Wedding Music: A Guide to all the Songs you’ll need for your Wedding
So picking all the wedding music for your day can be hard. Often you’ll forget a couple, or you’re not too sure if you picked right (is it too fast, too slow, has everyone else already used it?) and then you just sorta don’t want to do it. It gets pushed to the bottom of the wedding planning list. We totally hear you!
This blog post is all about picking wedding music, how to do it, and some great suggestions on what to play at your wedding.
Don’t worry too much about what everyone else is playing.
If you love a song use it. Don’t worry if others have used it at their wedding. If you love it make it yours. You could change it up and have someone play it live, get a acoustic version, or have it played with different instruments then the original. There are so many great ways to make it fresh and interesting and still have that emotional impact you want it to have.
A great example of this is John Legend’s All of Me. We LOVE this song but I would be lying if I told you I never hear it at weddings. Here are some great options for alternative use (I especially love the country take on it).
Always hire a professional to play your music.
If there’s going to be something that’s going to stand out as a ‘mistake’ at your wedding it’s going to be poorly played music. Whether it’s chopping, too quiet, or is fuzzy or not cued right. It’s so worth adding a few hundred dollars to your wedding to make sure you have a sound technical at your ceremony and of course your reception. Usually you can have your DJ do this as an add on service. Tip: Always work with your DJ on your music and see what they do and don’t cover and what music they do have (in their catalogs) and can play for you. They may have to download or source songs so the sooner you get them your song selections (and versions) the better.
Plan Ahead.
Start picking your songs well in advance. This is a really important part of your wedding and so often we find people leave it, push it back, think they can do it later and then it’s the week of the wedding and nothing is picked. You don’t need that stress and you don’t want to look back on your wedding and feel like you didn’t really pick great music.
Yes, maybe if you don’t care about music, that’s fine. Then go with something you know your family and guests will like. If it’s not that important to you just pick great music and move on. BUT if you are a music person, or you just know this is going to be a tricky planning task, we suggestion you start a list on your phone, or in your day timer.
Every time you hear a song you like just write it down. Don’t worry too much about where you’ll use it yet, just write it down. Keep a running list throughout your engagement. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll hear a song and think “Oh, this would be nice at the wedding”. Simply write it down. When you’re at home together, play the songs for each other. Maybe it’s not hitting you like it did the first time. Simply take it off the list. If you do this you should have a pretty good list when the time comes to make the official choices. If you review it from time to time you’ll weed out the ones that just aren’t that appealing anymore.
Ask your family and friends what they think. But only a little.
When it comes to the songs your dancing with dad to, or the songs your wedding party are entering to ask them what they think. Maybe they’ll have some great ideas, or at the very least you’ll see if mom really really wants that song she always dreamt dancing to for your Groom Mother. That’s important stuff to know; it’s her moment too after all.
Make a list and check it twice.
You might think you only need a couple of songs but you actually could need 15+ different songs. Here’s a list of all the songs you might need for the average wedding:
For your ceremony:
- You’ll need mood music, or pre-ceremony music for around 30 minutes (if you hire a sound tech, DJ, or Wedding Planner ask them, they likely have a great mix for this)
- Processional Song – Groom & Groomsmen / Parents
- Processional Song – Bridesmaids
- Processional Song – Bride
- Registry Signing
- Recessional Song
For your reception:
- You’ll need mood music or cocktail hour music (Again, your DJ will likely have a great mix so just tell them what style of music you like and they’ll do up a great mix. If you’re picky we suggest putting together your own mix or providing a “must play” list)
- Grand Entrance – Parents
- Grand Entrance – Wedding Party
- Grand Entrance – Bride & Groom
- Cake Cutting
- First Dance
- Father Daughter Dance
- Groom Mother Dance
- Wedding Party Dance
- Bouquet Toss
- Garter Toss
- “Must play” songs (most DJs will ask you if there is a list of 10 songs that are your “must play” songs through the dance portion of the night. Make sure you take the time or write a few down. You know your guests better then anyone so pick ones you all love)
So now that you’ve got your head around all the work you need to do to bring together the music for your wedding let’s get to the fun part; the actual songs! Here are some of our favourite songs for all parts of your wedding. (Hint: If you want even more suggestions check out our Great Wedding Music Pinterest Board)
These are some great wedding songs! My walk-down-the-aisle song was A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, but it was a cover by The Piano Guys. I thought it was super pretty, and I loved not having lyrics in the song.
That is a really great cover, it’s switches it up a bit right? Great you liked the post!