Wedding Music

Choosing music for your wedding is one of the most important planning tasks you’ll face, as music can set the style and mood of your special day – from the ceremony through to the reception party.

Shakespeare referred to music as the food of love, so given that a wedding is a celebration of love, its well worth putting some careful tough into the music you select for your big day. Think about which genres and pieces reflect something of your personalities and tie into the theme you’ve chosen for your wedding. That way, you’ll help bring together the various elements of the occasion and create just the right ambience.

When? And what music?

You’ll first need to decide when you want music played in your wedding, and what form it should take. Consider this list of possible times you could plan to have music, and appropriate music suggestions.

The Ceremony

Pre-service: When the guests arrive and take their seats. Consider soft background music, e.g. string quartet, harpist, soloist, recorded music, or something loud and cheery like the organ or bagpipes.

Professional: When the bride and her attendants make their entrance. Consider a traditional bridal march or a song you both love that can be played live by musicians or as a recording. You could have one piece of music to accompany the bride and a separate one for the bridesmaids.

Interludes: When you’re signing the register, lighting a candle or exchanging wedding rings. Again, you could arrange for a recording or love performance of your favourite song or piece of music. Other options include asking a friend or family member to perform a solo or organising for a choir to sing. You might also like to choose some hymns or songs that all your guests can sing during your ceremony – just make sure they are well known or have easy-to-follow melodies. The words should appear in the Order of Service. In a traditional service, three hymns or songs are usually sung: after the welcome, after the vows and following the blessing.

Recessional: When the newlyweds and their wedding party walk up the aisle. Choose something upbeat and joyous, either recorded or live.

Post-ceremony: When you and the guests are mingling outside the church or at your ceremony venue. Something quiet and soft is appropriate for this time, so as not to outdo your guests’ congratulations and excitement. If a string quartet, harpist or soloist played before the ceremony, they could do so afterwards.

The Reception

Arrival/pre-dinner drinks: When you’re having your photos taken and the guests need entertaining. As with your ceremony, choose music that complements the mood and formality of the occasion. A black-tie affair calls for a stylish, upmarket selection, such as a jazz singer or musical duo, classical guitarist or string quarter. If you wedding is less traditional and/or has a theme, a rock ‘n’ roll, Latin or Irish band could be perfect. Karaoke or a jukebox are other ideas.

Wedding breakfast: When you’re having the meal. Choose something unobtrusive to enhance the mood, such as a CD of your favourite ‘background’ tunes. Seat grandparents and elderly guests as far away from the speakers as possible – they may find it hard to hear over the music.

Dancing: When the party begins, and need to get your guests up and moving. Most couples either hire a band or a DJ. It’s hard to beat live music, and a band also adds a personal touch – they may be able to adapt a song’s lyrics to suit you or learn a song you’d like to include. However, bands tend to be more expensive than DJs, and the bigger the band, the bigger the bill. A DJ is a more economical option, and they can play any kind of music they can source. Remember, when selecting your party music, to try to cater for all age groups and avoid anything too extreme. You’ll also need to pick a song for your first dance as husband and wife. Choose something that reflects the way you feel about each other, says something about you as a couple, or is simply a song you both love.