Wedding Wednesday: Song Selection Assistance

I've never had to plan a wedding of my own {hopefully that day will come soon}, so I can't exactly say that I've had trouble with picking out the music for my big day {the boy says he'll be choosing the music selection if/when our big day comes, we'll see how that works out!}.  I will admit, though, I'm a huge fan of music at any party - and the music selection for a wedding definitely requires more thought than say a 32nd birthday get together.

Although music is an important piece of your wedding to think of when it comes to your guests enjoyment, there's more to it than just making sure you choose the right DJ or band to rock your venue late into the night.  There are many musical choices needed for a traditional wedding.  First we'll start with your ceremony - you'll have to choose your prelude, processional, recessional and postlude.  Then there is the music for your reception -  your introduction, first dance, father & daughter dance, mother & son dance, cake cutter, bouquet toss, garter toss and the last dance.  Whew - did you know there would be so many??

The Knot threw together a list of songs that would be fitting choices for the type of wedding style you have centered your wedding around {or based on your musical tastes as a couple}.

For the couple hosting an Indie style wedding, here are some suggestions:

Ceremony Recessional:
"Hello Sunshine" - Super Furry Animals
"Love and Some Verses" - Iron and Wine

Reception Entrance:
"La La Love You" - the Pixies
"Baby I'm Yours" - the Arctic Monkeys

First Dance:
"First Day of My Life" - Bright Eyes
"Question" - Old 97's

Father-Daughter Dance:
"Gracie" - Ben Folds
"Flood of Sunshine" - the Posies

Mother-Son Dance:
"Opened My Eyes" - Straw Dogs
"Only You" - Joshua Radin

Cake Cutting: 
"Tonight is Forever" - Acid House Kings
"Love It All" - The Kooks

Bouquet Toss:
"Give a Little Love" - Rilo Kiley
"Miss Magnolia" - Matt Costa

Last Dance:
"You Are the Best Thing" - Ray LaMontagne
"December Night" - Laura Warshauer


For couples planning an "all American" wedding, here are some selections for you:

Ceremony Recessional:
"All You Need is Love" - The Beatles
"City of Blinding Lights" - U2

Reception Entrance:
"Stay" - Dave Matthews Band
"Rock'n Me" - Steve Miller Band

First Dance:
"If I Should Fall Behind" - Bruce Springstein
"My Best Friend" Tim McGraw

Father-Daughter Dance:
"Just the Way You Are" - Billy Joel
"Father and Daughter" - Paul Simon

Mother-Son Dance:
"Learning to Fly" - Tom Petty
"Kind and Generous" - Natalie Merchant

Cake Cutting:
"Brown Sugar" - The Rolling Stones
"Love You Madly" - Cake

Bouquet Toss:
"Just Like Heaven" - The Cure
"P.Y.T. {Pretty Young Thing" - Michael Jackson

Last Dance:
"Celebration" - Kool and the Gang
"Love Shack" - The B-52s



Lastly, for those couples planning a trendy wedding, check out these music choices:

Ceremony Recessional:
"Something Coming Over" - O.A.R.
"No One" - Alicia Keys

Reception Entrance:
"If it's Lovin' That You Want" - Rihanna
"Love Like This" - Natasha Bedingfield

First Dance:
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz
"Bubbly" Colbie Caillat

Father-Daughter Dance:
"This is My Now" - Jordan Sparks
"Daughter" - Loudon Wainwright III

Mother-Son Dance:
"Blackbird" - Sarah McLachlan
"Viva la Vida" - Coldplay

Cake Cutting:
"Candyman" - Christina Aguilera
"Green Light" - John Legend

Bouquet Toss:
"Single Ladies {Put a Ring on It" - Beyonce
"Womanizer" - Britney Spears

Last Dance:
"Let it Rock" - Kevin Rudolf
"Just Dance" - Lady Gaga



Did you find some new ideas from this list?  The Knot provides an abundance of music ideas for both your ceremony and reception, so be sure to check it out here.

What songs did you play for the various activities for your wedding?  Would you say your music choices matched the style/theme of your wedding?  If so, was that your plan??  We'd love to hear how you came up with your musical selections!