The question couples ask most often is: "What would you play?" The answer depends on which part of the day. A song that is perfect for the first dance is unusable during the signing — and the other way round.
Overview of the day
The ceremony itself is covered in wedding ceremony music.
Arrival and ceremony
The music fills time and settles the room. Slow instrumental ballads work — without vocals, so they do not draw attention.
- Fly Me to the Moon in a chamber arrangement
- Summertime — slow, instrumental
- My Funny Valentine
Congratulations and toast
The room is noisy, guests are moving, the photographer is working. Bossa nova works best — it carries the mood without competing with conversation.
- The Girl from Ipanema
- Sway
- lighter jazz standards at mid tempo
Keep three songs in reserve
A wedding day always slips. Agree two or three extra songs with the band to fill a delay — better than silence while everyone waits for the photographer or the cake.
Arrange a programmeDinner
During the meal one rule applies: at a table three metres from the band, normal conversation must be possible. In practice that means ballads, mid tempos and reduced monitoring. The best line-up is a duo or trio; drums do not belong at dinner.
First dance
We learn the requested song to order — ideally with three weeks' notice. Three things to bear in mind when choosing:
- Length. Two to three minutes. Anything longer feels very long on the floor; we can shorten it if needed.
- Tempo. Choose a tempo you can actually dance to. Slow is not automatically easier.
- The handover. Agree whether others should join you afterwards. If so, we go straight into the next song.
Evening party
If there is dancing, you need a quartet with drums. The repertoire is swing evergreens, latin and familiar songs in jazz arrangements.
- Cheek to Cheek
- L-O-V-E
- It Don't Mean a Thing
- Lullaby of Birdland
The difference between listening and dance music is covered in background jazz vs dance music.
How many songs are needed
A full wedding day comes to roughly 40 to 50 songs including reserve. Our repertoire holds over 100 songs, so nothing repeats. Prices and line-ups are in wedding jazz band.
About the author
David Kleňha is a jazz singer and bandleader based in Prague, performing across the Czech Republic. He leads line-ups from duo to quintet — jazzduo.cz, jazztrio.cz, jazzquartet.cz and jazzquintet.cz — and has played more than 320 events since 2015: corporate evenings, receptions, gallery openings, hotel and restaurant nights, weddings and festivals. More on his personal site davidklenha.cz.
Frequently asked questions
How many songs are needed for a whole wedding day?
Roughly 40 to 50 including reserve for delays. Our repertoire holds over 100 songs, so nothing repeats during the day.
What music suits the wedding dinner?
Ballads and mid tempos as a duo or trio. The rule is that at a table three metres from the band a normal conversation must be possible. Drums do not belong at dinner.
Will you learn a song for the first dance?
Yes, to order. Ideally tell us three weeks ahead so we can rehearse it properly and rearrange it for our line-up.
What should be played during congratulations and the toast?
Bossa nova and lighter jazz standards at mid tempo. They carry the mood without competing with conversation or the photographer's work.
What if the wedding day runs late?
Agree two or three extra songs with the band as reserve. A live band adapts to delays as they happen, which a playlist cannot do.