Wedding Music Tips

Oldies but Goodies for the First Dance

Do you want a classic song to play for your first dance? Check out these suggestions from artists like Frank Sinatra:

Unforgettable, Nat King Cole (and Natalie Cole)
The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra
At Last!, Etta James
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
It Had to Be You - Harry Connick Jr (and others)
Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
Come Rain or Come Shine - Billie Holliday

Contemporary Country Duets for Dances

Looking for a romantic country music duet for your first dance at the reception? Any one of these beautiful songs would be a great choice:

"It's Your Love" (Faith Hill and Tim McGraw)

"From This Moment On (Shania Twain and Bryan White)

"When I Said 'I Do'" (Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black)

"Not Too Much to Ask" (Mary Chapin Carpenter and Joe Diffie)

Sweet Cake-Cutting Songs

If you want to have music played during the cake cutting but aren't into smooshing each other with frosting, try one of these 'sweet' songs:

How Sweet It Is to be Loved by You – James Taylor
Sugar is Sweet – the Party
Eat It – Weird Al
Sugar, Sugar – the Archies

Wedding Reception Music

With so much attention on the father-daughter dance, wedding reception music choices for the mother-son dance are often neglected. Here are some suggestions that might work for you:
Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
Have I Told You Lately? – Rod Stewart
Through the Years – Kenny Rogers
In My Life – The Beatles
You're the Inspiration – Chicago

Music's Purpose

Music sets a mood--and the type mood is definitely something you want to think about for your wedding. Whether it's classic or funky, the music at your wedding ceremony and reception will enhance the event.

Several separate events take place on your wedding day. By choosing distinct music for each one, you can create different moods.

Planning A Wedding

Choosing wedding reception music for your first dance? Any one of these titles would be great: I Got You Babe, Sonny and Cher Don't Know Much, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville I Finally Found Someone, Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams Tonight I Celebrate my Love, Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson You and I - Eddie Rabbitt & Crystal Gayle Endless Love - Lionel Richie/Diana Ross

Wedding Reception Dance Music

Want to get everyone at your reception up and boogying? Try one of these popular choices for wedding reception dance music:

Celebration - Kool And The Gang
Locomotion - Little Eva/Kylie Minogue
Vogue - Madonna
We Are Family - Sister Sledge
Love Shack - B-52s
Shout- Dynetoones
YMCA - The Village People
The Twist – Chubby Checker
The Hokey Pokey
The Chicken Dance
Hand Jive – Grease Soundtrack
Everybody Have Fun – Wang Chung
1999 - Prince

The Toss

Need some music to spice up the garter toss? These songs will set the background perfectly:

Hot Legs - Rod Stewart
The Stripper - David Rose
The Pink Panther Theme
Whoomp There It Is - Tag Team
Legs – ZZ Top
Mission Impossible Theme
You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate
You Can Leave Your Hat On – Joe Cocker
Wild Thing – the Troggs
Do You Think I'm Sexy – Rod Stewart

Friends/Wedding Party Dance

Want to have a special dance for just the wedding party or your friends? Try one of the following song suggestions:

That's What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick
Friends – Michael W. Smith
Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
I'll Be There for You – Rembrandts

Ceremony Wedding Music

Are you and your beloved in for fun wedding ceremony music during the cake cutting? Any of these songs would make a great accompaniment:

• Hit Me with Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
• I Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher
• That's Amore – Dean Martin
• the theme from Jaws

Wedding Music Ideas

As you walk up the aisle toward your beloved, you might want to make a grand entrance or simply change the musical style to announce the beginning of the ceremony. Usually a single, stately piece will do for this processional. Popular wedding music ideas are: - "Spring" from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi - "Grand March" from Aida by Verdi - "Wedding March" from Mid-Summer's Night Dream ("Here Comes the Bride") by Mendelson - "Trumpet Voluntary" by Clarke - "Trumpet Tune" by Purcell To listen to these pieces online, you'll need to download an audio player (you can do this for free) and visit an audio library, such as the Music section of Amazon.com.

Romantic Pop Singles for First Dance

If you're looking for a top 40 hit for your first dance, try one of these---they span three decades and various styles and would all be perfect music for your reception:

Can I Have This Dance? Anne Murray
Valentine, Martina McBride
Wonderful Tonight, Eric Clapton
I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You, Savage Garden
Don't Wanna Miss a Thing, Aerosmith
You Are So Beautiful To Me, Joe Cocker
Ice Cream - Sara McLachlan
In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
For the First Time – Kenny Loggins

It Had to Be You

"It Had To Be You-A Jazz Wedding Album"

This one is magical....original artists like Lena Horne (It's Love) and Louis Armstrong (My One And Only Love) You'll listen to this one long after the gifts are unwrapped and the guests have gone home!

Greatest Love of All

"Greatest Love Of All: A Complete Wedding Album [BOX SET]"

This 3CD set encompasses everything from love songs to wedding marches and traditional music. It can take you from church to reception.

Country Singles

Any country love song would work well for a wedding (and goodness knows there are hundreds of them!), but here are some popular choices:

Cross My Heart, George Strait
I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing, Kenny Chesney
When You Say Nothing At All - Allison Krause/Keith Whitley
Shameless - Garth Brooks
How Do I Live - Trisha Yearwood
Still the One - Shania Twain

No Play Lists

If there are songs you absolutely do not want played at your wedding, be sure to give your DJ a 'no play' list beforehand. Also be sure to discuss with the DJ how to handle guest requests for 'no play' songs.

Churches and Music

Be sure to ask the church or other religious building where you're getting married if there are any rules you need to follow regarding music---sometimes there are certain songs you may not use, or sometimes the church asks that you use their musicians.

Wedding Event Planning

If you are hiring a dj to play wedding reception music, make sure that they will not be displaying their huge, inevitably ugly banner or signing on their equipment. This is your wedding, with an ambiance that you've worked hard to create. A 6 foot pink and black sign that says "Mr. Wonderful DJ"S" is not going to add anything to your well thought out plans. Be polite but firm. It's your day, not theirs.

Ceremony Music For Wedding

Some wedding music samples include love with a country flair. Another one that'll be enjoyed after the wedding is long past. It features artists like Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle and Kathie Lee Gifford.

Rockin' Wedding

"Rockin' Wedding"

It's in His Kiss, Happy Together and Sugar Sugar are just a few of the oldies that are on this great CD. A good collection of songs that will appeal to a wide age group.

Wedding Music Ideas

If you want some nice and subtle classical wedding music to play during your cake cutting, try one of these selections: I Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher Love and Marriage – Frank Sinatra When I'm Sixty-Four – the Beatles

Ceremony Musicians & Reception

If you're having musicians who will be performing for your ceremony only, you're under no obligation to invite them to your reception (unless they're friends or close family members, of course).

Muriel's Wedding

"Muriel's Wedding: Music From And Inspired By The Film [SOUNDTRACK]"

If you haven't seen the movie...rent it! All original artists provide bouncy fun. "Dancing Queen" is our favorite song on the soundtrack but it also has The Carpenters singing, "We've Only Just Begun."

Soap Opera Music

"Soap Opera's Favorite Wedding Music"

I'm not admitting I watch soaps, but I do love this CD. Last time I checked, it wasn't available but it's worth checking again to grab it when it's reissued.

Finding Your Music

If you're at a loss as to how to find a good DJ or band, consider asking the manager of the banquet hall or other place where you're having your reception. They often have a list of bands and DJs who have played their venue before.

Celtic Wedding

"Celtic Wedding - The Chieftans"

Haunting and lyrical. An excellent Celtic group, the Chieftans should be invited to liven any wedding!