How long the music lasts at a wedding and how to plan the timings

One of the questions couples ask me most when we start talking about their wedding is: what time does the music start and what time does it end? There's no single answer, because every wedding has its own rhythm, but after 22 years doing weddings around the Costa Brava there is a structure that works almost every time.

The welcome cocktail

This usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours. Here the music stays in the background, at a volume that lets people talk without shouting. It's a moment for a softer selection: acoustic, light jazz, lounge... nothing that competes with the conversations.

The ceremony

If the ceremony is civil or held somewhere other than the reception venue, I usually handle the sound for the vows as well as the entrance and exit music. Here the volume and the song choices are very different: something emotional, almost always chosen by the couple.

The reception dinner

During dinner, the music drops in intensity again. The goal is to accompany, not to steal the spotlight. I gradually raise the tempo towards the end of dessert, so the transition into the first dance feels natural rather than an abrupt cut.

The first dance and opening the dance floor

This is the turning point of the night. From here the energy climbs steadily over the next 3-4 hours, with a few dips for surprises, toasts or videos, and several energy peaks (the crazy hour included, if you want it).

The close

Most weddings at venues and restaurants in the area have music until 1am, 2am or 3am, depending on what the venue allows. If you want to extend it, it's often possible to book an extra hour on the spot, as long as the venue allows it.

If you're planning your wedding and aren't sure how to fit all this into your specific schedule, write to me and we'll go through it together: every wedding is different and the quote is always tailored, with no fixed rates.