Selecting your music

"IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE, PLAY ON"

- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

 The Ceremony | The Reception

Years from now, no matter where in the world you find yourself, no matter how old you are, whenever you hear the pieces you have selected for your wedding, it will bring the two of you back to that special day when you were married.

Music sets the tone of your wedding, so choosing the right music is essential. Although particular works and styles of performance are synonymous with weddings, the music you select should reflect your personal style and the overall theme of your wedding. Many brides opt for an elegant classical selection of music, while others choose to enhance a theme (jazz, new age, ethnic). You can set the tone of your ceremony with your choice of ensembles. You can use the following as a guide to choosing musicians for your ceremony:

Enchanting – string trio or quartet, harpist, flautist, singer.

Light and uplifting – harpist, pianist, jazz ensemble, string trio or quartet, guitarist

Fun – jazz ensemble, singer, pianist, vocal ensemble, pop ensemble, sax quartet

Formal – string trio or quartet, organist, harpist, trumpet, classical singer

Serene – string quartet, harpist, flautist, pianist, classical guitarist

Dramatic – string quartet or double quartet, bagpipes, choir

Light background – pianist, piano and violin duo, guitar and flute duo, classical guitarist

Consider commissioning an exquisite and unique original composition for your ceremony or reception. Created especially for you, and performed for the first time at your wedding, your musical creation will remain forever yours to play with friends and family as a unique and timeless memento.

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If you're holding a church wedding, please read our article, Wedding Music for the Church Ceremony, here.

The Prelude – You will need a selection of pieces to be played as your guests arrived, approximately 15 to 30 minutes before the arrival of the bride. Generally elegant and soothing, this music will define the tone of your ceremony.

The Processional – Select music with a steady, well-defined tempo to accompany the entrance of the wedding party as they walk down the aisle.

The Entrance of the Bride – Your choice of music should direct the attention of your guests to the bride as she makes her entrance.

The Ceremony - Your ceremony music should represent your personal taste, but keep in mind that you’ll be looking back on your ceremony for the rest of your life – in ten years do you really want to be reminiscing about signing the registry to the “Chicken Dance”? 

The Recessional – Choose upbeat music as the bride and groom return down the aisle to begin their lives as husband and wife.

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We've asked our DJ's to put together a list of popular and recommended songs for all those key points in your reception. Download their list here.

Your reception is a time to celebrate, and your choices of music will make or break your night. Begin your night with ambient music as your guests enter and enjoy dinner. Then, when it’s really time to party, the music can come to the fore as your guests find themselves on the dance floor.

As your guests arrive, the music should fade into the background. Soft, alluring music will allow conversation to comfortably take place, and as you progress into the meal, your music should provide an intimate counterpoint to the elegant visual of the reception as your guests continue to settle in and get comfortable around each other.

The Bridal Waltz (First Dance) – The formalities are now over, and it’s time to party. When choosing your music for your first dance, it’s most important for the music to be meaningful to you and your partner. While traditional choices remain popular, many couples are choosing modern songs from their favourite bands or movie soundtracks.

Now that the subtle dinner music is finished, it’s time for the party to come alive, and your ensemble or DJ will let loose with a selection of party music designed to get your guests dancing.