60 Wedding Prelude Songs for Seating Your Guests (2025)

The prelude is the music that plays while guests arrive and find their seats before your ceremony starts. It's background music—but intentional background music that sets the mood for everything that follows.

After 100+ weddings, I've learned that most couples either overthink the prelude (building a 30-song playlist for 20 minutes of seating) or underthink it (forgetting about it entirely). This guide gives you the right songs and the right approach.

Set the Tone

If your ceremony is elegant and traditional, the prelude should be elegant. If your ceremony is casual and outdoors, the prelude can be lighter. The prelude is the first musical impression guests get of your wedding. It tells them whether this is formal or casual, traditional or modern, emotional or fun.

Stay in the Background

This is not the moment for dramatic, attention-grabbing songs. Guests should be able to chat, greet each other, and find their seats without being overpowered by the music.

Be Long Enough

You need 15-30 minutes of music depending on your guest count and ceremony start time. A playlist of 8-12 songs usually covers it.

For traditional or formal ceremonies.

DJ Thriller tip: Canon in D is so associated with weddings that some couples specifically want to AVOID it. But there's a reason it's popular—it's gorgeous and instantly signals "this is a wedding." No shame in using it.

More Classical Options

Modern songs performed acoustically—recognizable but not distracting.

Where to find these: Search Spotify for "wedding string quartet covers" or "acoustic wedding songs." There are entire playlists of instrumental versions of pop songs.

Actual recordings (not covers) that work as background music.

Vocal Songs That Work as Background

For ranch weddings or country-loving couples.

How Many Songs?

For a 20-30 minute prelude: 8-12 songs. Average song length is 3-4 minutes. Safe assumption: You need about 25 minutes of music. Build a playlist of 10 songs and you're covered.

Song Order

Start softer and build slightly. You don't want to peak too early—save the more emotional songs for closer to ceremony start.

Volume

Quiet. Guests should be able to talk over it easily. The prelude is atmosphere, not entertainment.

Wedding Recessional Songs — Songs for walking out as newlyweds.

Wedding Processional Songs — Songs for walking down the aisle.

First Dance Songs — The complete guide to your first dance.

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