Every great moment in your life deserves a fitting theme song. With weddings, there are so many great moments you’ll need an entire soundtrack. Follow our advice so that your wedding music choices capture the theme, events, and moments in a way that flows and hits the right vibes.
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Brides Often Ask
What song is most played at weddings?
Some songs are almost guaranteed to be on a bride’s wedding music playlist. “At Last” by Etta James, “Marry Me” by Train, and “Marry You” by Bruno Mars are today’s most popular and frequent wedding songs.
What is the best music to play at a wedding?
The best wedding music combines songs that have personal meaning and are popular enough for most guests to recognize. Wedding playlists should be a mix of fast and slow to offer variety.
How many songs do you need for a 5-hour wedding?
The average length of a song is 3 minutes. You won’t be playing music the entire time, but you’ll want a couple of extra just in case. With everything considered, prepare 90 wedding songs.
Ceremony Wedding Music
You’ll probably develop a specific idea of how each moment of your wedding ceremony should feel. Choosing wedding ceremony music that accurately reflects the emotions you get when picturing those moments should be your goal.
Prelude Music
Wedding prelude music is what plays as your guests arrive and find their seats. It’s the first music that they will hear, so this is your chance to set the tone for the rest of the event. Ensure that your playlist has 3-6 songs to accommodate to cover a 15 to 60-minute timeframe. Most brides choose songs that are soft, calming, and cheery.
Processional
Professional wedding music introduces the wedding party. Most wedding parties simply walk to the altar, but it’s not uncommon for the party to choreograph their moves as a fun surprise.
A single trending love song is usual, as long as it’s long enough for the groom and his groomsmen and the bridesmaids to find their place.
Bride’s entrance
Brides have the option to walk in with the processional wedding music, but the more common option is to have something unique for the walk down the aisle.
Lasting a minute or less, this will be a very short segment of a song.
The ‘Here Comes the Bride” organ song is the most popular choice. However, many brides are putting their personal spin on the moment.
Interlude
Once the “I Dos” arrives, there will be a dip in the events as the happy couple signs their legal documents.
Prepare 2 or 3 instrumental songs to fill the void and keep your guests excited for the next event.
Violins and other classic instrumentals are ideal. Alternatively, choose a fun song that reflects the love of the official union.
Recessional
The recessional song is the last song played as you and your new spouse walk down the aisle together, signifying the end of your ceremony and the beginning of your married life. It should be a celebratory piece that reflects your personality and style as a couple. Whether you want something traditional or modern, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to recessional wedding music.
Postlude
It’s the last thing your guests will hear as they leave, and it will create lasting memories for you and your guests. It should be carefully selected to reflect the couple’s personalities and create an atmosphere of joy and celebration. It should also be tailored to the venue, the guests, and the overall theme of the wedding. From classical pieces to modern-day favorites, there are many options available for you to choose from.
Reception Music
There’s going to be a roller coaster of emotions throughout the event, so you’ll want to choose your reception music carefully.
Wedding breakfast
When wedding ceremonies are held early in the morning, the 19th-century tradition of a small breakfast makes a lot of sense. This will last 1 to 2 hours. Compliment the moment with positive wedding breakfast songs that look forward to the future and lyrics that celebrate lifelong love.
Cocktail Hour Wedding Music
Cocktail hour is when the party really gets started. This is an hour where guests can mingle, whet their appetite, and get ready to dance. Music should be upbeat, but not so loud that guests can’t talk. Choose 15 songs that act as a movie trailer for the rest of the evening.
First dance
The first dance for newlyweds needs to be perfect. It’s a romantic moment that many views as symbolic of who you were and who you will be as a couple. Your first dance wedding song should fall within your dancing abilities. Beyond skill, the song should represent who you are as a couple, what this exact moment means to you, and what the future holds.
Wedding Dinner Music
The right kind of music can make your wedding dinner even more special and enjoyable. Whether it’s a classical piece or a modern hit, there are many options to choose from when it comes to selecting the perfect wedding dinner music. From romantic ballads to upbeat dance hits, you can find something that will suit your needs and make your guests feel welcome and comfortable. With careful selection, you can create an unforgettable experience for everyone at your wedding dinner!
Father and daughter dance
If anyone has been holding back tears up until now, they won’t be able to contain themselves any longer. The father-daughter dance is bittersweet and overflowing with emotion. Choose a father-daughter song that pays respect to the role he’s played in your life and reflects how proud he is of you.
Mother son wedding dance music
Stereotypically, the groom’s mom is largely responsible for nurturing her son into a man worthy of marriage. It’s also an emotional moment with mixed feelings. Mother-son wedding music should appeal to pride, happiness, and celebration. Pop music that both parties relate to is always a great choice.
Wedding Dance Music
Love and excitement are in the air once the guests hit the dance floor. It’s common to have a range of generations at the party. To accommodate the emotions and diverse tastes of the audience, make sure to assemble 50 – 70 songs that offer variety. A mix of pop, classic, slow and fast music will keep everyone appropriately entertained.
Cake Cutting Music
Cutting the cake is always a fun part of the evening. Couples generally choose between traditional formality or humor. Regardless of which option you choose, it’s a cute moment. Either way, retro cake-cutting music like “sugar, sugar” and “happy together” never disappoints.
Bouquet toss music
Tossing the bouquet is a competitive event. The moment is filled with excitement, anticipation, and determination. It’s also a ‘ladies only’ part of the night. Choose a single bouquet toss song that gets the blood pumping and celebrates feminine energy. If you’re at a loss, you can’t go wrong with Meghan Trainor’s on-the-nose “Dear future husband”.
Garter toss music
Garter toss music is fun to choose from. This wedding moment combines the sensuality of removing the garter belt with the thrill of seeing who’s getting married next. Depending on how long you plan on this process lasting, you can choose 1 or 2 songs. Have fun by playing up the sexiness or the trope of men being afraid to commit.
Last dance
The last dance is just for the couple. Don’t think about tradition. Don’t worry if your guests will like it. Choose something that you both love. Your last dance song can be fast or slow. It can be choreographed or as you are. You can waltz or you can dance battle. The only advice we can give is ‘make it perfect for you’.
There’s a lot to think about when choosing dance music. It’s always best to consider how you want to feel in each moment and choose a playlist that embodies those emotions. Going from fast, to slow, and back to fast-paced will ensure that people get a chance to rest. Choosing diverse songs will ensure that everyone can dance and sing to something they love. All of this together creates a wedding music playlist that you can be proud of.
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