How To Choose Your Wedding Day Music

Choosing your wedding music sounds like an exciting and fun task, but you might be surprised to hear how much time it actually takes to curate the perfect playlist. Ultimately, the music selection should complement your big day since it will serve as the soundtrack to your celebration from beginning to end. Not forgetting, the music you choose for your wedding will gradually lead your guests from the ceremony to the reception and finally onto the dance floor until the small hours!

A significant portion of your special day will undoubtedly be shaped by the music you select, so choose wedding songs that will make an impression. It's worth noting that it can sometimes be difficult to choose a playlist(s) that will fit the many occasions and emotions of the day and set the right tone and ambience throughout. However, let's go back to the beginning and think about what music you'll need to choose for what part of the day. From there, work out how many songs will make up each part so you know how long roughly the playlist needs to be. Don't panic if your initial list seems long, you can edit it down/tweak/add even more to it at any time during your wedding planning journey!

What to play and when?

Pre-wedding music: It goes without saying that your getting-ready music is a very personal preference and considering no one else aside from your best friends and loved ones will hear it, we would always advise you to go with your heart and choose a soundtrack that will get the good vibes flowing! Because who says you have to wait until the reception to get the party started! Your guilty pleasure is the Spice Girls? Play Wannabe from start to finish! You want to go with a fun, lighthearted wedding theme? It's got to be 'Chapel of Love' by The Dixie Cups! Or you simply want a strong feminine vibe all morning long? It can only be Beyonce, ladies!

Wedding ceremony music: Don't forget to check with your venue if you're having a wedding in a house, but also talk to your officiant and see if there are any restrictions as to what music you can use. Some of the more conservative wedding venues will have a specific list of traditional (often religious) songs for you to choose from. Others might allow anything as long as it's instrumental and has no recorded words, and the most progressive may be open to whichever music you choose (with the officiant's review and approval first).

The following list includes some parts of the wedding ceremony where you might like/or need to pick some music to accompany them...

• Prelude -- background music playing as guests take their seats

• Processional -- wedding party entrance

• Bride's entrance song

• Hymns or songs to be sung during the ceremony (if applicable)

• Recessional -- wedding party exit

• Postlude -- music playing as guests exit the ceremony site

Wedding reception music As with your ceremony, there are many times/stages throughout your wedding day and the reception that you might like to have music playing; here are the most popular...

• Cocktail hour music

• Wedding party introduction song

• Couple's entrance song

• Dinner music

• First dance song

• Father-daughter dance song

• Cake cutting song

• Bouquet toss song

• Garter toss song

• General dance floor fillers

• Last dance song

• Couple's exit song

Music can set the tone

When it comes to selecting your special day soundtrack, make sure the music you choose captures the mood you want for your wedding day. Therefore, if you want a fun, light-hearted vibe for your big day, choose some happy, upbeat music. Some moments will call for energetic, upbeat music, whilst others need more slow, meaningful songs. To ensure that your guests have the best possible time listening to and dancing, you should choose music that is appropriate for each stage of the day.

Not every song has to be meaningful

Stay true to yourselves and choose songs that have anything to do with your relationship without worrying too much about the hidden, deep meanings behind them all. It's great to have a few emotive songs that symbolise your love story, but not every song has to hold special meaning for you. Sometimes it's just fun to dance to a song you love! Select poignant music or selections with heartfelt lyrics for significant occasions like your first dance and the recessional down the aisle as newlyweds.

A song's lyrics should suit the occasion

Remember your audience---it's likely that you'll be hosting an event for people of all ages. Don't play rap with explicit lyrics or anything that's too "naughty" during the reception. Also, avoid listening to songs about breakups or other depressing subjects---this is, after all, a joyous occasion!

Get a nice balance

While one of you may like classical music, your partner may be into 80s pop. Mozart and Stevie Wonder wouldn't really go together, would they? Consider whether or not your musical tastes will mesh well together. If in doubt, think of bridging the gap with original covers of your favourite songs!

DIY playlist, live musicians, DJ or all of the above?

It's definitely your call, but DIY-ing your playlist might depend on the venue you've chosen and how much they can help. You don't want to be looking after the music yourself on your big day, so it will certainly take the pressure off you if you're able to hand over your playlist to the venue, and they will do the rest. If you're having a live band, though, definitely put them in touch with the venue so they can sort out the nitty gritty such as what equipment/lighting they need to bring, what the venue can provide and to discuss timings.

A harpist, flautist, or string duo can be a nice touch and perfectly complement the stages of the wedding day, such as the cocktail hour or when your guests are taking their seats at the wedding ceremony. Or you can simply have recorded music playing. If you're having live music, make sure you've communicated to the musicians about how long you want them to play for and what sort of music you're all happy with hearing.

Consider a do-not-play list

Generally speaking, you should be able to trust your band with the playlist because most seasoned wedding bands and DJs will have the wisdom to realise that playing explicit hip-hop songs or ferocious death metal during your wedding might not suit everyone's tastes!

To double-check the wedding ceremony songs or dance floor fillers that will be played on the day, ask your band or DJ to email you a complete playlist in advance. If there are any songs you don't want to be played, create a list and send it to your band or DJ to reference.

If you're going DIY with your wedding music

Platform selection: You should choose the platform you want to stream your music before starting. Both Spotify and Apple Music are excellent options, but you'll need to use their premium versions to hear your music uninterrupted by ads.

Organising a playlist: Make sure your playlists are ready for all the important wedding occasions that occur between the ceremony and reception. Name the different playlists by each part of the day so it's clear for your music maestro to manage.

Get your guests involved

Encourage your guests to participate in the music of your wedding day by asking them to submit a song suggestion with their RSVP. Your guests can discuss their favourite songs during the reception, which can make for a lively icebreaker, and some sure-fire floor fillers, and you will have a great variety of tunes for your visitors of all ages. Here at Say I do, you can do exactly that! Ask your guests unlimited RSVP questions, including a song that will get them dancing at the wedding reception.