The right wedding music will set the tone for your big day
The type of music you choose for your wedding reception can really set the tone for the whole event. Some couples decide to have music during welcome drinks and dinner, as well as for dancing later in the evening, so it is possible to have a wide range of music throughout your wedding day.
When to arrange your wedding music
You should decide on the type of musicians you want as entertainment at your reception nine to twelve months before your wedding, and start listening to samples and demos. Your musicians should be booked six to eight months in advance, and you will need to decide on specific pieces of music for the first dance, cake cutting, and other significant events around two to three months before the big day.
Tips on choosing your wedding music
Trying to choose music that will last you through an entire day can be more difficult that you realise. Here are a few tips to get you started on the type of music that will get a wedding crowd going.
- You will have a variety of age groups at your wedding, try to include something that will appeal to everybody
- Jazz and instrumental themes make great background music for during dinner
- Start with golden oldies and save modern choices for later in the evening when the older generation will be thinking about going home
- Begin the dancing with a crowd pleaser; disco and 80’s classics are usually good choices
- Aim to get the ladies dancing, the men will generally follow
- Make sure you choose music that is easy to dance to. That may mean forgoing your favourite bands but it will be worth it to keep a good atmosphere
Trends in wedding music
There are three key trends currently emerging in wedding music, with couples’s increasingly selecting music that showcases their personal styles and tastes rather than churning out the same old songs:
- Latin American bands that play everything from Latin jazz, to salsa, to Afro-Cuban music are hot property in the wedding industry this year. They add an exotic touch to any wedding celebration, and are a fun way to get the dancing started.
- Tribute bands are similarly taking a starring role in wedding receptions, so if you have a favourite band, check whether they have a tribute group operating in your area.
- Finally combining a DJ with a live musician is a contemporary twist on the traditional wedding DJ and can add a touch of class to your reception.
Selecting a song for your first dance
The pressure to choose the right song for your first dance as a married couple can be enormous. It effectively announces to your guests how you feel about each other, and if it is ‘your song’ it can feel very intimate sharing it with all your friends and family. It can be hard to find something which is meaningful to both the bride and groom, has the right tempo to dance to without being awkward, and will be considered tasteful by all your guests.
Checking out the Easy Weddings top 50 first dance songs can inspire you to find that perfect tune. If your ideal song isn’t there, perhaps something else by one of the listed artists will be just what you are looking for. Make sure you choose something that you will still be able to listen to and enjoy for many years to come as you can guarantee that song will be played at every anniversary you ever have.
