Wedding Music Planning

The functional aspect of wedding music is to fill in the spaces between important events on the wedding such as the actual ceremony, speeches etc. It also helps to set the appropiate mood or feel. In the ceremony, the processional music helps the wedding party keep their steps in time etc. The funciton of wedding music at the reception ranges from relaxing background dinner music to up to date party music to get your guests dancing.

The aesthetic part your wedding music will play in the overall event is probably the most important and most of your time will be spent during this part of your wedding music planning. It will obviously be dictated very much by the functional aspects of the different parts of your wedding, but it will most importantly reflect the wedding couple's music tastes, overall style, and any particular theme they have chosen. The aesthetic aspect is what will evoke the mood and memories of the wedding day in the minds of you and your guests long after the meal has been forgotten. This is where your special choices will make or break the event. The best tip I can provide here is to keep a notebook just especially dedicated to your wedding music planning. Keep a record of songs you would consider for every aspect of your wedding. Write down the titles of songs when you hear them playing in a movie, on radio or TV, at other weddings and parties, or just when you remember a song you are particularly fond of.

Wedding music professionals (band leader, organist, dj) will be able to help you select the best functional music to fill in the spaces and create the mood of any particular aspect of the wedding day. They will in most cases also be able to provide you with a list of standard choices to help in planning your wedding music.

Try to see your wedding as the perfect romance movie with different "scenes" . Movies are terribly dull without the right musical score to add the neccessary drama and flair. It is exactly the same when you plan your wedding music. Lets take a look at the different "scenes":

• Pre Ceremony Music
• Wedding Processional / Bride's Entrance
• Wedding Hymns and Blessings
• Unity Candle Songs
• Wedding Recessional or Exit Songs
• Pre Reception Music or Cocktail Hour Songs
• Grand Entrance Songs
• Wedding Dinner Music
• Cake Cutting Songs
• First Dance Songs
• Father and Daughter Dance Song
• Mother and Son Dance Songs
• Classic Party Hits
• Bouquet Toss Song
• Garter Removal Music
• Last Dance Songs or Exit Songs

Wedding Music Planning Book:

Everyone who's gotten married knows how many "experts" are available to assist with flowers, catering, and bridal attire. But when it comes to music, brides and grooms are usually on their own. Often, they defer to the church organist for the ceremony and go with whatever band the reception hotel recommends. This book will change all that. Barbara Rothstein and Gloria Sklerov have written a book that details everything couples need to know, from setting the right mood to matching the music to location. Filled with helpful tips and pages of workbook space, it not only fills a long-neglected niche in the wedding industry, but also does so with style and energy. It runs through an enormous list of considerations, helping couples determine elements that will make their wedding day perfect. Live music or a DJ? Dance band or harpist? Music for church or beach? In a conversational and accessible style, How to Set Your Wedding to Music discusses all the options and even guides couples through budgeting and contracts. This book will become the must-have expert for couples who want to make their wedding day musically magical.