There are a few particularly special and memorable moments on your wedding day that will need a song to go with them. Whether you’ve hired wedding music professionals or you’re DIYing your music, the choice is yours for what songs you would like to play at each moment. The talented team at Maple Creek Music are here to help you choose your wedding songs!
Ceremony Songs…
There are two ways your ceremony music can go: traditional (think string quartets or classical guitar) or modern (acoustic duos, soloists etc). It really depends on what you’re personal tastes are! Both are great options to set the mood for a beautiful ceremony.
Processional…
This one is for when you or your partner (or both!) walk down the aisle. This is a great time to have a song played that has special meaning to both of you; maybe it’s a song that was playing at your first date, or the one that was playing at the proposal, or maybe it’s just one you’ve had your heart set on for many years. If you’re after a more traditional feel, there are a few go-to classical pieces that are bound to capture the moment perfectly.
Popular Choices for Acoustic Duos:
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- Like I’m Gonna Lose You – Meaghan Trainor
Popular Instrumental Choices:
- Canon in D – J. Pachelbel
- The Bridal Chorus – Lohengrin R. Wagner
The signing of the Register…
It’s always a nice idea to have a song playing while you and your partner are signing your official papers. This moment can require 2 songs, or 1 expanded by your musicians. A choice similar to your processional is a great one….something romantic to set the mood.
Popular Signing Songs:
- At Last – Etta James
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perry
Recessional…
This is the song that’s played as you both leave the ceremony as newlyweds! This is a great time for an upbeat song, celebrating your first moments as a married couple. After all, it’s a pretty exciting thing that just happened! Something fun that you both like is a great choice.
Popular Choices:
- Happy – Pharrell Williams
- Crazy Little Thing – Queen
- Signed Sealed Delivered – Stevie Wonder
Popular Traditional Choices:
- Wedding March (Midsummer Night’s Dream) – Mendelssohn
- ll Hornpipe (from Water Music Suite) – Handel
Reception Entrance Song…
These are the fun and funky song or song/s that are played as you and your wedding party enter the reception. We recommend a song that starts the party off with a bang! You can choose one song for all of you or split up your wedding party and enter into different songs. (Get a cut version of your songs if you do this, to make sure you don’t miss the best bits!)
Popular Entrance Songs:
- I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
- Good Feeling – Flo Rider
First Dance…
Your first dance together as newlyweds is such a special moment, so it’s important to have a memorable and meaningful song. This can be choreographed or you can both just wing it! It’s about you and what you feel comfortable doing. Traditionally this moment was called the ‘Bridal Waltz’ so the newlyweds would slow dance together for the first time. If this doesn’t feel like you, then why not choose an upbeat number and get groovin’! If you have booked live music, chat to your musicians about how to make your first dance uniquely you.
Popular First Dance Songs:
- If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
- You & Me – Lifehouse
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Father-Daughter, Mother-Son…
An optional special moment at your reception is to dance with one or more of your parents in whatever combination you like. We recommend choosing a song that either has lyrics that speak to your relationship with your parent or one that you both love together!
Cake Cutting…
Having a song played as you cut your amazing cake is a great way to create an atmosphere instead of awkward silence! Have a special song leftover that you want to include in the night – this is your chance!
Exit Song…
Most receptions will have the newlywed’s exit, where there is a sparkler tunnel or similar as they’re whisked away into the night – having a great party song is the perfect way to end the night on a high. If you have a favourite ‘dance song’, this is the time!
Tips & Tricks
We recommend having a Spotify (or similar) playlist that you add to with all the songs that are special to you or you just love. That way you can listen through the playlist on the go and start to get a feel of what moment each song would fit best. This goes for your dinner music/dance music if you’re choosing your own music for those parts of the day too.
Want to book Maple Creek Music for your special day? Click here!
