Choosing wedding songs

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Choosing wedding songs should be top on your list of things to do for your special day. It is your duty to find upbeat love songs for your own wedding. A wedding has many aspects to it, and each requires its own collection of music. There is the walking in of the bride and the ceremony.

There is also the reception, the first dance which requires the first dance song. And there is also the time for cutting of the cake and time for speeches. So each aspect of a wedding needs a collection of wedding songs. And in the world of music and expression of love, this takes a whole lot of planning.

Choose wedding songs: 7 tips to consider; by Kawesa Ronald

1. Know the Basics

How many songs do you need for a wedding ceremony? There are three big moments to pick music for: Both of your  processions  (one song each) and the recessions.  Your partner’s procession could also be the song the wedding party walks down the aisle to, or they can have a tune of their own, as you will have.

2.    Check with Your Venue

If you’re having a wedding in a house of worship, the first thing to do before you choose any songs is to talk to your officiant and see if there are restrictions as to what you can use. Some more conservative venues will have a specific list of traditional (often religious) songs for you to choose from, others might allow anything as long as it’s instrumental and has no recorded words, and the most progressive may be open to whichever music you choose (with the officiant’s review and approval first).

3.     Consider Your History

No matter how long the two of you have been together, there’s bound to be a song, artist, or genre of music that you both really connect to. Think back: Is there a tune you love to belt out in the car? One you always dance to in the kitchen? A song one of you has heard that makes you think about the other person? Or maybe a concert you went to together by an artist you really love? Any of these will help guide you toward a song or two that are really meaningful.

4.     Read the Lyrics

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s crucial that you read the lyrics before pressing “play” at your ceremony. Think about “Every Breath You Take” by the Police. It pops up at weddings all the time, but Sting himself has insisted that it’s about jealousy, obsession, and a lost lover not how you want to kick off your marriage. Make sure the song is telling the story you really want your guests to hear, and keep an eye out for any lines or verses that may ruffle feathers.

5.   Choose a Theme

For a little more cohesion, choose a theme to tie your processional songs together. That could be songs in the same genre, songs with a similar tempo, or songs from the same era. This will lead to a better flow between songs as you and your wedding party process.

6.   Think About the Feeling You’re Trying to Create

Of course, you want the main feeling to be “love” but  do you want something calm and subdued, upbeat, or a fun surprise your guests might barely pick up on, like an instrumental version of that rap song the two of you can’t help but dance to? Don’t be afraid to pick an unexpected genre, especially if there’s an acoustic or instrumental version that will nod to your favorite tune without busting out the hard  rock on your way down the aisle.

Make it a Surprise

To really personalize the ceremony, you and your partner could each choose your processional songs in private, and not share them until you walk down the aisle. Find a song that represents the way you feel about your partner, a tune they love that you know they’d be thrilled to hear, or one that holds a special memory. Let your planner or whoever is operating the sound system know what you’ve chosen, and make sure you both have tissues on hand.

Celebrate

Your recessional song should be one that’s up tempo, happy, and primed to get the party started. After all, you’ve just tied the knot. Pick a song that will make you want to dance down the aisle, and will have your guests singing along.