Music, Music, Music

Setting the mood for the ceremony, conversational music for the dining time, and rousing the guests for dance, are all part of the possibilities in adding music to your event. Between the

I-pods, CD players, tape recordings, T.Vs., computers, radio, old platters and live musicians, historic drumming, singing and dance -- there has always been the great joy of adding music to the occasion. With weddings or events of any style, you can mix it up.

With live music you may want a flute, violin, harp, piano, organ, or a combination of fine musicians playing. Any soloist should have a microphone. The musician nor DJ will attend the rehearsal, but you can have your specific music recorded ahead of time to help your rehearse the ceremony. If a song is a favorite love song, pertinent to your lives together, or the family favorite have it sung or played. We often see the dance music starting and the guests leaving. Do yourself a favor – if it is very loud heavy metal/rock/ place the music in a separate dance area.

If all in one room, lower the decibles – why – because people cannot talk or visit, so they leave.

Intersperse slower numbers with fun fast music. Your musicians or DJs often know what’s best.

There are many options in planning music: Classical, Big Band, Cha Cha, Rock n Roll, Salsa, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Western and many Ethnic Styles. Some websites let you listen and many have the words to the music. These are just a few possibilities

PRE--CEREMONY:

* Air [from Water Music] - Handel
* Air On The G String - Bach
* Arioso – Bach
* Autumn – Valvadi
* Ave Maria – Bach/Gounod
* Bridal March – [from Marriage of Figaro] Mozart
* Gloria – Valvadi
* Hornpipe [from Water Music] - Handel
* My Heart Will Go On [ from the Titanic]
* Pachelbel – Canon D
* Seasonal Music pertaining to time of year
* Themes -- music pertaining to a theme wedding
* Waltzes - Strauss Waltzes, The Emperor’s Waltz, Tales From The Vienna Woods, Vienna Life
* Musicals – South Pacific, Camelot, Sound of Music

SOLOS:

* Ave Maria – Schubert – Solo
* All I Ask Of You – “Phantom of the Opera” Solo
* Music of The Night [ from Phantom of the Opera] solo
* There Is Love – solo
* Santa Lucia
* Sunrise Sunset
* The Prayer -- Charlotte Church and Josh Groban
* The Wind Beneath My Wings
* From This Moment – Shania Twain

ATTENDANDTS OR BRIDESMAIDS WALK ON:

* Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiging
* La Rejouissance [from “Royal Fireworks”] – Handel
* Trumpet Voluntary – Clark
* Pachelbel – Canon D

SEATING THE MOTHERS:

* The mothers’ favorite love song or a traditional piece
* Air on the G String – Bach
* Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach
* On Wings of Song – Mendelssohn
* Wedding Aria – Handel
* Swan Lake

BRIDE’S ENTRANCE:

* Bridal Chorus – Wagner
* Trumpet Voluntary – Clark
* Rondeau [ theme from Masterpiece Theater]-Mouret
* Romance – Tchaikovsky
* Only Time -- Enya

INTERLUDE – CANDLES LIT – MOVEMENT TO THE ALTER – brief:

* Meditation [from Thais] - Massenet
* Panis Angelicus – Franck
* Wedding Aria – Handel

RECESSIONAL – FROM THE ALTER:

* Brandenburg Concerts #3 & #5 – Bach
* Hornpipe [Water Music] – Handel
* La Rejouissance [ Royal Fireworks] Handel
* Theme From Symphony #1 – Brahms
* Wedding March – Mendelssohn
* Rondeau [Masterpiece Theater] –Mouret
* Chariots of Fire [ movie theme ]
THE RECEPTION [by stating the performer, you will recognize it faster]

TOP Favorite Wedding Reception Songs:

* Nothing Compare To You – Sinead O’Connor
* Close To You - Maxi Priest
* Power Of Love - Jennifer Rush
* Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
* I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You - Elvis Presley
* Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
* When You Say Nothing At All - Ronan Keating
* From This Moment On - Shania Twain
* You Made Me Love You - Al Jolson
* How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
* Be Our Guest - [Beauty and the Beast soundtrack]

CASUAL WEDDING RECEPTION MUSIC:

* At Last – Etta James
* Heaven – D.J. Sammy
* All My Life – KC & JOJO
* Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
* The Prayer
* Angels Brought Me Here – Guy Sebastian
* Me & You – Kenny Chesney
* Forever – Joheim
* Storybook Love – Mark Knopfler
* Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
* Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle

GOOD LISTENING – DURING DINING:

* That’s What Friends Are For – Dionne Warwick
* Celebration – Kool & The Gang
* Theme from T.V. [Friends}
* Thank You – Dido
* All My Life – KC & JOJO
* With A Little Help From My Friends – Beatles
* Pictures – Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow
* The Wedding Song – Bob Dylan
* Sweet Happy Life – Peggy Lee
* Heaven – Bryan Adams
FIRST DANCE SELECTIONS:

* Amazed – Lonestar
* From This Moment On – Shania Twain
* At Last -- Etta James
* I Cross My Heart – George Strait
* It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
* Have I Told You Lately That I Love You—Rod Stewart
* Unchained melody – Righteous Brothers
* The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
* It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
* Endless Love – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
* When A Man Loves A Woman – Michael Bolton
* Unforgettable – Nat King Cole

FATHER -- DAUGHTER DANCES:

* Butterfly Kisses – BobCarlisle
* Daddy’s Little Girl – Al Martino
* Hero – Mariah Carey
* Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
* Because You Love Me – Celine Dion
* The Way You Look Tonight – Fran Sinatra
* Times Of Your Life – Paul Anka
* My Special Angel – bobby Helms
* Daughter of Mine – John McDermott

SON AND MOTHER DANCE:

* A Song For My Son – Mikki Viereck
* Through The Years – Kenny Rogers
* In My Life – The Beatles
* The Perfect FAN – Back Street Boys
* The Rose – Bette Midler
* I Am Your Child – Barry Manilow
* Could I have This Dance – Ann Murray
* Memories – Elvis Presley
* A Smile Like Yours – Natalie Cole

GET EVERYONE ON THE DANCE FLOOR:

* How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You – James Taylor
* Thank You for Loving Me - Bon Jovi
* Wedding Day – Bee Gees
* All You Need is Love – Beatles
* At Last – Etta James
* YMCA – Village People
* We Are Family – Sister Sledge
* You’ve God A Friend in Me – Rancy newman
* Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
* I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
* All The Way – Frank Sinatra
* Unbroken – Tim McGraw
* Summer Wind – Frank Sinatra

Wedding Garter:

* Wishin’ and Hopin’ -- My Best Friend's Wedding Soundtrack
* I Feel Like A Woman -- Shania Twain
* Going To The Chapel – Yellowman
* Ladies Night – Kool & The Gang
* Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend – Marilyn Monroe
* One Way Or Another -- Blondie

Cake Cutting:

* Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
* Thank You – Led Zeppelin
* Everlasting Love – Natalie Cole
* When I’m 64 – The Beatles
* Recipe For Making Love – Harry Connick jr.
* Only Want to Be With You – Hootie & The Blowfish

There are tons of websites that give you many popular song lists and some give the words


About the Author:
by Judith Rivers-Moore author of Beautiful Weddings & Events - www.WeddingLinks.com