Hands up who thinks that music is one of the most important aspects of a wedding, hands down! For millennia music has been at the forefront of all of our social gatherings and celebrations, and the wedding is probably the greatest among these – a celebration of life, love, family and future. So the music you choose to have played at your wedding will be a reflection of these, whether you intend it to be or not. This is why it’s in your best interest to take the musical reins and use them to guide your wedding in the direction you want to take it. Here are some of the top reasons why it matters so much for you to choose your wedding music carefully:
It’ll break the ice
It’s not uncommon for weddings to bring together members of your family and friendship group who don’t meet that often, and while we hope none of them will be acting frostily, a few decent sing-alongs will soon make them warm to each other. Enemies will put aside their differences, strangers will welcome each other like old friends, and all shall join hands in song. Metaphorically, at least. When you catch someone’s eye once your favourite song comes on, and you realise that it’s their favourite too as you both start mouthing the words to each other, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t seen each other for 10 years, or ever before for that matter. Soon enough, the music will have them getting along swimmingly.
It lets you set the tone
Music is a highly emotive medium – which, in the right hands, is a powerful asset. Emotions are going to be running very close to the surface at such a life-changing event, so with this in mind, you can start to plan out where to hit your audience the hardest. The slow dance is a clear target, and bound to be met with light-to-mild levels of weeping, but you can pump a few more ballads out to keep the puppy-love rom-com vibe going a little longer. Then, for the reception, it’s up to you whether you want your guests to let their hair down to some club classics, sing along to some all-time anthems, or even kick back and chat with some light jazz or classical musicians playing away in the background. The music will lead the way, and if you’re in charge of the music, you’re pretty much in charge of everything else. And if you’re unsure of what effect certain types of music will have, or indeed of which types of music will achieve certain effect, then you can always make an inquiry with your chosen wedding band, wedding DJ or the agency itself.
It’ll get your guests up on their feet and down to the floor
If you’ve decided to hire a wedding band or DJ with a well-chosen set, toes are soon going to start tapping. There’ll be plenty of positive energy flowing through the room thanks to the bride and groom, and it’ll only take the right song coming on to tap into that energy even further. Before you know it, you’ll be faced with a full-floored free-for-all – one of the most rewarding sights to behold at any party. With music stimulating their senses, even your more elderly guests – who might’ve been flagging a bit otherwise – will feel rejuvenated, and will be carried back the dancefloor by their second, third or even fourth wind.
It’s more personal
You music taste says a lot about you, and those who know you best will have a heightened awareness of your leanings, which means they’ll love it when a song that’s so ‘you’ comes on. You’ll also probably know a few of your friends’ favourites, so you can set them up with a little treat later on by adding their top tunes to your playlist. This is your wedding, so it’s only fitting that music that’s close to your heart and to the hearts of those closest to you should be heavily featured. With such a vast collection of songs to choose from, from across so many decades, you have the freedom to arrange a playlist unique to you which takes into account everything that you and your guests value the most.
It’s entertaining for everyone
As much as your parents can’t understand what kids listen to these days, and as much as you can’t believe what used to pass for a good tune, music really does transcend generations. If there’s a danceable beat and a catchy melody, it’s fair game. The classics are classics for a reason. And everyone can appreciate a bit of skill behind the kit or on the guitar. Who knows – your great uncle could capture the imagination of your little niece with some Mick Jagger strutting or some Beatles head-wobbling, introducing the peace and love of the 60s to a whole new generation – then your little niece could return the favour by bringing your great uncle up to date and explaining Ed Sheeran or Nicky Minaj to him. Furthermore, if you don’t mind the cheesies so much, putting on classic disco (or even school disco) tracks with dance moves is always a good way to include people. Even at the most alternative of weddings, you’re guaranteed to get a few people dancing along in sync to the Macerena, so it’s worth it just for that.
It’s stick in your guests’ memories
Of course you’ll want your wedding to look beautiful – but all the matching folding napkins in the world won’t have as much of an emotional impact on your guests as the music you play for them will. People will be holding their breath as the first notes of your first dance song start to play, and everyone will remember where they were when ‘Come On Eileen’ or ‘Come On Feel the Noise’ came on. In fact, a combination of all the above is what will result in a wedding remembered fondly by all – togetherness, personality and endless fun, which, at the end of the day, is what you want your marriage to be all about.
