Can you imagine walking down the aisle to…silence? Neither can we! Here’s how to choose the right music for your wedding day
When we picture our ideal wedding days, music plays a huge role. You’ve got the reverent ceremony music, the iconic “walk down the aisle” songs, the cocktail hour background tunes, and the wall-thumping reception bangers. That’s a wide range of genres to cover!
So how do you go about picking the right music for your day? Is it more important to stick with tradition, or honor your love story with music that holds meaning to you?
The ceremony
Let’s face it — the ceremony selections may be the toughest part of your wedding day music puzzle. Depending on your theme, your vibes, and even your guests, the music you choose for this portion of the wedding can set the tone or distract from it. You may have fallen in love with your future spouse while listening to Kendrick Lamar at a party, but is “Not Like Us” a good choice to accompany your walk down the aisle? Alternatively, does a more traditional choice like Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” really fit with your personality, or will it feel a bit…stuffy?
The good news is, you can have the best of both worlds. Many wedding day musicians, like BOLI Preferred Vendor Sweet Harmony Music, can take your favorite songs and arrange them for your ceremony. Rap, Hip Hop, Pop, Country, and R&B can all sound fitting and classical when played by a string quartet!
You don’t have to sacrifice the music that means something to you in order to fit a moment. When choosing songs for your ceremony, think about the songs that have played a special part in your relationship. Playing them during the ceremony — maybe with a different instrumentation — can add an even deeper element to an already unforgettable event.
And if that music just so happens to be more classical in nature, great! There’s nothing wrong with sticking with the classics — they’re called that for a reason.
Image by Gelfman Photography, courtesy of Sweet Harmony
The cocktail hour
It’s the party before the party! This is the time when all of your guests get to mingle, grab a drink and a small bite, and take in the surroundings of your venue. The music you choose for this portion of the day will probably be more of a “background” element, there to help set the mood but not as noticeable as your ceremony or reception playlists.
While a more subdued vibe usually blends well with cocktail hour, that doesn’t mean you have to stick with small choices or songs you don’t know. Solo instrumentalists like pianists and guitarists, or even small ensembles know how to play popular hits and crowd-pleasing favorites in a way that allows your guests to enjoy their other four senses.
If you have an idea of what you’d like played at the cocktail hour, great! Let your DJ or live musician know. If you don’t have any idea, that’s okay too. Wedding pros will know what works best, and have a repertoire that they can pull out at any time.
The reception
Now this is where you’ll want to turn up the volume! You’ll work closely with your DJ to select a playlist full of songs you love. They’ll also probably ask you which songs to avoid, so don’t be afraid to think in that direction — nothing stops a party in its tracks like The Black Eyed Peas when you don’t want to hear them.
Think about those special moments during your reception: your first dance as a married couple, and dances with your parents. Again, these moments are best served by songs that hold a deeper meaning in your relationships. Think about songs your dad played in the car when you were growing up, or the music you listened to on your first road trip with your fiancé. Even if the song doesn’t fit the vibe, it’s possible you can find a slower arrangement that lends itself to a first dance!
You’ll also want to consider both your heritage and your fiancé’s. Are there any cultural songs you’ll want to play? Dances like the Tarantella and The Hora will all have appropriate music attached.
While you’ll want to think about your favorite music, take a moment to consider your guest list, too. If your mom, grandma, and great aunt are in attendance, they might like to hear a few songs that sound more familiar (think decades: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and beyond).
Ultimately, a span of genres will be your best bet to get everyone on the dance floor.