How To Decide Your Wedding Music

Choosing your wedding music will depend a whole lot on the budget you have and the people you know. It is much more costly to have live music, such as a wedding singer, unless you know people who sing or play musical instruments.

The Ceremony

Instrumental Music or Contemporary Wedding Music

The wedding ceremony is much nicer if you have live music and or a wedding singer, but recorded music can be great if the person operating a sound system is experienced and good at it. This allows you a wider range of song options. 

Some churches have organists or other musicians that will play for little or no charge. If this is available to you, consider it. 

If Instrumental is your way to go, here's a quick list of popular songs:

*All of Me (Daniel Jang)

*How to Save a Life (Piano Players Tribute)

*Riptide (Piano Players Tribute

*Secrets (Dallas String Quartet)

*Open Arms (Scott D. Davis)

*I'm Yours (Stringspace String Quartet)

*Moon River (Stringspace Violin & Guitar Duo)

*Home ( The Piano Guys)

*One Day (Rachel Portman)

*Love Me Like You Do (Vitamin String Quartet)

Many brides are opting for a more contemporary style for the ceremony instead of instrumentals. Lots of songs are trending right now for brides to walk down the isle to.  Choose a song that is long enough for you to get to the front of the aisle, but not so long that it has to be faded out at an awkward sounding part. This is a statement song for that special walk where all eyes are on you.  

The Reception

At the reception, I have found, it really doesn't matter much if the music is live or not. People are there to celebrate and they will celebrate! So it is your preference or financial necessity that dictates the decision. A disc jockey can play continuous music for the duration of the reception. You can even ask for guest suggestions with a fill in the blank line for it on the RSVP or at your wedding shower.  People love to give their "two cents".

Special songs that need consideration are: Wedding party entrance, the first dance, father-daughter or mother-daughter dance, mother-son dance, cake cutting, and if you're from the south, at least two songs for the money dance.  The wedding music will make the wedding YOUR wedding. The songs chosen will be those that are touching to you. So play them in the order they will be played in your wedding program to be sure you are happy with your selections.

Here's one more tip. Using a band with a smaller number of musicians is usually hired for a smaller price and a single performer will be even less.

First Dance Song List 

Father Daughter Dance Song List 

Mother Son Dance Song List 

Mother Daughter Dance Song List 

Attire for Mothers 

Wedding Planning Notebook