Let’s talk about wedding Music. Music is one element of the wedding that usually takes a lot longer than you anticipate due to the fact there is a lot to organize. You tend to have music during the ceremony, reception, sometimes the wedding breakfast and of course in the evening. Before choosing your music you need to think whether you want live or recorded music or a mixture of both. So let’s break this down into different sections of the day and give you some suggestion for pieces of music you might like to use.
Ceremony
You will need music for your ceremony regardless of what type of ceremony you are having. If you are having a religious ceremony then you will also need to think about hymns. A lot of people tend to have live music for their ceremony as it sounds quite romantic and is lovely to sit and watch someone play an instrument.
Bride’s Entrance
- Bridal Chorus, Wagner
- Canon in D, Pachelbel
- A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
Recessional
- Wedding March, Mendelssohn
- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Stevie Wonder
Reception
The reception is time for guests to meet each other and for everyone to come and say hello to the Bride and Groom. It’s nice to have some background music for the duration of your reception. If you are having live music for the ceremony then why not get them to play at the reception too, this way you make the most of them and enjoy their playing for longer. During the reception try and keep the music quite soft, maybe have some covers of your favorite songs or even some classical music. There are so many different directions you could take the music, maybe look at having the music reflect you as a couple.
Wedding Breakfast
Having music at your wedding breakfast is down to you and what you think will suit your guests and meal. We decided not to have music during our wedding breakfast as it’s a time for people to chat with each other on their tables and we felt music just wasn’t needed. If you are having a more relaxed wedding breakfast then maybe music will tie in well, where as with a more formal meal maybe a harpist or no music at all would suit that setting better. Remember to keep the music quiet enough so that people can easily hear each other and talk comfortable without fighting against the volume of the music.
Evening Music
First Dance
The first dance is for you and your partner to take to the stage and have your first dance as a married couple. It seems to be more popular now for couples to choreograph their wedding dance and practice for months before the big day. It comes down to you as a couple; would you rather sway to the music or make the most out of your first dance. But before all of that you need to choose your piece fo music.
Some suggestions:
- All of Me, John Legend
- How long will I love you, Ellie Goulding
- Your Song, Elton John
- Marry You, Bruno Mars
- Love Me Like you do, Ellie Goulding
- If I ain’t got you, Alicia
- Thinking out Loud, Ed Sheeran
- I will Always Love you, Whitney Houston
Party Time
Finally, you get to dance the night away. There are lots of different options for evening music and it all depends on what you are looking for. You could look at your venue and theme if you are stuck for ideas. Here are some suggestions on what music you might want in the evening.
- Live band – Jazz, Country, Tribute Act
- DJ
- Silent Disco
There are lots of decisions to be made by enjoy yourself, my rule of thumb is if I enjoy singing along to it then it can go on the playlist. Also think about having a variety of different songs from different eras, that way all your weddding guests will know at least a few of the songs.
Enjoy
Steph x
