Franklin Dean
Music is an integral part of a wedding ceremony, and it's becoming increasingly common for couples to include their ceremony song choices on their wedding program. If you're wondering how to cite songs correctly in your wedding program, there are a few standard formats you can follow. Firstly, it is customary to include either the composer (if classical) or the performer (if modern). You can list the name of the song and the performer's name(s) on the right side of the program. Alternatively, you can list the activity, followed by the name of the song in quotes and the composer's name. For example, Seating of the Mothers: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring – Bach. If you're using the Chicago style of referencing, the format is Composer First Name Last Name, “Song Title,” in Score Title, ed. Editor First Name Last Name (if applicable) (Publisher Name, Year of Publication), Page Number.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What to include | Name of the song, name of the composer, name of the performer |
| How to format | List the name of the activity, followed by a line of periods, the name of the song in quotes, and the name of the performer |
| Where to place the citation | On the left side of the program |
| Whether to include citations | It is optional to list songs in your program |
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Prelude songs
When citing prelude songs in your wedding program, you can list them under the heading "Preludes:" on the left side of the program. You can include the name of the song, the composer, and the performer. For example, you can list the song title, followed by the composer's name, and then the performer's name on the right side of the program. This helps guests find the song later if they wish. For instance, you could list "What a Wonderful World" - Weiss/Thiele, performed by Louis Armstrong.
If you are having a religious ceremony, the music played during the prelude will likely be influenced by the religion and how weddings are conducted in that faith. For a rustic wedding, contemporary acoustic songs are a great choice, while a traditional ceremony calls for mostly classical, instrumental music.
- "God Only Knows" by John Legend and Cynthia Erivo
- "Everything" by Michael Bublé
- "Yellow" by Coldplay
- "Water Music Suite No.3, HWV 350" by George Frideric Handel
- "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven
- "Sheep May Safely Graze" by Bach
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Processional songs
If you're planning a formal wedding, you might want to opt for traditional, classical music. These songs are familiar to everyone and often have crescendos that are perfect for a grand entrance. For a fun-loving couple, an upbeat wedding song can be a great choice. You could also consider an instrumental version of a modern favourite.
When it comes to specific songs, there are many options to choose from. For the couple, you might want to consider a song with romantic lyrics, such as "I'd buy a big house/Where we both could live" or "You got all my love/Whether it rains or pours, I'm all yours". For the younger members of the wedding party, like the ring bearer or flower girl, a classic, sweet song like "Over the Rainbow" is a good option. For the groomsmen and bridesmaids, a fun, upbeat track like Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" will kick things off.
If you're including songs in your wedding program, be sure to cite the correct songs and composers so that guests know what music is being performed. You can list the songs in different ways, but traditionally, the composer should be credited if the music is classical, and the performer if it's modern. For example, you could list the song title and composer, followed by the performer's name on the right side of the program.
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Recessional songs
The recessional song is played at the end of the wedding ceremony when the newlyweds and wedding party walk up the aisle. It is the first song the couple will hear as a married couple, so it should be a thoughtful and romantic choice. There are no steadfast rules when it comes to choosing a recessional song, but it should be a sentimental selection that holds a special meaning for you and your partner.
When citing the recessional song in your wedding program, you can list the name of the song or mention the composer in addition to the song. If you only want to list the song, include the activity (in this case, "Recessional"), followed by a line of periods and the name of the song in quotes on the right side of the program. If you want to credit the composer as well, list the activity ("Recessional") on the left, then list the song in quotes on the next line, indenting the song title and following it with a line of periods and the name of the composer on the right.
- "Golden Hour" by Kacey Musgraves
- "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole
- "Wedding March" (from A Midsummer Night's Dream) by Felix Mendelssohn
- "The Fire That Keeps You Warm" by Dolly Parton
- "Great Escape" by Boys Like Girls
- "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors
- "Accidentally in Love" by Counting Crows
- "Everybody Loves Somebody" by Dean Martin
- "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
- "All The Small Things" by Blink 182
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Performer credits
It is customary to include either the composer (for classical pieces) or the performer (for modern songs) in your wedding program credits. This helps your guests find the songs later if they wish to do so. You can simply list the performer's name after the song title, for example:
> "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong
Alternatively, you can add a line of periods after the song title and then the performer's name on the following line, indented:
> "What a Wonderful World".....Louis Armstrong
If you have a soloist performing a piece during your ceremony, you can list their name after the song title with "sung by" or "performed by". For example:
> "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong, performed by Mr. John Smith
You can also choose to list the musicians or DJs who provided music services at your wedding. For example:
> Musical Services Provided By:
> Organist/Keyboardist - Ms. Jane Doe
> Violinist - Mr. John Smith
> Disc Jockey/Music Coordinator - Mr. John Brown
When citing performers, it is essential to ensure the correct spelling of their names. It is a good idea to have your musicians proofread the draft of your program to confirm the accuracy of song titles and performer names.
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Composer credits
A wedding program is a guide to your wedding, and it can be as simple or as detailed as you like. It is a great way to let guests know what to expect and what they are experiencing. If you are including songs in your program, it is important to cite the composers and performers correctly.
When it comes to crediting songs in your wedding program, it is customary to list either the composer (for classical music) or the performer (for modern music). This makes it easier for your guests to find and look up the songs later if they wish. If you are including a song as an individual part of the ceremony, such as the processional or recessional, you can list it in the same way as you would a reading, with the name and credit included in the flow of the program.
The general format for crediting a composer in a wedding program is:
- Activity (e.g., "Seating of the Mothers")
- Name of the song in quotes (e.g., "What a Wonderful World")
- Name of the composer (e.g., "Weiss/Thiele")
You can also add a note to indicate the most famous performer of the song, such as "most famously performed by Louis Armstrong."
If you are using the Chicago style of citation, the format is as follows:
Composer First Name Last Name, "Song Title," in Score Title, edited by Editor First Name Last Name, Publisher, Year.
For example:
George Gershwin, "I Got Rhythm," in Gershwin at the Keyboard: 16 Song Hits Arranged by the Composer for Piano, New World Music Corp., 1930.
Alternatively, you can simply list the song title and composer in a straightforward manner, such as:
"What a Wonderful World" - Weiss/Thiele
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to do this. You can list the name of the song and the composer, for example, "What a Wonderful World" - Weiss/Thiele. Or, you can list the song, the original artist, and the performer, for example, "What a Wonderful World" - Louis Armstrong, performed by XXX.
If you want to highlight the performer, you can list the activity, a line of periods, the name of the soloist, and then the song in quotes, indented on the next line. For example:
Processional...
Ms. Jane Doe, Trumpeter
"Canon in D"
You can list the DJ or musicians who provided musical services. For example:
Musical Services Provided By:
Organist/Keyboardist - Mr. John Smith
Disc Jockey/Music Coordinator - Mr. John Brown
You can list prelude songs in the following manner:
Preludes:
"Ave Maria" - Bach/Gounod
"From This Moment" - Twain & White
