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Prepare the songs that mean the most with our wedding music checklist
We all understand the power music has to change a mood, and create a vibe. Your favorite song can lift you up when you’re feeling blue, or resonate when you need it most. And on your wedding day, those songs, and the moments they create, should be celebrated. Which is why we created this wedding song checklist for you, so you’d know when and where the tunes you love should be played.
Every couple planning their wedding has probably already discussed the song they want played for their first dance. But have you considered the soundtrack to your cocktail hour? Or maybe the music you want to walk down the aisle to? These moments deserve careful musical choices too. Tracks that reflect your tastes as a couple, and the atmosphere you desire to create.
Keeping track of all these song choices can be tricky though, which is why it’s a good idea to start your own wedding music checklist. Especially if loved ones have started requesting tunes to be played at your big day too!
Not only does having a comprehensive wedding song checklist make things easier for you while planning. But it also means you have a ready-made list for your DJ. Eliminating any last-minute raids through Spotify, record collections, or frenzied texts to loved ones. Because you’ve already collated your list lovingly during the planning process, carefully choosing tracks that match the moment.
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Your Wedding Song Checklist
Ready to create the soundtrack to your big day? We’ve got you covered with our wedding song checklist.
Wedding Morning Getting Ready Music
You and your wedding gang probably have tunes that you all love collectively. Songs that remind you of special moments spent together. Celebrate them!
Make a checklist of songs that’ll put a smile on the faces of your wedding party. And get everyone in the mood for the day! You could even set up a collaborative playlist on Spotify, or Apple Music and surprise each other with some songs from your past, or present faves!
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Wedding Ceremony
For those having a religious ceremony, the music you’re free to select from will likely be limited during the wedding ceremony. Especially while the bride walks down the aisle, and during the ceremony itself. But the songs performed at religious weddings are often borrowed by nonreligious weddings because they are so joyous! And create the perfect mood for a wedding.
For nonreligious ceremonies, you should put together a checklist of songs that help foster a relaxing and ambient atmosphere. Soft instrumentals are good, acoustic tracks and maybe some old love songs. The exact style of music will depend on your taste, and the theme of the day. But be sure to keep things relaxed. Live musicians playing for your guests will offer a classy touch, and there’s no reason why they can’t be utilized later on in the day.
All being well, you shouldn’t need a playlist longer than say 25–30 minutes.
The Walk Down the Aisle
This is a moment that obviously deserves careful thought. Reflection on how you want the scene to feel. The tempo, song choice and style of song need to all come together and mirror just the way you feel walking down the aisle.
In the US, typically there is a processional, which involves family and the wedding party all walking down the aisle together at different times, before the bride. The music played during this moment should be different from when the bride walks down. But also feel like it’s setting the scene for the entire ceremony.
Stage set, it’s time for the bride to take their walk. And ideally, this should be sountracked by music that’s meaningful to you and your partner. A song that really marks the beginning of your new chapter together.
The Ceremony Recessional
The walk together out of the wedding ceremony space, down the aisle, and through the confetti rain, needs a gear change compared to the checklist songs played so far. Everything should be upbeat, high tempo and in really whatever style you like!
Cocktail Hour
The moments in between the ceremony and reception are often forgotten about, music-wise. Couples tend to just put on a playlist they found on Spotify, or ask the DJ/venue to simply pick something. Which is a shame!
Guests love cocktail hour as it’s a nice, chilled time for them to catch up with loved ones and enjoy a refreshing drink. Therefore the event deserves to have music played that matches the vibe of the guests.
Create a checklist of songs that’ll transport your guests for an hour into whatever type of wedding day you want to create. And wet their taste buds for things to come!
Wedding Reception Song Checklist
This is the moment your DJ or live band will likely take over and entertain your loved ones. Which is nice because up to now you’ve had to do a lot of music curating! But if you do have a passion for music, and there are certain songs you’d love to hear at your wedding, don’t be frighted to share your checklist. But do it way before the big day. DJs famously aren’t a fan of last-minute requests, as it limits their ability to create a coherent night of music. Plus, it only increases the likelihood of them not actually having the tunes you’re requesting.
Alongside preparing a general playlist of dance floor music, there will be certain points during your reception that demand specific tracks. To help you remember those special song moments, we’ve created a wedding checklist below for you.
- Bridal Party Entrance Song/s
- Newlywed’s Entrance Song
- First Dance
- Father/Daughter Dance
- Mother/Son Dance
- Cake Cutting
- Bouquet Toss
- Garter Toss
- End of the Night Song
- Last Dance
Explore additional pertinent subjects that are interconnected with the checklist
The online Wedding Planning Assistant features an extensive suite of professional tools and checklists meticulously curated to help you organize your celebration.
We offer an international wedding planner service, open to all. Soon we hope to make our software available in all languages, so far, we have created versions for these languages: