Modern Soul & R&B Cocktail Hour – Smooth Vibes for Weddings in Oshkosh & the Fox Cities

Set the Mood: Your Cocktail Hour Deserves This Kind of Smooth

There’s something magical that happens when the right playlist kicks in. Guests have just watched you say “I do,” and now it’s time for them to sip, mingle, and soak in the vibe that sets the tone for the rest of your celebration.

If you're planning your wedding in Oshkosh, Neenah, or Fond du Lac, you know how much your venue, food, and design choices matter—but music is the emotional glue that ties it all together. At Sound Sensations Entertainment, we don’t just play songs—we curate unforgettable moments. And for cocktail hour? A Modern Soul & R&B playlist brings all the velvety, groove-filled, and emotionally rich vibes you need to make your wedding feel just right.

Whether you're tying the knot at The Gibson Social Club in Oshkosh, the historic Retlaw Plaza in Fond du Lac, or a private barn near Neenah, this playlist hits the perfect tone—chic, relaxed, and full of heart.

Our Top 40 Modern Soul & R&B Cocktail Hour Picks

This isn’t background music—it’s soul-forward, vibe-centered, and curated to elevate every moment between “I do” and dinner. Think smooth vocals, sexy keys, warm basslines, and love-drenched lyrics.

Top Modern Soul & R&B Tracks

1. Daniel Caesar – Best Part (feat. H.E.R.)
2. Alicia Keys – Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)
3. Snoh Aalegra – Find Someone Like You
4. Miguel – Adorn
5. Leon Bridges – Beyond
6. H.E.R. – Focus
7. Anderson .Paak – Make It Better (feat. Smokey Robinson)
8. Erykah Badu – Appletree
9. India.Arie – Can I Walk With You
10. Sade – By Your Side

R&B Grooves with a Cocktail Hour Flow

1. Jill Scott – Golden
2. Mac Ayres – Easy
3. The Internet – Come Over
4. Maxwell – Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)
5. John Legend – You & I (Nobody in the World)
6. Ella Mai – Trip
7. Frank Ocean – Thinkin Bout You
8. Toni Braxton – Long As I Live
9. PJ Morton – Say So (feat. JoJo)
10. D’Angelo – Lady

Indie Soul & Fresh Favorites

1. Emily King – Distance
2. Amber Mark – Love Me Right
3. Yuna – Crush (feat. Usher)
4. Arin Ray – Communication
5. Lucky Daye – Over
6. Jorja Smith – Be Honest
7. Giveon – Like I Want You
8. Teyana Taylor – Gonna Love Me
9. Victoria Monét – On My Mama
10. Sampha – Too Much

Classic Vibe Tracks to Blend In Smoothly

1. Lauryn Hill – Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You
2. Raphael Saadiq – Ask of You
3. Musiq Soulchild – Love
4. Angie Stone – Brotha
5. Aaliyah – At Your Best (You Are Love)
6. Tamia – So Into You
7. Brandy – I Wanna Be Down
8. Brian McKnight – Back at One
9. Usher – Superstar
10. Anthony Hamilton – The Point of It All

This playlist works best in a transitional moment: sunset, clinking glasses, your guests unwinding and connecting. The soul, the rhythm, the emotion—it’s all intentional.

Why Soul & R&B Work Perfectly for Wisconsin Weddings

If you're getting married in Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, or Neenah, odds are your venue has a unique mix of charm, intimacy, and character. Whether it’s The Paine Art Center, Whispering Springs Golf Club, or a private estate near Lake Winnebago, these venues are perfect for a playlist that feels warm, modern, and sophisticated.

Modern Soul and R&B deliver the emotional authenticity today’s couples crave. These songs resonate with meaning, groove effortlessly in the background, and can easily shift the mood from elegant to euphoric as the night unfolds.

Pro Tip: Build a Playlist That Evolves

Great cocktail hour music:

• Sets the vibe without overpowering conversations
• Transitions into dinner or reception music smoothly
• Reflects your unique love story and taste

Our Sound Sensations DJs know how to read the room and adjust in real time. Whether your crowd leans soulful and sentimental or funky and dance-ready, we customize every playlist for your energy.

Local Wedding Venues That Pair Beautifully with Soulful Sound

• The Gibson Social Club (Oshkosh): Urban meets rustic with a modern soul vibe to match.
• Hotel Retlaw (Fond du Lac): Classic and glamorous—perfect for smooth R&B.
• The Howard (Oshkosh): Gilded-era vibes meet velvet grooves.
• The Waters (Oshkosh): Waterfront class with sunset cocktail soul.
• Brighton Acres (Oshkosh/Neenah area): Perfect for barn weddings with a soulful twist.
• The LedgeCrest Reserve (Neenah): Chic, modern spaces pair well with sleek vocal arrangements.

Other Wedding Playlists You’ll Love

Love the vibe? Check out these curated cocktail & reception lists from Sound Sensations Entertainment:

• Top 30 Modern Christian Wedding Recessional Songs
• Indie Folk Wedding Playlist for Barn & Outdoor Weddings
• Tropical Cocktail Hour Playlist – Reggae, Bossa Nova & Island Chill
• Top 50 Dirty Late-Night Set (Uncensored)
• Classy Jazzy Pre-Ceremony Playlist – Sinatra, Bublé, Norah

FAQ – Modern Soul & R&B Cocktail Hour Weddings

Q: Is this playlist clean and family-friendly?

Yes! Most of the tracks are clean or have clean versions available. We always ask about your guest preferences and can customize accordingly.

Q: Can you blend this with other genres like jazz, acoustic, or pop?

Absolutely. Many couples blend soul and R&B with indie, acoustic covers, or jazz instrumentals for a dynamic, layered atmosphere.

Q: Will this playlist work for older guests too?

100%. Classic tracks from Sade, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell feel nostalgic without sounding outdated. And songs by newer artists like Leon Bridges or Alicia Keys bridge generational gaps seamlessly.

Q: Do your DJs mix live during cocktail hour or play a curated list?

We can do both! Our DJs often mix live to adjust the energy based on your crowd. But we also build custom playlists if you prefer a preset flow.

Q: What if our venue doesn’t have sound during cocktail hour?

No problem—we bring everything. From sleek wireless speakers to full sound systems, we handle setup even in remote or non-powered areas (yes, we’ve used power banks in barns and fields!).

Final Thoughts: Soul, Vibe & Heart—All in One Hour

Your cocktail hour is your guests’ first experience of the post-ceremony celebration—it deserves music that matches the moment. Modern Soul & R&B offers a timeless-yet-modern, emotionally resonant vibe that turns simple mingling into a memory-making mood.

Whether you’re getting married in Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, or Neenah, this playlist offers the perfect soundtrack to your love story—smooth, heartfelt, and totally you.

Ready to curate the soundtrack of your wedding?

Book a consultation with Sound Sensations Entertainment and let’s build a cocktail hour experience your guests will be talking about long after the last song fades.

📞 Call or text: (920) 420-5929
📧 Email: ed@soundsensationsent.com
🌐 www.soundsensationsent.com