The Sound of Music

I love music, many different kinds. It's that love that has led me to create a very comprehensive library. Use the links at right to check out my songs.

Wedding Song Lists

New Music

Song Requests

Top Dance Requests

It's one of the greatest mood enhancers in the world. Remember when the two of you fell in love? Was there a song playing in the background when he proposed? If there was chances are you remember it. At the very least, he probably waited until the "mood" was right and a song playing somewhere in the background set that mood.

Music is the most widely-used, effective mood enhancer in the human experience. Now, you can tap into that incredible power of music to enhance your wedding and memories of that wedding.

Quick music considerations

Do you want to have a more traditional wedding?

Are you the kind of person who wants to have a contemporary wedding with more current, modern music?

For a traditional wedding consider what is called "classical" music. Referred to as "baroque" (ba-roke) it includes composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, and Wagner (pronounced Vahg-ner).

Be aware that "classical" and "classic" music do not mean the same thing! "Classic" rock is music that was released during the 60s, 70s and early 80s that you still hear on dance floors today!

Two basic parts of your wedding:

Your Ceremony

The first thing to think about are the songs for your ceremony. To begin, refer to a sample music list to determine the type of music you want, the songs you want by song title and artists, or just get some ideas.

Songs can augment these aspects of your ceremony:

Parents entry
Bridesmaids entry
Your groom, groomsmen and officiator entrance
Processional (Your song to walk down the aisle)
Unity Candle or other ceremony
Recessional (where you and the bridal party walk out of the ceremony.)

I recommend you pick out the songs for your ceremony first because I can match your "guest arrival" background music to the general tone of the ceremony songs you pick.

Your Reception

The next thing to think about are the songs for your reception. Again you can refer to a sample music list to determine the type of music you want, the songs you want by song title and artists, or just get some ideas.

Here's the events for which you'll want specific songs:

Introduction of bridal party:
One or more songs for:
- Parents
- Bridal party members
- The two of you
Special Dances:
- First Dance
- Parents Dance(s)
- Bridal Party Dance
Bouquet Toss (optional)
Garter Toss (optional)
Any other people you want to dance with or for whom you'd like a have a special song.

Two "secondary" music events are perfect if you want to work in a favored song that you haven't used elsewhere in your wedding. If you already have songs picked out for these events, that's fine; it's one less concern.

Cake cutting
Money dance
Note: the bouquet and garter toss can be added to this list if you choose.

Dance Music at Your Reception

Obviously, you can pick every song that is to be played at the reception during the dance however, it's a lot of unnecessary work. You hired the DJ to take care of the music; use him or her and their skills.

Do I take requests from brides and grooms? Of course! However, I have a rule of thumb I'll share with you: If you request 5-10 songs you'll get 100% of your requests played. If you request 100 songs, you'll get about 10% of your songs played (if you allow guest requests).

In nearly 2,000 weddings only 1 group (that's right, one!!!) actually "settled" for the music the bride and groom picked out. In all other cases, when the bride and groom tried to pick all the music the guests always requested a lot more music the bride and groom hadn't even thought to include!

A word on requests:

I suggest you allow for requests, just make clear to the DJ what music you don't like or won't tolerate. For instance, most people don't want music with explicit language at their wedding. (Our wedding music is edited for content).

Your guests cannot be forced to stay. At the event if you say to the DJ "Make them stay!" you are asking the DJ to address every reason people have for leaving and try to convince them to stay. Practically speaking, he can't do that. But, you can assure people stay by doing one thing:

Let them have their music!

When people can request the music they like and want, they will stay longer. If you want your people to go home saying your's was the best wedding ever, let them ask for, and dance to, the music they love. They'll appreciate it and love you for it!