Image: Laura Grace Photography
When it comes to wedding song ideas, the right music can shape the mood of each part of your celebration – without you even realising it. At the heart of it all, it’s still your favourite songs played on piano, but how those songs are chosen and arranged creates a completely different feel depending on the moment.
In this blog post, I want to show you the difference between two of the most important musical sections of your wedding day: the drinks reception and the wedding breakfast. Below, you’ll find two real-life set lists – carefully curated and arranged to reflect the natural shift in pace from celebration to calm.
Let’s start with the drinks reception…
Image: Honeydew Moments
Drinks Reception Set List – Uplifting & Joyful wedding song ideas
This is the moment your guests are mingling, glasses in hand, the ceremony is done, and everyone is in high spirits. The vibe is upbeat, feel-good, and celebratory.
1. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
2. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
3. Better Together – Jack Johnson
4. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
5. All About You – McFly
6. Hey Jude – The Beatles
7. Friday I’m in Love – The Cure
8. There She Goes – The La’s
9. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
10. She’s the One – Robbie Williams
11. Best Day of My Life – American Authors
12. All the Small Things – Blink-182
13. Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
14. Everything – Michael Bublé
15. Hold My Hand – Jess Glynne
16. Grow Old with Me – Tom Odell
17. Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
18. City of Stars – from La La Land
19. Beautiful Things – Benson Boone
20. Hymn for the Weekend – Coldplay
21. A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
22. Paradise – Coldplay
23. Close to You – Carpenters
24. Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
25. Can’t Smile Without You – Barry Manilow
26. Thank You for the Music – ABBA
27. Love Story – Taylor Swift
28. Lovin’ You – Minnie Riperton
29. One Day Like This – Elbow
30. Charlie Brown – Coldplay
Image: Kate Richards Photography
Wedding Breakfast Set List – Soft, Romantic & Dreamy wedding song ideas
As the energy shifts from socialising to dining, we transition into something more gentle and romantic. These songs still carry meaning and emotion, but with a more relaxed tempo – perfect for conversation, reflection, and soaking in the atmosphere.
1. Amelie Theme – Yann Tiersen
2. Arabesque – Claude Debussy
3. Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy
4. Comptine d’un autre été: L’après-midi – Yann Tiersen
5. River Flows in You – Yiruma
6. It’s Your Day – Yiruma
7. I Giorni – Ludovico Einaudi
8. In un’altra Vita – Ludovico Einaudi
9. Forrest Gump Main Theme – Alan Silvestri
10. Glasgow Love Theme – from Love Actually
11. Married Life – from Up!
12. A Whole New World – from Aladdin
13. When You Wish Upon a Star – from Pinocchio
14. Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John
15. I See the Light – from Tangled
16. What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
17. Somewhere Only We Know – Lily Allen
18. Songbird – Eva Cassidy
19. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
20. All of Me – John Legend
21. You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
22. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
23. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses (ballad-style piano version)
24. How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding
25. Endless Love – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
26. She’s Always a Woman – Billy Joel
27. You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
28. Greatest Day – Take That
29. Your Song – Elton John
30. A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton
Same Piano, Different Feelings
What ties both of these playlists together is that they’re entirely made up of piano covers. But the way they’re curated creates a story: one that lifts your guests up and gets them smiling during the drinks reception, then gently carries them into the emotional glow of the wedding breakfast.
When you’re exploring wedding song ideas, don’t just think about individual pieces – think about the journey. The songs you choose (and when you hear them) can make the whole day feel beautifully intentional.
But what about your wedding ceremony music?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to choosing music for your aisle walk, signing the register, or your big exit moment, download our Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Wedding Ceremony Music. It’s packed with tips, song suggestions, and planning advice to help you get it just right.