Category: Song Lists

Wedding Ceremony Music – The Basics

If you are planning a wedding in Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs or anywhere else in the world, I’m sure you have already figured out that there millions of components to think about. The catering service, the venue location, the food selections / menu, the DJ, the cocktail hour, the clothing, the decoration, the centerpieces, the flower arrangements, the bouquet, the favors, did I forget something? Wait! Wait!! Have you even stopped to think about the ceremony yet?

The selection for the music for your wedding ceremony is always a tough task. My customers from Albany, NY to Saratoga Springs come to me all the time and say, “Kenny! Where do I start? I don’t know what any of that music is called or when it even happens!” It’s actually not so difficult. Hang on to you garter… here is a crash course Cliff Notes edition to wedding ceremony layouts for dummies:

Music for your wedding ceremony is important. This part of the day is the serious time set aside where the bride and groom express their feelings for one another and exchange their vows. That means, all in all,  the ceremony is the time set aside for the mushy stuff. Therefore, you probably want to think about slower classical wedding music, new age, or very slow classic rock or pop ballads.

No matter how you look at, there are a few stages to a wedding ceremony, before the bride and groom say I do:

PRELUDE – There should be about four or five songs played as a prelude when the guests are seated. These can be anything, but keep in mind, these selections set the atmosphere for the guests. If you have no music playing, it feels more like a funeral than a wedding, so the prelude is important! The actual song selections should be light and elegant, modern or traditional to your liking.

PROCESSIONAL – The groomsmen and the groom usually move to the front from the side. They do not walk down the aisle, This signifies that the ceremony is about to formally begin. There are two songs during the processional: one song is chosen for when the bridesmaids enter, and the other song is to be the most dramatic choice, selected for play when the bride walks down the aisle.

RECESSIONAL – One last song is played after the kiss for the bride and groom  to walk back up the aisle to. Think happy!  The music played in the recessional, should symbolize the happiness of the couple’s new life together.

If you are like many, you probably want the traditional classic wedding music, but have NO CLUE what the songs are called. Here is my playlist when I am told to play the traditional favorites:

1) PRELUDE: Spring, Canon in D,  Four Seasons Winter, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
2) PROCESSIONAL – Bach – Air of The G String
3) BRIDAL MARCH – The traditional bridal march song that many know as “Here Comes The Bride” is by classical composer  Richard Wagner, officially entitled “The Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin.”
4) RECESSIONAL – The main choice is Mendelssohn— “ Wedding March” from Midsummer Night’s Dream (Traditional Recessional). Some people also select Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy” from Symphony No. 9: Movement 4… and for something lighter and fun, some choose Handel’s “Hallelujah.”

EXTRA SELECTIONS – There can be additional specialized songs selecte at different points in the ceremony, depending on the actual ceremony itself. Sometimes a special song can be played during or after the exchanging the rings and vows, and the lighting a unity candle.

RESTRICTIONS – Some churches have rules about wedding songs used during your ceremony so be sure to ask your clergy person or officiant! Remember, if you are non-traditional, you might get a kick out of white wedding, but your reverend may very well not be a Billy Idol fan.

There is a growing trend to get away from the traditional classic music. However, it is recommended that you shy away from anything upbeat. Adding too much craziness to the ceremony is not recommended, because it takes away from the seriousness of the union at hand.

For your wedding ceremony, your music selections should all probably still be softer and with a slower tempo. However, that doesn’t mean you have do the same thing everyone does.You can totally customize the song selection to fit your taste.  There is plenty of good music out there that may be better suited for you than classical music.   One of the most moving bridal marches I have seen was set to Enya’s “Only Time.”  However, the most memorable one was last summer, when I had a bride who walked down the aisle to Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” so go figure.

Classical music versions of rock music for your wedding

This article is a list of rock and pop songs that would be great for your wedding ceremony. A fresh way to to add a little rock to your ceremony without changing the serious atmosphere that you would like to set is to play some classical and acoustic versions of songs that people may already recognize. In doing so, your guests enjoy the classical version of the cover song, but you keep the mood desired for the serious moment at hand.

Wedding Ceremony Song Artist Idea List

Apocalyptica (Mostly Classical Versions of Metallica)
Bond
JACK Quartet
Kronos
Vitamin String Orchestra

LaSalle Quartet
Manneheim Steamroller
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Philadelphia String Quartet
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
The Arditti Quartet & of yesteryear, .
The Section Quartet (Fuzzbox and other pop.rock covers by Coldplay etc)

Vitamin String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Song List

Pretty much every track released by the Vitamin String Quartet could turn out to be a really good choice for music at your wedding ceremony. However, here are some standout choices for wedding ceremony music that come to mind by the Vitamin String Quartet.

“A Moment Like This”   (originally by Kelly Clarkson)
“Because You Loved Me”   (originally by Celine Dion)
“Breathe”   (originally by Faith Hill)
“Candle in the Wind”   (originally by Elton John)
“Dare You to Move”   (originally by Switchfoot)
“Fallin'”   (originally by Alicia Keys)
“Fireflies”   (originally by Owl City)
“Head Over Feet”   (originally by Alanis Morissette)
“Hero”   (originally by Mariah Carey)
“Hey There, Delilah”   (originally by Plain White T’s)
“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”   (originally by Aerosmith)
“I Wanna Love You Forever”   (originally by Jessica Simpson)
“I’ll Be There”   (originally by Mariah Carey)
“In My Place”   (originally by Coldplay)
“In Your Eyes”  (originally by Peter Gabriel)
“Love Story” (originally by Taylor Swift)
“My All”   (originally by Mariah Carey)
“My Heart Will Go On”    (originally by Celine Dion)
“She Will Be Loved”   (originally by Maroon 5)
“Standing Still”   (originally by Jewel)
“Sweet Surrender”   (originally by Sarah McLachlan)
“Take My Breath Away”   (originally by Jessica Simspon)
“The Only Time”   (originally by Enya)
“This Kiss”   (originally by Faith Hill)
“Wait For You”   (originally by Elliot Yamin)
“When You Believe”   (originally by Mariah Carey)
“Where You Are”   (originally by Jessica Simpson)

Acoustic Wedding Songs – Pop Cover Tunes

This article is a list of acoustic songs that would be great for your wedding ceremony or reception (for dinner or first dance.) A great way to to add a little class to your wedding is to play some acousic versions of songs that people may already recognize. This way, they enjoy the different version, but you keep the atmosphere that you are trying to set for the moment.

The right selection of an acoustic cover song can satisfy the musical tastes of both young and old. I new pop song can be stripped down by Daughtry, and played on an acoustic guitar. Then, the next thing you know, some of your older guests may be tapping their foot along to a song written by Lady GaGa. (Check out Daughtry’s Poker Face.)

I have also plugged them before here, but I really like Boyce Avenue. They take new pop songs, and some classics that everybody love, and turn them into great cover tune acoustic versions. Here is a list of some acoustic music that you may want to use for your wedding:

ACOUSTIC WEDDING SONG LIST

Ani Difranco – Wishin’ and Hopin’
Alanis Morissette – King Of Pain
Bruce LAsh – Lithium
Boyce Avenue – ANYTHING YOU CAN FIND!!! (Suggestions, Teenage Dream, Disturbia, We are Young, Umbrella, Firework, Grenade)
Cat Power – Sea of Love
Cat Power – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Daughtry – Poker Face (Lady Gaga)
David Cook – Billie Jean
Fridav Hertzen – Run This Town (Jay-Z, Rihanna)
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Somewhere over the Rainbow
Jamie Cullum – Please Don’t Stop the Music
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
John Mayer – Free Falling
Johnny Cash – Hurt
Kay Pettigrew – The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (Will Smith)
Kings Off Cash – A Little Less Conversation
Mat Weddle – He ya
Megan Nicole – The Cave
My Midnight Mind – Ride Wit Me (Nelly)
Obadiah Parker – Hey Ya
Ray LaMontagne – Crazy
The Kooks – Pumped Up Kicks
Tyler Ward – Teenage Dream
Tyler Ward – E.T.
Walk off the Earth – Somebody That I Used to Know

Feel free to reproduce this list and/or article as you may, with credit to DJ Kenny Casanova and www.thedjservice.com.

CLASSICAL COVER TUNES –
Another interesting option could be to play some Vitamin String Quartet who actually take modern music, and turn it into beautiful classical arrangements. Check out our other list at HERE

MODERN CAKE CUTTING WEDDING SONGS

If you have been to a wedding housing an old school 80’s wedding DJ, you probably would hear like Cher’s “I got you, Babe” or something old fashion.  Here is a modern wedding cake cutting list of songs from the last few years.

Michael Buble – How Sweet It Is
Uncle Kracker – Smile
Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat – Lucky
Plain White T’s – 1,2,3,4 (I Love You)
Barry Louis Polisar – All I Want Is You
Iz – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole – Over The Rainbow
Sarah Mclachlan – Ice Cream
Ray Lamontagne – You Are The Best Thing
Michael Franti  – Say Hey (I Love You)
Adam Sandler – Grow Old With You
Taylor Swift – Love Story
Blake Shelton – Honey Bee
Kelly Clarkson – A Moment Like This
Dave Matthews Band – Crash Into Me Dave
Matthews Band – You And Me
Big & Rich – Lost In This Moment
Billy Currington – Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right
Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are
Colbie Caillat – I Do
Huey Lewis & Gwyneth Paltrow – Cruisin’
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Rihanna – Birthday Cake
Sugarland – Stuck Like Glue

I hope this new list, comprised of modern songs around 2014 is helpful to you!  Thanks for taking a look!

Official Top 100 Dubstep song list

Dubstep Defined– If you are not really familiar with Dubstep music, get ready, because it is starting to make an impact on the charts. Dubstep is a genre of electronic dance music, best described as a robotic remix sound with overwhelming wobbley bass lines and reverberant drum patterns with clipped samples featuring occasional vocals in strategic places. Dubstep has become a very trending variety of music of late and is crossovering into movie soundtracks, as well as television commericals.

Making Mainsteam Waves – Dubstep and tracks with Dubstep influence are now significantly making their presence felt the Billboard hot 100 charts. This means this brand of music is a genre now making mainstream appeal, whether the undergroud fans like it or not. Back in 2008, another artist, deadmau5 saw three of his tracks (all collaborations as much of Dubstep songs are) “Move for Me” and “I Remember” with Kaskade; “Ghosts N Stuff” with Rob Swire, reach number-one on Billboard’s Hot Dance Airplay chart. This year, 2012, marked the first year we really saw Dubstep tracks holding ground and grabbing mainstream attention, with one of its biggest artists, Skrillex, being nominated for five different categories in the Grammies, and actually winning 3 of them.

We topped the list with the big Skrillex crossover track “Bangerang! feat. Sirah” which has topped the national charts for a number of weeks now in March 2012, finding its way onto top 40 pop playlists everywhere.

Here is the Top 100 Dubstep list that I have compiled of the top 100 Dubstep songs by 2012, by looking at multiple fan-favorite lists online. If you see something you really feel is missing, feel free to add below in the comment section.

TOP 100 Dubstep List by DJ Kenny Casanova

1. Bangerang! feat. Sirah (Original Mix) – Skrillex (Original Mix)
2. Oh Snap! (Original Mix) – Eptic
3. Must Be The Feeling (Flux Pavilion & Nero Remix) – Nero (UK) Nero (UK), Flux Pavilion
4. Stars Come Out (Datsik Remix) – Zedd & Datsik
5. Levels (Skrillex Remix) – Avicii & Skrillex
6. Light It Up feat. Heather Bright (Original Mix) & Flinch, Heather Bright
7. Headrush feat. Belle Humble (Original Mix) & 501
8. Whiskers (Original Mix) – Feed Me, Gemini (UK)
9. Make My Whole World (Original Mix) – Trolley Snatcha
10. Fire Hive (Original Mix) – Knife Party
11. Promises (Skrillex & Nero Remix) – Nero (UK) & Skrillex
12. Station Seven (Original Mix) – Downlink
13. Phat Sack (Original Mix) – Triage, The Bassist, J-Sonic

14. Brutal (Original Mix) – Excision
15. You Got To Go feat. Zoe Johnston (Seven Lions Remix) – Above & Beyond, Zoe Johnston & Seven Lions
16. Must Be The Feeling (Kill The Noise Remix) – Nero (UK) & Kill The Noise
17. Kiss My Lips (Original Mix) – Dev, Borgore
18. Never Change (Original) – Hulk, Messinian
19. Ghosts N Stuff -with Rob Swire – deadmau5
20. Difference (J:Kenzo Remix) – DJ Madd, TMSV
21. Led Astray (Culprate Remix) – Friction & Culprate
22. Come Find Me (Phrenik Remix) – Ascendance, The Nineties, Cori Pena & Phrenik
23. Patron & Kush (Calvertron Kush-Step Mix) – Sporty-O & Calvertron
24. Split The Atom (Kito Remix) – Noisia & Kito
25. Altered States (Original Mix) – Mesck
26. Breakn’ A Sweat (Original Mix) – The Doors, Skrillex
27. Deathray (Original Mix) – Eptic
28. Love Drunk Feat. Dom Liberati (Original Mix) – Fei-Fei
29. Party Alarm (Original Mix) – Downlink
30. Crowd Control (Original Mix) – Excision, Downlink
31. Flesh & Bone feat. Rod Azlan (Dismantle Remix) – EmalKay
32. Somebody To Love (Original Mix) – Rusko
33. Falling Skies (Original Mix) – 501
34. Storm (Original Mix) – Dark Tantrums
35. Hit Me (Original Mix) – Zeds Dead
36. Lights (Bassnectar Remix) – Ellie Goulding & Bassnectar
37. Fire (Original Mix) – Hot Noizes
38. Still Getting It feat. Skrillex (Original Mix) – Foreign Beggars, Skrillex
39. Like A Boss (Original Mix) – Eptic
40. Phat Sack (Radio Mix) – Triage, The Bassist, S-MAK, J-Sonic
41. Turn To Me (Original Mix) – Monty
42. DIY (Original Mix) – Savoy
43. Fully Blown (feat. Snak The Ripper) (Original Mix) – Datsik
44. Solace One Ft. Black Sun Empire (Datsik Remix) – Black Sun Empire, Foreign Beggars & Datsik
45. Get Money (Original Mix) – Triage, The Bassist
46. Program (Original Mix) – DJ Madd, LX One
47. Wish On A Star (Original Mix) – Rednek
48. Eyes On Fire (Zeds Dead Remix) – Blue Foundation & Zeds Dead
49. Spitfire (Original Mix) – Porter Robinson
50. LDN Ft. Alix Perez (Eddie K & Statix) – Alix Perez, Foreign Beggars & Statix, Eddie K
51. Flex Ft Shay (Borgore Dubstep Remix) – Shay, Borgore
52. Flesh & Bone feat. Rod Azlan (The Others Remix) – EmalKay, Rod Azlan & The Others
53. Summit feat. Ellie Goulding (Original Mix) – Skrillex
54. Eyes feat. Mindy Gledhill (Alvin Risk Remix) – Kaskade, Mindy Gledhill & Alvin Risk
55. When I’m Gone feat. Domonique Porter (Original Mix) – Flinch, Domonique Porter
56. I’m in the House – Steve Aoki (feat. Zuper Blahq)
57. Everyday (Netsky Remix) – Rusko & Netsky
58. Who Is Ready To Jump (Dillon Francis Remix) – Chuckie & Dillon Francis
59. Before The Sun (Original Mix) – Excision, Downlink, Ajapai
60. First Of The Year (Equinox) (Original Mix) – Skrillex
61. Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites (Original Mix) – Skrillex
62. Impulse (Original Mix) – Taiki, Nulight
63. iLLest Android (Original Mix) – FS
64. Full Russian (Original Mix) – X Kore
65. Breakin’ A Sweat (EP Version) – The Doors, Skrillex
66. Feel So Close (Nero Remix) – Nero (UK)
67. Los Angeles (Tim Ismag Remix) – Quartus Saul & Tim Ismag
68. Get Out My Head (Joker Remix) – Redlight & Joker
69. Louder feat. Sian Evans (Doctor P & Flux Pavillion Remix) – DJ Fresh & Doctor P, Flux Pavillion
70. Choose Me II (Original Mix) – Xilent
71. Crush On You (KillSonik Remix) – Nero (UK)
72. Cloudburn (Original Mix) – Tasha Baxter, Feed Me
73. Fast Forward (Original Mix) – Eptic

74. Swings Joint (Original Mix) – FS
75. Cinema feat. Gary Go (Skrillex Remix) – Benny Benassi, Gary Go & Skrillex
76. Dirty Bass (Original Mix) – Monty
77. Whats Up Whats Up (Original Mix) – Proper Villains
78. Right In (Original Mix) – Skrillex
79. Acid Reign (Pinch’s Dubplate Version) – Photek, Pinch & Pinch
80. Time To Go (Tremourz-n-Obsidian Remix) – Dirty It Up & Obsidian, Tremourz
81. Junglist (Original Mix) – DJ Madd
82. Unborn (Original Mix) – Dark Tantrums
83. Machine Gun (16 Bit Remix) – Noisia & 16 Bit
84. Stars Come Out (Terravita Remix) – Zedd & Terravita
85. Strange Behaviour (Original Mix) – Tasha Baxter, Feed Me
86. Love Drunk Feat. Dom Liberati (TBMA Remix) – Fei-Fei & The Bolivian Marching Affair
87. Space Ranger (Original Mix) – Protohype
88. Let Go (L Plus Drumstep Mix) – Crissy Criss & L Plus
99. Belly (Original Mix) – Soap Dodgers
90. Blame (Original Mix) – Distance, Tunnidge
91. A Bad Place (Minnesota Remix) – Mimi Page, Shotgun Radio Minnesota
92. Tetris (Original Mix) – Doctor P
93. What You Know (Original Mix) – Hot Noizes
94. Black Rain On Shaken Lands (Original Mix) – Parsley Joe
95. Nosebleed (Sinister Souls Remix) – Sinister Souls
96. Take My Gun! (Original Mix) – DJ Antention
97. Tommy’s Theme (Original Mix) – Noisia
98. The Hero (Original Mix) – Nostalgia
99. Plastic VIP (Original Mix) – Vannin
100. I Need You feat. Charlotte Haining (Original Mix) – Rameses B

A MUCH NEEDED MODERN WEDDING SONG LIST

With all the lame 1980s wedding song lists out there, you really need to update your requests to your DJ. However, it is not so easy to start with a blank page. Here is a very new updated Top 20 Wedding Songs for today.

Songs from this list will be great to use as your first dance, or maybe perhaps as your bridal party introduction song at your wedding reception.

This wedding song list does not include anything more than a year or so old, and most of the songs are slow songs. Feel free to reprodice the list as much as you want with a link back to our cite in Albany NY www.theDJservice.com, or we will get you! 🙂

The link provided will let you hear the song off of Youtube, to help you get a better idea of whether or not the song would be right for you.

TOP 20 NEW SONGS FOR WEDDINGS by Albany DJs

1. “We Are Young” – fun. Featuring Janelle Monae
http://youtu.be/Sv6dMFF_yts

2. “Just a Kiss – Lady Antebellum
http://youtu.be/Xs9X8NhQJF4

3. “Love You Like a Love Song –Selena Gomez
http://youtu.be/4ulaGjwiIbo

4. “Countdown – Beyoncé
http://youtu.be/2XY3AvVgDns

5. “We Found Love – Rihanna (featuring Calvin Harris)
http://youtu.be/1KzEu5hWmRY

6. “I Do,” Colbie Caillat

7. “Give Me Everything,” Pitbull
http://youtu.be/qpqBAOpamJs

8. “Marry the Night,” Lady Gaga
http://youtu.be/O4IgYxHEAuk

9. “Stereo Hearts,” Gym Class Heroes (featuring Adam Levine)
http://youtu.be/T3E9Wjbq44E

10. “I Belong in Your Arms,” Chairlift

11. “Tonight Is the Night,” Outasight
http://youtu.be/0Zt8GWTZB5I

12. “Paradise,” Coldplay
http://youtu.be/1W-ofevh4o0

13. “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5 (featuring Christina Aguilera)
http://youtu.be/suRsxpoAc5w

14. “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” Luke Bryan
http://youtu.be/-jEDdFm3Nx0

15. “You Make Me Feel…,” Cobra Starship (featuring Sabi)
http://youtu.be/4BJNC2yWw6I

16. “Love You Like a Love Song,” Selena Gomez & The Scene
http://youtu.be/LupeGtJ3a3E

17. “Marry You” – Bruno Mars
http://youtu.be/OMr9zCvtOfY

18. “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
http://youtu.be/rtOvBOTyX00

19. “I Can’t Wait” by Runner Runner
http://youtu.be/5aVmvBS5frM

20. “Drive By” – Train
http://youtu.be/oxqnFJ3lp5k

21. “What Makes You Beautiful” – One Direction
http://youtu.be/QJO3ROT-A4E