Finding that Perfect Wedding Song
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Finding that Perfect Wedding Song
It’s a new year, and for many engaged couples, that means it’s time to perfect those intimate details of their wedding like finding that perfect wedding song. Now if you’re like one of my closest friends you’ve had your wedding song picked out since you were a teenager.
However, for most of us the wedding song is a decision that takes many hours of listening and careful consideration to select. I mean come on, it’s your first dance together as husband and wife and you both want it to be a memorable and emotional part of your special day.
So how do you go about picking that perfect wedding song?
First of all, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a ballad. Many of today’s romantic songs are upbeat and joyous and just because a song is about true and undying love doesn’t mean that it has to be a slow ballad.
Think about it, your guests are there to celebrate your union, not be bored by one slow ballad after another. Yes they’re beautiful and are a wonderful way to celebrate your union as man and wife, a wedding song needs to be one to be remembered as well.
Secondly, pick a wedding song that matches you and your intended’s personalities and commonalities. If neither of you are country music lovers, then something by Rascall Flatts or Shania Twain may not be the best idea. Listen to songs together by artists you both like.
Also, a wedding song should be just like your wedding vows, unique and special. There are tons of lists on the internet that list the most popular first dance songs for a wedding reception, and the reason those songs are on those lists is because EVERYONE DANCES TO THEM!!!
I mean don’t get me wrong, I love Etta James’ “At Last,” but it’s not what I want Chris and I to dance to at our wedding because everyone dances to “At Last” it seems. It’s a beautiful song, but for a day that’s so special and memorable you want a wedding song that’s going to be just as special and unique as the two of you are.
Another aspect of choosing that special wedding song is that it obviously needs to be something that you can dance to. You and your fiancé have spent so much money on new wedding clothes and wedding rings and everything else that you’ll both want to show off how good you look on the dance floor when it’s time for that first dance.
A wedding song that isn’t danceable is like a puppy that won’t fetch a ball. It just doesn’t make any sense.
Now Chris and I are both performing musicians and therefore we are looking to have live musicians at our wedding reception. If this is your choice then you need to be absolutely certain that your wedding band can play your wedding song and do it justice.
Nothing’s worse than going onto the dance floor the first time as husband and wife and the music not being anything NEAR what you want it to be. Make sure that if you are having a live band that you have them perform all the music for the reception for you and your fiancé BEFORE the wedding day. Same thing with a DJ, make sure that all the proper versions of your music are in their playlist so that there are no unexpected and unwelcome musical surprises.
So that’s in a nutshell my advice for picking that perfect wedding song. Now you can take my advice to hear or just gloss over it, but as a performing musician and a bride-to-be, let me tell you that you never want to take ANY ASPECT of planning a wedding for granted.
It’s a joyous and wonderful day for you both and your families and friends, and therefore you should not take anything for granted, especially when it’s time to present yourselves as man and wife to your guests with that perfect wedding song.
Happy Planning!
Jenn and Chris
(703) 574-3388