Let the Music Play: Choosing Your Wedding Day Playlists

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Let the Music Play: Choosing Your Wedding Day Playlists

With all that goes into preparing for your nuptials, it’s easy to overlook a big part of the day: music. For many people, music is an important aspect of the celebration. You might have background songs playing as invitees gather at the wedding venue. You’ll want to choose the songs for walking down the aisle and exiting as married couples. Then there’s also the reception. If there are traditional dances between the newlyweds as well as parents, you’ll need to carefully consider songs for those special moments as well.

Making an Entrance

When it comes to walking down the aisle, it’s important to think about songs that set a mood and work well with that mood or vibe. Some people go for classical processionals such as Richard Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” (a.k.a. “Here Comes the Bride”), Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” or Jeremiah Clarke’s “Prince of Denmark’s March.” These pieces are easily recognizable by most people, especially the opening fanfare of “Here Comes the Bride,” which signals that a bride or other wedding partner is coming.

For those who prefer something a bit more modern and nontraditional, the pace of processional music is a key consideration. Walking down the aisle is usually slower than a normal pace, especially when there are high heels, gowns, and long trains involved. Your guests want to have time to behold the wedding party, especially the happy couple. Songs that are too fast may not work for the processional. Consider these classic tunes:

  • “At Last” by Etta James
  • “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
  • “Your Song” by Elton John
  • “To Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
  • “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal
  • “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross
  • “All of Me” by John Legend

On your special day, you get to choose what works for you and your partner. There’s no one particular genre or style that must be reserved for making a grand entrance.

Leaving as Newlyweds

If classical traditional tunes are right up your alley (or aisle), Felix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” from the Shakespeare play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is commonly used as a recessional. Canadian celebrants and their guests will recognize the fanfare as a cue for the newlyweds and the rest of the party to walk up the aisle and exit. Another classical option is Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from his Ninth Symphony, which is also known as the tune to the hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.”

Witnessing a new couple being pronounced as spouses is a cause for celebration. For a different approach to a wedding recessional, it’s fine to go with something livelier and more upbeat than the processional. Here are some suggestions for the coda to your ceremony:

  • “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole
  • “Happy Together” by The Turtles
  • “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher
  • “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
  • “To Love You More” by Canada’s very own Celine Dion
  • “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang

You can choose music specifically for the exit of the wedding party or music for the guests to exit to also. 

Music For the Special Dance

Most receptions feature music from a DJ or live performers. You or the professionals hired can curate a special playlist for the event, but you should pay special attention to songs used for a dance between newlyweds or a newlywed and a parent or in-law. There’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to picking a song. Look for songs that hold special meaning to you as a couple, especially ones related to where you’ve been and where you’re headed.

Music is an important part of the wedding day celebration. From the ceremony to the reception, songs go a long way to conveying your feelings about the big day and the life ahead. We tend to associate music with major milestones and memories, so choose carefully and thoughtfully.

Let the Music Play: Choosing Your Wedding Day Playlists

With all that goes into preparing for your nuptials, it’s easy to overlook a big part of the day: music. For many people, music is an important aspect of the celebration. You might have background songs playing as invitees gather at the wedding venue. You’ll want to choose the songs for walking down the aisle and exiting as married couples. Then there’s also the reception. If there are traditional dances between the newlyweds as well as parents, you’ll need to carefully consider songs for those special moments as well.

Making an Entrance

When it comes to walking down the aisle, it’s important to think about songs that set a mood and work well with that mood or vibe. Some people go for classical processionals such as Richard Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” (a.k.a. “Here Comes the Bride”), Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” or Jeremiah Clarke’s “Prince of Denmark’s March.” These pieces are easily recognizable by most people, especially the opening fanfare of “Here Comes the Bride,” which signals that a bride or other wedding partner is coming.

For those who prefer something a bit more modern and nontraditional, the pace of processional music is a key consideration. Walking down the aisle is usually slower than a normal pace, especially when there are high heels, gowns, and long trains involved. Your guests want to have time to behold the wedding party, especially the happy couple. Songs that are too fast may not work for the processional. Consider these classic tunes:

  • “At Last” by Etta James
  • “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
  • “Your Song” by Elton John
  • “To Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
  • “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal
  • “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross
  • “All of Me” by John Legend

On your special day, you get to choose what works for you and your partner. There’s no one particular genre or style that must be reserved for making a grand entrance.

Leaving as Newlyweds

If classical traditional tunes are right up your alley (or aisle), Felix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” from the Shakespeare play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is commonly used as a recessional. Canadian celebrants and their guests will recognize the fanfare as a cue for the newlyweds and the rest of the party to walk up the aisle and exit. Another classical option is Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” from his Ninth Symphony, which is also known as the tune to the hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.”

Witnessing a new couple being pronounced as spouses is a cause for celebration. For a different approach to a wedding recessional, it’s fine to go with something livelier and more upbeat than the processional. Here are some suggestions for the coda to your ceremony:

  • “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole
  • “Happy Together” by The Turtles
  • “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher
  • “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
  • “To Love You More” by Canada’s very own Celine Dion
  • “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang

You can choose music specifically for the exit of the wedding party or music for the guests to exit to also. 

Music For the Special Dance

Most receptions feature music from a DJ or live performers. You or the professionals hired can curate a special playlist for the event, but you should pay special attention to songs used for a dance between newlyweds or a newlywed and a parent or in-law. There’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to picking a song. Look for songs that hold special meaning to you as a couple, especially ones related to where you’ve been and where you’re headed.

Music is an important part of the wedding day celebration. From the ceremony to the reception, songs go a long way to conveying your feelings about the big day and the life ahead. We tend to associate music with major milestones and memories, so choose carefully and thoughtfully.

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