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.
Choosing the right wedding entertainment is key for your wedding. Thankfully, there are a few easy questions you can ask to make your journey a bit easier.
Music plays a big part on the day of your wedding. From the tune that scores your walk down the aisle to the beats that get your guests up and dancing during the reception, the music you select for your big day is important. While you might know that picking the right wedding entertainment is a big deal, you might not know how to go about the process in the most efficient way. Thankfully, there are a few easy questions you can ask to make your journey a bit easier.
Look over some of these tips on how to interview potential candidates for your wedding entertainment. A little help may give you all the information you require for success.
Preliminary Discussions
There are many different methods you can use to find musical candidates for your wedding. These days, most people tend to search online in order to discover new and exciting options. When you browse the web for vendors, you often will run across the entertainers’ official websites. More often than not, the DJ or band you are researching will have audio or video samples on their sites to help potential clients get a better feel for the kind of entertainment provided. Listening can help you get a feel for a candidate’s style and musical preference.
Of course, there might be a handful of entertainers who do not provide any samples on their websites. If this is the case, then you need to reach out to the DJ or band and ask relevant questions. Ask them how they would describe their own styles, and see if their descriptions align with your musicical preferences. Another great option is taking a trip with your partner to watch this entertainer perform. This will give you a perfect idea of whether this is the right person for the job.
Equipment
After you’ve gotten a good feel for the style of the wedding entertainment you are considering, you want to get a bit more technical. At this point in your planning process, you most likely have an idea of what venue you will be using for your big day. Share this information with the entertainers you are thinking about using. For example, a small venue might have awkward acoustics, and a live band may need to bring additional equipment.
Musicians can play in almost any location, but most of them are going to need forewarning. Certain quirks can disrupt the way sound travels through a space. Allowing your entertainers to get a feel for the venue in advance can help to illuminate any potential issues the musicians might encounter. Having this information can help your band or DJ know what equipment to bring on the day of your wedding to avoid any sound-related snafus.
Wedding Entertainment Wish List
Finally, you absolutely want to discuss your playlist with your wedding entertainment. It is likely that you want them to play a few specific songs. Maybe your family has a personal connection to “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas and the Papas. Make sure your entertainer can play it when the mood is right. Discuss your personal requests in advance with your musicians. This allows a cover band plenty of time to learn the tune, and it gives a DJ a chance to find a digital copy of the track he or she can spin.
Without music, most weddings would not be nearly as exciting to attend. Tunes and beats set a mood, and the right tracks when it’s time to dance can help your guests have a great time. Choosing the right entertainers for your big day is all about taking your time, doing proper research, and selecting the best pick based on your personal criteria.
Music therapy is indeed a powerful too. Music has the ability to calm the mind and sooth the soul.
Maybe you’ve heard the tale of King Saul in the Bible who was soothed by David’s music from his harp. There’s the old adage, “music calms the angry beast.” Every culture has rich musical traditions that are thought to have effects on someone’s mood. Following World War II, many hospitals hired musicians to work in the hospitals and formalize the practice of using music therapy. Many people use music in a therapeutic capacity, listening to favorite songs when they get off work and need a pick-me-up. Some use it at night for its calming effects.
What you may not know is how music is actually used in therapy, for patients with AIDS and HIV, in burn units, and in at-risk youth programs. Music Heals Charitable Foundation was formed to help raise awareness of how music heals. It’s a registered charity and supports many programs across British Columbia that use music to help people heal.
Music as a Healing Tool
Music is thought to help with coping skills and reduce emotional stress. Music therapists who have advanced training in music psychotherapy provide individualized sessions with patients to help them deal with life-altering diseases like cancer. Patients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries respond to music. Music therapy has been used to facilitate learning in children and youth with learning disabilities. There’s a sensory and intellectual stimulation by music that trained and certified therapists can accomplish that enriches a person’s life.
One program in the United States reaches out to active duty airmen who are on deployment. A music program is developed to foster coping skills and stress management while away from family in a high-stress situation. Those with PTSD are encouraged to use songwriting as a way of expressing their concerns. The research is continuing, because the results have been so positive.
In a case study issued by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), a six-year-old girl who could play the piano by ear was unable to interact well with others due to physical and developmental delays. She worked with an accredited music therapist and made significant progress in verbal skills, with her attention span and in her ability to follow directions. She plays the bells, chimes, autoharp, xylophone, keyboard and piano, even though she only has four fingers on each hand. The teachers at her school use her musical strengths to pull her into the group. Music therapy changed her life.
Music therapists believe that music therapy can change individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and the AMTA has made this research a “strategic priority.” There are a few studies that demonstrate the value of music therapy, but more is needed to really demonstrate the full effects. Music therapy is actually a fairly young discipline when compared to other types of psychotherapies. Music Heals is bringing this therapy to all types of vulnerable individuals in British Columbia. Although the organization only supports music therapy in the BC area, there are other opportunities across the country.
Music Therapy or Music Education
Music therapy is a recognized university degree. Only music therapy actually performed by an accredited music therapist is music therapy. Music education is very valuable, but it is not therapy. Someone bringing an instrument into a nursing home to perform might be a therapeutic and enjoyable activity for the residents, but it is not music therapy. When a credentialed therapist performs music therapy, it’s designed with a goal in mind. According to the AMTA, this therapy can reduce pain, reduce asthma episodes, and increase motor functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. It also lessens the effects of dementia in older adults.
The research supports the use of music in many environments to promote healing. Check out Music Heals to learn more and see how music can benefit the ones you love.
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.
Choosing the right wedding entertainment is key for your wedding. Thankfully, there are a few easy questions you can ask to make your journey a bit easier.
Music plays a big part on the day of your wedding. From the tune that scores your walk down the aisle to the beats that get your guests up and dancing during the reception, the music you select for your big day is important. While you might know that picking the right wedding entertainment is a big deal, you might not know how to go about the process in the most efficient way. Thankfully, there are a few easy questions you can ask to make your journey a bit easier.
Look over some of these tips on how to interview potential candidates for your wedding entertainment. A little help may give you all the information you require for success.
Preliminary Discussions
There are many different methods you can use to find musical candidates for your wedding. These days, most people tend to search online in order to discover new and exciting options. When you browse the web for vendors, you often will run across the entertainers’ official websites. More often than not, the DJ or band you are researching will have audio or video samples on their sites to help potential clients get a better feel for the kind of entertainment provided. Listening can help you get a feel for a candidate’s style and musical preference.
Of course, there might be a handful of entertainers who do not provide any samples on their websites. If this is the case, then you need to reach out to the DJ or band and ask relevant questions. Ask them how they would describe their own styles, and see if their descriptions align with your musicical preferences. Another great option is taking a trip with your partner to watch this entertainer perform. This will give you a perfect idea of whether this is the right person for the job.
Equipment
After you’ve gotten a good feel for the style of the wedding entertainment you are considering, you want to get a bit more technical. At this point in your planning process, you most likely have an idea of what venue you will be using for your big day. Share this information with the entertainers you are thinking about using. For example, a small venue might have awkward acoustics, and a live band may need to bring additional equipment.
Musicians can play in almost any location, but most of them are going to need forewarning. Certain quirks can disrupt the way sound travels through a space. Allowing your entertainers to get a feel for the venue in advance can help to illuminate any potential issues the musicians might encounter. Having this information can help your band or DJ know what equipment to bring on the day of your wedding to avoid any sound-related snafus.
Wedding Entertainment Wish List
Finally, you absolutely want to discuss your playlist with your wedding entertainment. It is likely that you want them to play a few specific songs. Maybe your family has a personal connection to “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas and the Papas. Make sure your entertainer can play it when the mood is right. Discuss your personal requests in advance with your musicians. This allows a cover band plenty of time to learn the tune, and it gives a DJ a chance to find a digital copy of the track he or she can spin.
Without music, most weddings would not be nearly as exciting to attend. Tunes and beats set a mood, and the right tracks when it’s time to dance can help your guests have a great time. Choosing the right entertainers for your big day is all about taking your time, doing proper research, and selecting the best pick based on your personal criteria.
Music therapy is indeed a powerful too. Music has the ability to calm the mind and sooth the soul.
Maybe you’ve heard the tale of King Saul in the Bible who was soothed by David’s music from his harp. There’s the old adage, “music calms the angry beast.” Every culture has rich musical traditions that are thought to have effects on someone’s mood. Following World War II, many hospitals hired musicians to work in the hospitals and formalize the practice of using music therapy. Many people use music in a therapeutic capacity, listening to favorite songs when they get off work and need a pick-me-up. Some use it at night for its calming effects.
What you may not know is how music is actually used in therapy, for patients with AIDS and HIV, in burn units, and in at-risk youth programs. Music Heals Charitable Foundation was formed to help raise awareness of how music heals. It’s a registered charity and supports many programs across British Columbia that use music to help people heal.
Music as a Healing Tool
Music is thought to help with coping skills and reduce emotional stress. Music therapists who have advanced training in music psychotherapy provide individualized sessions with patients to help them deal with life-altering diseases like cancer. Patients who have experienced traumatic brain injuries respond to music. Music therapy has been used to facilitate learning in children and youth with learning disabilities. There’s a sensory and intellectual stimulation by music that trained and certified therapists can accomplish that enriches a person’s life.
One program in the United States reaches out to active duty airmen who are on deployment. A music program is developed to foster coping skills and stress management while away from family in a high-stress situation. Those with PTSD are encouraged to use songwriting as a way of expressing their concerns. The research is continuing, because the results have been so positive.
In a case study issued by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), a six-year-old girl who could play the piano by ear was unable to interact well with others due to physical and developmental delays. She worked with an accredited music therapist and made significant progress in verbal skills, with her attention span and in her ability to follow directions. She plays the bells, chimes, autoharp, xylophone, keyboard and piano, even though she only has four fingers on each hand. The teachers at her school use her musical strengths to pull her into the group. Music therapy changed her life.
Music therapists believe that music therapy can change individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and the AMTA has made this research a “strategic priority.” There are a few studies that demonstrate the value of music therapy, but more is needed to really demonstrate the full effects. Music therapy is actually a fairly young discipline when compared to other types of psychotherapies. Music Heals is bringing this therapy to all types of vulnerable individuals in British Columbia. Although the organization only supports music therapy in the BC area, there are other opportunities across the country.
Music Therapy or Music Education
Music therapy is a recognized university degree. Only music therapy actually performed by an accredited music therapist is music therapy. Music education is very valuable, but it is not therapy. Someone bringing an instrument into a nursing home to perform might be a therapeutic and enjoyable activity for the residents, but it is not music therapy. When a credentialed therapist performs music therapy, it’s designed with a goal in mind. According to the AMTA, this therapy can reduce pain, reduce asthma episodes, and increase motor functions in patients with Parkinson’s disease. It also lessens the effects of dementia in older adults.
The research supports the use of music in many environments to promote healing. Check out Music Heals to learn more and see how music can benefit the ones you love.
