Wedding Reception Music Selection Tips
By: Kenneth Koch
First Dance Song -
The couple’s first dance song is one of the most emotional moments for the bride and groom at the reception. The words of the song should have a special meaning to the wedding couple. Generally, the first dance song is a slow tempo ballad, which makes it easy to dance to and sets a romantic mood. Practice dancing to your wedding song in advance to help remove some of the nervousness of the moment.
Father Daughter and Mother Son Dance -
The parent dances are another emotional and memorable special segment of the wedding reception. Again, the song words are a top consideration in selecting these special dance songs. The lyrics to the song should be meaningful to the relationship between the parents and children. Selecting just the right song here will insure there won’t be a dry eye in the house!
Cake Cutting Ceremony -
Usually one of the lighter, more amusing moments of the reception, the cake cutting music can be more up-tempo and on the fun side. The traditional “Farmer in the Dell” “The Bride Cuts The Cake…” is indicative of the fun atmosphere for the cake cutting ceremony.
Dance Party Songs -
Let’s Dance! Here is where the bride, groom and all the wedding guests get to let their hair down and have some fun! Be sure to select songs from all different decades to reflect the various age groups in attendance at the wedding. 70’s funk and disco and 80’s dance and pop songs are a great source of fun and danceable music for the wedding reception. The 40’s and 50’s were a terrific source of slow dance ballads and swing numbers.
Summary -
The song selections for the reception should reflect the tastes of the bride and groom. However, be sure to keep in mind the general musical styles that will insure a memorable experience for all your wedding guests.
Kenneth Koch is the owner of Your Wedding Place.com, a resource for brides featuring wedding articles and tips. For help selecting music for your wedding, visit our wedding song and lyrics database at http://www.yourweddingplace.com/wedding-songs/wedding-songs-list.htm