There are many good lists online that will give you ideas for music selections for your big day. However here are some my thoughts & advice attained through well over 600 weddings that may make those selections easier and help make your day unique and special:
Ceremony
Seating music
You want something evokes the mood, that prepares your
guests for the upcoming ceremony.
Classical music, new-age like Enya, light jazz- all these will work well
but I have used Motown, country songs and even the Beatles depending on the
bridal couple’s preferences.
Bridal Party
Processional
There are many good choices and in this digital world they
are not limited to the standard classical songs. Pacbel’s Canon is a one of those that I use a
lot, as the cadence is perfect and the mood is uplifting. Ideally you want something that the bridal
party, nervously trying to walk perfectly, will find an easy rhythm or cadence
to settle into. There are a lot of
contemporary songs that work very well, and if you like a song but think that
the pop vibe is a bit much, chances are that there are piano and string quartet
versions on iTunes that will work perfectly. Time can be a consideration here if you have a large bridal party, shy ring bearers or flower girls, and/or a long way to walk. I can and have looped a song to go longer to accommodate all the people coming down the aisle, so it is usually not a big deal. Sometimes you may want a different song for the kids than for the rest of the bridal party, maybe a Disney theme for the flower girls fading into something else of the maids.
Bride’s Processional
Many brides have always dreamed of walking down to “Here
Comes the Bride” (Bridal Chorus), and if that is what you envision, then
great! However many brides are choosing
songs that have some special meaning or just ones that are beautiful and worthy
of the most momentous steps they’ll ever make.
I am a believer that if you can find a song and make it your own, then
you should do it. When the “Bridal
Chorus” is played, it is hard to separate the many brides you’ve seen use the
song from each other, whereas your song will immediately transport you back to
that moment without fail.
Candle or Sand Ceremonies
Some couples have a ceremony within the ceremony pouring sand or water together into one receptacle or perhaps lighting a single candle from two separate ones. Songs that work well are typically instrumentals or light vocals, sometimes with religious connotations, sometimes not. "The Wedding Song (There is Love)" is one I have used in the past but other songs will work just as well.
Bride & Groom’s
Recessional
The traditional recessional is the “Wedding March”, and many
couples still use this. It is something
that punctuates the ceremony and puts an exclamation point on the end. However you can easily use another song to
put your own spin on it and have some fun.
Typically you want something that sentimentally says something about the
two of you or something upbeat that celebrates your new life together. An example of the sentimental type song
would be “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer while something like “Signed,
Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” would be an upbeat example. The sky is the limit, and unlike the prior
two, cadence is not usually an issue.
Think of a song that makes you happy- that’s what you want.
Reception
Grand Entrance
Grand entrances vary from couple to couple. Some have everyone in the bridal party, maybe
some family and the bride & groom announced. Some just have the bride & groom. There is no right or wrong way. Whatever you
envision, we’ll make happen. Sometimes
I’ll just play a song for everyone. Sometimes just for the bride & groom
and sometimes each person or pair will have their own theme song to walk in
to. That can be a bit of a hassle to
figure out, but if the people are into it then it can be very fun. If you want to do that, ask your bridal party
etc. to pick a song that they like.
Sometimes it references what they do or who they are or their
background. Sometimes it is just a
favorite song to dance in to. For them
or for the bride & groom, the same ideas as the Recessional apply:
sentimental and/or fun and upbeat. My
favorite story to tell is of the couple who liked Star Wars, so for the
Recessional they used the ending music of the first (IV) movie and for their
Grand Entrance they came in the “Imperial March” from the next movie which is
very imperious and dark. Everybody loved
it. So, like in all these songs, the
more you tailor the music to you, the better it will work out.
Toasts
Usually music isn’t played during the toasts as it
interferes with hearing and the toaster’s train of thought. In the few times where the B&G have wanted
some music, I have played something innocuous and low to set the tone they are
trying to achieve without disrupting the speakers.
Cake Cutting
Typically you want some nice background song to punctuate
the cutting. I will usually play
something like “Love & Marriage” by Sinatra or “Marry Me” by Train, but the
sky is once again the limit.
1st Dance
This is not as easy to give advice about. The first dance should be personal- something
between the bride & groom that means something to them. There are thousands of songs to choose from
and if you are stuck you can always listen to artists or genres you like
together to begin to find the perfect one.
If it is quirky or a little too fast, don’t disregard it offhand. If it is special to you we can make it
happen. Some couples do elaborate dances
they learn and then the song also has to be something that will accommodate the
dance style. More popular now is the
mixing of two or more songs together to match choreography, like starting with
a slow song, jumping into a fast fun song, and then maybe ending back in the
original. Most people however just cling
to each other for their whole song, the rest of the world fading to the
background as they share their moment.
Father/Daughter
When I started deejaying in the ‘80s, there were a few songs
that everyone associated with a dad dancing with his daughter. Now there are dozens that fit the bill and
more come out all the time. If you don’t
know what you’d like, ask Dad! He may
have a song he has dreamed about dancing with you since you were a little
girl. If there are artists that you and
your dad enjoy together or maybe sung together in the car, perhaps think of
using one of them to dance to. It is
nice if everyone gets the sentimentality of a song, but really all that matters
is you and your dad.
Mother/Son
Very similar to Father/Daughter, although there aren’t as
many songs out there as there are for dad.
I tend to see more songs that mean something to mom and her son. A wedding I did last summer used “Wild Thing”
by the Troggs; not a typical Mother/Son song but it was special to the two of
them and everyone loved it.
Anniversary Dance
The Anniversary Dance celebrates not only your marriage but
all those married family and guests, acknowledging their vows whether they were
a half a year ago or half a century.
Usually a good song is something that cuts through all the ages present,
like “At Last” by Etta James or “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole.
Bouquet Toss
This song is all about the girls. You want something that is fun and that fires
them up. “Single Ladies” by Beyonce or
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” are just a couple of examples but there are many
possibilities. What does your crowd get
crazy to? That may be the perfect song.
Garter Toss
This is similar to the bouquet song but for the guys. As you are maybe sliding a garter off a leg,
you may want to add a playful twist to it, by playing the “Stripper” or “Legs”
by ZZTop to bring up the level of risqué.
Many times it is just a fun guy song.
Last Dance
Some couples like to program a last song of the
evening. Maybe it was a close runner-up
to you 1st Dance choice or maybe another version of your 1st
Dance. Maybe it is something fast &
fun and guaranteed to get everyone up one last time. Maybe it is sentimental to the moment, like
Semisonic’s “Closing Time”, Sinatra’s “Last Dance” or even Green Day’s “Time of
Your Life.” Sometimes it is just better
to go with the flow and cap off a great dancing night with something on the
fly, a request off the floor, or a last minute idea from the B&G. Either way, if the newlyweds are on the
floor, everyone will want to join them regardless of the song.
Even if you don't pick many or most of the songs for your events, we'll be fine. I have done so many different scenarios of each event that I can pick something that will work well. However, why not personalize it? The day is all about the two of you, shouldn't that apply to the music as well?
