Indie Folk Love Songs Wedding Cocktail & Dinner Playlist | Oshkosh, Appleton & Fox Cities Barn Weddings

Indie Folk Love Songs Wedding Cocktail & Dinner Playlist | Oshkosh, Appleton & Fox Cities Barn Weddings

Planning a wedding in Oshkosh, Appleton, or the Fox Cities and want a cocktail and dinner playlist that feels warm, romantic, and uniquely you? If you’re drawn to indie folk love songs, acoustic melodies, and lyrics that feel handwritten for your love story, then this Indie Folk Wedding Cocktail & Dinner Playlist is the perfect soundtrack for your big day.

Whether you're tying the knot at Poplar Creek Barn, The Gibson Social Club, or hosting an intimate backyard reception under the stars, this playlist delivers all the cozy, heartfelt vibes you need to set the mood.


Why Choose Indie Folk for Your Wedding Cocktail Hour or Dinner?

Indie folk music is the perfect blend of authenticity, intimacy, and soul. For couples who want their wedding to feel more like a story than a spectacle, this genre offers acoustic instrumentation, poetic lyrics, and genuine emotion.

Plus, it complements popular rustic, barn, outdoor, and boho weddings found all over the Fox Valley and Northeast Wisconsin. It's not just music—it's ambiance. It's the pause between vows and toasts that lets your guests connect, sip their drinks, and truly feel the moment.


Here’s the full 2-hour Spotify playlist we’ve curated with wedding-perfect indie folk hits for your cocktail hour or dinner service.


Note: If you're a couple planning a barn or backyard wedding in Oshkosh, Appleton, Green Bay or anywhere in the Fox Cities, save this playlist now!  Indie Folk Cocktail Hour Spotify Playlist


Spotify Playlist Highlights

  1. “Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
  2. “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
  3. “Bloom” – The Paper Kites
  4. “First Day of My Life” – Bright Eyes
  5. “You and I” – Ingrid Michaelson
  6. “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” – Iron & Wine
  7. “Tenerife Sea” – Ed Sheeran
  8. “From the Ground Up” – Dan + Shay (Acoustic)
  9. “Poison & Wine” – The Civil Wars
  10. “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” – Death Cab for Cutie (Acoustic)
  11. “Better Together” – Jack Johnson
  12. “Sea of Love” – Cat Power
  13. “Hey Pretty Girl” – Kip Moore (Acoustic)
  14. “Love Like This” – Kodaline
  15. “Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop” – Landon Pigg
  16. “Grow Old With Me” – Tom Odell (Live Acoustic)
  17. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Kina Grannis (Cover)
  18. “Honeybee” – The Head and the Heart
  19. “Turning Page” – Sleeping at Last
  20. “Ends of the Earth” – Lord Huron
  21. “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” – John Mayer (Acoustic)
  22. “Rivers and Roads” – The Head and the Heart
  23. “Your Hand in Mine” – Explosions in the Sky
  24. “The Girl” – City and Colour
  25. “I Choose You” – Sara Bareilles (Acoustic)
  26. “Forever” – Ben Harper (Acoustic)

Listen to the Indie Folk Love Song Playlist here on Spotify


Perfect for These Wisconsin Wedding Settings

This indie folk cocktail hour playlist is a natural fit for couples celebrating in:

  • Barn Venues like Poplar Creek Barn in Oshkosh or Brighton Acres in Neenah
  • Backyard Weddings from Green Bay to Appleton
  • Rustic Lodges or Outdoor Tented Weddings in the Fox Valley
  • Modern industrial-chic spaces like The Gibson Social Club in Downtown Oshkosh

Whether you're sipping craft cocktails under Edison lights or enjoying a harvest-table dinner surrounded by wildflowers, these songs elevate the moment without overpowering it.


How to Use This Playlist on Your Wedding Day

Here’s how couples across Oshkosh, Appleton, and the Fox Cities are using this indie folk wedding playlist:

Cocktail Hour

Let this playlist fill the space while your guests sip drinks, nibble appetizers, and mingle under string lights. It creates a warm, inviting vibe that feels relaxed and romantic.

Dinner Service

This playlist strikes the perfect tone: low-key enough for conversation, but still personal and mood-setting. It bridges the gap between formal and familiar.


First Look or Private Moments

Songs like "Turning Page", "Flightless Bird", and "The Stable Song" are favorites for emotional moments between couples before the ceremony or during portraits.


What is a good indie folk love song for a wedding first dance?

"Bloom" by The Paper Kites and "Turning Page" by Sleeping at Last are stunning, emotional choices for first dances at weddings in Wisconsin barn venues or backyard settings.

Is this playlist appropriate for both cocktail hour and dinner?

Yes! This 2-hour playlist is crafted to flow seamlessly from cocktail hour into dinner service. It maintains an elegant, emotional vibe without overwhelming conversation.

Can I customize this playlist for my wedding venue in Oshkosh or Appleton?

Absolutely. At Sound Sensations Entertainment, we help couples customize their playlist to match their venue, vibe, and guest preferences—whether you're at Poplar Creek Barn, The Gibson, or your backyard.

Does this playlist include acoustic versions and covers?

Yes! Many songs feature stripped-down acoustic arrangements or indie-style covers of classics—perfect for soft, emotional ambiance.


Want More Wedding Music Ideas?

If you loved this playlist, check out our other SEO-optimized cocktail hour mixes for Wisconsin weddings:

Final Thoughts: Let’s Make Your Wedding Unforgettable

At Sound Sensations Entertainment, we know that music makes the moment. That’s why we offer custom-curated playlists, live mixing, and professional DJ services that bring your vibe to life—from Oshkosh to Appleton and everywhere in between.

Whether you're dreaming of an elegant barn wedding, a backyard celebration, or a chic industrial venue, we help you find your sound—and your style.


Book a free music consultation with Sound Sensations Entertainment today and let’s craft your personalized wedding soundtrack!

Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for more playlist ideas, real wedding inspiration, and behind-the-scenes magic.



We Help Couples Create a Memorable, Fun & Engaging Experience!


Every Sound Sensations Entertainment DJs/MCs has at least 15 years of experience at more than 1500 events all over Northeast & Southeast Wisconsin.   DJs Bob V, Nick C, Devon L, or Ed E would love to be a part of your day. Our DJ/MCs help couples create a memorable, fun & engaging celebration that keeps guests involved and engaged from the cocktail or social hour until the end.

Entertainment experiences are more than just a DJ showing up and pressing play. It’s also more than just knowing how to choose songs and mix them together. Being a Wisconsin DJ is about creating experiences and atmospheres for you and your guests. We don’t want to just provide the perfect music, we want to help you create a fun, engaging & memorable celebration that EVERYONE will REMEMBER. We want to create the perfect day with you. 

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What Do You Do Now?

Contact our amazing DJ team today to find out pricing and availability for your upcoming event. We offer wedding DJs, Event DJs, Photo Booth Rentals, Uplighting & Monograms, Slide Show Creation, Event Planning & Wedding Planning.


Let's schedule a quick Zoom chat & guide you through the planning process, share a few ideas about what's possible on your day including:


  • Understanding Your Vision for your day & Your story
  • Fun, Engaging Ideas for the cocktail/dinner hours
  • A couple of fun introduction ideas
  • How to keep the timing & flow of your celebration moving
  • FUN ways to release guests to the buffet (if applicable)
  • FUN Kissing Activities & FUN ways to Involve Kids (if applicable)
  • We'll show you how to make sure the dance floor is packed from the beginning
  • How to have a Memorable & FUN Celebration & MORE!
  • We'll share all of this & more BEFORE signing a Contract/Agreement


Our service areas include NE Wisconsin including Appleton, WI, Oshkosh WI, Fond Du Lac WI, Green Bay WI, and everywhere in between.


We also travel to SE Wisconsin including Milwaukee, WI, Menominee Falls, WI, West Bend, WI, Richfield, WI, Pewaukee WI, Sussex WI, Hartland, WI and everywhere in between frequently. 


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