How To Create a Wedding Music Checklist
It's raining outside. Your fiance is over at your house to help you plan the wedding. You pretty much have everything under control. You still have to tackle the music checklist. This is both you and your fiance's first wedding so things seem a little overwhelming. You call your favorite cousin who has recently celebrated his fifth wedding anniversary to help you out with this.
- Select the wedding prelude music. This is the music that plays while the guests arrive. It can be subtle and sweet, or a slow to mid-tempo beat. Consider hiring a flutist or harpist to play unseen in the background. An organist, pianist, violinist or prerecorded music would also be welcoming, depending on the selections.
- Select music for the wedding party's march down the aisle. It could be the standard "Wedding March," or it could be a song sung by a soloist. Just make sure it is something separate from what the bride walks down the aisle to. The bridal party could participate in the viral age fad of dancing down the aisle to some contemporary music; all in fun, of course.
- Select music for the bridal entrance. Wagoner's "Here Comes the Bride/Bridal Chorus" is the standard tune used for the bride's entrance. This selection can be up to the bride's discretion. She can also use a favorite love song or a sentimental selection.
- Select an optional song to be played before vows are exchanged or after vows are exchanged. A soloist can be featured, either acapella or accompanied. A three-piece string selection would be a wow factor to be considered.
- Select your special couples dance songs. Special couples dances would/could include: mother/son dance; father/daughter dance; grandfather/granddaughter dance; or grandmother/grandson dance. These could be fast or slow songs; whatever peaks the bride's fancy.
- Select reception music. Depending on guests, songs can vary. From fast tempo to slow beats, guests can participate by filling out a card of fave selections they would love to hear. Bride and groom have the final say.
- Present your DJ, wedding coordinator or MC with your checklist. Keep a copy of the list to make sure your musical requests were attended to and also for a keepsake.