Dancin’ on the Ceiling

We all like a good party. We celebrate for the smallest things but weddings are huge. They are immense in their significance and, as such, warrant big party attitude. The music you have at your wedding and at your reception set the mood of the occasion as well as show off your personalities.

Be it a DJ, band or a ceremonial musician the music you select is important. There are several categories or phases of your wedding where certain song styles are appropriate.

Ceremony music plays during the nuptials. It’s always classical in nature and is either performed by someone who works for the church or they are hired separately by you. There are many songs that can be played, however, and here is a brief listing:

1. 1st Movement #5
2. A Candle Lighting
3. A Pavan
4. Air From Water Music
5. Adagio Violin Concerto #4
6. All in a Garden Green

There are a lot more of course, but you get the idea. The songs should be complicated and verbose in chord without lyrics. The actual ceremony is more subdued, bordering on the pompous than anything else. Luckily for everyone involved that changes from ritual wedding rites to a grand bash.

The first dance is one where all eyes are upon the Bride and the Groom. It is their first time together outside of the chapel where they are a married couple. The song choice should, of course, be romantically charged or offer some sort of deeper meaning or message. These songs all do that. This is just a small list, as above, to give you an idea.

1. Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden
2. I Love The Way You Love Me by Faith Hill
3. How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You by James Taylor
4. When You Say Nothing At All by Ronan Keeting
5. A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson
6. Always With Me, Always With You by Joe Satriani

If you two have a special song that you share together, one that was playing the first time you kissed, went out or made love then use that song. It has a deeper meaning if it actually is based on a common bond you share.

It’s always customary for the Groom to dance with his mother and the bride with her father. Usually this happens after the first dance and is to signify moving on with ones life. Like a bird being thrown from the nest. The songs themselves should be able to make the guests feel something for the situation and to convey some sort of traveling, moving along ones life path, a change of life or the love you have for your parent, a thank you for giving you life and bringing you this far.

1. Blessed by Elton John
2. Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
3. Do You Remember by Phil Collins
4. I Am Your Child by Barry Manilow
5. For The Good Times by Ray Price
6. I Remember You by Bette Midler

The Bride and Father songs are so very similar with the sexes only being changed to suit the purpose. “A Mother’s Love” is a great song, but there is also a song called “A Father’s Love” so the message remains the same.

These are the most important songs of the reception. You have your “Final Song” which should sum up the evening on a high note. It’s typically a slow dance to finally commemorate the occasion. “Cocktail Song” is after the slow dance and moving into happy hour and group dancing and they should all, somehow, convey a party mood.