Jazz Band at Reception

Wow, that's a nice size band! They know it's a wedding, so I'm pretty sure they know what to play that people will enjoy and would dance to. Does the band have a vocalist who can hype people up a little bit? You know, just telling people what they're playing and keep them engaged? That would help. You know the vibe you're going for, so if MOH doesn't get it or doesn't understand, that's ok. Maybe she can go take a few swing dance lessons to get prepared lol

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The band does have a vocalist. They also have a director and an emcee, so 21 people in total. I'll suggest dance lessons to my MOH! Haha maybe it could be a bachelorette idea. Also, many people I'm inviting are familiar with jazz.

Band vs dj is personal preference. Keep in mind that you may have people who don’t care for dancing to that genre and prefer if as background music. People who want to dance will do so regardless. I don’t like jazz personally so I would likely not dance to it but I would not get up and leave the reception. I would consider it to be background music while mingling. You know your guests best. Do they like the genre? Because they are the ones attending.


I disagree with pp that telling the maid to honor to dance lessons to get used to it is productive. It’s no different from playing a different single genre of music with a dj. Some people may love 4 hours of only Motown and hip hop and others equate it to nails on a chalkboard. At a reception with different likes and dislikes it can be polarizing. Telling someone to take hip hop dance lessons will not suddenly create a love or like for the genre.

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I figured that people would dance if they want to regardless of the music. I'm glad you agree.

Candace's suggestion to tell my MOH to take dancing lessons sounds like something I'd say to her jokingly. I am, in fact, going to tell her to take swing dance lessons to prepare for my wedding. I think she'll agree it's funny.

View Quoted Comment Dance lessons as part of a bachelorette is an awesome idea! I would have loved that for mine. Whether it's swing, 2-step, or hip-hop, learning to dance is fun and it's something you'll know how to do for life not just for an event. Hopefully your MOH doesn't have a stick up her rear like some people.

Can you clarify what the band will be playing? I know it’s a jazz band but perhaps they plan to play other genres. I would check with them before thinking too much more on this topic. Maybe they will say that they do covers of pop songs with a “jazz vibe” as well as jazz standards, etc.

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They're a jazz/swing band. It would be a lot of jazz standards, like Kind of Blue and Blue Train. Some of my song suggestions include Jelly Roll by Mingus, Sidewinder by Lee Morgan, and Sway by Frank Sinatra. They don't do covers of pop songs, nor do I want them to.

View Quoted Comment I definitely suggested it in a joking manner! But hey, it's not something completely out of the question. I can see myself doing something like that. 😆

This is definitely a know your crowd situation. If you think your crowd will be into it, I think it’s great! I know this wouldn’t have appealed to any of our crowd so it wouldn’t have kept people dancing the way our DJ did.

View Quoted Comment I am a swing dancer so I love big band type music but the selections you listed seem more subdued. I would just be prepared for some/many to possibly not want to dance. Some people only get up on the dance floor for songs they know.


Do you envision everyone dancing and partying at your wedding? or do you envision guests mingling and relaxing and enjoying the dinner and drinks.
I think whatever you decide will be lovely.

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I actually think the person most likely to dance is my MOH. Most of the guests will just mingle and drink. We have activities planned, too.

The band can play a huge variety of songs, I just listed some of my favorites. Our first dance will be to Sway.

My husband and I are hiring one of our friends to be the dj for us. We have a wedding list on Amazon music

I have a dance background with all types of dance, but jazz is very hard to dance to spontaneously. You might find the dance floor sparse, but you're OK with that, then carry on. I do like to listen to jazz.