List of Articles: Helpful Event & Wedding Music Tips & Ideas
Music Remembrance Articles Table of Contents
Wedding Music
Wedding Music Tips
- Wedding Music Guides & Tips
- How To Save Budget on Wedding Music
- Wedding Ceremony Music Planning Guide
- Wedding Music Do’s & Don’ts
- Lists of Wedding Brass Ensembles & Tips for Using Brass Music
- Is Classical Music The Best Choice For My Wedding Ceremony?
- Choosing Your Wedding Ceremony Music, Tips and List of Ensembles & Music Styles
- How To Organize Your Wedding Ceremony Music & Classical Songs For Each Part Of The Ceremony
Wedding Music Ideas
- Ideas for Personalizing Your Wedding Music
- Fun Wedding Ceremony Music Ideas
- Find Your Perfect Wedding Music: 50 Different Wedding Ensembles To Choose From
- Great Wedding Themes
- Ideas for Using Fanfare Trumpets
- New Orleans Style Wedding Parade For your Wedding
Wedding Song Lists
- Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To
- Songs For The Bouquet Toss
- Classical String Wedding Music Songs
- Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music Songs & Tips
- Wedding Music Song Lists
- Father & Daughter Dance Songs
- First Dance Songs
- Classical Pieces For Each Part Of Your Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Reception Music Tips
Event Music
Tips for Hiring Wedding & Event Musicians
- How To Hire The Best Orlando Event Jazz
- How To Hire The Best Orlando Brass Musicians
- Choosing The Best String Musicians & Lists of String Ensembles
- How To Hire Musicians The Right Musicians For Your Wedding or Event
- Tips For Hiring Event Musicians
- Find Your Perfect Wedding Music: 50 Different Wedding Ensembles To Choose From
Orlando’s Music Remembrance Musicians
- Music Remembrance’s Orlando Musicians-About Music Remembrance
- Music Remembrance Service Area & Types of Events We Provide Musicians
Event Music Tips & Ideas
- Ideas For Using Fanfare Trumpets
- New Orleans Parade For Events & Funerals
- How To Spice Up Your Convention or Meeting With Live Music
- Looking for A Theme for Your Event? List of Great Event Themes
Singing Telegrams Ideas
Romantic Serenade Ideas
Tips For Musicians
Top 10 Traditional String Wedding Music Songs
There are many beautiful classical pieces string wedding music. These are what I believe are the ten most popular for wedding ceremonies.
String wedding music is elegant and understated. It stands alone and creates a sophisticated elegant mood. To add royal grandeur to the bridal entrance, add a fanfare before the bride on fanfare trumpets or add a trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet to the bridal processional song. I am suggesting songs below that this works especially well with.
1 Canon in D by Pachelbel
This beautiful and elegant song has a calm sophisticated sound. It is commonly called Pachelbel’s Canon and is often seen spelled in its original German spelling of kanon. Because of its mellow sound it is often used for bridesmaids or for brides that would like an understated elegant entrance rather that a grand royal entrance. This song is probably the most famous string wedding music.
2. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
You may not be familiar with the name of this song but I think almost everyone will recognize it. It is understated and elegant and often used for mother’s seating, bridal party or for an elegant bridal entrance.
3. Wedding March by Mendelssohn
This song is the traditional song for the recessional (bridal party exit music at the end of the wedding ceremony). You will recognize this one right away. Most Catholic and some other churches do not allow this song because it is not a sacred song.
4. Bridal Chorus also known as Here Comes the Bride by Wagner
This is the most traditional song for the bridal processional and is familiar to everyone. It is so recognizable that it is only used for the bride and would not be a good choice for the bridal party. If it is used people may stand, expecting the bride. Most Catholic and some other churches do not allow this song because it is not a sacred song.
5. La Rejouissance by Handel
This grand piece is used for processionals and recessionals. Adds a royal flair to your wedding. Some brides and grooms add brass or organ to bump it up another notch.
6. Trumpet Voluntary, J. Clarke
This wedding song is also commonly know as The Prince of Denmark March. You will also find the Trumpet Voluntary incorrectly listed as being composed by Purcell. It is often confused with Trumpet Tune which is another wedding song. The Trumpet Voluntary is most commonly performed on the trumpet but sounds elegant performed by violin, string quartet and other string wedding ensembles. For a more grand entrance, add a trumpet to your string trio, string quartet or string orchestra.
7. Air on the G String by Bach
Often called Air from Suite in D, This subdued beautiful song will make your heart melt. Most often used for prelude, unity candle, sand ceremony, mother’s seating, it can be breathtaking for a bridal entrance.
8. The Hornpipe from the Water Music by Handel
This Upbeat Royal sounding music is used most often for the wedding recessional (the bridal party exit back down the aisle after the ceremony). This song couldn’t be more celebratory sounding. It is also occasionally used for the bridal party or bride processional. To make a jaw dropping celebratory song, add trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet.
9. Ave Maria by Schubert
This song is beautiful and reflective with a subdued quality. Used commonly for prelude, unity candle, sand ceremony and mother’s seating it is also used often for bridal party processional music and bridal entrance music. This song is perfect for church weddings and is a standard for Catholic weddings. There are many composers that have written songs named Ave Maria so make sure to specify to your wedding musicians. The Schubert Ave Maria is most often confused with the lesser known but also beautiful Ave Maria by Bach.
10. A Little Night Music by Mozart
This piece is most commonly referred to with its German name Serenade from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. This song will be very familiar to your guests. It can be used for all parts of the ceremony.
Two more popular string wedding music songs to consider
Trumpet Tune by Purcell and Rondeau by Mouret These two songs are best known for being performed on brass instruments but are very commonly played by solo violin, string quartet and other wedding string music ensembles. They are used for all parts of the ceremony except unity candle and sand ceremony. For extra grandeur and trumpet, organ, brass quartet or quintet.
Now it’s time to decide which wedding string ensemble is the best for your wedding. You may choose from everything from solo violin to string orchestra. Click here for tips for selecting the perfect string ensemble for you and lists of wedding string ensembles. For more wedding music tips & ideas visit our blog.
Ways for Keeping the Dance Floor Full at Your Wedding Reception
Bumbyphotography.com
Want to have a wedding reception party that goes full steam until the end? Would you like your guests to say yours was the best wedding reception ever? Here are some suggestions for keeping the dance floor full, guests happy and the party going.
- Keep the dance floor small. The key to having your wedding reception be a great party all the way until the end is keeping the dance floor full. Guests are more likely to dance if they feel like they can’t be seen and they are not alone. A small packed dance floor is better than a large floor that cannot fill and leaves guests feeling intimidated. If guests have to dance off the dance floor it leaves the impression of how great your party was that your guests overfilled the dance floor.
- For the same reasons as using a smaller dance floor, darker lighting on the dance floor is better than bright light. Guests feel “on display”. Keep it darker and you’ll be keeping the dance floor full.
- Have your band where everyone can see them. Great bands are experts in keeping the dance floor filled and the party going, but it is more difficult if they cannot see and interact with your guests.
- Avoid letting the party peter out. End the reception while the party is going strong. Your guests will leave wanting more instead of thinking, “Let’s leave, I’ve had enough.” Their memories of your wedding will be about how fabulous it was.
- A basket of flip flops for guests to wear will help in keeping the dance floor full. Guests can only dance so long with dress shoes especially the women in high heels.
- Keep the bar open from after dinner until the end of the night. If the bar closes before the end of the reception, the party is likely to end.
- Make sure the bar is located near the dance floor so guests may quickly get a drink and return to the dance floor. Bottles or trays of water out near dance floor help dancers quickly refresh. Make sure the bar is set up near the dance floor but so that the line does not interfere with the dance floor.
- Having a closed room keeps guests from gathering in foyers and outdoors. Keep the doors closed and your guests won’t see others out of the room so they will tend to stay and dance. Closed doors keeps the focus on the dance floor and wedding activities. Open doors also flood the dance floor with light which will damper the party.
- Make sure guests have everything they need in the main room. If there is a lack of seating or the bar, food or desserts are in another room, guests leave. The other rooms are competing with the dance floor and creating other spaces to gather. Fewer guests in the room at one time leads to an empty dance floor. More guests in the room helps in keeping the dance floor full. No one wants to get up and dance when the dance floor is empty and it feels like the party is dying. Having dessert in another room often ends the party.
- Upbeat music keeps the party going. Good bands know how to pace songs.
- If you request that your band perform lesser known music it will be harder to fill the dance floor. People like to dance to music they know. A good band will play a variety of well-known music to get everyone of all ages on the dance floor. A good band will read the crowd and play the appropriate music to get everyone dancing.
- You’ve had a great relationship with your vendors preparing for your big day. Ask your wedding planner about ways to make sure everyone working at your reception feel appreciated. Vendors that are treated with great kindness and respect will go the extra mile to make your reception memorable.
- Avoid down time whenever possible after dinner. It’s easier to keep people dancing than to get them back up to dance again after the floor is cleared for an event. Think about having pictures taken before the reception, introductions and first dances before dinner, and speeches right after dinner.
- When it comes to vendors, experience is key. Vendors, including wedding reception bands, learn from every event they do and refine their services. Good service means happy guests. Happy guests dance.
- Older guests may not be used to loud music and have more sensitive hearing. Ensure they have a good time and seat older guests away from the dance floor/speakers.
- Make sure your band has great MC skills and has done many wedding receptions. You will need wedding party, toast, first dance, father daughter dance, mother/son dance, cut the cake, garter toss, bouquet toss and bride and groom exit announcements. You will also want MCing from the band to keep the party going. Great MCs will take requests, interact with the crowd, go out into the crowd to do line dances, talk with guests and let them sing-a-long on mic. They will also have a bag of tricks to use to get different guests on the dance floor. Our Music Remembrance Reception Band has everything from fun sing-a-longs and line dances to blowup guitars for guest to play on stage and hula hoops for 50’s music.
For more another article about keeping your dance floor full
Wedding Reception Songs for the Bouquet Toss
There are so many wedding reception songs to choose from for your 
bouquet toss. You can choose from many styles of music and many themes. Some of the themes:
- Come & get it (the bouquet)
- Focused/driven (on getting the bouquet)
- Ladies
- Getting a man
- Fighting (over bouquet)
- Pretty or sexy ladies
Many of the songs are simply stating the theme. Some wedding reception songs are lighthearted and comical for the toss e.g.
- “Eye of the Tiger” (focused/driven theme)
- “Another One Bites the Dust” & “Love Is A Battlefield” (fighting over the bouquet theme)
- “It’s Raining Men” (getting a man theme)
Good wedding bands start with the chorus section of the wedding reception song. The chorus contains the title of the song so that everyone understands the connection to the bouquet toss.
Suggestions for selecting your themes and song
- What is the overall theme and vibe of your wedding and does the song reflect your style? e.g. Is your wedding sophisticated and classy? Is your wedding focused on being a party? Would something funny reflect your personal style? Make sure your song is suitable.
- Who are your guests? Is Grandma going to be uncomfortable if you have the ladies lined up with “I Wanna Sex You Up” playing or is there a better choice?
- Check out the lyrics of the songs you are selecting. Do they reflect your theme from for the bouquet toss song & wedding theme? Is there something offensive, insensitive to personal situations or unfitting for your wedding? An easy way to research this is to google the lyrics.
Wedding Reception Songs for the Bouquet Toss
A Little Less Conversation – Elvis Presley
All I Wanna Do – Sheryl Crow
American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
Applause – Lady Gaga
Bad Boys – Inner Circle
Bad To The Bone – George Thorogood
Big Girls Don’t Cry – The Four Seasons
Bonnie & Clyde – Beyonce and Jay-Z
Boombastic – Shaggy
Brick House – The Commodores
Business Time – Flight of the Conchords
California Girls – Katy Perry
Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Barry White
Candyman – Christina Aguilera
Chapel Of Love – Dixie Cups
Clumsy – Fergie
Come and Get It – Badfinger
Come and Get It – Selena Gomez
Cosmic Girl – Jamiroquai
Country Girl – Luke Bryan
Diva – Beyonce
Drunk Girls – LCD Soundsystem
Earned It – The Weeknd
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
Feeling Good – Michael Buble
Findin’ A Good Man – Danielle Peck
For The Cool In You – Babyface
Four Kicks – Kings of Leon
Foxy Lady – Jimi Hendrix
Genie in a Bottle – Christina Aguilera
Get Lucky – Daft Punk
Girl On Fire – Alicia Keys
Girlfight – Brooke Valentine. Big Boi & Lil’ Jon
Girls – Beastie Boys
Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Girls – Beastie Boys
Girls, Girls, Girls – Motley Crue
Glamorous – Fergie featuring Ludacris
Gunpowder and Lead – Miranda Lambert
Haven’t Met You Yet – Michael Buble
Here Comes The Hotstepper – Ini Kamoze
Hey ladies – Beastie Boys
Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani
I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor – Arctic Monkeys
I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me) – Jay-Z
I Know What Boys Like – The Waitresses
I Put A Spell On You – Creedence Clearwater Revival
I Wanna Sex You Up – Color Me Badd
I’m A Slave 4 U – Britney Spears
I’m So Excited – The Pointer Sisters
I’m Still A Guy – Brad Paisley
I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
Independent Women Part 1 – Destiny’s Child
It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls
Jealous Guy – John Lennon
Just A Girl – No Doubt
Keep Your Hands To Yourself – Georgia Satellites
Killing Me Softly – Fugees
Ladies Night – Kool & The Gang
Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mya & Pink
Le Freak – Chic
Lisztomania – Phoenix
Little White Church – Little Big Town
Livin’
Wedding Song Lists and Wedding Music Guides
These are my favorite wedding song lists and wedding music selection guides. I have chosen these because they are the most complete lists, with the exception of the “Top 2015 Wedding Songs”. I added this last one because brides and grooms selecting their music today will find this helpful. When selecting music I suggest starting with the “Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music” and “How to use Music for the Events of the Wedding Reception” so you may see how many songs you made be wanting for which parts of the wedding ceremony and reception. The song lists cover traditional, current and all styles of music. I hope that all brides and grooms and wedding planners will find these helpful. Please let us know in the comment section and feel free to” share”. Visit our blog for more wedding music tips and ideas articles.
Wedding Music Guides
Helpful wedding music guides that will help you plan all the music for your wedding ceremony and reception.
How to Use Music For the Events of the Wedding Reception
Wedding Music Help: Do’s & Don’ts
Great Budget Saving Wedding Music Tips
Over 50 Music Ensemble Choices For Your Wedding
Wedding Song Lists
Helpful song lists that will help you choose music for every part of your wedding ceremony and wedding reception
Wedding Music Tips and Song Lists
Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music
Complete List of Bride Entrance Songs
Traditional String Quartet, Trio, Duo and Violin Wedding Songs
Father and Daughter Dance Songs List
First Dance Songs For Your Wedding Reception
We hope these guides and song lists are helpful for you. If so, please leave us a comment below.
For musicians, singers, ensembles and bands in Orlando, Florida contact Music Remembrance. http://www.MusicRemembrance.com | 407-240-3945 | Andrea@MusicRemembrance.com
Traditional Wedding Ceremony Music, Song Lists & Tips
For those planning their wedding music a good place to start is to know what the traditional pieces are for a wedding ceremony. There are two pieces that are the most traditional.
- Bride: Bridal Chorus by Wagner
- Recessional: Wedding March by Mendelssohn
- Mothers/Grandmothers Seating Music: Pachebel’s Canon in D
Processionals: - Bridal Party: Jesu,Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach (also commonly used: Trumpet Voluntary, by Clarke or Trumpet Tune by Purcell)
- Bride: Bridal Chorus by Wagner
- Sand Ceremony or other ceremony with music: Ave Maria, Schubert
- Recessional: Wedding March by Mendelssohn
Below is a list of pieces that often substituted for the traditional wedding music above. They are very commonly used and considered traditional wedding ceremony music too. When using traditional wedding music, it is customary to save the grandest pieces for the bridal processional and the wedding ceremony recessional. Some choose to have a somewhat grand and upbeat piece for the bridal party also, while others select something more subdued thus highlighting the bridal processional. Traditional music for the Mother’s/Grandmother’s seating and the background music for the sand ceremony and other ceremonies is more traditionally more subdued. Some couples that want to highlight the joy of the occasion and choose upbeat pieces for these also.
Common Alternate Selections for the Bridal Party Processional, Bridal Processional and/or Recessional
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach
- Canon in D by Pachebel
- Ode To Joy by Beethoven
- La Rejouissance by Handel
Alternate selections for Sand Ceremony or Mother’s Seating Music
- Ave Maria by Bach
- Ave Maria by Schubert
- Spring from the Four Seasons by Handel
- Winter from the Four Seasons by Handel
- Meditation from Thais by Massenet
-
Air On A G String by Bach
Have more wedding music questions? Please feel free to contact author Andrea Rowlison.
How to Use Music For the Events of the Wedding Reception
There are many different events of the wedding reception that will be greatly enhanced by music. Here is a guide on helping you in your choice of wedding reception music for the various events that make up a wedding reception.
This is a list of the events that are traditionally accompanied and enhanced by music with descriptions on how it can be done effectively.
Cocktails
If you are having a cocktail hour before your guests enter the main room you can hire a small pop or jazz group, classical musicians from your ceremony, solo guitar, or many other small ensembles. Many brides and grooms hire a small ensemble from within the reception band or musicians from the ceremony because they can receive cost savings.
Music Preceding the Bridal Party Entrance
Traditionally the reception band performs background music while your guests find there tables and await the wedding party entrance. If you would like to get the party started right away you can request dance music.
Introduction of the wedding party
The typical format for the introductions is having the music start while an announcement is made by the reception band that the bridal party is about to enter. Music is played throughout the introductions. The music is played softly as the names are announced and louder as they make entrances. Another option is to have fanfare trumpeters play a fanfare before each name is announced and the band play only as they are they are entering.
First Dance
The first dance of the wedding couple is one of the most special events of the wedding reception. All good wedding bands will be happy to suggest traditional songs for this or fill your special request.
Mother/Son and Father/Daughter Dances
Ask your wedding band for a list of popular songs for these or make special requests. If you only know one dance step, make sure that you request something that will work well with that dance.
Toasts
The wedding reception band can play a fanfare. announce the toasts and introduce each toastmaster. Those proposing the toast should talk with the wedding band during cocktails to be shown microphone technique.
(A helpful article about proposing toasts) http://honeymoons.about.com/od/weddingsaway/ht/wedding_toast.htm
Cake Cutting
Music is played for the cake cutting and for the announcement of the cake cutting. The announcement is made and music is performed as your guests gather for the event. You can request a special song or have the traditional “The Bride Cuts the Cake” performed.
Garter and Bouquet
Some brides and grooms choose to omit some of these events. All of these events are accompanied by announcements, narration and music by the reception band.
- Taking off the Garter: The groom takes the garter of the bride. “The Stripper” is the traditional song but many brides make special requests or just request the wedding band select something more subtle.
- Garter Toss: Music accompaniment or a drum roll until the garter is caught.
- Bouquet Toss: Music accompaniment or a drum roll until the bouquet is caught.
- Placing of the Garter: The recipient of the Garter places the Garter on the leg of the bouquet recipient. “The Stripper” is the traditional song but many wedding couples make special requests or request that the wedding band select something more subtle.
Departure of the Bride and Groom
The wedding band announces the departure of the wedding couple and performs music as everyone gathers for the rice, bird seed or confetti throwing or bubble blowing.
These are some of the traditional events of the wedding reception that music are used in conjunction with.
MusicRemembrance.com offers the top wedding bands in Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Central Florida and we’ll be glad to customize music for these and other events that you may add to your special day.
