Music can have a tremendous effect on people, places, and emotions. And when it comes to events like weddings, it can easily set the mood, or ruin it. This is why there are plenty of couples that opt for traditional playlists instead of venturing out to make their own list.
Technically, the former is the safer route; but its also the cheesier route. However, there are people who are becoming more courageous in their choice of songs for their big day. Youll hear about how one bride played Rihanna, while a groom somewhere went with Jay-Z.
When it comes to your wedding, do know that picking the right wedding music isnt as challenging or as intimidating as you think. A simple way to go about it, is to create separate playlists that apply to the different parts of the wedding. You can consider creating one for before, during, and after the ceremony, for cocktails, during the reception, for the first dance, and the after-party.
For the pre-ceremony, you want something calm and light, which will encourage your guests to relax. String music works perfectly well here. You can add songs that create a buildup of emotions, for when youre about to step on the aisle and start walking. Then, of course, your chosen wedding march tune will play and move people to tears. As you go through the ceremony, continue with tunes that have emotional triggers, but make sure that the triggers mostly apply to you and your groom. This will make everything even more memorable and meaningful.
For cocktail hour and the reception, livelier tunes work well. This is the time to lighten the mood and “turn up the happy.” Youre now married, and your family and friends are happy just as you and your partner are, so have the music that will reflect the festive vibe. If theres a shift back to the cheesier stuff, it should be reserved for your first dance.
Once the party and after-party begins, go back to livelier music. If you have a dance floor in the venue, make full use of it, and encourage your guests to dance their hearts out with tunes that will make them groove and move. You can do a mashup of new and old songs – traditional and modern mixes have become quite de rigueur.
The bottom line: You can create fantastic musical playlists for your big day, but you have to plan it. Do your research and get help from your family, friends, and wedding planner if you have one. This should be a fun aspect of your wedding preps, so enjoy every minute of it.
