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

View vendor

EastCoast Entertainment

View vendor

Gulf Coast 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

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

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

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

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

real wedding photo planned by a charming fete how to enhance guest experience with fun additions like coconut cocktails — *Photo: Joey Kennedy Photography*

8 Easy Ways to Enhance Your Wedding Guests' Experience

View your wedding from a guest’s perspective to see how you can elevate their overall experience.

outdoor garden wedding ceremony with flower petal aisle, flowers along aisle and flower ceremony arbor — *Photo: Brandon Kidd Photography*

How to Get the Look of a Garden Wedding

Discover expert tips for capturing an effortless spring style for your wedding day.

wedding-ceremony-outdoor-venue-in-front-of-castle-in-germany-ivy-climbing-up-estate — *Photo: Cornelia Lietz Photography*

How to Celebrate Loved Ones During the Wedding Ceremony

Consider these five ways to acknowledge your closest family members.

Get More Wedding Advice From

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Wedding & Event Venues

California Craftsman architecture overlooks the natural beauty of the Torrey Pines Golf Course and adjacent State Reserve. Enjo...

Bahia Resort Hotel

Wedding & Event Venues

Discover the picturesque natural beauty of the Bahia Resort Hotel. Tucked away on a fourteen-acre peninsula in Mission Bay, the...

Free Membership!

Get inspiring wedding ideas and planning tips from Inside Weddings via email.

This field is required.

Please check you have entered a valid email address

Oops. Something went wrong or this email address has already been used to subscribe.

Successfully subscribed. Thank you!

By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use

inside weddings magazine wedding magazine summer 2026 cover image of edgar hay events bride with peacocks

Subscribe to
INSIDE WEDDINGS

Subscribe to Inside Weddings magazine today and get a full year (4 issues) delivered straight to your door!
Subscribe to the digital edition and receive immediate access to our entire library of back issues!

About Advertise Contact Submit a Wedding Are You a Business? Support