Wedding Music Guide UK: What to Play, When to Play It & How Much You Really Need

Written in partnership with Night To Remember Mobile Disco's – a Suffolk-based premium wedding DJ company covering Suffolk, Norfolk & Essex. Planning your wedding in Suffolk, Norfolk or Essex and wondering what music you need for your ceremony and other key moments? Our aim is to create the “perfect atmosphere” and keep the dancefloor buzzing, while making the whole experience “stress free and personal” from first contact to last song. This wedding music guide uk has been put together to hopefully give you a better idea of what you need and where. You can learn more about us here.

Why Music Matters More Than People Realise

Great music quietly shapes your whole day. It welcomes your guests, builds the emotion for the aisle walk, fills the little pauses during the register signing, and sends you out to cheers as newlyweds.

Later, it sets the tone for relaxed conversation over dinner and then flips the switch into full-on celebration. When it’s planned well, the day flows and feels effortless. That’s the goal.

Wedding Music Guide UK - Ceremony Music: What Goes Where

Quick overview:

• Prelude / Guest Arrival (15–30 mins): gentle background while guests arrive

• Processional: the walk down the aisle

• Register Signing: calm, meaningful music (1–2 songs)

• Recessional: upbeat exit song as you leave married

Church vs Registry Office

Church ceremony:Music is welcome and traditional, but lyrics usually need to be appropriate for a religious setting. Classical, hymns, organ, strings and tasteful modern love songs are usually fine – just get approval from your priest or minister.

Registry office / civil ceremony:Music is absolutely allowed, but by law it must be non-religious. Live or recorded music is fine – just confirm any equipment/timings with the registrar or venue.

Guest Arrival / Prelude – set the mood

Think warm, romantic, relaxed. Instrumental or soft vocal tracks work best so guests can chat. I often play piano covers of well known songs. It's always fun to see guests double take certain songs.

Song ideas:

• “Clair de Lune” – Debussy (piano)

• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Instrumental version

• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What A Wonderful World” – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

• “At Last” – Etta James (quiet background)

• Anything by The Piano Guys or Vitamin String Quartet

Processional (Walking Down the Aisle)

This is the moment everything stops and everyone turns. Pick something emotional that fits you, not just tradition.

Song ideas:

• “Canon in D” – Pachelbel

• “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri (piano/cello version)

• “Turning Page” – Sleeping At Last

• “I Get to Love You” – Ruelle

• “Here Comes the Sun” – Beatles (acoustic or instrumental)

DJ tip: If the wedding party enters first and the bride/partner last, we can cue two separate pieces or fade one song up at the perfect moment.

Register Signing Music

You’ll sign, take a couple of photos and breathe. You only need 1–2 songs (4–6 mins total).

Song ideas:

• “Make You Feel My Love” – Adele / piano version

• “All of Me” – John Legend (instrumental version works great)

• “Moon River” – Audrey Hepburn or piano version

• Instrumental film themes like “Kissing You” from Romeo & Juliet

Recessional / Exit Song

Time for the cheer and confetti. Go upbeat and celebratory.

Song ideas:

• “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” – Stevie Wonder

• “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” – Natalie Cole

• “You Make My Dreams” – Hall & Oates

• “All You Need Is Love” – The Beatles

• "I'm A Believer” – Smash Mouth

Drinks Reception – relaxed, not sleepy

Think sunshine vibes, clinking glasses, good energy without overpowering conversation.

Playlist ideas:

• Acoustic covers

• Classic soul & Motown (low volume)

• Laid-back indie & feel-good pop

• Light funk/disco instrumentals

Example songs: “Put Your Records On” (Corinne Bailey Rae),“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” (Otis Redding),“Better Together” (Jack Johnson),“Lovely Day” (Bill Withers),“Latch” (Acoustic)

Wedding Breakfast / Dinner Music

Background only – but still you. This is where people relax and talk, so keep it warm and smooth.

Good styles for dinner:

• Soft soul & R&B

• Acoustic 90s/00s

• Jazz standards / swing

• Instrumental covers of modern songs

• Live Lounge

Instrumental / no-lyrics ideas: The Piano Guys, string quartet versions of chart hits, lo-fi jazz, acoustic film themes.

We offer both all day and evening only packages, please see our all day and evening only package options here.

Wedding Music Guide UK - Evening Reception & First Dance

Your first dance sets the tone: romantic and real, then straight into party mode.

First Dance Ideas

• “At Last” – Etta James

• “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran

• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis / Kina Grannis

• “Tennessee Whisky" - Chris Stapleton

• “Better Together” – Luke Combs

DJ tip: Not into slow? Start with a slow verse and switch to a remix – looks amazing in photos and gets guests straight up. "Stargazing (Moonlight Version)" - Myles Smith into the original works very well.

Party Starters (crowd-pleasers across generations)

• Motown & Soul – “Blame It on the Boogie”, “Respect”

• 90s/00s R&B & Garage – “Flowers”, “Forever”, “Re-Rewind”

• Indie & Rock – “Mr. Brightside”, “Sex on Fire”, "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor"

• Disco & Funk – “September”, “Play That Funk Music”

• Dance & Pop – “Titanium”, “Shut Up and Dance”, “Uptown Funk”

Pro Tips from a Wedding DJ (16+ Years Experience)

• Have a do-not-play list – zero judgement

• Mix eras & genres so every age group gets a moment

• Volume matters – clear for speeches, warm & full for dancing, never harsh

• Transitions are key – no awkward silence or Spotify-style gaps

• Tell us what you LOVE and what you HATE – it helps more than you think

• Trust the flow – you choose the core songs, we read the room

FAQs – Quick Answers to the Big Questions

Can you have music at a church wedding?Yes, but choices may need approval. Keep lyrics appropriate.

Can you play music at a registry office wedding?Yes, but the songs must be non-religious.

How much music do you need for a ceremony?Usually 4–6 pieces (arrival, aisle, signing, exit).

What is prelude wedding music?Music played as guests arrive – sets the tone.

What is processional music?The entrance / aisle walk.

Music for signing the register?Soft, romantic, 1–2 songs.

Wedding music for exit?Upbeat, celebratory – set the mood for the rest of the day.

Wedding music during dinner?Chilled, classy background music.

Wedding music without words?Piano, strings, movie themes, jazz instrumentals, acoustic covers.

Wedding music entertainment options?DJ, band, string quartet, sax player, live singer, gospel choir etc.

Wedding music first dance?Pick something personal – slow or upbeat, just make it YOU.

Quick Music Planning Checklist

✔️ Ceremony songs chosen✔️ Register office songs checked for non-religious lyrics✔️ Drinks reception playlist sorted✔️ Dinner music chosen✔️ First dance confirmed✔️ “Do not play” list sent✔️ Mic & timings confirmed for speeches

Need a Hand Pulling It All Together?

If you’d like some friendly help shaping the perfect soundtrack for your day, Night To Remember Mobile Disco's would love to chat. We’re a Suffolk-based premium wedding DJ company covering Suffolk, Norfolk & Essex, with 16+ years of experience and a genuine passion for keeping the dancefloor buzzing.

No hard sell – just honest advice, tailored playlists and smooth, stress-free delivery from first contact to last song. You can explore our Wedding DJ Packages here.

Tell us your vision and we’ll take it from there.

P.S. If you’ve got specific songs you love (or hate!), tell us. Your day should sound like you. We’ll make sure the timing, energy and flow are spot on so you can live your best life from “I do” to last dance.