Choosing Your Wedding Music

Music sets the scene for any event. The instrumentation and song choices tell a story and create the atmosphere you want, and the options are literally endless! You can create your own song list on Spotify and put a friend in charge of pressing play. Or you can have a DJ who facilitates the entire evening start to finish.

The most elaborate option is to have live music for one or more portions of the day. Popular and timeless options for the ceremony include harp, violin, string quartet, solo guitar, or piano. Cocktail hour might be a string trio, a jazz combo or a one man band. And the reception is traditionally a party band from 4 pieces up to 15 with full horn section. Whichever option or combination you choose, there are a few key spots in any wedding where the music makes the moment.

Bride’s Entrance
The first is the bride’s entrance. Unless you’re walking around the side of the building and down a massive lawn to the ceremony location, this moment is usually very brief. You blink and you’re standing at the altar. You may not remember it clearly but your guests will. It can be a classical masterpiece or a love song that gives you all the feels. Make it as personal as you want! Here are a few popular options:
“Bridal Chorus” by Wagner (“Here Comes The Bride”)
“Canon in D” by Pachelbel
“A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri (see video below)
“All Of Me” by John Legend
“Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding

Photo by Kyla Jeanette – https://kylajeanette.com/

Recessional

The second big moment is your exit from the ceremony, called the Recessional. This is traditionally more upbeat as it begins the celebration portion of the event. Often requested are:

“Wedding March” by Mendelssohn
“Signed Sealed Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
“Marry You” by Bruno Mars
“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole
“I’m A Believer” by Smash Mouth

Photo by JB Elliott Photography – https://jbelliottphotography.com/

First Dance

And of course there’s your first dance. This might be the most important of them all because this will forever be “your song”. Every time it comes on the radio or you hear it walking through the grocery store it will take you back to that special moment you shared in the first moments of your married life. My advice? Choose something that will last, not a song that will be forgotten by most and rarely heard after a year or two. Here are some great options:

“Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley
“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra
“At Last” by Etta James
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” by Frankie Valli
“Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
“If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys

Photo by Akbar Sayed Photography – www.akbarsayedphotography.com/

But there are no wrong choices… so as Madonna stated it so eloquently, “Express Yourself”!!! If you’re looking for great music for any of these moments, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m available for weddings anywhere in the world.