The Songs That Shape Your Wedding When it comes to choosing the specific songs for your wedding, we recommend letting your DJ or bandleader take the lead (they’re the experts, after all). But there are a few musical moments that you’ll want to select (or suggest) yourself to set the tone for the day. We asked top music pros from around the country to share their best advice.
Processional @MosesLinMusic | BASED IN: Orange County, CA
THE PRO: Tessa Young
“My personal opinion is that the best processional song is one that will make you feel the most emotion on your wedding day.” TO P 5 : 1. “A Thousand Years,” by Christina Perri 2. “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” by Elvis Presley 3. “Marry Me,” by Train 4. “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles 5. “Perfect,” by Ed Sheeran
Recessional
of Prism DJs @PrismDJs BASED IN: Los Angeles “A good reception entrance song can range from chill vibes to mid-tempo to high energy. More couples have been choosing two songs for the entrance: one for the wedding party and one for the newlyweds.”
THE PRO: Rob Perkins of On The Beat Music Agency
TO P 5 :
@OntheBeatMusicAgency | BASED IN: Los Angeles “The spirit of the recessional song has to organically match the couple and who they are to each other and their guests. The song itself also needs to be consistent in its energy.”
1. “Edamame,” by bbno$ feat. Rich Brian 2. “Sledgehammer,” by Peter Gabriel 3. “Canned Heat,” by Jamiroquai
TO P 5 : 1. “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” by Natalie Cole 2. “Signed, Sealed, Deliv-
ered (I’m Yours),” by Stevie Wonder 3. “Happy,” by Pharrell Williams 4. “Celebration,” by Kool & The Gang 5. “We Are Family,” by Sister Sledge
4. “Cuff It,” by Beyoncé 5. “Jumpin,” by Pitbull & Lil Jon
D O N O T P L AY L I S T You might be focusing on your must-play songs, but take a minute to create a “do not play” list too. Of course, songs with potentially offensive or explicit lyrics are red flags, but so are tracks with lyrics that don’t match the celebratory and romantic feeling of your wedding. Here are a few tunes that don’t pass the vibe check: “Stay With Me,” by Sam Smith
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TT HH E EK K NN OO TT
“My Heart Will Go On,” by Celine Dion
“I Will Always Love You,” by Dolly Parton
“God Only Knows,” by The Beach Boys
“Every Breath You Take,” by The Police
PHOTO CREDIT DOM AND DON: MEG LAFFEY PHOTOGRAPHY; LIN: KATE NOELLE PHOTOGRAPHY; YOUNG: GIRL SQUAD MEDIA; PERKINS: JOSE PEREZ PHOTOGRAPHY
Reception Grand Entrance
THE PRO: Moses Lin, Destination Wedding Guitarist