the speakers. The placement of the speakers, their orientation and the system settings contribute directly to this. To find out more, read our article on sound volume at a wedding.
Meal playlist: DJ or musicians?
A playlist left running with nobody behind it reacts neither to an unplanned speech nor to the atmosphere in the room. A DJ adjusts the sound to each moment and prepares the transition to the evening party. Also read why choose a professional DJ rather than an automated playlist.
Musicians can also create a hushed atmosphere, especially at the drinks reception. In that case, remember to organise the handover to the dancing. And if you are preparing some of the songs yourself, have a look at the mistakes to avoid in a wedding playlist.
Frequently asked questions
Should there be music during the wedding meal?
It is not compulsory, but light background music creates an atmosphere and can prevent awkward silences between guests who do not know each other. It should remain discreet.
At what volume should the dinner music be played?
At a low volume: everyone must be able to talk normally, even near the speakers.
Who prepares the dinner playlist?
Your DJ, based on your tastes and the information given in the questionnaire. If you are short of ideas, he will suggest suitable genres.
When should the dance music start?
Gradually. At Jour Précieux, the warm-up starts from the cheese course and prepares for the opening of the dance floor.
Share any doubts or concerns with your DJ. We are here to support and advise you so that music can enhance your dinner and your precious wedding evening.
