Wedding Music Guide ... The Ultimate In Self-Expression!
I am often asked by young brides for help with their song selections for their wedding ceremony, reception and, most importantly, ...the first dance. I preface any suggestions I give, with the following advice: "The music at your wedding should ultimately reflect who you are. It should reflect what you want to say to your guests & future husband." Choose songs that touch your heart, after all you pick out the wedding dress that best suits you… why not continue that train of thought when it comes to the music?
Most brides are not music experts, and therefore they tend to go with what they've heard done at their friend's weddings. Having said that here are some great ideas for you.
THE CEREMONY PLAY LIST
Keep in mind, that in the spirit of making your wedding as unique as you are, there is no official rule that says your wedding musician(s) must perform all of the "traditional" wedding songs at your ceremony, regardless of your ethnic background.
Here's some places where you can draw your inspiration from: 1. your favourite hymn 2. type "new age pianist" into a Google search bar 3. a folk song from your own heritage 4. type in "famous opera arias" into a Google search bar 5. use your imagination
I often interview my clients to get an exact idea of what they want their music to express, and then I make specific song suggestions.
THE RECEPTION PLAY LIST
The key here is to try to create some variety in your music so that there is a little something for everyone, that's why I always perform selections from every decade of music, until I find the "feel" or the "sweet spot" of the room. This is the cue for the type of music that I will generally follow for the remainder of the reception. "Its not necessarily just the music…it's more so the way the music moves."
It's been my experience that many contemporary brides & grooms choose to have traditional jazz standards performed at their reception. It's exciting, yet not intrusive, and promotes plenty of easy conversation amongst your guests, most of whom are strangers to one another.
THE FIRST DANCE
Usually the most significant song of your entire wedding, most brides have a difficult time finding just the right song for that very first dance with dad, or with their new husband. In cases such as these, I recommend getting a custom-made song written which will express your thoughts and feelings perfectly. You also get to choose the style of music you want as well. Go to "acustomsong dot com" to get more details.
LIVE MUSIC
If you're using a Jazz pianist or party band you don't have to worry about song selection, because the beauty of live music is not the songs themselves, but the spirit and energy the musicians puts out during their performance. Your guest will tap into this and dance regardless of the song titles. However, I do suggest that you get a song list from the pianist/band, to make sure that they play the type of music you like. You certainly don't want a Barvarian Polka Band playing at wedding where most of your guests are from Asia.
DJ or iPOD LIST
Ask your DJ, or person running your ipod to load up some of these songs from the lists below
The All-Time Fav's
1. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith 2. (Everything I Do) I Do it for You - Bryan Adams 3. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton 4. Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion 5. Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley 6. Unchained Melodies - Righteous Brothers 7. I Honestly Love You - Olivia Newton John 8. These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding 9. Sometimes When We Touch - Dan Hill 10. Breath - Faith Hill 11. Your Song - Elton John 12. Home - Michael Buble 13. This Year's Love - David Gray 14. Amazed - Lonestar 15. Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel 16. Whatever It Is - Zac Brown Band 17. I Hope You Dance - Lee Anne Womack 18. Let's Stay Together - Al Green 1 9. You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker 20. When You Say Nothing At All - Alison Krauss
Getting the party started:
21. Beat It - Michael Jackson 22. Hey Baby - Bruce Channel 23. I Got A Feeling - Black Eyed Peas 24. Friday, I'm in Love - The Cure 25. Marry You - Bruno Mars 26. Love Shack - B-52's 27. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen 28. Celebration - Kool and the Gang 29. Oh, What A Feeling - Crowbar 30. Kiss - Prince 31. Start Me Up - Rolling Stones 32. Billy Jean - Michael Jackson 33. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) - Stevie Wonder 34. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley 35. I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles 36. Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen 37. I Feel Good - James Brown 38. Bad Case of Loving You - Robert Palmer 39. You Can Dance - Michael Buble 40. Johnnie B. Goode - Chuck Berry
Necessary Novelties for your late night crowd:
41. Cotton-Eyed Joe - Rednex 42. Chicken Dance - Werner Thomas 4 3. YMCA - Village People 44. Tootsee Roll - 69 Boyz 4 5. Cha Cha Slide - DJ Casper 46. Electric Boogie - Marcia Griffiths 47. Macarena - Los Del Rio 48. Mambo No. 5 - Lou Bega 49. Get Ready for This - 2 Unlimited 50. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - Will Smith
About the Author
In Toronto they say, "The best parties start with music by Kory Livingstone!" 25 years of experience, reliability & service has made me a success! When I'm successful, you are successful! I play as a solo entertaining jazz pianist, with my jazz trio, or party band. Get the full story at http://www.korylivingstone.com Let me write an original song for you to give as a gift to your new husband or wife. Visit http://www.acustomsong.com for details.
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