Guide for Selecting Wedding Music

People remember music in ways that can surprise us. Contemplate the multitude of songs you can hear in your head just by thinking of them. Try it now: Happy Birthday. Beethoven’s Fifth. Or the song that reminds you of that special someone. Annoying songs. Children’s songs. See? Music really activates memories.

You have an amazing musical database in your head that is linked to all sorts of remembered events. That’s why people tend to really love music from their adolescence. It’s a time when we are forming our adult personalities, falling in love for the first time, achieving early personal successes in life, gaining independence from our parents, teachers, etc. Along with those experiences we form strong musical memories from what we were listening to at the time, and we carry them throughout our lives.

What stronger memory could you want to imprint than the memory of your wedding? You can use music to accomplish remarkable, enduring memories on this great day. A Touch of Classical can help. Below are descriptions of musical moments you might want to create. Use this as a decision-making tool if you like. Or let us handle the details. We want your day to be as memorable as possible. And we know just how to do it!

So, let’s talk about the parts of your wedding day that you might want to enhance with music.

Processional

This is the music for the bride and her bridesmaids as they enter and process down the aisle. Your bridesmaids get their song. The bride gets her own. “Here Comes the Bride,” is the one most rooted in our culture, but there are others, like Pachelbel’s Canon in D or something that the bride chooses from her experience.

Recessional

The recessional is the exit after the ceremony. The most traditional is the “Wedding March.” Above all, it should be happy and energetic, because everyone will be feeling it at that point. A lot of people like this selection from “Water Music.”

Cocktail Hour

Some wedding days include a cocktail hour between the ceremony and the reception. The music should set and maintain the mood. It ought to be low-key but upbeat, neither dance-ready, nor a lullaby.

Couple’s Reception Entrance

This is a song for the happy couple’s entrance to the reception. Often this includes the wedding party. The music should be uplifting and energetic, like the recessional music. Think of music that serves to kick off the party. If you wish to introduce the wedding party before the couple enters, then choose music for each entrance.

The First Dance

Ya gotta have a first dance, but it can be a challenge deciding on this song. If the couple doesn’t have their “song”, A Touch of Classical can help you find the best choice that will make this special moment memorable for them and heart-burstingly charming for the guests.

Father/Daughter Dance

As is the tradition, the father of the bride has a dance with his daughter after the couple’s first dance. Again, this choice can be easy for some and tricky for others. We are here to help. Some receptions want mother/son dance, as well. So, be sure to consider that.

Reception Music

Here’s where you can turn things over to a DJ, or continue with live musicians. Typically this is when everyone dances and celebrates and turns all that love and goodwill into fun, fun, fun for all.

Do Not Play List

Be sure to put together this list! You might never want to hear, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” ever again in your life. Let us know and we’ll be sure you don’t hear it on your wedding day. Also, the bride and groom should submit their specialized individual lists to us separately, and we won’t reveal their content. We’ll just avoid them. If your fiance and his ex had their “song,” we surely don’t want to play it; we also don’t need to tell the bride that the groom has six songs in that category!

Cutting of the Cake

Music can make this light-hearted moment even more memorable. Something upbeat can provide a delightful backdrop.

Bouquet Toss/Garter Toss

Again, a happy, memorable time that deserves its musical signature, whether recorded (Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” comes to mind) or live. A Touch of Classical can give that moment what it needs. The garter toss, similarly, can benefit from a song that gives the men their due as they vie for the prize.

Don’t Worry

If all this seems overwhelming, don’t fret. We have played countless weddings and receptions, and can guide you through the process. We are on your side! We want this day to be something beautiful that you’ll never forget. After all, as your musicians, we’ll be a part of the memories as well, and we’ll do our best to make them outstanding in every way.