Need help with music?

Question

Well I'm down to some little stuff in the planning process, Yay! I talked to our DJ, whom is a good friend of ours, and he said that I should get a list of what music and when to play it, well the problem is I don't know for which parts of the ceremony to have music for. So I need to know the order of music, I guess, which parts of the ceremony and any ideas for the music that generally plays during those parts? I already know about the reception music, such as the first dance and garter toss but what else? Cake cutting music? Bouquet toss? and ANYTHING else would be greatly appreciated! I've only been to one big wedding and it was a catholic wedding so it was verrrry long, but I was like 10 years old. Please help!! Thanks to all answers in advance with much appreciation!! : )

Sorry guess I should've mentioned that it's a non-denominational wedding, NOT in a church, pretty formal though i.e wedding gown, tuxes, etc... and it'll take place at 4:15pm and the reception to follow at 5:30 to 6pm ish. If you need any other details please let me know and I'll try to keep up Thanks : )

Answer 1

you'll need music for walking down the aisle. For this you can either use the same music for the bride and the wedding party or you can have different music start when you begin walking. This is really only practical if you have a live musician because it will be kind of lame to cut a recorded song in half just to start another one for the bride. If you want any special song played during the ceremony, live or recorded, then you can do that but it is not required. You can do the whole ceremony with just music at the beginning and the end. If you do want a certain song played during the ceremony, have it played while you are doing something where there is no speaking, such as lighting a unity candle, etc. Then you will need one more song to have played once you are 'pronounced man and wife' and begin walking back down the aisle.
Here is a tip - make sure you tell the DJ not to cut songs off when everyone has made it down the aisle, the unity candle is lit, etc. This is really lame sounding and it kind of kills the mood. Decide if you want to just stand there and let it play through (this is nice because it gives you a chance to just be in the moment) or, ask him to SLOWLY fade the music out. Seriously, it doesn't sound like a big deal but it will make a big difference.

Answer 2

I'm not really clear on your question. Do you not have musicians for your ceremony? Usually the musicians will help you choose the music for the ceremony and tell you what order they go in.

Also it would depend on what type of ceremony you are having. If it is a simple non traditional type of ceremony not in a church, you would need a processional/entranee song, a song after the vows if you choose and a recessional/exit song. A prelude or song for the seating of the mothers/families would be optional too.

Entrance and exit songs if not in a church can be pretty much whatever you want. Instrumentals work best for these so that people will focus on you and not the music. If it is a church wedding someone at the church should be able to help you with the structure of the ceremony.

I could help more if I knew what type of ceremony it is. Here are some links with some ceremony suggestions.