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Wedding Music…The Ultimate in Self-Expression!
I am often asked by young brides to help them with their song selections for the ceremony, reception and most importantly, the first dance.
I preface any suggestions I give, with the following advice: "The music at your wedding should ultimately reflect who you are. It should reflect what you want to say to your guests & future husband."
Choose songs that touch your heart, after all you pick out the wedding dress that best suits you… why not continue that train of thought when it comes to the music?
Most brides are not music experts, and therefore they tend to go with what they've heard done at their friend's weddings. Having said that here are some great ideas for you.
The Ceremony Play List
Keep in mind, that in the spirit of making your wedding as unique as you are, there is no official rule that says your wedding musician(s) must perform all of the "traditional" wedding songs at your ceremony.
Here's some places where you can draw your inspiration from:
1. your favourite hymn
2. type "new age pianist" into a Google search bar
3. a folk song from your own heritage
4. type in "famous opera arias" into a Google search bar
5. use your imagination !
I often interview my clients to get an exact idea of what they want their music to express, and then I make specific suggestions.
The Reception Play List
The key here is to try to create some variety in your music so that there is a little something for everyone, that's why I always perform selections from every decade of music, until I find the "feel" or the "sweet spot" of the room. This is the cue for the type of music that I will generally follow for the remainder of the reception. "Its not necessarily just the music…it’s more so the way the music moves."
It's been my experience that many contemporary brides & grooms choose to have traditional jazz standards performed at their reception. It's exciting, yet not intrusive, and promotes plenty of easy conversation amongst your guests, most of whom are strangers to one another.
The First Dance
Usually the most significant song of your entire wedding, most brides have a difficult time finding just the right song for that very first dance with dad, or with their new husband. In cases such as these, I always recommend one of my custom-made songs, which will express your thoughts and feelings perfectly. You also get to choose the style of music you want as well.
The Band
If you're using a live party band, you don't have to worry about song selection, because the beauty of a live band is not the songs themselves, but the spirit and energy the band puts out during their performance. Your guest will tap into this and dance regardless of the song titles. However, I do suggest that you get a song list from the band, to make sure that they play the type of music you like. You certainly don't want a Barvarian Polka Band playing at wedding where most of your guests are from Asia.
The Ipod/D.J List
Ask your DJ, or person running your ipod to load up some of these songs.
The All-Time Fav's
1. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
2. (Everything I Do) I Do it for You – Bryan Adams
3. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
4. Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
5. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
6. Unchained Melodies – Righteous Brothers
7. I Honestly Love You – Olivia Newton John
8. These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
9. Sometimes When We Touch – Dan Hill
10. Breath – Faith Hill
11. Your Song – Elton John
12. Home – Michael Buble
13. This Year’s Love – David Gray
14. Amazed – Lonestar
15. Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
16. Whatever It Is - Zac Brown Band
17. I Hope You Dance – Lee Anne Womack
18. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
19. You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
20. When You Say Nothing At All – Alison Krauss
Getting the party started:
21. Beat It - Michael Jackson
22. Hey Baby – Bruce Channel
23. I Got A Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
24. Friday, I’m in Love – The Cure
25. Marry You – Bruno Mars
26. Love Shack – B-52’s
27. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
28. Celebration – Kool and the Gang
29. Oh, What A Feeling – Crowbar
30. Kiss – Prince
31. Start Me Up – Rolling Stones
32. Billy Jean – Michael Jackson
33. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) – Stevie Wonder
34. Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
35. I Saw Her Standing There – The Beatles
36. Dancing in the Dark – Bruce Springsteen
37. I Feel Good – James Brown
38. Bad Case of Loving You – Robert Palmer
39. You Can Dance – Michael Buble
40. Johnnie B. Goode – Chuck Berry
Necessary Novelties for your late night crowd:
41. Cotton-Eyed Joe - Rednex
42. Chicken Dance - Werner Thomas
43. YMCA – Village People
44. Tootsee Roll – 69 Boyz
45. Cha Cha Slide – DJ Casper
46. Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths
47. Macarena – Los Del Rio
48. Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
49. Get Ready for This – 2 Unlimited
50. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – Will Smith
