What kind of music should you have at your wedding?
Well, that depends on a lot of factors.
What will be the temperature outside?
Will there be dancing involved in the reception part of the wedding?
Is there a theme to your wedding?
Is it going to be indoors or outdoors?
These are just a few questions to ask yourself before deciding on the kind of music you want at your wedding.
Finding the Perfect Music
If you are having a small, intimate outdoor wedding with close friends and family, parents might choose to play classical or soft jazz which is more appropriate for smaller groups.
For a more fun atmosphere with lively dancing – perhaps a beach themed wedding – parents might opt for something like Bob Marley’s “One Love” but feel free to get creative!
Choose whatever feels right for the two of you as a couple on your special day.
Here are some ideas to help out:
First Dance Music – The first dance at a wedding is a very important moment that needs the proper song to go along with it.
If you both have been dancing since high school or college, try choosing an old favorite from that time.
This will be a fun walk down memory lane for both of you as well as your guests, reminiscing about simpler times when all they had to worry about was the upcoming dance.
If you are having trouble thinking up a song for this moment, simply go online and search “bride and groom wedding first dance songs.” You’ll be surprised at how many options there are!
Father-Daughter Dance music – Since fathers typically walk their daughter’s down the aisle before they take their place beside them at the altar, select a piece of music that is special to the two of you or perhaps even between just the father and daughter.
I remember a lot of weddings I’ve hosted where the dads are always picking out “Can You Feel Love Tonight” from Disney’s “The Lion King” for their song with their daughters.
Other ideas for this moment are “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle, “Daughters” by John Mayer or perhaps something from one of your favorite childhood movies or even a Disney movie!
Mother-Son Dance music – The mother/son dance is typically when parents share their last dance at their child’s wedding before they walk them down the aisle.
For this wonderful moment choose a piece that is special between the two of you. Maybe you both love Frank Sinatra – in which case try playing Norah Jones’ version of “The Way You Look Tonight” – his classic will never go out of style.
Or perhaps you are more into the Beatles, in which case try picking “In My Life” by John Lennon.
Cake cutting music – If there is going to be dancing during your reception or after dinner then you might want to consider something that will get people’s feet tapping. I suggest choosing something upbeat that would be fun to dance to later on in the night. Go with something like Billy Idol’s Whip My Hair or Bruno Mars’ Just The Way You Are.
Finding the Best Music for the Season
Here are some of my favorites for each season. Remember, it is important to find music that reflects you and your fiance’s personalities!
Fall: The Cranberries, James Taylor
Winter: Andrea Bocelli, Frank Sinatra
Spring: The Beatles, Neil Diamond
Indoors/Outdoors Wedding Considerations
A lot of times whether you will be indoors or outdoors will largely affect what kind of music you decide on.
Here are a few things to think about with regard to your wedding venue.
Outdoors weddings should generally have softer music so as not to intrude on people’s conversations or interfere with their enjoyment of the weather.
When the wind blows it can distort sound so keep this in mind and try to find music that is of a decent volume so guests can hear it but not so loud that it turns into white noise.
Outdoors weddings should also be mindful of the temperature outside.
If you are having an outdoor wedding in the winter or fall, we would recommend music with a more mellow tone such as classical or easy listening.
If you’re getting married in the Spring or Summer, then feel free to add on some upbeat songs like Michael Jackson for example!
Indoors weddings should include some old school slow dancing numbers along with some fun pop songs from the 60’s and 70’s.
The Perfect Songs:
Processional:
Winter: Canon in D – Pachelbel, Winter – Vivaldi Spring: Ave Maria – Bach/Gounod,
Summer: Air on G String – Bach, Here Comes the Sun – Beatles Fall: Bridal March (from Peer Gynt) – Grieg Recessional: Winter: Blue Danube Waltz- Strauss Spring : Wedding March (from Midsummer’s Night Dream) – Mendelssohn, Canon in D- Pachelbel Fall : Wedding March (from Music Man) -Wagner
Just for Fun
Winter: Let It Go – Frozen Spring: My Heart Will Go On – Titanic Summer: Summer Nights – Grease Fall: I’m A Believer – Monkees
Remember to consider the temperature outside when deciding which music to use. We recommend using a mixture of slow and upbeat tunes for both indoor and outdoor weddings! If it is winter or fall out, go with slower but also more heartfelt melodies “Canon in D”
Give the DJ a playlist and let him or her be in charge of what gets played on the dance floor throughout the night. This makes it easier for guests who are not very familiar with your music taste to just show up and have some fun! While there might be many songs that you would want played at your wedding if perhaps you had the time to put together a list, trust me – they WILL play something you love even though you can’t be there to see it!
