Although some parts of the wedding ceremony are so intrinsically linked with certain songs that they're hard to separate, (Can you ever hear "Here Comes the Bride" without thinking of weddings?) if you're opting for a less traditional wedding, you should feel free to pick all your favorite Beatles or Celine Dion songs instead, or even opt for a wedding accompanied only by the lapping of waves and your mother-in-law's tearful sniffs.
Segments of the Wedding and the Music
The main sections that will require different types of music are the ceremony and the reception, which can then be broken up further ad infinitum; a few of the main segments (and the most popular songs associated with each) are below.Prelude: Music to entertain the guests as they file in and seat themselves.
Wedding Party Processional: Accompanies the bridal party as they walk down the aisle.
Traditional songs (also appropriate for other segments):
- Pachelbel's "Canon in D"
- Wagner's "The Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride)"
- "Wedding March" (from Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream)
Popular songs:
- "All You Need Is Love" (The Beatles)
- "Only Time" (Enya)
- "Storybook Love" (Theme from The Princess Bride -- Mark Knopfler)
- "Come Away With Me" (Norah Jones)
Bride's Processional: Usually Wagner's "Here Comes the Bride." You can also choose your favorite song.
Recessional: Song that starts when the bride and groom kiss and continues when the wedding party exits. Definitely choose a happy song!
Traditional songs:
- "Ode to Joy" (Beethoven)
- "Spring" (from Vivaldi's Four Seasons)
- "Hallelujah Chorus" (Handel)
Popular songs:
- "I Got You (I Feel Good)" (James Brown)
- "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" (James Taylor)
- "When I'm Sixty-Four" (The Beatles)
Postlude: Play as guests leave.
Segments of the Reception
The Cocktail Hour: This is not always a required part of a reception, but is sometimes used to let guests mingle before the dance or occasionally to limit alcohol consumption to a certain period. Background music at this point puts guests in a celebratory mood.The Dinner Music: Music played while dinner is served and eaten should be relatively quiet to allow for conversation.
The First Dance: The bride and groom start out the dancing. This is often a simple step, though occasionally bride and groom choreograph an elaborate number to get the party started. In this case (or if you feel uncomfortable with a simple step) it might be a good idea to take a few dance lessons first.
The song for your first dance should be something with special meaning to the two of you, usually a love song; some popular choices include:
- "The Way You Look Tonight" (Frank Sinatra)
- "All I Ask Of You" (from The Phantom of The Opera) (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
- "What A Wonderful World"(Louis Armstrong)
- "Fly Me To The Moon" (Frank Sinatra)
The Father-Daughter Dance: Traditionally, a father-daughter dance follows the bride-groom dance; you and your father should pick a song that's important to the two of you. Some popular examples:
- "My Girl"(The Temptations)
- "Sunshine of my Life" (Stevie Wonder)
- "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof
- "In My Life" (The Beatles)
Open Dance: After all the spotlight dances are finished, everyone will come onto the dance floor accompanied by a band or a DJ's playlist.
Picking a Band and/or a DJ
The first thing to check when you are starting to think about your music choices is if your ceremony site has any restrictions on music. Many churches don't allow certain types of music, and some sites might not allow any live music.Your next step is to decide what kind of music you want. Do you want live music during the ceremony and a DJ at the reception, or vice versa, or live music at both events, or no music at all? Would you prefer a string quartet or your buddy's rock band? If you're planning a traditional wedding, you might want classical, customary music during the ceremony. If your wedding will be more unique, you can pick any type of music you like.
Some points to keep in mind when interviewing a DJ or a band:
- Make sure to explain the style of your wedding, any favorite songs and any songs you absolutely do not want to hear.
- Discuss the space where the music will be played, what equipment will be needed and how many people will attend.
- Are you planning to use any lighting effects, and if so, which kind?
North Carolina DJs
McSound Productions: Triangle-based deejay with twenty years of experience.Superior Light and Sound: Deejay and audio-visual services in western North Carolina.
Carolina Entertainment: Deejay based in Myrtle Beach, SC, but serving North Carolina's coast.
North Carolina Wedding Bands
Timeless: Eight-piece band that offers many musical styles, based in Greensboro.Money for Nothing: Asheville-based band specializing in '80s music.
The Imitations: Four-part vocal band playing oldies based in Wilmington.