Songs and music for your wedding : a helpful selection

Last time, I talked about how the choice of the bands, DJ, singers or quartets for a wedding can significantly impact the atmosphere and the overall experience. In this episode of my blog, I would like to give you some advices and a guidance about how selecting appropriate music for your wedding. The choice of the general playlists and the songs for the most important moments of your celebration is a crucial step which involves considering the diverse tastes and preferences of ALL your guests while maintaining a celebratory atmosphere throughout the event.

First of all, it is paramount to elect your playlists by your personalities, your own preferences, the style of your wedding, the venue. Marking the music of your first encounter, your first kiss, the proposal, as well as picking the songs evoking your personal memories. Secondly, it is nice for a destination wedding to celebrate the chosen country by some regional songs : an American bride in Europe may easily choose Eros Ramazzotti “Se bastasse una canzone”, or Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” for her first dance.

However, it’s essential to consider the ages and preferences of your guests throughout the wedding festivities. A diverse playlist that includes classics, current hits, and a variety of genres ensures everyone finds something enjoyable. Therefore, mix in some timeless classics that appeal to older guests while also including contemporary hits for younger attendees.

Additionally, don’t overlook cultural and familial preferences. Incorporating music that reflects different cultural and religious backgrounds can enhance the celebration and make all guests feel included and appreciated.

That being said, I have the intention to propose you a breakdown of suitable songs and music for various parts of your wedding. If you expect a list of the latest trendy hits, you will be highly disappointed: my selection will be focused on the essential, classic and major music and songs.

Ceremony:

For the ceremony, classical music, romantic ballads or movies soundtracks work well to create an elegant and emotional ambiance. The elected music should keep a slow pace, which helps the members of the wedding procession to maintain the right measure of their footsteps. Some examples, which incorporates classical very known symphonies, modern songs in instrumental versions, elegant soundtracks, unmissable harmonies.

 

Classic :

Canon in D, Johann Pachelbel

Ave Maria, Franz Schubert

The Wedding March, Felix Mendelssohn

Clair de Lune, Debussy

Intermezzo, Cavalleria Rusticana, Mascagni

Suite N°3, Bach

Caro mio ben, Tommaso Giordani

Soundtracks:

Arrival of the Birds, Cinematic Orchestra

Smile, Charlie Chaplin, instrumental version

Out of Africa, John Barry

Moon river, instrumental version

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, instrumental version

La vita è bella, Nicola Piovani

Limelight, Charlie Chaplin

My heart will go on, Celine Dion

And also:

Nuvole bianche, Ludovico Einaudi

November Rain, Guns and Roses, instrumental version

Cocktail

The cocktail is a key moment for the socialization of your guests. They should be entertained without an excessive volume or too energizing music. My advice is to compose a playlist which can be played by a sax, a trumpet and light percussions, such as bossanovas (Garota de Ipanema, Aguas de Março), slow latinos (as Buena Vista Social Club and Compay Segundo), crooners’ songs (Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Harry Connick Jr.), revival or Gospels, which allow them to mingle and talk.

Arrival of the newlyweds at the dinner :

The arrival of the newlyweds at the dinner is a moment filled with joy, excitement, and anticipation. Guests may cheer, clap and stand up to greet the couple, creating a warm and celebratory ambiance. The selected song should reflect this mood and the popular choices include energizing songs that could evoke happiness and love.

Some options could include:

Happy, Pharrell Williams

Celebration, Kool & The Gang

I Gotta Feeling, The Black Eyed Peas

Walking on Sunshine, Katrina and the Waves

Uptown Girls, Bruno Mars

You never can tell, Chuck Berry

Hey Ya, Outcast

Wake me up before you go go, Wham

Wannabe, Spice Girls

Where them girls at, David Guetta

Lady Marmelade, Patti LaBelle

Hit the road Jack, Ray Charles

 

First Dance:

The first dance is THE significant moment for the couple, and the song’s choice should reproduce their relationship and personalities. The list is very long and the popular choices include :

At Last, Etta James

Can’t Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley

Perfect, Ed Sheeran

A Thousand Years, Christina Perri

How deep is your love, Bee Gees

Chasing cars, Snow Patrol

Set me as a seal, Matt Maher

Bless the broken road, Rascal Flatts

Carried away, George Strait

Unchained melody, Elvis Presley

Remember when, Alan Jackson

I will always love you, Whitney Houston

The power of love, Frankie Goes to Hollywood

She, Elvis Costello

Halo, Beyoncé

Thinking out loud, Ed Sheeran

All of me, John Legend

I don’t want to miss a thing, Aerosmith

Still loving you, Scorpions

Moreover, please don’t overlook the right selection of the first music after the opening of the dances, because this step is really important and frequently neglected. A wise choice is imperative, which should be able to make ALL your guests dancing, of whatever age. Here some examples of songs for this central time :

Dancing Queen, Abba

Crazy in love, Beyoncé

September, Earth Wind and Fire

Boogie Wonderland, Earth Wind and Fire

I am so excited, Pointer Sister

Let’s groove, Earth Wind and Fire

Staying alive, Bee Gees

I gotta feeling, Black Eyed Peas

I wanna dance with somebody, Whitney Houston

Get Up, James Brown

 

Dinner:

During the dinner, you should separate the moments of the caterer’s service of the dishes, to the music sessions for the dancing. In the first case, my advice is opting for softer, background music that allows guests to converse comfortably, such as smooth jazz, acoustic covers, or light pop songs (Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton, L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole, You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder). On the contrary, the music sessions must energize and vitalize the attendance, and you can give free rein to your wishes on the playlist, always being careful about the tastes of your guests.

Cutting of the wedding cake

The moment of the wedding cake cutting is a highly anticipated and cherished tradition which takes place after dinner, signaling the transition from the formalities of the meal to the more relaxed and celebratory part of the evening and is always accompanied by a selected music that enhances the significance of the moment. My opinion in such a matter is to consider an energizing and stimulating music instead of slow love songs. Of course, the selected harmony should encompass happiness and unity, but overall the 3 Vs : vibrancy, vitality and vivacity. Some suitable options include:

I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),The Four Tops

Don’t stop me now, Queen

All you need is love, Beatles

Ain’t no mountain high enough, Marvin Gaye

Celebration, Kool and The Gang

My girl, The Temptations

Afterparty:

The afterparty is the time to let loose and dance the night away. I might tell you that it is the right moment to enjoy YOUR music and selection, but once more, the playlist must be decided according priorly to the age of your guests. In any case, it is a vibrant and dynamic time, where a contagious energy fills the air. The DJ curates the playlist and knows how to advice you : for older guests, timeless disco classics from the ’70s and ’80s get them grooving, while younger attendees enjoy current chart-toppers and remixes of popular songs.

In conclusion, a well-curated playlist is crucial for a successful event. Weddings, birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs and anniversaries will be outstanding if the choices of the music are wisely done. Picking the appropriate key songs and track lists, from the ceremony to the afterparty, ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience for your guests.

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