Wedding Day Songs: How to Choose Music for Every Moment (Photographer’s Tips & Faves)
Your wedding day playlist truly sets the tone for your wedding day and for your guests. From the songs you choose walking down the aisle, the intimate song chosen for your signing, to the songs that play during cocktail hour and your entrance to your reception, these songs will carry the mood you want to set for the day. As a wedding photographer in Calgary, I have heard hundreds of songs and know just how much music can shape the vibe and emotion of each part of the celebration. This blog will go over:
Which wedding moments need custom songs
Tips to choosing the right tracks
My personal favourite songs selected from real weddings
Your music is also an important element of your wedding day photography. Music impacts your memories and emotions. As someone who captures candids and tearful moments as well as dance-floor eruptions, I can tell when the right song was chosen. I want to give you some insider tips in order to help you select your wedding day tunes.
Moments that need a song
1) Getting Ready
This playlist should be pact full of songs that you want to help set the mood! If you know you will be nervous prior to the ceremony, try playing songs that will help bump up your energy, or calm down your nerves altogether.
2) Ceremony
There are so many songs that are needed for your ceremony that you might not have considered! You will need songs for the following moments:
Processional (family, wedding party, groom(s)/bride(s)
Signing the license
Recessional (the big “we did it!” moment)
3) Cocktail hour
Now usually this is discussed with your hired DJ, but consider requesting a few songs to be played during this moment prior to the reception! Songs that are easy to listen to during conversation but once you hear it, the tone of the setting is clear.
4) Reception Entrances
I’ve seen wedding partys make grand entrances, usually where each group is separated. I’ve also seen just the couple making a grand entrance. Try to select songs that are more up-beat and crowd-hyping.
5) First Dance
Arguably the most iconic (and memorable) song of the day. This song choice will guide your dance and usually helps define the couple! Tip: try to select this song early on in your wedding planning if possible!
6) Parent Dances
These songs are typically highly emotional and represent your relationship with that parent. Try to have them included in this song selection (you might be surprised to hear that they’ve had it selected from your young age).
7) Cake Cutting
If you are not doing a private cake cutting and want your guests involved, select a song in the background to have play while you share this moment with your new spouse!
8) Last Dance
End on a high or slow note - whatever suits your wedding day story.
Tips for choosing the right wedding song
Some couples already know big-ticket songs they want to have played at their wedding. They may have had them selected since before their engagement, and some may not have given it any thought until a few weeks leading up to the big day - both are perfectly ok. I was personally the ladder (lol). Our song selection just wasn’t our priority at the time as we were dealing with the pandemic instead. I do want you to learn from my challenges however and provide a few tips!
Think back on your story: Pick songs that you absolutely love as a couple from significant moments in your relationships- concerts, road trips, late night cooking dates
Think about the temp: slower songs make for great first dances, where as more upbeat songs are great from transitions and entrances!
Match the venue and the vibe: a mountaintop wedding has a slightly different tone than an inner city rooftop wedding
Avoid overplayed tracks if possible: Don’t skip on your favourites but try to select songs without influence from social media!
My favourite Wedding Day Songs
As your wedding photographer, I’ve heard incredible wedding day playlists. Often the songs represent the couple so listen to a few of my favourites and have fun selecting your own tunes!
Ceremony Songs:
“Until I Found You” - Stephen Sanchez, Em Beihold
“How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)“ - James Taylor
“The Only Exception” - Paramore a personal fave
“Bloom” - The Paper Kites
“River” - Leon Bridges a top contender for my own!
“Without You” - The Piano Guys
“To Build A Home” - The Cinematic Orchestra
Grand Entrances:
“Timber” - Pitbull, Ke$sha
“You Make My Dreams (Come True)” - Hall & Oates
“Best Day Of My Life” - American Authors
First Dance Songs:
“Coming Home” - Leon Bridges
“Wondering Why” - The Red Clay Strays
“A Sunday Kind of Love” - Etta James
“Songbird” - Fleetwood Mac
“Sweet Symphony” - Joy Oladokun, Chris Stapleton
Parent Songs:
“Humble and Kind” - Tim McGraw
“It Won’t Be Like This” - Darius Rucker
“You Are the Best Thing” - Ray LaMontagne honestly a fantastic choice for any moment
“You’ve Got a Friend” - James Taylor
I love when my couples choices for their wedding day are intentional - from their decor to their song choices. If you are planning your wedding day and want help mapping out your timeline (music and all), check out my wedding day timeline checklist or reach out-I’m happy to help out!
Still struggling to decide on your wedding day music? I’d love to help you brainstorm! Reach out via my form or follow and DM me on Instagram @emilywalcot.photo for more wedding planning tips.
