If you need to unplug from the outside world and tune in to your wedding day plans, it may be time to start dreaming up your ideal song list. We’re not just talking about the dance playlist for your reception, but the songs that play throughout the day.
I constantly hear from brides AND grooms how surprised they are that they need “so many songs.” This is one task that requires only your input (and your partners) to accomplish. Plug in the headphones and find your groove.
Here’s a brief breakdown of all the songs you’ll need from the start of the day to the end:
A beautiful bride escorted down the aisle by her daughter.
CEREMONY
Coming down the aisle:
1) Processional Song for Parents and Grandparents
2) Processional Song for the Wedding Party
3) Processional Song for the Bride(s)/Groom(s) entering with parents
Walking back up the aisle to exit:
4) Recessional Song
Popular Choices:
Canon in D Johann Pachelbel (Traditional)
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri (Pop/Modern)
Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley (Classic)
When selecting ceremony music, you can mix modern and classical. You may also want to consider if you’re choosing to have instrumentalists or a DJ. Make sure your song choices will translate well into the instrument(s) of your choice. If going with a more popular song, you will also want to do decide if you’ll use an instrumental version or the original.
Tip: If you have one parent coming down the aisle and two bridesmaids, you probably don’t need two separate processional songs and can get away with one.
This moment may take some practice.
RECEPTION
5) Song for Parents to be introduced into the reception
6) Song for Wedding Party to be introduced into the reception
7) Song for Couple to be introduced into the reception
Popular Choices:
Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars
Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
8) Cake Cutting Song
Popular Choices:
How Sweet It Is by Marvin Gaye
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch by Four Tops
Adorable father/daughter moment.
9) First Dance Song
10) Father/Daughter Song
11) Mother/Son Song
Popular Choices:
Any country ballad
Forever Young by Rod Stewart
Marry Me by Train
12) Last song of the night
Popular Choices:
Piano Man by Billy Joel
In My Life by The Beatles
Once you get through this list of necessities, you can keep the ball rolling by working on the more general playlists. There are five parts of the day you may want music playing. They are:
What songs get you off your feet?
When You’re Getting Ready
Think: music that will calm your nerves and get your wedding party excited
Prelude
Think: before the ceremony begins and while guests are arriving
Cocktail Hour
Dinner
Think: background music for both cocktail hour and dinner
Reception
Think: your ultimate dance playlist
Other than the getting ready playlist, you can consult with your DJ or band on songs/genres for these lists. They may have ready-made lists for you to choose from or suggestions on what to pick.
Overall remember to do what feels right for the two of you. This is your chance to combine your tastes and create the soundtrack of your lives together. Have fun!
Thanks for reading part one of our #WFHWeddingPlanning series to help you plan your wedding while working from home. For more updates from your favorite Chicago wedding planner, Effortless Events, follow us on Instagram @effortless_events and like us on Facebook! Looking for more info on our services? Feel free to reach out to us at info@effortless-events.com.