How to Choose a Playlist for Your Wedding

Jason from Synergetic Sound & Lighting
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

Wedding music has changed a lot over the past few years. As with most things wedding related, there is a lot of leeway- and while there are traditional aspects to a lot of weddings, many of them are making way for more modern equivalents.

It used to be you heard mostly classical music during wedding ceremonies. Some of the more traditional processional songs are, The Wedding March, Pachelbel's Canon in D, and Trumpet Voluntary. I still hear a decent amount of classical/traditional music, but more and more couples are choosing contemporary songs that have special meaning to them and their relationship. So if you have more than one song that is important to you as a couple, consider using one during your ceremony as the song for the recessional. 

Also, if you're not really into classical music and would rather use more current music, talk to your DJ- they'll be able to give you some suggestions as to what might work for the different parts of the processional as well as the recessional. At one wedding I was at, the bride walked down the aisle to In My Life by The Beatles. I also think that Marry Me by Train and, The Luckiest by Ben Folds, would make beautiful bridal processional songs- although they are both popping up as first dance songs. 

Matt from Synergetic Sound & Lighting
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

When it comes to reception music there are millions of possibilities. A good place to start is to hire a DJ that you trust. Of course you'll have songs you'll definitely want played and others that won't want played, but by hiring a DJ you trust, who can read your crowd, you take a lot of pressure off of yourself. You have so many other things to do when it comes to planning the wedding that you don't need to spend a ton of time choosing an entire night worth of music. Focus on your introductions, your first dance, your parent dances, your cake cutting and music for the bouquet and garter toss if you choose to do them. 

If you do want to make a list of some songs you'd like to hear throughout the night, consider your guests when making your decisions. If you have a mostly older crowd, a lot of rap might not go over well. But if you have a good DJ, they will find a way to work in a few rap songs that you like, while keeping everyone else dancing and having a good time. 

The most important thing is to have a good time. If there are specific songs that will add to you enjoying yourselves, then definitely make sure they're played. But if you're not set on any specific songs for dinner or dancing, then let your DJ do their job and have fun dancing the night away!

-Becky