Music Lists for Wedding Receptions

Written by: Deneice Arthurton

For most people their wedding day will be the most important day of their life so far. An enormous amount of planning and preparation is necessary even for less elaborate affairs. Music is an enormously important part of that process and can make or break the success of a wedding. Not only will it set a mood it will also dictate how much or little your guests enjoy themselves. Selecting music lists for weddings can be one of the biggest headaches for many couples.

Decide the part you want music to play

Most people will opt for some kind of entertainment and music for their evening reception. However, receptions can last from late morning right through until late evening and it is up to you to decide how much of that time you want music present.

Will you want something special playing as you greet your guest?

Do you want some kind of background music to entertain or set a mood whilst people are eating?

What about while you are cutting the cake, arriving at reception, throwing your bouquet, leaving your reception and so on.

There are no hard and fast rules as to when music can and can’t be played and this will be down to your own personal preference. Should you decide that you want music playing at a particular time it is a good idea to decide in advance exactly what that should be.

Keeping everyone happy

To many people this seems like the impossible challenge. Wedding guests will often be the most disparate gathering of people – children to very old, stuffy family members to young hip friends, classical lovers to grunge, you will probably have at least one of each of these and possibly many others that fall somewhere in between.

It is your day but the comfort and happiness of your guests will contribute greatly to your own enjoyment and success of the day in general.

Upping the tempo gradually

Many DJs and professional wedding planners recommend the ‘slow transition’ of music as the day progresses and, if this is done skilfully enough, your guests will each leave convinced that the music was tailored to their own tastes.

This way of approaching things means that while guests are eating the music is something along classical or traditional lines, non-obtrusive and subtle. This moves in the early part of the evening onto 50s type ballad or show singers, middle of the road favourites and generic all time popular songs. As the evening progresses the music tempo can be upped to include more contemporary music perhaps still interspersed with different genre songs.

We’ve all seen it. Great Uncle Jimmy up and giving it his all to something loud and modern when previously he’s only been known to listen to jazz. Weddings lend themselves to the older generation letting their hair down a bit but this is more likely to happen when the music is skilfully managed.

Live music or disco?

This really is a personal preference. Bands can often be a much more expensive option but you may have a group of friends who can offer this service. Discos tend to be able to cater for a wider range of music tastes but not always. If the band is good enough they will be able to play many different styles.

Themed music for wedding receptions

Many very successful receptions have used a particular theme to add a certain flavour or mood. These can take the form of a 70s night for example and these have a way of bringing everyone together with a slightly tongue in cheek approach.

Another much used theme is the ceilidh. Pronounced kay-lay, the word is of Gaelic origin and actually means ‘visit’. In the Scottish Highlands and Islands this visit would often result in impromptu and impulsive music playing and dancing. With a skilful ceilidh band almost everyone will join the dance floor at some point in the proceedings and can result in much hilarity.

Communicate your wishes

Whatever and whoever you choose to provide your entertainment make sure you have communicated your wishes to them. You may wish to leave selection in their capable hands or you may have very definite ideas of what you definitely do and equally definitely don’t want played.

Most couples will have a definite idea of what they want played for their first dance. This is the one music selection where complete self-indulgence is allowed. This is your song and even the most intolerant of guests will grant you free rein here.

Type of music to avoid at weddings

Death metal may be what makes your feet tap but what about your guests? Try not to force any extreme music tastes on them. Equally, try and avoid any offensive music or songs with explicit content.

Too high volumes with nowhere to retreat is often a common grumble of the older folk. Try to keep this in mind.

Ultimately this is your day and guests will understand that. However, a wedding reception that was so much fun for everyone that they are still talking about it months afterwards will be something to add significantly to your own enjoyment and memories.

If you really are at a total loss for the music side of things then suggested music lists for wedding receptions and specific song suggestions can be resourced all over the Internet.

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