How music can create that magic wedding vibe

Your wedding music will create the mood for your whole event. Picture your guests arriving and imagine the experience you want them to have. A visually beautiful wedding takes on a whole new feel when it is enhanced by a beautiful sound.

Maybe music is high on your priority list, or maybe you haven’t even given it a second thought. One thing is for sure, if you aren’t involved in weddings every day, it can be easy to mess up this crucial element of your big day.

To help make your day unforgettable, I’ve revealed my top wedding music tips below.

Pick the right person for the job

Penny pinching when it comes to your music is not a good idea. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have someone dedicated to this crucial job.

Keep in mind that the person in charge of the music shouldn’t be someone in your bridal party - they have other jobs to do during the ceremony and might miss their cue while fumbling with technology. Plus, Bluetooth technology can be really temperamental and may prevent the person in charge from moving too far from the PA / sound system.

If you’re going with a do-it-yourself playlist, I recommend opting for either a professional (e.g. wedding co-ordinator or planner), or someone you trust, who’s extremely well-prepared and rehearsed. Nothing kills a wedding more than a bride walking down the aisle in silence. Seriously, it happens!

In my opinion live music is best – you just can’t beat the vibe great local talent can bring to your wedding. Musicians are able to interact with the celebrant in a very natural way, fading in and out at all the right times and making sure your guests don’t spend a minute in awkward silence.

 A professional DJ looking after the job is a really great alternative too. If you’ve already booked one for your reception, ask them to quote for your ceremony as an add-on. It can’t hurt, and will ensure you have a consistent soundtrack throughout your entire wedding day.

Don’t make your playlist a last-minute planning item

Considering the average wedding playlist consists of around 60 songs, picking the perfect tunes for it can take some time. It’s hard to come up with that many favourites when you’re put on the spot and rushing under pressure!

I recommend keeping your ears tuned into music day in day out. This greatly increases the odds of ending up with a perfect playlist. It also means that whenever you hear a good song, you can simply add it to the list. Once you have a great collection of tunes, you can start thinking about what suits your location and theme.

Several playlists are better than one

Most weddings feature two distinct parts, the ceremony and the reception. Most couples will aim to create a separate playlist for both.

The ceremony playlist is the biggest ticket of the day. The most important song is for the walk down the aisle, followed closely by one or two songs for the signing process, and an upbeat party song for celebrating the newest married couple on the planet!

Not many couples prepare an all-important list of songs to play before and after the ceremony however.

A great ‘pre-ceremony playlist’ will set a romantic tone, fill the silent gaps in guests’ conversations and ensure that guests and the nervous groom aren’t waiting in awkward silence.

Following on from your walk back down the aisle, you should plan for a ‘post-ceremony playlist’, which will just continue to play while you get smothered in hugs and kisses, and well-wishes from family and friends. Upbeat music will go a long way to keep the energy levels up and start the party vibe.

Make technology work with and for you

Before you go ahead and book your music provider, it’s important to check the sound laws and regulations at your venue.

In wet weather, I’ve found that Bluetooth speakers can be very unreliable. If it’s raining, test and test again; and get the controller to stand as close as possible to the speaker to avoid drop-outs.

Another tip is to avoid using the celebrant’s PA. There’s nothing worse than microphones interfering with music so that neither the words you say, nor the songs you play are as perfect as they could have been, had you kept them separate.

Most importantly, never skip a sound check and don’t be too shy on volume. You don’t want your favourite song lost, simply because no one can hear it!

Introducing your ceremony ‘dream team’

Make sure you connect your musician / DJ / sound person with your celebrant, wedding co-ordinator and videographer – this is your dream team! Once they are all in touch, you can relax knowing your wedding is in good hands. 

Finally, think about a backup plan in case your DJ, music provider, or the equipment doesn’t turn up. And remember, if planned well, music will truly lift your wedding to the next level!

Get in touch if you’re getting married soon and would like me to help you create the perfect day!

2019’s top wedding hits to get you started

To get your creative juices flowing, I’ve recently asked Trent, wedding DJ and owner-operator at Impression DJs, about his favourite hits for the 2019 wedding season. Check them out below and add them to your list:

Walking down the aisle
All my life – K.C. & Jojo
Best Day of My Life – American Authors
Feels like home – Chantal Kreviazuk
I knew I loved you – Savage Garden
Making memories of us – Keith Urban
Someone like you – Van Morrison
I’m yours – Jason Mraz
Canon in D Major
Lost without you – Robin Thicke
A thousand years – Christina Perri
Secret Garden – Bruce Springfield
Just the way you are – Bruno Mars
Love on top – Beyonce
No one – Alicia Keys
When I fall in love – Nat King Cole
Have I told you lately – Rod Stewart
Over the rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwio’ ole
Who you love – John Mayer
Love is easy – McFly
Riptide – Vance Joy
Big jet plane – Angus & Julia Stone
All of me – John Legend
I got you – Jack Johnson
Beneath your beautiful – Labrinth ft. Emeli Sande
Smile – Uncle Cracker
Heaven (candlelight mix) – DJ Sammy
Beautiful in my eyes – Joshua Kadison
You are the best thing – Ray Lamontage
Halo – Beyonce
Air on a G string – Bach
Marry me – Train
I do – ColbieCaillat
Marry me – Jason Derulo
On top of the world – Imagine Dragons
A thousand years (piano cover) – The Piano Guys
How long will I love you – Ellie Goulding
Better together – Jack Johnson
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrisson
Higher Love – James Vincent McMorrow
I Won’t Give Up – Jason Mraz
L.O.V.E – Nat King Cole
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Amazed – Lonestar
This Will Be (an Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
At Last – Etta James
You Make My Dreams Come True – Hall & Oates
You’re My Best Friend – Queen
Love Story – Taylor Swift
Here Comes The Sun – The Beatles
7 Years – Lukas Graham

Signing the registry
Hold you in my arms – Ray Lamontage
Have I told you lately – Van Morrison
Making memories of us – Keith Urban
When I fall in love – Nat King Cole
Your song – Elton John
Stand by me – Ben E King
Better together – Jack Johnson
You & me – Lifehouse
Sweetest Thing – U2
Lucky – Jason Mraz feat. ColbieCaillat
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
Amazing – George Michael
Sugar – Maroon 5
Everything – Michael Buble
Someone Like You – Van Morrison
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
Beautiful In My Eyes – Joshua Radin
No One – Alicia Keys

Recessional
Marry you – Bruno Mars
You’ve got the love – Florence & the Machine
When love takes over – David Guetta
For once in my life – Stevie Wonder
Beautiful Day – U2
You’re my best friend – Queen
Feel so close – Calvin Harris
Is this love – Bob Marley
This will be an everlasting love – Natalie Cole
How sweet it is  - James Taylor
I do – ColbieCaillat
You make my dreams come true – Hall & Oates
Happy – Pharrell Williams
Everything – Michael Buble
Crazy little thing called love – Queen
I’m all yours – Pitbull
Love somebody like you – Keith Urban
Without you – Usher
On Top Of The World – Imagine Dragons
Best Day Of My Life – American Authors
Love Generation – Bob Sinclar
Treasure – Bruno Mars
Celebration – Kool & The Gang
Amazing – Alex Lloyd
Dancing In The Moonlight – Toploader
My Happiness – Powderfinger
Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
For Once In My Life – Stevie Wonder
You’re My First, The Last, My Everything – Barry White
My Baby Just Cares For Me – Nina Simone

Love Jo x