Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Expert wedding planning tips & inspiration

Inside Weddings shares ideas for your wedding entertainment, including playlists for ceremony music, father-daughter dance ideas, first-dance songs, and more!

Music & Entertainment Vendors

View vendor
real wedding photo at theater on the lake in chicago illinois winter wedding reception the gold coast all stars band performing gold coast events
Photo: Erin Hoyt Photography

Gold Coast Events

View vendor
Bob Gail Music & Entertainment - Crowd Surf black and white photo of guests dancing crowd surfing groom
Photo: Steve Steinhardt

Bob Gail Music & Entertainment

View vendor
bride and groom kiss during choreographed first dance steps to love wedding dances by erin parsley wedding dance lessons instructor in san francisco
Photo: Next Exit Photography

Steps to Love Wedding Dances

View vendor
real wedding photo flower greenery ceiling installation over dance floor in front of band stage gulf coast entertainment
Photo: M. Wang Photography

Gulf Coast Entertainment

View vendor
real wedding photo of live band from eastcoast entertainment east coast entertainment book ece
Photo: Demi Mabry Photography

EastCoast Entertainment

Entertainment

Wedding Entertainment 101: How to Plan Your Wedding Entertainment (According to the Pros)

With 50 years of experience, nationwide entertainment company EastCoast Entertainment shares their insider tips with us.

From choosing between a band and DJ to budgeting and booking timelines, here’s everything couples need to know about wedding entertainment – straight from EastCoast Entertainment’s 50 years of industry expertise.

Entertainment
wedding entertainment tips from the pros live band from eastcoast entertainment performing at wedding
Photo: Demi Mabry Photography
Entertainment

How to Keep Wedding Guests on the Dance Floor

Discover Beth Helmstetter's top dos and don'ts to ensure your dance floor stays full!

Celebrity wedding planner Beth Helmstetter of Beth Helmstetter Events shares her expert tips for keeping your wedding guests on the dance floor all night long for the ultimate celebration.

Entertainment
how to keep wedding guests on the dance floor all night beth helmstetter events tips
Photo: Steve Steinhardt
Entertainment

The Perfect Wedding Playlist from Celebrity Wedding Planner Mindy Weiss

Looking for wedding songs to add to your playlist? Check out "A Very Mindy Weiss Wedding" playlist on Spotify!

Whether you're looking for processional music, a first dance song, or wedding reception music, take a look at over 30 of the best wedding songs of all time. Curated by Mindy Weiss, who has planned some of the most notable celebrity weddings, you won't want to miss this playlist.

Entertainment
wedding-reception-jewish-hora-dance-bride-being-tossed-up-in-air-by-guests-reem-acra-dress
Photo: Ira Lippke Studios
Entertainment

How to Choose Between a Band or DJ for Your Wedding Day

Read expert tips to help you determine the entertainment for your nuptials.

The entertainment experts at EastCoast Entertainment share their tips for deciding between a live wedding band or a DJ at your wedding reception!

Entertainment
real wedding photo from east coast entertainment live band performing on stage with bride and groom wedding reception
Photo: Chris Bailey Photography
Entertainment

First Dance Songs: Wedding Love Songs Curated by Ingrid Michaelson

If you and your beloved are looking for tunes for your first dance & wedding songs, look to this popular singer-songwriter's favorite love songs.

We're sharing some of American singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson's favorite love songs to inspire your first dance song or any of the romantic songs you plan to play at your nuptials. Whether you choose her hit "The Way I Am" or one of her favorite ballads, you'll find great first dance songs on this curated collection.

Entertainment
black and white photo of ingrid michaelson singer songwriter headshot
Photo: Courtesy of Ingrid Michaelson
Entertainment

A Cool, Upbeat & Funky Wedding Cocktail Hour Playlist

Danny Chaimson of Gold Coast Events shares some of his favorite lesser-known songs for cocktail hour.

"This is a great playlist for couples who are on the hipper side and are looking to set a slightly upbeat, funky, feel-good tone for the rest of the night at cocktails," shares Danny Chaimson of his cool, funky cocktail hour playlist.

Entertainment
guests-mingling-at-wedding-reception-cocktail-hour-lounge-furniture-the-field-museum-in-chicago
Photo: Averyhouse
Entertainment

The Best Wedding Songs for Special Dances with Mom & Dad

Discover the top song ideas for father-daughter and mother-son dances from EastCoast Entertainment!

If you're like many couples who plan on having both a father-daughter dance and a mother-son dance – or any combination that fits your family – we're sharing the perfect songs to consider!

Entertainment
real wedding photo hummingbird nest ranch sterling engagements wedding parent dance mother son dance
Photo: Maya Myers Photography
Entertainment

Six Tips for Curating Your Wedding Reception Music

An esteemed wedding planner shares her tried-and-true advice for planning the entertainment of the evening.

After choosing the band or DJ for your wedding, the next step is guiding them on your musical preferences. Get tips from top wedding planner Beth Helmstetter on curating your wedding music!

Entertainment
wedding-reception-outdoor-dj-entertainment-dj-controller-music-spinner
Photo: Braedon Photography
Entertainment

Classic & Unique Father-Daughter Dance Song Ideas

Danny Chaimson of Gold Coast Events shares tried-and-true favorites, as well as some gems you may not have heard yet!

Whether you're looking for a timeless father-daughter dance song that's been selected by hundreds of brides – for good reason! – or you want a tune that's a bit more unique, this playlist has you covered.

Entertainment
father-daughter-dance-forehead-kiss-black-tuxedo-sweet-headpiece-reception-pelican-hill
Photo: Duke Photography
Entertainment

The Ultimate Wedding Playlist of Love Songs

Discover 100+ songs perfect for your big day from EastCoast Entertainment!

Planning the song list for an entire wedding – the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, after-party, and more – can be quite the task, which is why we're sharing all of the good tunes for your wedding day.

Entertainment
wedding photo of groom lifting bride for sweet kiss wedding portrait photo ideas real wedding
Photo: MLE Pictures

Wedding Tips From The Pros

mark ingram bride fall 2027 celebration collection group shot at waldorf astoria new york city
Photo: Collin Pierson

"Celebration" Fall 2027 Collection by Mark Ingram Bride

Unveiling his 15th namesake collection, Mark Ingram celebrates 25 years as a luxury bridal retailer.

father-daughter-dance-forehead-kiss-black-tuxedo-sweet-headpiece-reception-pelican-hill
Photo: Duke Photography

Classic & Unique Father-Daughter Dance Song Ideas

Danny Chaimson of Gold Coast Events shares tried-and-true favorites, as well as some gems you may not have heard yet!

claire pettibone new york flagship salon location at nicole bridal and formal shop in manhattan mural
Photo: Jeremy Chou Photography

Introducing the New York Flagship Salon of Claire Pettibone

With a stunning salon in Los Angeles, the bridal designer has opened a second flagship in Manhattan.

Get More Wedding Advice From

real wedding photo black royalty wedding theme at oheka castle bride and groom portrait in front of mansion in the gardens
Photo: Stanlo Photography

Oheka Castle

Wedding & Event Venues

A historic mansion located on the Gold Coast of Long Island, Oheka Castle offers the ambiance and sophistication inspired by th...

See more
wedding dress designer available at mon amie bridal salon in costa mesa california
Photo: Courtesy of Mon Amie Bridal Salon

Mon Amie Bridal Salon

Bridal Salon

For 50 years, Mon Amie Bridal Salon has served as the West Coast’s most elegant and premiere bridal salon. Our boutique present...

See more