Selecting the Perfect Song List for Your Wedding Day
This is one of my favorite things to receive from my couples! It's like a quick deep dive insight into their overall personality and I love that each couple’s wedding day song list is different. You really can tell how the wedding day is going to be, just by this song list, and can be such a great way to create the setting you want for each of the areas for the day. Also a little fun fact, usually when I am building the couple’s timeline, I will listen to the song list, over and over. It usually has me starting out super sappy, literally crying thinking of that beauty of a bride walking down the aisle. And then I always end up in the best mood sometimes even full-on dancing in the living room by the end of the playlist. It’s such a fun way for me to really get in the spirit of building the massive day-of documents that will take me an eternity to finish, and also get a quick peek at how great the day is going to be!
But how do you pick the best songs for your special day? Even though this list is one of my favorites to receive, it is usually one of the last things I get from my couples. Mainly because they either put it off until the last minute, or they really cannot decide on what to pick. And I get it, the songs are an item that some guests really will remember, especially if it's the absolute perfect song for the ideal epic moment. So either you want to make sure that your guests also experience this special moment, or you don't want to use the same songs you’ve heard at the last 8 weddings you’ve attended - we are so there with you - but whatever the reason may be, picking the highlighted songs for the day is important and you want them to be perfect and special to you both.
Our biggest pointer that we give to all of our couples, is to look at your life as a couple together and think of any songs that spark special memories of important moments in your relationship leading up to your wedding day! The second tip is to pick songs that give them the feeling that they want their guests to have, at that exact moment of the day. It could be emotional, joy, a feeling of celebration, and everything else in between. And to see what we mean with both of these tips, continue reading for examples with specific songs picked by me for each highlighted area of the wedding day!
And to make it fun to show how each category can be captured for your wedding, we’ve used photos from Shelby & Connor’s special day that was all captured by Kirsten Butler
Ceremony Processional Song
I always suggest to my clients on picking a song that is slow, peaceful, and something that would help bring the emotions that you want them to feel as you are walking down the aisle. Whether that’s taking their breath away, tears of happiness, excitement, or just a classical song that brings joy. Bonus points if we can get the groom to cry. Triple bonus points if we can get the groom to cry even AFTER a first look!
Jules’s Song Choice - “You are the Reason” by Calum Scott
This was actually one of my client’s songs for her bridal party recessional and I pretty much cried every time I listened to it! I asked her why she wasn’t using it for her own professional, because I think it is spot on, the PERFECT bridal processional song. It truly gives you chills with how emotional it is and you just know that the groom is going to burst out crying at the sight of the bride once those doors open to this song!
Ceremony Recessional Song
Nothing too specific to a special moment here, but a fun and upbeat option for a feeling of celebration after “The Kiss”! Plus it’s usually pretty short so something fun and in tune with the wedding is always what I suggest to play at this point. So if you want to use some of the classic wedding songs but are not sure where to put one, this is a good option to place it as a quick and fun-themed song, which also makes this one an easy decision.
Jules’s Song Choice - “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
Think it’s the perfect wedding-themed song that’s fun and upbeat for after the ceremony!
Bridal Party Introductions
Don’t forget your team’s introductions! They’ve supported you both from the start, so be sure to show them some love too! And making sure to pick a fun song for them to dance to as they’re introduce is of course ideal! We don’t have a specific selection to give for this one because it could honestly go in so many directions! But making sure it’s fun, clean, and easy to dance to is what we suggest going for!
Bride & Groom Introduction
I think this moment is a perfect time to play something either personal to the both of you or just a big hype song that you love. As your introduction song, it’s the background of when you are first introduced as a married couple, so I think something fun and upbeat but also something personal is always fun to incorporate here. Because not only will you both remember your first dance song as your song, but your reception introduction is a big moment too and one you will want to remember and dance to the memory of this special moment for years to come!
Jules’s Song Choice - “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone
I picked this song because it is a theme song to a show that my boyfriend and I watched together when we first started dating. And every time I hear it, I laugh because the show is so dumb and funny and we love it so much. It’s a random song that doesn’t really fit anywhere else, but the chorus is upbeat and talks about love, so this spot has always been where I’ve thought it would be perfect to go!
First Dance
I think this is usually the first song that is picked pretty early on in the planning stages, even way before we start talking about song lists with our clients. So this one is not always a hard one to decide on, but for those who are still trying to pick the perfect song, here’s what we think! It definitely doesn’t have to be slow, and it also doesn’t have to be formal. But we do always suggest picking something special to you both that you remember forever as YOUR SONG. This is probably the only time I would not suggest thinking about how others feel during this moment and thinking more about how you want to feel during this moment between the two of you.
Jules’s Song Choice - “Forever and Always” by Shania Twain
Another personal one here, and some may laugh, but the story behind it is special. Since my boyfriend and I started dating, I always would write him notes before I would leave the house to head to work which is something I did for over a year and a half. And for each note, I eventually started singing it “Love you forever and always”. I don’t know why, as there was no specific reason other than that’s how I felt each time I’d write him his note. But one day about 2 years after I stopped writing him these daily notes, I was driving and heard this song on the radio and pretty much had a freakout moment. I grew up listening to Shania Twain (hello every millennial female) and totally forgot about this song until that exact moment but instead of thinking of this song as I was growing up, I thought about all the notes I had signed using that same verse. So pretty much ever since then, this has always been one that I would absolutely have for this special song for the wedding day! Also, he has kept every note I’ve written to him ever which makes this even more special to me :)
Bonus Tip: Something I think would be so fun is to ask your fiance to pick the first dance song without telling you, and make it a surprise for you by not knowing until it’s time for this moment. With how much you are planning, you don’t have any space for any surprise moments for you, so this is a great way to request this decision be made by someone else and give yourself a little surprise on the day as well!
Father-Daughter / Mother-Son Dances
This category is typically where most of our clients get stuck and need suggestions. There are so many songs out there for this as well as others that aren’t particularly meant for these dances but could be used as one. So this could be a song chosen by your father/mother, something special to your relationship, or something that reminds you of them! Or you could have an insanely cool dad like one of our clients has, and do a choreographed dance that he specifically requested to do, which no one would have expected from, making it even better and so much fun!
Jules’s Song Choice - "I'll Be Your Man" by Zac Brown Band
Love that this song is not too cheesy or overly sentimental. Not because I don’t want that when I dance with my father, but because I am a crier, and I will cry immediately no matter what song is picked for this special moment. At most of our weddings, you will usually find me off doing something else at this time (usually cleaning the rest of the ceremony) because I will almost always be crying if I am close by watching these special moments happen!
Cake Cutting Song
Having a song played while you’re cutting your cake has not always been a thing, but we are seeing it being done more and more each year. And I think it all started with the “Watermelon Sugar” song by Harry Styles. Seriously we’re not kidding, this is usually the song that is chosen to be played during this time, so it seems to have been the starter for this new trend. Plus, it is such a perfect time to do a fun-themed song related to something sweet.
Jules’s Song Choice - "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
Not only is it themed, but it also incorporates another genre of music that might not be played a majority of the night. So it’s a great switch-up and fun memory for you and your guests.
Last Group Dance Song
As the last song of the night for your guests, you want to make sure it’s one they can have one last fun moment to enjoy before heading home. It can be a current popular song that everyone is singing at the time or it could be a throwback banger that you’re pretty sure everyone would know and love to hear! Either way, just make it a banger and ensure your DJ or band knows exactly the last song you want to be played, so it’s something to look forward to all night!
Jules’s Song Choice - “Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
This is one of my favorite throwback songs and is also a duet which makes it a perfect end of the night song for a newly married couple!
Last Bride & Groom Song
Another trend we are seeing more and more is the request to do a couple's last dance song. This is where all of the guests are requested to leave the reception space - usually to go light sparklers for the upcoming exit or something along those lines - leaving only the bride and groom to dance together alone to one last song. We LOVE when couples do this because it gives you one last moment alone if your reception space to take it all in or just have a moment of fun together. We’ve seen couples do a fun upbeat song that they can jump around to or a slow intimate song to enjoy along on their wedding day. So if you have another song that you both love and keep going back and forth between for your first dance song, this is the perfect place to put another one of those songs to dance to, just the two of you! Sometimes these moments aren’t captured at the request of the couple, so that it truly is a moment alone together.
Jules’s Song Choice -“Love in a Bar” by Ryan Hurd
My boyfriend and I met at a bar on Broadway in Nashville and a lot of the lyrics are very similar to how we met, so it only seems fitting to include it as our last dance song. It’s not as appropriate for a first dance song and probably not one I’d want everyone to hear, but I do love the song and every time I hear it, I think of when we met so it’s the perfect song for just the two of us to dance to at the end of the night.
Planning & Design: JC Weddings & Events | Photography: Kirsten Butler Weddings & Addie Fresca Photography | Videographer: True Productions
Venue: The Round Barn | Florist: The Stems Edge | Makeup: Makeup by Sarah Lynn | Hair: All That is Lovely | Catering: Ladonna’s Catering
Bridesmaids Dresses: Revelry | Robes: Home Bodii | Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: James Allen | Grooms Attire: The Black Tux
Brides Dress & Veil: Ava Laurenne Bride | Brides Earrings: Luna + Stone | Brides Shoes: Nina Shoes
Jules & Theresa’s Favorites
Wedding Song List Selections
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Processional Song - “You are the Reason” by Calum Scott
Recessional Song - “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
Introduction Song - “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone
First Dance - “Forever and Always” by Shania Twain
Father-Daughter Dance - "I'll Be Your Man" by Zac Brown Band
Cake Cutting Song - "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses
Last Group Song - “Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
Last Song - “Love in a Bar” by Ryan Hurd
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Processional Song - “Here Comes the Sun - instrumental” by The Beatles
Recessional Song - “Marry You” by Bruno Mars
Bridal Party Introduction Song - “Bring Em Out” by TI
Introduction Song - “We Found Love” by Rihanna
First Dance - “Beyond” by Leon Bridges
Father-Daughter Dance - “Blessed” by Elton John
Cake Cutting Song - “Cuz I Love You” by Lizzo
Last Group Song - “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
Last Song - “Have I Told You Lately?” by Rod Stewart
