Selecting the right songs for your wedding day is a significant part of creating the perfect atmosphere for yourself and your guests. Music has the power to evoke emotions and helps set the tone for each special moment, a complimentary experience. With our extensive experience helping couples choose the perfect songs for their wedding, here are some of our personal tips to guide you in selecting the music to help make your day both enjoyable and unforgettable.
The best place to start is with the songs that you already like. Especially those which hold special meaning for you as a couple, these might be songs which remind you of significant moments in your relationship, songs you listen to together, or ones which reflect your individual and shared tastes. Including these personal favourites can make your wedding feel much more personal, special and unique.
Think about the overall mood and theme you want to create for your wedding. For a romantic and intimate ceremony, you might choose gentle, melodic songs which a live acoustic duo are ideally set up for. For a lively reception, you may opt for more upbeat music, again a live acoustic act being best placed to accommodate either way. Matching the music to the theme helps create a cohesive and immersive experience for you and your guests.
Ceremony song selection
The ceremony is the pivotal moment in your wedding, and if you have live music, the music should reflect its significance. Here are some key points to consider:
Processional: Choose a song which will complement the emotion of the moment as you walk down the aisle and be the captivating moment for you and your guests. It can be a romantic ballad, or something unique to your relationship, even it is originally a lively song which can be adapted to suit the moment.
Interludes: Select soft, gentle songs for moments like readings or candle lighting and book signing.
Recessional: Pick a joyful and celebratory song to mark your first steps as a married couple.
Reception songs selection
The reception is where the celebration truly begins. Here’s how to choose the right songs for different parts of the reception:
First Dance: Once again this is your moment, so pick a song that is meaningful to both of you. Whether it’s a classic love song or something modern, make sure it reflects your relationship and then allows you to potential invite your guests to join in with the celebration.
Parent Dances: Choose songs that honour your parents and the special bond you share with them. These songs should be sentimental and meaningful.
Dinner Music: Opt for softer, songs which allows guests to converse comfortably while enjoying their meal. Remember, you will most likely be visiting each table of guests after you’ve enjoyed your meal so here you definitely do not want a disruptive atmosphere created by your live music.
Dance Floor: Select a mix of high-energy songs that will get everyone on their feet. Consider including a variety of genres to appeal to all age groups and musical tastes – see our collection of songs for ideas.
Special requests
Don’t be afraid to include special requests or unique touches that reflect your personality. Whether you’re a master of creating Spotify or YouTube Music playlists, mix-tapes of your favourite songs or have an idea for something which can be adapted for your day, including a live rendition of a song that’s special to you adds a personal touch to your wedding music making it truly yours.
Once you have a general idea of favourites and the atmosphere you would like, start drafting a playlist which can be shared with whomever you decide to engage with.
Bonus tips
Be open to suggestions: Musicians like us have a wealth of experience and can suggest songs or styles that you might not have considered but that fit perfectly with your vision.
Communicate clearly as much information as possible with those you engage with: It is important those who will serve you get the opportunity to know a bit about you to understand the direction you wish to take and for any specific requests or must-have songs to be discussed early on to have time to prepare.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect wedding songs and their performance style is a crucial part of creating the perfect atmosphere for your special day. Please do spend time considering the ambience which will support and compliment the primary focus of the day, both of you.
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