Ceremony and drinks reception music
Wedding ceremony and drinks reception music
Many wedding DJs can cover the daytime too, from the walk down the aisle to background music over dinner. Here is how it works, and the rules to know for a civil ceremony.
Music for the whole day
A DJ is usually booked for the evening party. But many wedding DJs also offer music for the earlier parts of the day:
- the ceremony: guests arriving, the walk down the aisle, and the exit
- the signing of the register
- the drinks reception
- background music during the wedding breakfast
It means one person looks after the music from start to finish, and the key moments are timed by someone watching, not a phone on shuffle. Tick ceremony and drinks music on our form and we will only match you with a DJ who offers it.
The ceremony
The ceremony usually needs three or four pieces of music:
- Guests arriving. Gentle music for 15 to 30 minutes while people find their seats.
- The entrance. One piece for the walk down the aisle, often timed so it reaches a high point as you arrive at the front.
- The signing. Two or three songs to cover the signing of the register.
- The exit. Something upbeat as you walk back down the aisle together.
A DJ covering the ceremony will cue each piece live and fade it at the right moment. That matters most for the entrance, when nobody can predict exactly how long the walk will take.
Civil ceremony rules
If you are having a civil ceremony in England, the music has to follow the rules for civil marriage. GOV.UK says civil ceremonies can include readings, songs or music, but must not include anything religious, such as hymns or readings from the Bible or the Torah. You can have a religious blessing after a civil ceremony if you want one.
In practice, that rules out hymns and openly religious songs. It can also catch songs with religious words or references, even in a pop song. Your registrar or the person conducting the ceremony will usually want to agree your choices beforehand, so send them your list early and ask if anything is a problem.
Ceremonies in a place of worship
If you are marrying in a church or another place of worship, music is usually agreed with the minister or whoever leads the service. Some have an organist or musicians who play as part of the service, and some don’t use recorded music at all. Ask what is allowed before you book a DJ for this part of the day. Often the DJ’s role starts at the reception instead.
The drinks reception
The drinks reception is where a DJ’s daytime setup earns its keep. The music should be lively enough to give the room some energy, but quiet enough that guests can chat. Many couples choose acoustic covers, soul, swing or relaxed versions of songs they love.
If drinks are outside, sound spreads and fades quickly. A DJ will usually place a small speaker close to where guests gather, and use battery power if there is no socket nearby. Check with your venue whether outdoor music is allowed and whether there are volume limits. Our venue guides explain how this differs from venue to venue.
Background music for the wedding breakfast
During the meal, music sits in the background. It fills the gaps in conversation without competing with it. Your DJ can also play an entrance song for the two of you, and keep things quiet while the speeches happen. Some couples like a short burst of music after each speech.
How a DJ runs a second, smaller setup
Most DJs use two setups for a full-day booking:
- A daytime setup. One or two compact speakers, a small mixer, and a microphone for the person conducting the ceremony if needed. It is quick to move between the ceremony, drinks and dining rooms.
- The evening setup. The full sound system and lighting for the dance floor, usually set up in the evening room during the meal or while the room is turned around.
Having two separate setups means the evening system can be put up properly without rushing, while the daytime music carries on elsewhere. Ask your DJ how they handle it, and whether they bring a second person to help.
Daytime cover adds hours to the booking, so it usually affects the price. Our price guide explains what changes the cost, and the wedding reception timings guide shows how the day and evening fit together.
How we match you
Tell us which parts of the day you’d like music for, along with your venue, date and the music you love. We pass your enquiry to the one Birmingham DJ who fits best and offers ceremony and drinks music. They contact you directly to plan it.
How matching works
- 1 · Tell us about your event
The occasion, your music, the feel you want and what matters most: lighting, sound, the look of the setup, a DJ who is confident on the microphone.
- 2 · We pick one DJ
We read your answers and choose the local DJ who fits best. Your enquiry goes to that DJ only, never a list.
- 3 · They get in touch
Your DJ contacts you directly with availability and a quote, usually within 24 hours. You deal with them, and you decide whether to book.
Questions people ask
Can we have religious music at a civil ceremony?
No. GOV.UK says civil ceremonies in England and Wales can include readings, songs or music, but must not include anything religious, such as hymns or readings from the Bible or the Torah. A religious blessing can follow a civil ceremony.
Does the DJ need a separate setup for the ceremony?
Often, yes. Many DJs bring a smaller, quieter setup for the ceremony and drinks, so the main system can be set up in the evening room without rushing.
Can the DJ play background music during the wedding breakfast?
Yes, many do. It is usually played quietly from the same small setup, at a level where guests can talk easily.
Who presses play for the walk down the aisle?
If your DJ is covering the ceremony, they do, and they watch for the right moment. Otherwise it falls to a friend or the venue, so give them clear instructions and a rehearsal.
Find your DJ
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