Guide to Wedding Music

Choosing Music for Your Wedding Ceremony & Reception: A Complete Guide

Let’s get honest here—planning a wedding is not meant for those who suffer from decision fatigue. The choices you’ll have to make between now and your big day are countless, from caterers, to colours, to clothing.

Luckily, choosing music for your wedding falls into the “fun” category—as in, it will be one of the most fun tasks on your to-do list. However, it can still be a big job, so here’s our guide on how to get started.

Determine your budget

Okay, okay: We know we promised this would be a good time and already we’re hitting you with something deadly boring. However, the numbers game can’t be avoided. The good news is that a reputable DJ or live band will do a lot of the heavy lifting based on your budget. We can make recommendations working with your financials in mind.

Decide what type of atmosphere you’d like to establish

Just like selecting the perfect shade of purple for your wedding, the music for your wedding ceremony and reception should fit within a theme, or help establish the vibe you’re going for.

First off, consider the size of your wedding and venue. A nine-piece band might overwhelm an intimate indoor ceremony, while a solo guitarist might not do justice to a traditional church wedding. You may also want to give thought to what wedding music instruments work with your space—from violins to pianos, each will create a slightly different atmosphere for the day.

Then, figure out the impression you want to leave your guests with. Do you want them walking away remarking on the beauty of the day? Or do you want them remember the epic dance floor? If you’re looking for both, you can also do a combination of live music and a DJ. Some of our most popular packages are a combination of the two!

Audition the band

If you’ve decided to go the route of live music, it only makes sense that you’ll want to experience what your guests will hear before you sign on the dotted line.

That’s exactly why we used to do live showcase. Now though, we’ve made it even easier by recording our showcase videos, so you can hear what we sound like without even leaving your house.

Choose the music for your key wedding ceremony and reception moments

Dependent on what type of ceremony you’re having—whether it’s in a church or with a civil celebrant—you’ll need to have songs selected for the entrance of the bride(s) or groom(s), register signing and the exit or recessional.

Most couples choose more traditional or nostalgic wedding songs for these moments, but it’s really up to you. They can be contemporary or more upbeat, if that’s the vibe you’re going for.

Finally, it’s time to choose the songs for your reception entrance, first dance, and the mother-son and/or father-daughter dances. This is where you get to have the most fun! Previously on our blog, we’ve written guides with some suggestions to get you started, but if you need help choosing tunes, get in touch.

Create a do-not-play list

You can trust us to make sure your dance floor is full all night long. (We won’t go rogue and play Rage Against the Machine—unless you want us to!) But if there’s a particular song you’d like us to steer clear of, let us know in advance.

From cocktail hour to the last song of the night, you can certainly keep your guests in mind when making these decisions, but it’s ultimately up to you. The music you choose should reflect who you are as a couple and be meaningful to you. No two weddings are the same, which is exactly why you should do what feels right, rather than what’s expected.