For better or worse

Till death do us part

I’ll love you with every beat of my heart

I swear

– I swear, All-4-One

You may not realize this but music is going to be an important part of your wedding ceremony.

Yes, I know. I can just about hear your groan. 

In the maelstrom of choosing flowers, dresses, cakes, vows, honeymoon destinations, hiring a photographer and videographer, and just about everything else, your ceremony soundtrack is yet one other detail that needs to be planned for.

Music changes a lot of things. It sets the tone, evokes emotions, and conveys a message to your guests, so selecting the right–if not the perfect–songs is critical. And just as important as ensuring that each song or music played is appropriate for the wedding ceremony.

So if you’re looking for some help for getting the music just right, here are our top tips:

Understand Your Theme

What’s your wedding theme? Your theme determines the overall look and feel of your special day. Your wedding music should be enhancing or supporting your overall theme so your wedding feels cohesive and well put together.

How Many Songs Do I Need?

This is a question you need to ask yourself at the onset of your preparations. How many songs does a typical wedding ceremony require? There will be three major moments you’d want to consider choosing songs for: the bride’s processional, the groom’s and the recessional for the both of you together. For your intended’s processional song, you could choose to use it as the same song to which your wedding party walks down the aisle. Of course, you can also choose otherwise, which means having your wedding party walk to a different song.

Discuss With Your Officiant

If you are holding a church or religious wedding ceremony, it’s essential to discuss this with your Officiant to check whether there are any constraints about what songs you are allowed to use. Quite often , conservative venues will provide you with a specific selection of traditional or religious songs from which to choose. The more progressive venues may allow whatever music you want to use. It would save you a lot of headache down the line if you could communicate your plans to your Officiant before you proceed accordingly.

Consider Your Story

As a couple, you have your own story. It doesn’t matter how short or long you’ve been together, there has to be a music, a song, or an artist that you both enjoy listening to. Perhaps, it’s a song that was playing in the background when you first met or on your first date? An artist that you both liked? A song that you enjoy belting out in the car? Maybe there’s a certain song that reminds you of the other? Any of these will point you in the direction of a mutually relevant song or two. It’s truly worth it to take the time to think about it, if you’re unsure.

Pay Attention to the Lyrics

While you want to choose a song that you both like, it’s likewise crucial that you understand the lyrics of the song before choosing to play it at your ceremony. You wouldn’t want to be playing a song that you think is romantic but actually talks about something really dark like death or abuse. Saying that it isn’t going to go over well, at all, would be an understatement. 

Have Fun With It

While you want to be looking at the more romantic songs for the other parts of your ceremony, your recessional song should ideally be upbeat, happy, and celebratory. Don’t forget, you’re celebrating tying the knot! If you’re into it, you can choose a song that will make you groove down the aisle and get your guests to sing along as well. It could be something classic like Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” or The Turtles’ “Happy Together” or a little more modern like Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” or Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat’s “Lucky.” Whichever you choose, make sure you have fun with it!

Make It a Surprise

To truly personalize the wedding ceremony, you and your intended could each select your own separate processional songs and keep them from each other until you walk down the aisle. Choose a song that embodies your individuality yet still shows how you feel about your intended. Maybe you can choose a song that you know they would absolutely love to hear. Or perhaps one that has a special significance for them. Make sure to make prior arrangements with your planner or whoever is in charge of the sound system so everything goes perfectly according to plan.

Whatever you decide, always remember to be true to you and your relationship. This is your wedding, after all – and each song is about you.