By Mitch Rice
There are a million tiny details that go into planning a wedding, such as picking out the perfect four-carat diamond ring. But one thing that tends to get overlooked is the music.
What song will you walk down the aisle to? Is there a song for the bridal party entrance at the reception? How will you keep the party going after hours?
Here are several tips to help you create the perfect wedding playlist so you don’t forget a thing.
- Decide On The Type Of Music
The first thing you have to decide is what type of musical accompaniment you want for your wedding day. There are three main types of music:
- DJ
- Live band, orchestra, or musician
- Playlist from your phone with your own sound equipment
They all come at different price points with varying benefits and downsides. It really depends on how much involvement you want to have on your big day as well as how much money you plan to spend.
With a DJ, you’re also going to get an MC who will be able to guide the night professionally. A live band provides an entirely different feel and may only have a select group of songs you can choose from.
Having your own wedding playlist allows you the freedom to play whatever you want. The downside is that you’ll have to supply your own sound system and will need someone to be in charge of any major song changes that need to happen throughout the night.
- What Types Of Music Do You Need For A Wedding?
There is much more that goes into planning the music for your wedding than simply making a playlist. Each special moment requires a different song or playlist.
We’ve provided a basic list where music may be needed:
- Pre-ceremony Music
- Bridal Party Procession
- Walking Down The Aisle
- Recession Song
- Cocktail Hour
- Entrance Music For Special Guests
- Entrance Music For The Newlyweds
- First Dance
- Father-Daughter or Mother-Son Dance
- Cutting Of The Cake
- Bouquet and Garter Toss
- Reception Music
- Final Song Of The Evening
You might not include every one of these in your wedding. But there are certain ones you may want to have for your big day.
- Songs To Avoid On Your Wedding Day
There are always those few songs that make you cringe. Regardless of how you choose to have music played at your wedding, you want to make sure you mention the songs you definitely don’t want on your playlist.
These might include:
- Line-dancing songs
- Songs with explicit lyrics that aren’t family-friendly
- Songs about breakups
- Music that doesn’t fit your particular style or theme
- Overly suggestive music
If you want to give your wedding DJ or band the freedom to play around with some music, make sure to always include songs to avoid. But if a song from your do-not-play list comes on, don’t fret.
There is bound to be something that goes wrong on your big day. If one song is the biggest issue, then you’re already winning.
- Think About Your Guests And The Mood
Moments throughout the wedding where people are mingling require a certain type of ambiance. You don’t necessarily want party music playing before the ceremony while people are looking to take their seats.
And you probably don’t want too much slow music during the reception. It’s about finding the right balance to fit the mood.
Conclusion
Curating the perfect wedding playlist for your special day requires thoughtful planning. Of course, you can leave the big decisions up to the professional if you decide to hire one. But they’re always going to want your opinion on the song selection.
Start by making a playlist on your current streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music. You and your partner can easily share this with the person you hire to give them a good idea of the style you want to have for your big day.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
