What music do I need on my wedding day?
All the times during your wedding day where you need to think about music. When, what, how long, playlist or live music? All your music questions answered:
Music is the unsung hero of wedding vibes. It’s what sets the tone, shifts the energy and holds the whole day together without anyone even realising it. Whether it’s creating chill vibes during your drinks reception, or sending guests wild on the dancefloor, the soundtrack of your day matters.
Here’s how to think about your music journey across your wedding day.
Morning Prep Music
This needs to be your ultimate hype music, the music you love dancing around the kitchen to, giving you positive and uplifting vibes the whole morning. You might be thinking you want more calming music, background, singer songwriter style but my advice you want music that’s going to bring excitement, anticipation and fun!!
Ceremony:
You are most likely going to make the decision between live music or recorded music played through Spotify for your ceremony. You’ll see some consideration to think about for both these options below.
Ceremony Guest Arrival Music (Approx. 1 hour)
When guests start to arrive at your venue or ceremony space, you want the atmosphere to feel warm, calm and full of anticipation. If you’ve gone for a musician they will know exactly what to play for this first part of the day. If you are putting on a playlist, don’t over think it just something chilled, gentle and inviting, but with enough personality to hint at what’s coming.
Top tip: Make the playlist at least an hour long to allow for latecomers and last-minute delays.
Ceremony Entrance Song – This is your moment, so choose something that builds anticipation and makes you feel empowered, emotional, or totally at peace. Whether it’s a classical piece, a stripped-back cover, or something totally unexpected, its going to mean something to you both.
Live musician or recorded track? Check the venue’s setup early. If you are opting for an outdoor ceremony, does your venue provide speakers for outside music or will you have to provide your own. Is there power outside for any musicians?
If you’re the Bride or walking down the aisle, ask yourself: How how long will it take from the top of the aisle to the bottom? If you have a large bridal party, a longer song might be better. Do you want to walk down at a particular point in the song, just as the chorus starts? This is when I strongly recommend doing a rehearsal, even if you are unable to do it at your venue. Anywhere you can time yourself and do a practice to the music the day before is super helpful for you all.
If this is a recorded song, whoever is controlling this needs to gently lower the volume on the track when the couple have finally come together at the end of the aisle - if they just press stop it will comes to abrupt end and it feels off. All about that atmospheric flow here.
Signing the Register – If you are having legal registrar led ceremony (don’t need to worry about this for a celebrant led ceremony) there is a small break towards the end of the ceremony which is when you sign the register and make it all official with your witnesses. Your guest are watching you do this, perhaps chatting to themselves so 3-4 softer tracks, enough to cover the paperwork and give guests something lovely to listen to. Think dreamy, romantic, but not too sleepy. I would allow about 10 minutes for this.
Ceremony Exit Song – This one should hit hard and immediately. It starts with you both walking back down the aisle surrounded by clapping, cheers and love. It needs to be loud, bold, upbeat, celebratory as soon as the track starts. You’re MARRIED, let the music reflect that joy.
Some venues are happy to control the music for you during your ceremony, basically pressing play when required. However some will ask you to nominate a guest to do this. Whoever you pick probably isn’t going to be a groomsmen, in the bridal party or a parent.
My biggest piece of advice for the ceremony is to create separate playlists for each heading in italic above (if you are having recorded music play). Therefore whoever is controlling your music for your ceremony, it is laid out really clearly for them. Whatever device (phone, tablet, iPad) you are using for this make sure all the playlists are downloaded and the phone is either on aeroplane mode or all notifications are deactivation, the last thing you want is a phone ringing half way through and blasting through the speakers.
Generally opting for live musicians is a lot easier, you don’t have to make all these playlists. It is much more impactful and engaging for your guests. But you’ve got to think about costs, power, shelter if you’re outside and speakers.
Drinks Reception: Background Vibes (Approx. 2 hours)
This is your mingling time. Guests are chatting, sipping cocktails, and grazing on all that delicious food you’ve salivated over for months.
How about a saxophonist, acoustic sets or a curated playlist? Keep it upbeat but chilled & fun. Think funk, jazz, soul, maybe even some nostalgic singalong tracks for the right crowd.
Your musical “scene setter” while the Champagne flows.
Meal Entrance Song – Go BIG. Loud, fun, iconic. Make it feel like you’ve just entered your own party (because you have). Whether it’s a club banger, a classic anthem or your shared guilty pleasure, this sets the tone for the party that’s to come later. It makes for the best photos and videos if your guests are cheering, screaming, dancing and going crazy for you. Your MC needs to lift the mood and get everyone own their feet. The song needs to immediately start off with a bang.
Meal Playlist – Now dial it down a bit. You want background music that doesn’t interrupt convo but still keeps the mood lifted. Soulful classics, feel-good hits, acoustic covers of your favourite artists. Avoid anything too loud that’ll clash with clinking cutlery.
Cocktail Hour
This is the pre-party hype zone. Guests are loosened up, you’ve maybe had a change of outfit, and the vibe is building. Now’s the time to ramp up the energy just a little more.
🎷 Live entertainment like a roaming sax player, guitarist or DJ set can work beautifully here. Choose music that’s playful, slightly sexy, and oozing cool. Think Ibiza chill meets city rooftop bar.
Evening Party
All of this music will be passed onto your band or DJ to play for you:
First Dance – Choose a track that feels special to you both. Romantic, silly, soulful, whatever fits your vibe. Or pick a banger where you ask all your guests to join you from the very beginning. If standing on a dancefloor whilst everyone watches you from the side lines fills you with dread -DON’T DO IT.
Second Dance – Very important and one for your guests. Something that gets everyone joining you on the floor. This is literally the first official party song, make it loud, fun, throw your hands in air and one that everyone knows.
Final Two Tracks – End on a high. Go for massive singalongs or total chaos. You want your final tracks to leave everyone hyped, emotional, and singing like their life depends on it.
Final thoughts:
Think of your wedding like a festival, different stages, changing vibes, one seamless journey. If music means something to you, don’t leave it to chance, plan it out. The main thing you want to incorporate is both of YOU. I can help you craft the ultimate soundtrack so every part of your day feels intentional, elevated, and totally unforgettable.
Need help building your playlists or sourcing live performers? You know where I am.
Photographers:
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