Inspirational Ideas to Aid in Wedding Song Selection
While you might already know the song you want played when you walk down the aisle, it can be difficult to choose the rest of the music that will be played during the ceremony and at your wedding reception. There are so many little decisions that need to be made when planning a wedding. Most people don’t realize how much is involved and that it can become overwhelming if you’re not careful.
While you will have a chance to go over wedding song selection and other musical ideas for your wedding reception when you meet with your professional wedding DJ, it’s a good idea to spend some time brainstorming to at least get an idea of where you would like to start. This article will feature some inspirational ideas that will help you to choose the best music for your big day.
Tip #1 – Go With the Theme
Does your wedding have a theme? Whether you are throwing a Southern Gone With the Wind theme event or are choosing to embrace your Country Western roots, sometimes the theme of the wedding can also inspire the music. Sweeping ballads, popular favorites, top 40 hits and even classical tunes can all be chosen based upon the theme that you have picked for your wedding reception.
Tip #2 – Embrace Your Type A Personality
Do you like making lists and charts? Wedding song selection can be nerve-wracking, but if you are someone who appreciates structure and organization, sitting down to make a categorized list of the day’s events can be very helpful. Make three lists: ceremony, reception, special activities and the do-not-play list. Each of these lists is important in its own right. The ceremony music list should have the processional song that will be played when you walk down the aisle as well as the pre-ceremony background music for your guests. The reception music should include fun dance-songs that coordinate with your theme, and the special activities list should include the first dance, father-daughter dance, cutting the cake music, removing the garter music, throwing the bouquet music, etc.
Tip #3 – Start With What You Don’t Want
Sometimes the best way to figure out what music you want your professional wedding DJ to play at your wedding reception is by figuring out what you don’t want. One of the most important parts of wedding song selection is to create what is known as a do-not-play list. This list should include songs that remind you or your fiance of a past romance, songs that irritate you for whatever reason and songs that you find offensive. Giving this list to your professional wedding DJ will ensure that these songs do not get played no matter how much money your weird uncle waves at them to get them to play his favorite raunchy song.
Tip #4 – Focus on a Musician or a Band
Sometimes the best catalyst to get you inspired to choose music for your wedding reception is to think about your favorite artists. Musicians, bands, composers – think about the music that you and your future spouse enjoy listening to and make a list of the artists that write or sing that music. Planning a wedding is about featuring the things that you like and it’s about making memories that will last a lifetime. It is important to choose songs that you both like for your wedding reception.
Tip #5 – Narrowing Down the List
If your problem isn’t that you can’t think of any songs, but that you have a list that is just way too long, it is important to narrow down the list. Make two lists – a nice to have list and a have to have list. The have to have list should include special songs, such as your “couple song” that you want used for your first dance, the processional song for the church and anything else that is really important to you both. The nice to have list can include fun dance songs, old favorites and other songs that you would like to have at your wedding reception, but would be living to do without if it came right down to it.
Tip #6 – Ask a Professional
If you still don’t have any idea where to get started, speak with your professional wedding DJ. With years of experience in the wedding reception industry, some of these DJs and Emcees have been around long enough to help with planning a wedding from start to finish. Your DJ can give you a list of popular wedding song selections, as well as suggest ideas that will go with your wedding theme, location or the season of your event. Take advantage of the experience of your professional wedding DJ and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If you are planning a wedding in Rhode Island, contact Exceptional Wedding DJs. With 20 years of experience working in the wedding music industry, we can help you with everything from choosing the music for your wedding to setting up contacts with reputable local vendors. Call us today for more information on all of our professional wedding DJ services.