All The Songs You Will Need at Your Wedding

A Guide on Scoring Your Wedding

Your wedding music sets the tone for the whole day. When you pick your playlist, you are scoring your wedding, so it’s good to take a step back and visualize what you would like. You will hear us say this over and over but stay communicating with your DJ on what you want. When you are choosing someone to play music at your wedding, make sure they are aware of your wants and needs for the day.

There are so many songs that you have to choose for weddings, so it is important to create a checklist to have all of your bases covered. We included a checklist below, but if you have a good DJ, they will most likely have one as well. Some people have more traditions than others at their reception, so we will add a list of the things we see the most.

Get Ready Music

Do you need music to calm you down or amp you up. Bring a speaker while you are getting ready. Most bridal parties take hours getting ready between hair and makeup. This music is your personal playlist, music that you really like to hear. This is optional but for some it really helps calm the nerves of getting married.

Ceremony

This is going to be broken into subsections to make it easier to digest. Ceremonies can range from 10-45 minutes depending on everything you want to add.

Pre-Ceremony Music

Everyone is arriving at your wedding and taking their seats. String versions of popular songs work great for this part. Some people don’t like having any music for this part, which is fine as well, it’s your wedding, do what suits you best.

Family / Bridal Party Entrance

The ceremony has officially started, the music shift is your cue to the crowd that things are happening. Some people like to use one song for all these entrances, where some like to use three songs. One for the groom, one for the family, and one for the bridal party. Timing is everything as well, the rehearsal is a good time to iron things out. You will also see what pace people will need to walk.

Bride’s Processional

The music change between the bridal party entrance and the bride's entrance will catch people’s attention. The Officiant asks everyone to stand and it’s time to walk down the aisle. Close your eyes and imagine what song you hear as you walk down the aisle. Slower songs are typically best for processionals, but whatever floats your boat.

Recessional Song

After the ceremony it is the pronouncement of the couple. You are going to walk down the aisle for the first time as a married couple. We recommend picking a song that holds sentimental value to the couple. You will need a lot of these songs throughout the day.

Ceremony Additional

All ceremonies are different, some will be short and straight to the point. Others will have hymns, foot washing, communion, and a collection of other events. These are some additional songs you will need based on what you add.

Live Music

Some find room in their budget for a live musician and other people are fine with just the DJ. We think they are both great depending on what you like. If you do have a live musician, keep good communication on what songs you would like them to play throughout.

Hymns

Some like to add hymns to sing during the ceremony. Make sure you have these selected beforehand and where you want them to fit in with the ceremony (usually right before the vows). Again, if you have someone playing the music live or the DJ playing over the speakers, make sure everyone can hear to sing along.

Underscore

If most of you are unfamiliar with that term, simply it is the ambient music throughout the ceremony. Some like this and some don't, that's why it is in the additional songs. This can be tough to add and only add with an experienced DJ. If the music is too loud, no one will hear what the officiant or couple is saying.

Cocktail Hour

This music sets the tone for the reception. Let's say you tell the DJ to play instrumental classical music, you are likely to have a calm start to the party. You can tell them to play todays upbeat hits, this may give your reception a more energetic start. No matter what you choose, music is needed during this time to break the silence.

Reception

Your reception will turn out to be around seventy percent music, so you have a lot of choosing to do. We will break down the main parts of the reception first and give you additional portions that also need music. Don't stress, it will all come together in the end.

Bridal Party / Family Entrances

This song can vary depending on the personalities of your wedding party. This song kicks off your reception. It might not be bad to ask your bridal party as well to see if they like the song. Some bridal parties are easier to work with than others, so if you have a more difficult one, make the executive decision.

Bride & Groom Entrance

Just like the bridal processional, you want a tone shift. You want your guests to know you two are coming. We recommend something epic for this song, maybe something with a nice beat drop. It is the grand entrance, so go all out.

Bride & Groom First Dance

In our opinion, we think this is the most important song, so really think before choosing. Another thing that we recommend is to learn a few dance moves and rehearse. We are not saying to choreograph your whole dance, unless that is something that you want, but we are saying to add a few spins and dips. In all honesty, it creates way better photo and video opportunities. Take maybe thirty to forty minutes and practice, you'll be happier when you see the gallery from the first dance.

Father & Daughter Dance

These are memories you will hold on to for the rest of your life. It is more about the moment than the song. This doesn't mean to just pick a random song. There's one that will stick out when you really think about it, trust us.

Mother & Son Dance

This is a very similar situation as the father & daughter dance as the memory will outweigh the song. With both of these dances, you can either surprise your parent or collaborate to find a song that suits the moment.

Open Floor Dancing

This is more along the lines of songs you don't like than songs that you like. Let your DJ know of songs that are on the do not play list. You don't want to be having the time of your life on the dance floor and a song comes on that gives you the ICK.

As vendors, we hear the same songs over, and over, and over. There's nothing wrong with this because you may not be in the same boat. If you want it more personalized do not be afraid to communicate with your DJ. Say you want a more today's hits playlist, or a heavy country playlist. Be aware of your crowd though, maybe add a few oldies that will get them out on the dance floor as well.

Lastly, do not forget about requests, and make sure that your DJ knows what you prefer. Do you want your guests to be able to choose the music are stick to the playlist. All stuff to think about when it comes to open floor dancing, but again, this is your wedding, not theirs.

Reception Additional

There are so many traditions that occur during the reception, and it's nice to have a song that goes with them. We are going to put everything that we can think of, to try to cover all the bases. If you are doing something more unique, pair a song with it.

Live Music

This isn't very common in the weddings we have seen, but it needs a mention. If you want a very energetic, a live band may be a route you want to explore. This may not be for everyone, and really make sure that you love the band. Just having a DJ may be the easier path, but if you have the budget, something to check out.

Generational / Anniversary Dance

For people that add this to their wedding, we typically see it right after the first dance. This means that some people use their first dance song and others have a completely different song. If you unfamiliar with this dance, we will explain. The couple invites all the married couples to the dance floor and the DJ will go up in years married. If they haven't been married that long, they exit. The last couple who has been together the longest will give some advice to the newlyweds.

Dollar Dance

This dance is usually accompanied with some folk music. It is also a great way to get a few spending dollars for your honeymoon. If you are unfamiliar with this dance, let us explain. You can do just bride or the bride and groom. People line up to dance with the couple, some people put a dollar, some five, some ten. After they dance, some couples give out shots, some give out cake, depends on your wedding.

Freeze Frame

We have seen this a good amount recently. This is where the couples go around to take pictures with every table before the song ends. We have a love hate relationship with this one because yes, you get pictures with everyone at the reception, but most of the time the pictures aren't fantastic. Pick an upbeat song for this if you want the challenge. Another way to get pictures with everyone where they turn out better is to stay in the center of the dancefloor and have the people at each table come to you, but to each their own.

Cake Cutting

We have seen this a good amount recently. This is where the couples go around to take pictures with every table before the song ends. We have a love hate relationship with this one because yes, you get pictures with everyone at the reception, but most of the time the pictures aren't fantastic. Pick an upbeat song for this if you want the challenge. Another way to get pictures with everyone where they turn out better is to stay in the center of the dancefloor and have the people at each table come to you, but to each their own.

Bouquet & Garter Toss

These are fun traditions, so have fun with the songs, especially if you are doing the garter removal as well. You may get a few people out to catch, do not be afraid to call people out to catch.

Last Dance

These last dances give us chills and if you don't have this included in your wedding, then you should. Your reception is coming to a close, have some bridal party members or family escort people outside for the sendoff. While they are getting ready, have a last dance with just the two of you in there. You don't feel like you are putting on a show for anyone and you can have an intimate moment with your partner. This is also a very important song so choose together.

You have successfully scored your wedding day, that's one of the many things you can cross off your wedding to-do list. Music choice can be more important for some people so take the time you need to find the right songs.

As mentioned before, the checklist we created is attached below. You can fill in the songs as you pick them. If you want a specific version of a song, let the DJ know so they play what you want. If you plan ahead with your song choices, you will feel better about it.