How to Plan Music for a Wedding With 115 Guests (Or More!)

According to The Knot’s Real Weddings Study, the average wedding hosted 115 guests—and that means one thing: the party is on. With a crowd that size, music isn’t just background noise—it’s the heartbeat of your reception. Whether you’re planning a blowout celebration or an elegant soirée, here’s how to make sure the soundtrack matches the moment.

Match the Energy to the Crowd Size

A large guest count means a dynamic mix of personalities and preferences. Our band is experienced in reading the room and building energy throughout the night, from cocktail hour vibes to late-night dance floor bangers. The bigger the crowd, the more opportunity there is to create unforgettable moments—and we know exactly how to keep your guests on their feet.

Set the Tone from the Start

With over 100 guests arriving, first impressions matter a lot. The moment people walk into your ceremony or cocktail hour, they start soaking in the atmosphere. That’s where music steps in to do some heavy lifting.

Live music immediately creates an emotional connection. Imagine your guests arriving to the sound of a soulful acoustic rendition of your favorite song, or a string arrangement that brings just the right amount of romance. Whether it’s a solo guitarist, a jazz trio, or a classical ensemble, live music welcomes your guests and makes them feel like they’re part of something truly special.

For larger weddings, this also serves a practical purpose:

• It keeps guests entertained and engaged while they wait for the ceremony to begin or the reception space to open.
• It eases any awkwardness during those “downtime” moments, especially when guests may not all know each other.
• It creates a smoother transition between different parts of the event.

And when it comes to cocktail hour, this is where the vibe of your entire night begins to unfold. We often recommend an upbeat but chill set—think Motown, R&B, light funk, or acoustic covers of pop favorites. This not only encourages mingling but builds anticipation for the high-energy reception to come.

💡 Pro tip: If you have a song that’s meaningful to your relationship but doesn’t feel like a fit for your ceremony or first dance, cocktail hour is the perfect place to showcase it.

By using music to guide the tone from the very beginning, you create a cohesive experience for your guests—one that feels intentional, elevated, and unique to you.

Consider Sound & Space

More people means more energy—and more sound competing in the room. That’s why having the right audio setup is crucial. We bring professional-grade equipment and experienced sound engineers who make sure every toast, every note, and every beat is crystal clear—from your front-row aunties to your back-of-the-room coworkers.

We also carefully tailor our stage and sound setup to your venue. Whether it’s an open-air tent, a cozy winery, or a grand ballroom with 30-foot ceilings, we adjust our layout, speaker placement, and volume levels to match the acoustics of your space and the size of your crowd.

Bonus? We handle it all behind the scenes—so you won’t have to worry about mic feedback during speeches, awkward silence between songs, or your guests struggling to hear what’s happening. Just smooth transitions, high-quality sound, and music that fills the room in all the right ways.

Include Songs for Every Age Group

When you’re hosting a wedding for 115+ guests, your crowd is going to span generations—from grandparents to college friends. A killer wedding playlist bridges those gaps and makes everyone feel seen (and ready to dance). That’s where a live band shines—we can weave genres, eras, and moods together seamlessly in a way that a playlist just can’t.

We work with every couple to customize the setlist based on your tastes and your crowd, but here’s a sneak peek at how we make sure no one feels left out:

✨ For the Parents, Aunts, and Grandparents: Timeless Classics

These are the songs that get the older generations smiling, clapping, and (yes) hitting the dance floor:

• “September” – Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
• “Twist and Shout” – The Beatles
• “My Girl” – The Temptations
• “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston
• “Dancing Queen” – ABBA

These tracks are singable, familiar, and guaranteed to get the whole room swaying—no matter the age.

🎤 For the Millennials & Gen Z Crowd: Modern Icons

Your friends are ready to party, and we’re here for it. We keep the energy up with hit-after-hit that they know every word to:

• “Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift
• “Green Honda” – Chappell Roan (A new favorite that hits with Gen Z energy)
• “Levitating” – Dua Lipa
• “Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd
• “Shut Up and Dance” – Walk the Moon
• “As It Was” – Harry Styles

These songs add a fun, current energy and let your friends go all in on the dance floor.

🎸 The Cross-Gen Bangers: Everybody Knows These

There are a few songs that transcend generations and get the entire guest list singing arm-in-arm:

• “Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
• “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
• “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
• “Hey Ya!” – OutKast
• “Uptown Funk” – Bruno Mars
• “Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé

We use these as anchor points throughout the night to keep the energy high and the dance floor full.

Make It Interactive

With a guest list of 115 or more, you’ve got one incredible advantage: a built-in party crowd. And while great music sets the tone, interactive moments are what transform your wedding from a reception… into a celebration your guests will talk about for years.

We love to create moments that invite guests to not just listen—but to join in.

🎤 Crowd Favorites: Built-In Sing-Alongs

Some songs are irresistible when it comes to group singing, and our band knows exactly when to drop them for maximum effect. A few tried-and-true favorites:

• “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
  A guaranteed full-crowd belt-out moment—especially during the last hour of the night when the energy is at its peak.
• “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond
  As soon as we hit the “ba ba ba,” you’ll hear your entire guest list echoing back with huge smiles on their faces.
• “Shout” – The Isley Brothers
  We use this one to get the crowd down low and bring them all the way up—literally. It’s fun, high energy, and totally interactive.
• “Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
  A modern sing-along anthem for millennial-heavy crowds—perfect for getting everyone shouting lyrics on the dance floor.
• “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” – Whitney Houston
  If you want your dance floor packed with joy and confetti-level energy, this one never fails.

Make It Yours!

Want something more personal? We’ve helped couples plan surprise sing-alongs that reflect their vibe:

• A bride led a full dance floor karaoke moment to “Love Story” by Taylor Swift.
• One couple brought their wedding party up for a group chorus of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
• Another asked us to orchestrate a family tradition: a group sway-and-sing to “Piano Man.”

If you have a song that means something to your family or friend group, we’ll help you time it just right for the sing-along moment that hits home.

Your Big Crowd Deserves a Big Sound

Whether you’re planning a wedding for 115 guests or more, our band delivers a high-energy, personalized experience that’s built to scale. Want to talk through your musical vision? Let’s chat. We’d love to help you bring your celebration to life!