HELP!!!  I am looking for answers to my wedding music questions and I just need a complete wedding music resource!!!

Ding Ding ding… Here it is!  I have scoured the interwebs for some great resources on wedding music to answer the 3 most important wedding music questions:

1. What are the songs we have to pick out for our wedding day?

  • Processional: This is the music that accompanies the walk down the aisle. You’ll need to pick a song for your bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to, and then a song for the bride’s entrance. There are traditional choices like “Here Comes the Bride,” of course, but you can do other classic alternatives like Pachelbel’s Canon in D (like in Father of the Bride) or something totally different to personalize it. Love a song but not the lyrics? Have an instrumental version played. We have a few ideas for the processional.
  • Recessional: The recessional is like the opposite of the processional — it’s when you walk down the aisle, but the other way. For your big exit, you could go with something more upbeat because the pressure is off now that you’ve gotten through the vows. (Think the scene in Love Actually when the band plays “All You Need Is Love.”) Here are some ideas for the recessional.
  • Cocktail hour music: If you choose to host a cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception, it’s good to have a playlist of songs to set the mood. The music should be low-key but convivial — you’re not trying to get anyone to dance yet, but you don’t want to put anyone to sleep either.
  • Grand entrance: This is a song to mark the bride and groom’s entrance into the reception, usually with the wedding party in tow. It should be celebratory, not unlike the recessional song, and it’s a good chance to set the tone for the party. If you want to introduce your wedding party first, you’ll also need a separate song for them.
  • The first dance: Yes, everyone knows they need a first dance, but most people struggle trying to find the perfect song. If you don’t already have “your song,” we have plenty of first dance song suggestions.
  • Father/daughter dance: Traditionally, the father of the bride takes a spin with his daughter on the dance floor after the first dance. It can be something personal or traditional, and if you need some father/daughter dance song ideas, we’ve got them. Similarly, some couples also have a mother/son dance or simply integrate that into the father/daughter dance at the end.
  • Reception music: Whether you pick all, most, or some of your dance music depends on how in control of the playlist you want to be. Even if you give your DJ free rein, you may want to make a Do Not Play list — a list of songs that you really don’t want to hear for whatever reason (you might not want your reception to be remembered for trying to bring back “The Macarena”). For songs you do want, though, we have lots of ideas, from fun pop hits to ’80s songs. To end the evening, some couples also opt to have one song close out the event (doesn’t The Wanted’s “Glad You Came” seem perfect for this?).
  • Cake-cutting: If you make your cake-cutting a ceremonial event, pick out an upbeat song since it is usually a cute, sweet part of the evening. (Tip: if you have a first dance song that you rule out because it’s too fast-paced, it might be perfect for cake-cutting.)
  • Bouquet toss: For this fun part of the wedding, another upbeat song is in order, and since you’re commanding the wedding’s single ladies to the floor, you can go literal (“Single Ladies”) or just pick another fun, romantic song. And if you choose to have a garter toss, the same rules apply.
Related Blog: 5 Tips on how to Make the Best out of your Palm Springs Wedding

2. Where can I find a list of songs for suggestions?

Live Wedding Bands by Undercover Live Entertainment

3. Band or DJ?

BAND:

There’s nothing like a live wedding band to get a crowd stoked and create a sense of sophistication. Music groups can synergize with the tone of your wedding and almost any niche theme, offering everything from accordion to klezmer ditties. A good bandleader will play the master of ceremonies at your reception if you want him to interact with folks on the dance floor, pay attention to the “feel” of the room, and select music accordingly.

  • Pros: Live music is, well, live. You and your guests will experience the pleasure of a performance. Anything can happen to raise the excitement level, from an infectious horn-section interlude to a moving solo.

DJ:

Don’t fear the DJ: The days of disco fever and flashing lights are gone. Today’s disc jockeys are artists in their own right, offering balanced and eclectic mixes of musical styles for all ages. Plus, the songs played will sound exactly as you remember them, encouraging sing-alongs. And, depending on the amount of equipment a DJ brings, they’ll take up less dance floor real estate and can be relocated with relative ease.

  • Cons: A DJ with a less-than stellar personality can be a party-killer. Also, improvisation is tough if, say, your dad is dragging behind tempo on the father-daughter dance or your nieces and nephews decide to crash the chicken dance.

Ideally, you will want to see a DJ or band in action before you commit so that you can gauge firsthand the way they dress, sound, and work the crowd. (Ask to see a taped public performance or attend a dress rehearsal, but you should never crash another couple’s reception.) If that’s not a possibility, ask for a playlist, and look for songs you know and love.  Also, ask for referrals from the last few weddings the band or DJ played. Consider your first-dance song a test. If the band doesn’t know it and is unwilling to learn it, or the DJ doesn’t own it and is unwilling to get it, move on.

 

Ok ok I know if you got this far your like that’s some good stuff but where is your ideas.  These are great ideas for anyone and I enjoyed reading about them as I did research for ideas. I hope you also enjoyed and I look forward to speaking with you about your wedding music!

Sincerely,

George Loreto -Live entertainment specialist – [email protected] 949-612-7836

Continue to search for ideas here: http://www.popsugar.com/wedding