GHE Wedding Music Guide
Choosing your wedding music should be fun!
Take this opportunity to incorporate the songs you love into your wedding day and truly make it yours.
I’ve designed this guide as a starting point – to help get the ball rolling with some ideas and also to give you a few tips along the way.
You can choose songs from these lists below or something entirely different – the choice is yours.
Let’s get started!
Ceremony Music
The Processional
(walk down the aisle)
This is the first ‘official’ song of your wedding day (although I will have background music playing as your guests arrive and are seated for the ceremony). After the celebrant has welcomed your guests, the music for the ‘walk down the aisle’ will begin.
Traditionally this is the first time you will see each other on your wedding day so something romantic, heartfelt and tender will typically work best.
TIP: Whichever song you choose, Google the lyrics! You can usually hear a pin drop during the walk down the aisle – this is one time when the lyrics will stand out.
Signing Of The Register
(2 songs)
Following your vows and first kiss, your celebrant will invite you to sign the register. The documents will need to be signed by yourselves, the celebrant and two witnesses.
Your photographer will often have you pose for some professional photos and guests may also choose to take some pics. To create some atmosphere while all of this is happening there is an opportunity to select some music you love. This moment will usually require two songs.
Love songs are often the way to go. They can be heart-felt and intimate, or a little more whimsical and relaxed.
TIP: If you are deciding between two or three songs for the ‘Walk Down the Aisle’, the ones you don’t choose could be used for the ‘Signing of the Register’. Like the ‘Processional’ these songs can either be performed live or recordings from your favourite artists.
Recessional
(You are announced as a married couple and walk back down the aisle together)
After you have signed the official documents you will come back to the centre of the aisle ready for the big announcement as Australia’s newest married couple.
When you are announced your guests will be applauding (and possibly throwing flower petals or confetti) so this song will be an up-tempo celebration song!
TIP: You can have fun with this one. It could be a soul classic, a modern pop song, new country – you name it. Whatever you like as long as it is fun and happy!
Reception Music
The Bridal Party Entrance
After guests are seated, your MC will welcome everyone, make housekeeping announcements and then introduce each couple from the bridal party into the reception. Your guests will cheer each couple as they enter and the music is pumping. Of course you are the stars of the show so you will come in last and get the biggest cheer! This is a fun way to kick of the reception so an upbeat & happy song with lots of energy is perfect for this moment.
If there is no bridal party then it will be just the newlyweds being introduced. As the MC will be speaking over the top of the music, this is typically DJed.
TIP: While this is usually one song for the whole group, you can choose to have different songs for each couple as they come into the room (and sometimes dance into the room!)
Cutting Of The Cake
This song plays in the background to add atmosphere as your photographer & guests take photos. Sometimes couples choose songs with a ‘sweet’ theme in the lyrics, otherwise a simple love song can be perfect.
TIP: If you can, always eat dessert BEFORE dancing! Bringing out dessert once the party has started is a dancefloor killer. It also helps to give your guests a big sugar hit right before they hit the dancefloor!
First Dance
This can be any love song that means something to the two of you.
When possible the first dance should always take place after all of the meals (including dessert) and the speeches have concluded. The party music & dancing will start immediately after this song.
TIP 1: Just like the ‘Walk Down The Aisle’ song I would definitely recommend that you Google the lyrics for this one too!
TIP 2: If you are not confident dancers I would recommend having the bridal party join you on the dancefloor after the first chorus (this will give your photographer enough time to take some photos first) and then all of the guests shortly after. By the end of the song all of your guests will be out of their chairs and we can kick off the party music with a packed dancefloor!
TIP 3: If you are planning to do an actual bridal ‘waltz’ some good options to consider are “You & Me” – Lifehouse, “Come Away With Me” – Norah Jones, “Moon River” – Andy Williams and “Extraordinary Magic” – Ben Rector
Father / Daughter Dance (optional)
The Father / Daughter or Mother / Son dance can be a beautiful moment at your wedding and nice way to say thank you to your parents.
TIP: If your ‘First Dance is taking place earlier in the night or in a different location (eg. outside under the stars) then this dance can be a good substitute. In this scenario the dance would take place after all of the meals / speeches and immediately before the party music – we can invite your guests to join you midway through and then kick off the party!
Bouquet Toss (optional)
Something upbeat to get the girls dancing is perfect for this. If you feel like there won’t be many single ladies at your wedding you can always invite ALL of the girls onto the dancefloor – afterall it is just a bit of fun!
TIP: Rather than scheduling a time for this, it is a great idea to keep it flexible. If there is ever a time when the dancefloor is quiet, it is a great way to get all of the girls on the dancefloor again and kick off the party!
Throwing Of The Garter (optional)
Something raunchy and fun is the way to go!
TIP: Again, if you feel like there won’t be many single men at your wedding you can always invite ALL of the men onto the dancefloor.
Farewell
After the last dance song of the night, the MC or myself will invite your guests to form a tunnel (2 lines) from the exit back into the room or outside. As the celebration music starts you will run through the tunnel of guests as they cheer you out the door. It is great way to finish the night on a high and signals to your guests that the celebrations have concluded (this is especially helpful if your venue has given you a definitive time that guests need to have left by!)
TIP: Your guests will likely have had a few drinks so something that is a fun sing-along will make the send-off even more fun!
Your Wedding Song Selections