Creating your wedding soundtrack sets the tone for the happiest day of your life. From finding inspiration to making the songs flow, itโs a bit more complicated than throwing your favorite songs into a big playlist. Donโt let it overwhelm youโweโve made a list of all the songs youโll need on your playlist for your Big Day, and how to choose them.
Make a list of events you need songs for
First things firstโchoose your songs and create your playlist according to the ceremony and reception events. Here are all the moments youโll need a song or set of songs for:
- Pre-Ceremony: Pick some light, upbeat music to play as your guests enter the ceremony and find their seats.
- Processional: Although โHere Comes the Brideโ is the most traditional song to walk down the aisle to, you donโt have to follow suit. There are plenty of other classic alternatives, like โCanon in D, Pachelbel.โ If you find a song you love but want to drop the lyrics, play an instrumental version.
- Recessional: After saying โI Do,โ exit with something celebratoryโ youโre officially married! Think something like, โSigned, Sealed, Delivered,โ by Stevie Wonder.
- Cocktail hour music: If you choose to host a cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception, it’s good to have a playlist of songs to set the mood. Choose a good mixโ people arenโt ready to dance yet, but you don’t want to put anyone to sleep, either.
- Reception entrance: Some couples choose a song for their entrance into the reception (usually with the wedding party in tow). Go for something upbeat to get your guests pumped to welcome the new couple.
- The first dance: The most important song of all! No rules hereโitโs your song. Pick whatever song you think best defines your love, especially if itโs one that is special to you as a couple.
- Father/daughter dance: Traditionally, the bride and her father dance together, but many choose to dance with a brother, uncle, grandpa, or even their mother. Itโs a chance to choose a song that is important to and that special person.
- Reception music: This is a playlist within your playlist, and it will be your biggest one! These songs set the entire mood for the nightโs dance party. Special note: if you hire a DJ and plan to give him or her free rein with the music, consider preparing a โDo Not Playโ list of songs that you don’t want to hearโif Cotton Eye Joe makes you cringe or the idea of another round of the Cupid Shuffle exhausts you, tell them.
- Cake-cutting: If you make your cake-cutting a ceremonial event, pick out a cute upbeat song for this sweet part of the evening. You can stick to the sweet treats theme by picking something like, โI Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)โ by The Four Tops.
Now, how do you choose the right songs?
Start with your own music collection
Start with your own musicโthatโs the music that speaks to you the most. Spend time scrolling through your personal playlists and pull the songs that you both love. Think of the songs you canโt imagine not including, and songs you love in general. You probably wonโt find every song you want in your music library, but itโs a great start. From there, find inspiration from wedding playlists people have already created or Googling popular song ideas.
DJ or Band?
One of the first details to sort out is who will be in charge of running your playlist(s) come the day of your wedding. Maybe you hire a live band, a DJ, or both! Whatever route you choose, remember that your song options will vary. Some bands prefer to play their own genre while you have more freedom with song choices when you work with a DJ.
Choose a variety of music
Make your playlist with a variety of music genresโit sets the tone for all the different moments throughout the day and excites all generations of your guests. Play slow, jazzy jams during dinner then throw on some Top 40 songs when itโs time to dance. But, make sure it sounds cohesiveโyou donโt want to shock your guestsโ eardrums with a sudden switch from classic orchestra to 90s R&B.
Sample it out
Give your playlist(s) a run-through from start to finish to make sure everything sounds like itโs in the right place. Try practicing your walk to your processional song and dancing to your first dance song. Then have a mini-dance party to test out the reception tracks.
This is your wedding soundtrackโhave fun with it! If you need more wedding planning resources, read more of our blogs. Or contact us today to start putting together your dream wedding! You can reach our event coordinators by email or phone at 877-545-1002.