Wedding ceremony, agape, drinks reception & dinner music with a live band
No two moments of a wedding day ask the same thing of the music. At a ceremony – civil, celebrant-led or in church – it should carry the emotion; the agape (the Austrian post-ceremony drinks) and the drinks reception need atmosphere; dinner needs a setting that still lets people talk. The later transition leads naturally into first dance and party.
The wedding band page gives an overview of The Jetset Society.
This guide sets out how couples can build live music across the ceremony, the agape, the drinks reception and dinner – lineup, volume, song requests, technical setup and clean transitions. Where each part of the day happens shapes the planning too: a ceremony in the park, the agape in the courtyard, dinner in the hall. Regional overviews cover Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland.
Short answer
Ceremony, agape, drinks reception and dinner music are best planned as separate phases rather than as one continuous block, each with its own job: emotion, arrival, conversation-friendly atmosphere, discreet presence and, later on, a clean handover into the first dance or party. Ceremony music carries the most emotional moment of the day. The Jetset Society covers both the ceremony – the classic setting from processional to recessional – and the agape. For the ceremony we recommend 2 to 4 musicians, for instance a duo of wedding singer and keyboard, or two string players; for the agape we recommend 4 to 6 musicians, and an instrumental jazz trio is also possible there.
Wedding music: why it matters
Many weddings simply work better musically when the evening has a clear arc to it. Rather than playing one song after another, the band builds energy, volume and lineup around the running order.
The Jetset Society plans the phases of a wedding as one musical arc: an emotional opening, an elegant drinks reception, a conversation-friendly dinner and a clear build towards the dance floor. Thought through as a single sequence, that becomes a coordinated musical concept across every phase of the day.
1. Music for the ceremony
Entrance and exit
Entrance and exit are the clearest musical moments of any ceremony. What matters is the version, tempo and length you have in mind, and whether the song should be played live, either instrumentally or with vocals.
Ring exchange, signing and rituals
The short musical moments inside the ceremony are better kept brief and unobtrusive. Pared-back arrangements can carry the moment without interrupting it.
A song outside the repertoire list
A personal favourite often sits outside the repertoire list. We are happy to learn such a song specially for you and arrange it for the lineup you have booked, with the extra preparation reflected in your quote. It is worth naming the important ceremony songs early: that leaves plenty of time to settle version, key, length and arrangement.
Civil ceremony
At a registry office the musical programme tends to be compact: the entrance, one or two pieces during the ceremony, then the exit. Discreet lineups of 2 to 4 musicians suit that setting particularly well.
Celebrant-led ceremony
At a celebrant-led ceremony the music is shaped flexibly around the running order, the speakers and the venue. Acoustics indoors or in the open air are part of that planning.
Church ceremony
In a church, the acoustics of the building and the order of service matter most. Musical moments such as entrance, exchange of rings and exit are planned together with the officiant.
Wedding songs: processional, ceremony and recessional
Choosing wedding songs usually comes down to three moments: the entrance, the quiet minutes inside the ceremony and the exit. These examples have proved themselves live:
For the entrance (processional): “Perfect” (Ed Sheeran) · “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (Elvis Presley) · “At Last” (Etta James) · “All of Me” (John Legend) · “Make You Feel My Love” (Bob Dylan) – unhurried and emotional, sung or instrumental.
During the ceremony – for the ring exchange and the signing: “Thinking Out Loud” (Ed Sheeran) · “Love Me Tender” (Elvis Presley) · “Hallelujah” (Leonard Cohen) – or quiet instrumentals such as “Moon River” and “As Time Goes By”.
For the exit (recessional): “Marry You” (Bruno Mars) · “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, as a duet) · “Happy” (Pharrell Williams) · “Lovely Day” (Bill Withers) – the point where the music is allowed to shine.
Chosen together, they turn a handful of separate songs into a single arc – from the first note of the entrance to the applause at the exit. Every example comes from the repertoire list, which can be filtered by title, artist, dance style and genre.
2. Music for the agape and the drinks reception
Atmosphere, not show
Music at the agape and the drinks reception should open the room up: elegant, positive and welcoming. It may be noticeable, but it should not drown out conversations, congratulations or first introductions.
Suitable styles
Soul, pop, jazz and lounge can all work very well, depending on the venue – as can acoustic versions, or discreet settings built around saxophone, piano and guitar.
Outdoor and second setup
If the agape is outdoors, or somewhere other than the party area, it is worth settling early whether a second sound system or a separate setup is needed.
Jazz band for the agape and the drinks reception: quartet to sextet, or an instrumental trio
For the agape, a drinks reception or a cocktail hour, a jazz band is a tried and tested option, and we recommend 4 to 6 musicians – a jazz quartet, for instance, with piano, double bass and drums plus vocals or saxophone. An instrumental jazz trio (piano, double bass and drums) is also possible. The band plays jazz standards, bossa nova, swing, and lounge or chillout readings of well-known pop songs. The sound stays audibly elegant without ever getting loud enough to bury congratulations and conversation.
Examples from the repertoire list for the agape and the drinks reception: “Corcovado” · “Desafinado” · “Blue Bossa” · “The Girl from Ipanema” · “Fly Me to the Moon” · “Cheek to Cheek” – instrumental or with vocals, pitched so that conversation carries. For dinner we go quieter still: “Autumn Leaves” · “Moon River” · “As Time Goes By” · “Black Orpheus (Manhã de Carnaval)” · “Chega de Saudade”. What the music for a wedding day costs comes down above all to lineup size, performance time, date, the scale of the technical setup and the venue. Current guide prices are on our pricing page.
More on styles, lineups and references: Jazz band & lounge music · Wedding band · Lineups
3. Dinner music: elegant and conversation-friendly
Music that allows conversation
Dinner music should give the room a sense of occasion without becoming the main attraction. Guests should be able to eat, talk, listen and still feel the atmosphere of the live music. This is the part of the evening for which The Jetset Society is often booked as a dinner band: a smaller lineup, a calmer repertoire and plenty of room to talk.
Speeches and programme items
Speeches, presentations or surprise acts need clear breaks, the right microphones and coordination between band, MC and venue. The music should support these moments, not compete with them.
Musical build-up
Dinner can begin quietly and pick up towards the end, so that the move into first dance and party feels like the next step rather than a jump.
4. Which lineup fits which phase?
For the ceremony we recommend 2 to 4 musicians, and 4 to 6 for the agape and the drinks reception – in each case the most popular choice. That keeps the music close and personal during the ceremony, and elegant and welcoming at the agape, without drowning out congratulations and conversation. We can play a wedding with any lineup from 4 to 11 musicians, and the ceremony itself also with 2 or 3 musicians; for the agape an instrumental jazz trio is also possible.
A flexible lineup is part of the planning with The Jetset Society: depending on the setting, a smaller lineup or a live band of anything from 4 to 11 musicians can be the right answer. Room, running order, number of guests and the atmosphere you have in mind decide which it is.
Smaller, subtle settings
Stripped-back jazz, lounge or acoustic lineups often suit the ceremony, the agape, the drinks reception and dinner. They feel intimate, elegant and flexible. For the ceremony itself a duo is possible on request – a wedding singer with keyboard, say, or two string players – discreet and focused entirely on the moment. For the ceremony, pure string lineups of three to five players are possible too – for example a string trio or a string quartet of violins, viola and cello.
Live band with 5 to 7 musicians
Where dinner, first dance and party are meant to hang together as one idea, a flexible live band lineup earns its place. Larger lineups bring more voices, more dynamics and more stage presence as the evening goes on. A smaller lineup from 4 musicians carries dinner, first dance and party just as well.
There is more on this under Which band size fits? and Lineups.
5. Technical setup, performance areas and transitions
Multiple performance areas
Ceremony, agape, dinner and party often do not all happen in exactly the same spot. That affects setup time, changeovers, access, power, volume and whether a second sound system is needed.
Keep the schedule realistic
Where little time is left between ceremony, drinks reception, dinner and party, it is worth agreeing the technical side especially early. An overly tight schedule only creates unnecessary pressure.
Transition into the party
The musical arc should not stop at dinner. First dance, the first party song and the moment the dance floor opens are best thought through as one continuous stretch.
Detailed planning with The Jetset Society takes in multiple performance areas, outdoor situations, volume, microphones, technical setup and setup times, all coordinated with the venue.
A detailed technical checklist sits on the Live band, venue & technical setup page.
Checklist: ceremony, agape, drinks reception & dinner
- Which event phases should be covered live?
- Which songs are important for entrance, ring exchange, signing or exit?
- Are there links to the preferred versions?
- Is the ceremony outdoors, in church, at a registry office or at the venue?
- Is the agape in the same area as dinner or party?
- What volume is appropriate for the drinks reception and dinner?
- Are there speeches, hosting or programme items during dinner?
- Are microphones needed for speeches?
- Is a second sound system or second setup useful?
- How should the transition into first dance and party work?
Next steps
The compact service page covering ceremony, drinks reception, dinner, first dance and party.
The wider overview: schedule, lineup, technical setup, costs and enquiry.
From enquiry, quote and booking to technical setup and soundcheck.
Song version, tempo, length, choreography and the transition into the party.
Power, performance area, soundcheck, outdoor setup and second sound system, settled in advance.
By Thomas Gindl – bandleader of The Jetset Society
Frequently asked questions about ceremony, agape, drinks reception and dinner music
Which jazz band is suitable for the agape at a wedding?
For the agape we recommend 4 to 6 musicians, for example a jazz quartet with piano, double bass, drums and vocals or saxophone; an instrumental jazz trio is also possible, for instance piano, double bass and drums. The repertoire covers jazz standards, bossa nova, swing and lounge versions of pop songs. The sound is elegant and present, yet quiet enough for conversations and congratulations.
What does a jazz trio cost for the agape or a drinks reception?
Music for the agape or a drinks reception is costed individually according to performance time; as an extension of an evening booking it costs less than a separate booking. A full-evening booking with The Jetset Society usually costs approx. €2,600 to €7,800; smaller jazz, lounge and dinner lineups from 3 musicians start at approx. €2,300. Costs depend on lineup, performance time, date, technical setup and venue. You can find detailed pricing guidance on our pricing page.
What music fits a wedding ceremony?
Emotional, understated or ceremonial songs usually work best – for the entrance, the quiet minutes inside the ceremony and the exit. Examples that have proved themselves live include “Perfect” (Ed Sheeran), “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (Elvis Presley) or “All of Me” (John Legend) for the entrance; “Thinking Out Loud” (Ed Sheeran), “Hallelujah” (Leonard Cohen) or a quiet instrumental such as “Moon River” for the ring exchange and signing; and “Marry You” (Bruno Mars) or “Lovely Day” (Bill Withers) for the exit. Every example comes from the repertoire list. The key questions are which songs you would like and whether the entrance, ring exchange, signing or exit should be accompanied live.
How does the music differ at the agape, the drinks reception and dinner?
The agape and the drinks reception are the time for arrivals, congratulations and aperitifs, so the music can be atmospheric and present. Dinner music should stay more controlled and conversation-friendly so speeches, service and table conversations work well.
Can the same live band cover ceremony, drinks reception, dinner and party?
Yes, if schedule, performance areas, technical setup, lineup and breaks are planned properly. The Jetset Society can cover the various musical phases of a wedding as a coordinated whole, building the energy from ceremony and dinner through to first dance and party.
Can the band play at more than one location on the same day?
Yes, that is possible with The Jetset Society – the ceremony in the park, say, the agape in the courtyard, then dinner and the party in the hall. We agree the routes, changeover times and whether a second sound system makes sense with you and the venue beforehand; any extra setup and changeovers are shown in the quote.
Is a second sound system needed for the ceremony or the agape?
A second sound system can be useful for outdoor ceremonies, an agape in a separate area or tight changeovers. Whether one is needed depends on the venue, the distance between performance areas, the running order and the timing.
When should song requests be discussed with the band?
Important song requests are worth sharing with The Jetset Society early, so there is plenty of time to agree version, key and length. Every title on the repertoire list can be played live in any lineup from 4 to 11 musicians; if a song is not on the list, we are happy to learn it specially for you, with the extra preparation reflected in your quote.
Does The Jetset Society also play at celebrant-led ceremonies?
Yes. For celebrant-led and symbolic ceremonies we recommend 2 to 4 musicians, for instance a duo of wedding singer and keyboard, or two string players. Pure string lineups of three to five players are possible too, for example a string trio or a string quartet. The Jetset Society plays subtly and stylishly, matched precisely to the flow of the ceremony. Larger lineups are just as possible.
Does The Jetset Society also provide live music for the drinks reception or cocktail hour?
Yes. For the drinks reception, aperitif or cocktail hour, we recommend 4 to 6 musicians, a jazz quartet for example; an instrumental jazz trio is also possible. The volume stays discreet so that conversation remains at the centre. The transition into dinner and the later party is included in the overall musical planning. Music for the reception can be provided either as a stand-alone booking or as an extension of the evening programme.