Solo Musicians, Acoustic Duos & Trios: The Best Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music

You’ve booked your dream band for your wedding reception, but what about the ceremony and cocktail hour music? We’ll admit, having great entertainment can be a wedding reception highlight but it’s also important to consider what music elements will be factored into other parts of the big day. Whether it’s a solo musician, an acoustic duo or trio, having live music to accompany a wedding ceremony and cocktail hour are key.

Wedding Ceremony Ensemble Recommendations: Light, beautiful instrumentals

• String Quartet (Dolce)

• Solo Guitarist

• Solo Pianist

Cocktail Hour Music Recommendations: Acoustic yet lively arrangements with vocals

• Acoustic Duo (Singer + Acoustic Guitar or Singer + Piano)

• Acoustic Trio (2 Singers + Acoustic Guitar/Piano or Singer + Acoustic Guitar/Piano + Cajón)

Instrumental versions of your favorite song(s) can be played as guests enter and as you walk down the aisle. And after the “I Do’s”, there’s nothing better than listening and singing along to live music as you sip cocktails and mingle with your favorite people. Downbeat LA offers these add-ons with every dance band booking, so make sure your choice in entertainment can cover all the bases for the big day!

Dolce + Calamigos Ranch

When it comes to ceremony music, string quartets both look and sound amazing - especially beneath Calamigos Ranch’s canopy of eucalyptus trees and chandeliers. Dolce performed Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” for the processional, followed by a slowed down arrangement of Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be.”

Planning: Cynthia Wennberg | Venue: Calamigos Ranch (Redwood Room) | Ceremony String Quartet: Downbeat LA (Dolce) | Live Band: Downbeat LA (Soultones) | Florals: Unique Floral Design | Wedding Cake: Frost It Cakery | Photography: Chris Schmitt | Videography: BGS Productions | Lighting + Photo Booth: Coastal Events

Dolce + SmogShoppe

String quartets are a great way to set the mood for a romantic wedding celebration. Dolce performed for the newlyweds at SmogShoppe in Downtown LA during the al fresco cocktail hour and provided the perfect soundtrack as guests mingled, sipped cocktails and celebrated!

Venue: SmogShoppe | Planner: Orange Blossom Special Events | Photography: Jenn Emerling | Florals: The Little Branch | Band: Downbeat LA (Dolce) | Catering: Made By Meg Catering | Makeup: Makeup Therapy

Tom Oakley and Missy Peregrym | Photo Credit: Jenn Emerling

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Wedding Ceremony Instrumentals Playlist

It's important to create a welcoming atmosphere as guests arrive to your wedding ceremony. The perfect way to set the tone while everyone is greeting one another and taking their seats is to have live or prerecorded instrumentals playing in the background. Whether it's classical music or string arrangements of contemporary songs, you can't go wrong!

Our "Wedding Ceremony Instrumentals" playlist is ready to accompany any wedding ceremony. Take a listen below and be sure to follow Downbeat on Spotify for more wedding day music inspiration: