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:
What should I know about music for the ceremony?
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:
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.
Ed Sheerhan tops this 25 List of Modern Wedding Songs
WEDDING MUSIC LIST WITH VIDEO LINKS FOR 2015
There are so many LAME cheesy old wedding song lists on the internet, that from time to time, I wonder if people are actually writing new DJ lists or just passing along the same irrelevant out-dated crap. Can you say Delilah Show?
Here is 2015 list of songs that could work very well at your wedding for those of you looking for modern new songs that you can slow dance to.
TOP 25 WEDDING MUSIC LINK SONG LIST FOR 2015
Most of these songs are tracks released this year, or maybe a year or so old, but you certainly won’t find oldies here:
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.
Vitamin String Quartet – Classical versions of rock music
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)
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
Acoustic Wedding Songs – Boyce Avenue is a great option!
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
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.
New Wedding Cake Cutting Song List
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!
Fun’s new song, “We are Young” might be a good song for your wedding
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.
