Franklin Dean
Music is an integral part of a wedding, from the ceremony to the last dance of the night. It sets the tone for the day, says a lot about the couple, and creates an atmosphere. Prelude music, which is played before the ceremony begins, usually starts when the doors open or as early as 45 minutes before the ceremony. This pre-ceremony playlist can be around 15 to 30 minutes long, with 5 to 10 songs, depending on the number of guests. The music should reflect the couple's personal style and taste, whether it's contemporary, traditional, or a mix of both. It can include songs that are meaningful to the couple, creating emotional moments throughout the ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prelude music duration | 20 minutes to 45 minutes |
| Number of songs for prelude music | 5 to 10 songs |
| Number of songs for processional music | 1 or 2 songs |
| Number of songs per hour | 15 songs |
| Duration of party music | 3 hours to 6 hours |
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What You'll Learn
Prelude music: 45 minutes before the ceremony
Prelude music is an important part of your wedding ceremony. It is the first impression of your event and can set the tone for the whole day. Prelude music usually starts when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes before the ceremony begins. It is light, ambient music that sets the mood while guests are being seated and waiting for the ceremony to start.
For a prelude that starts 45 minutes before the ceremony, you will need between five and ten songs. This will depend on the length of the songs you choose and how much time you want to allocate to the prelude. You may also want to consider the number of guests you have. If you have more than 50 guests, you can play music for 30 minutes before the ceremony. If you have fewer than 50 guests, 15 minutes may be more appropriate.
When choosing your prelude music, consider the overall style of your wedding. For a rustic wedding, contemporary acoustic songs can be a great choice. For a traditional ceremony, classical, instrumental music is often selected. You can also match your prelude music to your ceremony venue. For example, a small chapel may not suit a large brass quintet, as the sound may overwhelm the space. If you are having an outdoor wedding, you may want to consider an electric piano with a string instrument, such as a violin or cello.
Your prelude music can be a mix of classic, romantic, and popular songs. You can also include songs from movies and TV shows, or more current music. If you want to include songs with lyrics, you can opt for instrumental versions or the originals. Prelude music is a great opportunity to play songs that are meaningful to you and your partner.
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Processional music: for the bridal party and family
Music is a crucial part of a wedding and can set the tone for the entire day. Prelude music is light and ambient, setting the mood while guests are being seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin. It usually starts when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes before the ceremony begins. For the processional, which accompanies the entry of the extended wedding party, including family, attendants, and the bride, you'll need to consider factors like the number of people walking down the aisle and the length of the aisle.
The number of processional songs you choose is up to you, but usually, people select two songs: one for the family and wedding party, and a more dramatic and emotional song for the bridal processional. For example, you could play a classic, sweet song like "Over the Rainbow" for the younger members of the wedding party, like the ring bearer or flower girl. For the bridesmaids and groomsmen, a fun, upbeat track like Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" will kick things off.
If you have a large wedding party or want to give the men in the wedding party a special moment, you could choose an additional song for their entrance. For the groom's entrance, a sentimental song by his favourite band could be a great choice. For the bridal party, some song choices include "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding, "First Day of My Life" by Brighteyes, and "Book of Love" by Peter Gabriel. For the bride's entrance, you might want to choose something more dramatic and emotional, like "Tale As Old as Time" from Beauty and the Beast or "I Wasn't Expecting That" by Jamie Lawson.
It's important to consider the size of your venue when choosing your wedding music. For example, a brass quintet might overwhelm a small chapel, while an outdoor wedding might not accommodate a traditional piano unless you have access to electricity for an electric piano. In that case, you could complement it with a string instrument like a violin or cello.
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Bridal entrance: a more dramatic and emotional song
The bridal entrance is a moment of high drama and anticipation, and the right music can help set the tone for the rest of the day's celebrations. Prelude music usually starts 15 to 45 minutes before the ceremony and can be used to indicate to guests that the wedding is about to begin. This is followed by the processional, which accompanies the entry of the extended wedding party, including family, attendants, and the bride.
The bridal processional song should be more dramatic and emotional than the songs chosen for the rest of the wedding party. You may want to consider the length of the aisle and how many people will be walking down it when choosing a song.
- "When You Say Nothing at All" by Alison Kraus feat. Union Station
- "Here Comes the Sun" by Fred Benedetti and Peter Pupping
- "Lucky" by Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat
- "Best Part" by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.
- "Air on the G String, Suite No. 3 in D Major" by J.S. Bach
- "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" by G. F. Handel
- "When I Say I Do" by Clint Black feat. Lisa Hartman Black
- "There Will Be Time" by Mumford & Sons feat. Baaba Maal
- "Endless Love" by Luther Vandross feat. Mariah Carey
- "And This Is My Beloved" from the musical "Kismet"
- "Jupiter" from Gustav Holst's "The Planets"
You could also consider an acoustic version of a beloved soundtrack or a funny and tongue-in-cheek song to make your partner smile and laugh.
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Cocktail hour: play your favourite songs
Music is an important part of a wedding as it sets the tone for the day and creates a certain atmosphere. It can be a bit of an afterthought for many, but it's worth putting some time into planning your wedding playlist as it can have a huge impact on your day.
The pre-wedding ceremony playlist, or prelude music, is light and ambient and usually starts when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes before the ceremony begins. It can be as short as 15 minutes, but 30 minutes is good to allow guests to arrive and get seated. You'll need between five and 10 songs for this period.
The cocktail hour is the time to create a fun, memorable and relaxing environment for your guests before the dancing begins. It's also when drinks are flowing and guests are mingling, so a feel-good playlist is needed to match the euphoric vibes. The songs played at your cocktail hour can be determined by who you are as a couple and the guests you invite. Keep your audience in mind by selecting tracks that can be enjoyed by all age ranges as well as by the types of family and friends in attendance. You can also consider the formality of your wedding and the venue. For instance, a glamorous ballroom will pair well with a soundtrack of classics, like Frank Sinatra, while a barn wedding may be more suitable for your favourite country songs.
If you plan on hiring wedding musicians, make sure to discuss your picks with them ahead of time—some of the tracks may be super technical, so keep communication open and clear to ensure your expectations are aligned with their abilities.
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Reception entrance: the first dance
The wedding ceremony playlist is an important part of the day and can have a huge impact on the atmosphere. Prelude music is light and ambient, setting the mood while guests are being seated. It usually starts when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes before the ceremony begins. For a group of 200 guests, a quartet is appropriate. For a smaller group, a duo or trio and a sound person will be enough.
The reception entrance, or grand entrance, is when the wedding party, including the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and newlyweds, makes a lively and spirited entrance to kick off the celebration. The DJ or emcee plays energetic music and announces the wedding party members by name as they enter the room, culminating in the bride and groom's arrival to thunderous applause.
The first dance is a unique and intimate moment for the newlyweds, symbolizing their love and unity. It is traditionally the married couple that opens the first dance to mark the start of their relationship. The first dance may happen immediately after the grand entrance, or it may take place after dinner. The couple should choose a song that reflects their love story and personalities and consider taking dance lessons to make the moment even more memorable.
The parent dances, such as the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance, may take place immediately after the first dance or later in the evening.
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Frequently asked questions
The length of your pre-wedding ceremony playlist will depend on the number of guests you have. For less than 50 guests, 15 minutes of pre-ceremony music should be enough. For more than 50 guests, you can extend this to 30 minutes. This gives people time to wander in and get to their seats.
Prelude music is usually light, ambient music that sets the mood while guests are being seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin. It can be instrumental or include vocals, and you can choose contemporary, traditional, or a mix of both.
The number of songs you'll need depends on the length of your prelude. You'll likely need between five and 10 songs for this pre-ceremony period. A good rule of thumb is 15 songs per hour.
