{Guest Advice} Ceremony music

Music is one of two wedding-related subjects that baffles me. (The other is flowers, but I’m working on that.) Until reading this post, I had no idea how to put together a playlist for my ceremony. How many songs? What order? What’s appropriate?

I asked Colleen from Soundtrack to I Do to guest post today because a) She’s awesome; b) She knows her stuff; c) She’ll set you right with music & provide you with inspiration.

Hello Wed4Less readers! Colleen here from Soundtrack To I Do. I’m so happy to be guest posting for Lindsie today! I thought I’d share about what I know best – wedding music! More specifically, we’re talking about ceremony music today. I hope the information is helpful for you!

First, I’ll clarify the different aspects of the ceremony that you will need music for. Then, I’ll give a few song suggestions for each section. Above all, I recommend using songs that mean something to you and your fiancé. If you need some inspiration though, there are some song ideas to use if you please.

The prelude is the section of music while the guests are being seated, and will most likely be the only time in the ceremony where you will need more than one song. If you have live musicians, they should have a few songs prepared. If you are using an iPod or some other form of recorded music, you should also have a few songs on the playlist, and someone controlling it so that as soon as they get “the nod” that the wedding party is ready, they can fade the music out and begin the processional song. 

Song ideas: Make You Feel My Love – Adele, Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard & Marketa Iglova, The Way I Am – Ingrid Michalson, Rhythm of Love – Plain White T’s, Sweet Pea – Amos Lee, Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol, She Is Love – Parachute, Collide – Howie Day, The Only Exception – Paramore

For each of the following sections, you will only need one song. In fact, an average song will most likely be too long, and your musicians or the person in charge of the iPod/stereo, etc., will have to fade the music out again at the appropriate time. It can be awkward if the song continues on after the wedding party has taken their places.

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The processional is the song that plays when the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer make their way to the altar. Some couples choose to play more than one song – if, for example, they would like the adults in the wedding party to walk down the aisle to a different song than the one the children do. Song ideas: Canon In D – Johann Pachelbel (traditional), Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop – Landon Pigg, Oh, It Is Love – Hellogoodbye, Don’t Let Me Fall – Lenka , Everyday – Rogue Wave, Marry You – Bruno Mars, All I Want Is You – Barry Louis Polisar, 1234 – Feist

The entrance of the bride is… well, pretty self-explanatory. This is the dramatic moment when everyone stands and in comes the bride! Song ideas: Here Comes The Bride – Richard Wagner (traditional), Crazy Love – Van Morrison, Sight Of Love – Michael Rossback, Till Kingdom Come – Coldplay, The Dress Looks Nice On You – Sufjan Stevens, Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap, They Bring Me To You – Joshua Radin

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Some couples will have a section during the wedding ceremony that symbolizes their union – for example, taking communion, lighting a unity candle, or a doing a sand ceremony. You will want to play a song during this time so that the guests don’t have to sit in silence – plus this is a great opportunity to play a song that is meaningful to you as a couple, or to have a friend or family member sing or play.  Song ideas: Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring – Johann Sebastian Bach (traditional), Two Is Better Than One – Boys Like Girls Feat. Taylor Swift, God Gave Me You – Dave Barnes, We Are Man And Wife – Michelle Featherstone, When I Say I Do – Matthew West, Something Beautiful – Needtobreathe, No One’s Gonna Love You – Band Of Horses

Finally, the recessional is when the bride and groom leave the wedding as a married couple, and are followed by the rest of the bridal party, and eventually the guests. It’s always great to play an upbeat, celebratory song for this one, since this is one of the most exciting moments of the wedding, and the signal to the guests that the serious stuff is over and it’s time to get the party started! Song ideas: Wedding March – Felix Mendelssohn (traditional), Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder, Now That We Found Love – Heavy D & The Boyz, You Make My Dreams – Hall & Oates, The Best Is Yet To Come – Frank Sinatra, Let The Good Times Roll – Shirley & Lee, This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole

I hope some of that was helpful! Feel free to stop by the blog if you need more music suggestions and ideas! Thanks again to Lindsie for having me!

~ Colleen

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