A Couple’s Guide to Selecting Wedding Music

Ceremony Music

There are many possibilities when choosing songs for your big day and it can easily become overwhelming. So many questions fill your head, such as: What genre of music do I want? What songs do my bridal party walk down the aisle to? What songs do I use during the signing of the Marriage Certificate? It is a lot to consider, but here are a few things that can make the process easier.

1. Decide what genre of music you want to use for your ceremony and keep it simple. Use the same genre all the way through.
2. Prelude Music: Choose 6 – 10 songs that can be played while your guests are being seated. These songs need to be quiet and pleasant to listen to. Try to keep them within the same genre as your other songs so that they blend seamlessly.
3. Bridal Processional: Choose a slow meaningful song that expresses your love and your feelings about your special day.[ Example: Lone Star – Amazed]
4. Unity Ceremony/Signing of Documents: Again choose at least 3 songs. Sometimes the signing takes a few minutes to get through. Try to choose songs that are about the two of you as a couple. [ Example: Luke Combs – Forever After All]
5. Recessional: This is the song that you walk out to after the documents are signed. You want this to be a happy song or a love song. [Example: Stevie Wonder – Signed , Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)]

Keeping all of your songs of the same genre or at least with the same sentiment, will help your ceremony flow smoothly and seamlessly. Make it memorable and emotional.

Bridal Waltz: Choosing Your First Dance As A Married Couple

The Bridal Waltz is the most important dance of your wedding reception. It is the first dance in the start of your new life together. There are so many good songs out there that can be used as your first dance and there may be many that you like, but take some time and sit down together as partners; find something that you both like. Your wedding is about both of you, not just one of you, so choose a song that you connect with as a couple.

A traditional bridal waltz should be a song that reads like a love story; romantic and dreamy. Whatever genre you choose for your theme, try for a song that expresses how you feel about each other. Some couples go for a slow love song to move around the floor to while others choose a mix of songs and have an elaborate, choreographed dance routine. Whatever your choice, pick your song carefully and listen to the lyrics. Do not pick a song simply because you like it. Remember, this song will be in your wedding videos and memories. It needs to be a song that will withstand the test of time in your marriage.

Here are some examples of perfect first dance songs to give you some ideas:

John Legend – All of Me

Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani – Nobody But You

Adele – Make You Feel My Love

Elton John – Your Song

Lionel Richie and Diana Ross – Endless Love

Elvis – Can’t Help Falling In Love With You

Ed Sheeran – Perfect

Russell Dickerson – Yours

Etta James – At Last

Brett Young – Change Your Name

Lone Star – Amazed

Michael Bublé – Everything

Christina Perri – A Thousand Years

Dooley Wilson – It Had to Be You

The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes For You

Jason Mraz – I’m Yours

Frankie Valli or Lauryn Hill – Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You

Oasis – Wonderwall

Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes – Up Where We Belong

Queen – You Are My Best Friend

There are thousands of songs equally as lovely, but these are just to give you an idea of what kind of songs to look for. No matter what genres are your favourite, there is a love song that fits into it. Google is your friend. If you draw a blank on songs, look up popular wedding music. There are countless lists of popular and traditional, as well as, not so typical wedding songs.

Make a list of songs that you like and ones that your partner likes, then go through the list and narrow it down. Mark out the songs that one of you likes but the other doesn’t until you get to one that perfectly fits you both…A theme song for your romance.

Parent Dance Songs

Choosing a Father-Daughter and/or a Mother-Son dance can be difficult. There are so many great songs out there to choose from.  This is an important dance and a great way to honour your parent. It allows them to be a part of your big day. It is symbolic of your relationship with them and of them handing you off to your new love and the start of your new life.

 One thing that should be considered when making your selection is the lyrics. Choose a song that has meaning. Listen to the words and decide if it is appropriate to use for a dance with your parent.  Equally important is making certain that the song is easy to dance to and that it fits in with the style and genres that you have chosen for the night.

Let your parent be part of the process. Ask them if they have any song they would like to dance with you to. Have them help you research. The dance is about both of you; you may choose one that expresses what you want to say to them, but likewise, they may want a song that expresses their feelings to you as their child.

In an effort to make the process a bit easier and to give you an idea of what to look for, here is a sample list of some of the more popular and traditional choices in varying genres.

Alan Jackson – You’ll Always Be My Baby

Bob Carlisle – Butterfly Kisses

Heartland – I Loved Her First

Jason Blaine – Dance With My Daughter

Paul Simon – Father and Daughter

Michael Bolton – Fathers and Daughters

Tim McGraw – My Little Girl

Loudon Wainwright III – Daughter

Krystal Keith – Daddy Dance With Me

Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely

There are also classic songs that although they don’t mention Fathers and Daughters or Mothers and Sons, they express the correct sentiment.

Lee Ann Womack – I Hope You Dance

Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World

Rascal Flatts – My Wish

James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole – Unforgettable

 

These are just a few of the choices available. A great way to find some songs that you may consider using is to Google “Father Daughter Dances” or “Parent Dances for Weddings”. There is a plethora of YouTube videos that can provide you with hundreds of choices. It may also be a good idea to watch the Father-Daughter videos that others have posted. It can help give you ideas for special song mixes and dance routines you may want to try.

Reception Music

There are a few other key moments in your reception that need music. It will provide a nice backdrop to the moment and make your memories that much sweeter.

Bridal Party Entrance: This is the song that sets the mood for your night. Have some fun with it. You can choose a song for your party to walk into and a separate one for you and your partner or you can all walk in to the same song. The decision is completely up to you.  Here are some fun songs to think about:

1. Bruno Mars: Uptown Funk
2. Gretchen Wilson – Here for the Party
3. Pink – Get This Party Started
4. Justin Timberlake – Sexy Back
5. Pink – Raise Your Glass
6. Baha Men – Who Let The Dogs Out
7. LMFAO – Sexy And I Know It
8. Right Said Fred – I’m Too Sexy
9. Black Eyed Peas – Let’s Get It Started

Bouquet Toss: Choose fun songs that lighten the mood and make the grab for the bouquet a memorable experience.  Some examples are:

1. Meghan Trainor – Dear Future Husband
2. Beyonce – Single Ladies
3. Lil’ Kim, Mya, Christina Aguilera and Pink – Lady Marmalade
4. Pat Benatar – Hit Me With Your Best Shot
5. Shania Twain – Man, I Feel Like A Woman
6. Kelis – Milkshake

Garter Toss:  Again, make this one fun and maybe even a bit sexy! Here are some examples:

1. Right Said Fred – I’m Too Sexy
2. Inner Circle – Cop’s Theme
3. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
4. Nelly – Hot In Here
5. Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing
6. Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar On Me
7. ZZ Top – Legs
8. The Troggs – Wild Thing
9. MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
10. Luke Bryan – Country Girl (Shake It For Me)

Cake Cutting Songs: This one you want to make fun and sweet!

1. James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
2. The Archies – Sugar, Sugar
3. Taylor Swift – Today Was A Fairytale
4. Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait – Lucky

There are many more options for these wonderful parts of your night. Have a look on the internet and you will find many great songs that fit your vision of your special event. If you have any issues, give your DJ a call or send an email and get some advice.

Dance Music

A big question you need to answer is: What genre of music do I want for my reception?

Typically, you should choose what style fits your life and what genre of music you listen to the most. Some couples choose to have only one genre of music while others have many. A couple might choose a theme for their wedding and match the music to that. For example, you may be having your wedding and reception at a homestead in the country and want Country music for your night. Whatever you decide, there are a few things that need to be considered.

1. Choose music that is guest friendly. Yes, this is your wedding, but if you choose a style of music that is offensive or brash, your guests will have a miserable night. If your guests are having a good time, you will have an even better time.
2. Think about your guest’s ages. Ask yourself if the songs you have chosen are explicit or contain vulgar/coarse language. If you are having children or grandparents at your reception, consider how they might respond to the type of music that you have chosen and if you still intend to have that type of music, consider opting for the “clean” versions of the songs.
3. Let your guests be part of the music choice. When you send out your invitations, add an RSVP with song request. This gives them the chance to tell you what they may like to hear on the night.
4. Trust Your DJ! Your DJ knows how to get your guests on the floor and keep them there; after all, it is his/her job. There is no need for you to choose every single song for the night. If you give your DJ an idea of the genres and artists that you like, they can take those songs and build a playlist around your likes. Don’t forget to tell the DJ any artists, genres or songs that you do not want played on the night.
5. Allow the DJ to take requests. It never fails. Every wedding a DJ plays at, there are going to be people that come up to the DJ box and ask for a song. The guests really appreciate it if during the night the DJ can deviate from the genre or list and let them hear something they love. It gets your guests up onto the dance floor.

Take your time in making your choices and discuss the choices with each other as a couple. This is an important event in the start of your lives together. In the end, what you all want is for your night to be memorable and a complete success. Having a bit of consideration for those in attendance is a sure way to accomplish that.