Franklin Dean
Music is an essential part of any wedding. It sets the tone for the entire event, creating a romantic atmosphere and providing a soundtrack to every important moment, from the walk down the aisle to the first kiss as a married couple. The right music can build excitement and create a unique vibe for your special day. From the moment your guests arrive to the last dance of the night, music will be there to enhance the experience and create lasting memories. In this discussion, we will explore the different types of music needed for a wedding, from pre-ceremony songs to processional and recessional tunes, and offer suggestions on how to choose the perfect songs that represent the happy couple.
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What You'll Learn
- Prelude music: light, ambient music that sets the mood while guests are being seated
- Processional music: plays when VIPs, family, and the wedding party enter
- Interlude music: ultra-romantic and emotional songs played during rituals or transitions
- Recessional music: a bright, lively, and celebratory song for the couple's exit
- Reception music: fun dance tracks and special songs for moments like the first dance
Prelude music: light, ambient music that sets the mood while guests are being seated
Prelude music is an important part of your wedding ceremony. It is the first impression of your event and sets the tone for the entire celebration. Prelude music usually starts when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes before the ceremony begins, but no later than 20 minutes prior. This pre-ceremony period typically lasts around 30 minutes, for which you will need between five and 10 songs.
Prelude music should be light and ambient, creating a romantic atmosphere to welcome your guests. It is a good idea to choose songs that are mellow and won't bring too much energy—you can save that for later! You can opt for instrumental music or songs with lyrics. If you are having a religious ceremony, you may want to choose music that reflects your faith. For a rustic wedding, contemporary acoustic songs are a great choice, while a traditional ceremony calls for classical, instrumental music.
There are many popular songs that are perfect for prelude music, including "God Only Knows" by John Legend and Cynthia Erivo, "Everything" by Michael Bublé, and "Yellow" by Coldplay. If you want to add a touch of elegance, consider "Water Music Suite No.3, HWV 350" by George Frideric Handel, "Moonlight Sonata" by Beethoven, or "Sheep May Safely Graze" by Bach. These songs are particularly well-suited for live musicians, which guests will love.
When selecting your prelude music, consider the overall style and vibe of your wedding. Do you prefer music that is traditional, modern, or tied to your religious background? Think about songs that have personal meaning to you, whether they are from movies, TV shows, or simply songs that you and your partner love. You can also draw inspiration from other weddings you've attended or popular culture, such as the soundtracks from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 or Bridgerton.
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Processional music: plays when VIPs, family, and the wedding party enter
Music is an important part of your wedding day, providing a backdrop to the most special part of the day and setting the tone for the entire event.
Processional Music
Processional music plays when VIPs, family, and the wedding party enter. It usually starts when the doors open, or as early as 45 minutes before the ceremony begins, and you'll need between five and 10 songs for this period. The processional song is played while the wedding party enters the ceremony, including parents and grandparents. Traditionally, instrumental music is played during this time, but you can also choose to have a processional style. The same song can be used for each person entering, but you may want to change the song when the bride enters to add drama and highlight their entrance.
You'll want to choose entrance songs that will help set the tone for the event and represent your wedding style, your family and friends entering the ceremony, and your love story. For younger members of the wedding party, like the ring bearer or flower girl, you can play a classic, sweet song like "Over the Rainbow". For the bridal party, a fun, upbeat track like Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" will kick things off. For the groom's entrance, a sentimental song by his favourite band could be a great choice.
If you're planning a formal wedding, you may want to stick with traditional, classical wedding processional songs. These are familiar to everyone, and many of these tunes have crescendos that are perfect for the bridal processional.
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Interlude music: ultra-romantic and emotional songs played during rituals or transitions
Wedding music is an important part of the big day, setting the tone for the entire event. Wedding interlude songs are played during rituals or transitions, such as lighting a unity candle, signing the marriage license, or during lulls in the ceremony. These songs are usually played when there is minimal talking or no talking at all.
The number of interlude songs you'll need depends on your wedding ceremony and how it will flow. If your ceremony includes various rituals, you may need a few wedding interlude songs to fill the gaps between them. On the other hand, if your ceremony is short and sweet, you may only need a song or two.
When choosing interlude music, you can opt for ultra-romantic and emotional songs or go for something more upbeat and uplifting. It's a good idea to include a mix of songs with vocals and instrumentals to add variety to your playlist. If you have a friend or family member with musical talent, you can also give them a chance to shine during these interludes.
- "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri (or the cover by The Piano Guys)
- "All of Me" by John Legend
- "Ribbon in the Sky" by Stevie Wonder
- "From This Moment On" by Shania Twain
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Recessional music: a bright, lively, and celebratory song for the couple's exit
Music is an integral part of your wedding day, providing a backdrop to the most special part of the day and setting the tone for the entire event. A well-chosen recessional song, in particular, will ensure you exit your ceremony on a high note.
The recessional song is played at the end of the ceremony when the newly married couple and wedding party walk up the aisle. It is traditionally bright, lively, and celebratory—a reflection of your joy. It is also the first thing you'll hear as a married couple, so it's worth putting some thought into.
There are no steadfast rules when it comes to choosing a recessional song. You can opt for a classical instrumental piece, a sacred wedding song, an acoustic cover, traditional cultural music, or a current hit. You could even have a fun dance routine! It's a good idea to choose a song that means a lot to you—it will always remind you of your wedding day.
Some popular classical choices include:
- "Eine Kleine Nacht Musik" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- "Hornpipe" by Handel
- "Wedding March" by Felix Mendelssohn
If you're looking for a modern pop song, you could consider:
- "Best Day of My Life" by American Authors
- "Marry You" by Bruno Mars
- "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce
- "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
- "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" by Natalie Cole
- "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder
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Reception music: fun dance tracks and special songs for moments like the first dance
Music is an integral part of your wedding, setting the tone for the entire event. It is important to choose songs that resonate with you and your partner, whether they are romantic, fun, or unique.
Reception Music
The reception music should be a mix of fun dance tracks and special songs, including the highly anticipated first dance. The first dance song is a very personal decision and one of the biggest wedding choices you will make. It is a special moment that traditionally kicks off the dancing portion of the reception.
When choosing the first dance song, consider the tempo, genre, and lyrics. Do you want a slow, romantic ballad or something more upbeat and lighthearted? You might also choose a song that holds a specific memory, such as the first song you ever danced to. Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" has been a popular choice for the first dance, while other classic options include "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley, "At Last" by Etta James, and "Joy of My Life" by Chris Stapleton.
Fun Dance Tracks
In addition to the first dance, here are some fun and popular dance tracks to get your guests moving:
- "Cosmic Girl" by Jamiroquai
- "Re: Stack" by Bon Iver
- "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers
- "Low (Ft. T-Pain)" by Florida, T-Pain
- "Fireball (feat. John Ryan)" by Pitbull
- "I Love It (feat. Charli XCX)" by Icona Pop, Charli XCX
- "D-A-N-C-E" by Beyoncé
- "Pony" by Ginuwine
- "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse
- "Outkast" by Shake it
Remember to choose songs that reflect your musical taste and create a varied playlist to cater to different tastes and keep the dance floor energetic!
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Frequently asked questions
The music you choose for your wedding should reflect your theme and vision. It's important to remember that music sets the tone for the entire event and creates a romantic atmosphere. You can choose between a variety of options, from classical pieces to instrumental love ballads, or even modern and unconventional songs.
It is recommended to start picking your songs well in advance to avoid last-minute stress. You can start by making a list of songs you like and gradually narrow it down.
There are a few key moments during a wedding that deserve a special song. This includes the processional, which is played when the wedding party enters, the recessional, which is played when you exit the ceremony, and the last dance. You may also want to choose songs for rituals or transitions during the ceremony.
