| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | The main thing to remember is that this symbolizes |
| Sometimes finding the right songs for the biggest | | | | your last dance that your father will have with |
| moments of your wedding can be a daunting task. | | | | his now-no-longer little girl, so this is a song that should |
| After all, there’s much you need to consider (like | | | | be special to both of you. This doesn’t mean it |
| you don’t have enough stuff to stress out | | | | has to be a sappy moment. You can have fun with |
| about already!). | | | | this if you like. It all depends on the personalities of |
| Have no fear; it doesn’t have to be a stressful | | | | yourself and your father. Naturally, your best bet is to |
| situation. Here are some things to consider when | | | | consult with your father, and your mother as well |
| choosing those special songs for your big day. | | | | (mothers tend to remember things better than fathers |
| Bridal Dance — This is THE most important | | | | sometimes!). |
| song of the night. Next to seeing you kiss at the altar | | | | One great example
one of our DJs was asked to |
| at the end of the ceremony, this is the one of your | | | | play Puff the Magic Dragon as the daddy |
| most romantic events; your big moment alone on the | | | | daughter dance recently. This may seem like it’s |
| dance floor. So the song has to be special. | | | | an odd choice at first, but this was a song that the |
| There are three very important things to remember | | | | bride’s father would sing to his young children |
| when choosing songs. These may seem obvious, but | | | | when they would go to bed at night. So when the |
| you’d be surprised. Plus these rules apply | | | | song was played at her wedding, both the bride and |
| to any song chosen for any of the ceremonial dances. | | | | her father were in tears, as were the bride’s |
| 1. Make sure the song you choose is one that the two | | | | siblings gathered at the edge of the dance floor. In fact, |
| of you can actually dance to! You may be able to tear | | | | there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as 180 |
| up a dance floor, but your groom may have two left | | | | guests began singing along with the song! In another |
| feet. Picking a song with an odd tempo may make him | | | | very similar situation, On Top of Spaghetti was |
| feel awkward, especially out on a dance floor in front | | | | once used, apparently having something to do with the |
| of his friends and family. Try to keep it simple. | | | | bride’s love of spaghetti when she was a child. |
| 2. Make sure both of you actually LIKE the song. For | | | | If there’s a song like this in your family history, |
| example, you may really like Lonestar’s | | | | use it! |
| Amazed, but if country music makes your | | | | In yet another example, a bride’s father was |
| groom’s teeth itch, you need to choose another | | | | once considered a great disco dancer, so the bride |
| song. Or, he may really like that one Metallica | | | | chose Last Dance by Donna Summer
and |
| ballad, but you hate it. Next, please. | | | | then had the DJ open the dance floor to all of the |
| 3. Is the song appropriate for a bridal dance? | | | | guests when the song’s disco beat kicked in. |
| Let’s face it
you may both really like the | | | | So it need not be what everyone else does. |
| song, but Love Bites by Def Leppard does NOT | | | | Make the moment unique and special. |
| make a good bridal song. Don’t | | | | Mother/Son Dance — There are tons of ideas |
| laugh
it’s happened! (And there were many | | | | for daddy/daughter dances, but seemingly few |
| rather confused wedding guests that night). | | | | choices for the mother/son dance. This isn’t |
| Still, sometimes you may think that you don’t | | | | necessarily true; they’re just not so obvious |
| have a song that is yours. What was the first | | | | sometimes. The same rules apply as with the daddy |
| song the two of you danced to? Is there a ballad by | | | | daughter dance; if there’s a song in your |
| an artist that the two of you are big fans of? Was | | | | groom’s family history that means a lot to them, |
| there a song playing in the background the night he | | | | use it! |
| proposed to you? These are things to think about. | | | | The daddy/daughter dance may get most of the |
| If that doesn’t seem to work, start listening to | | | | attention, but the mother/son dance is JUST as |
| songs on the radio a bit closer. Listen to the lyrics. | | | | important to your groom and his mother. Usually your |
| Eventually you will find a song that will express what | | | | groom’s mother will have ideas, but don’t |
| you want to say to each other on your wedding | | | | keep your groom out of the loop! |
| day
and that’s your song! | | | | But wait
there’s more
! |
| Another thing you may want to consider is the length | | | | There are a few other points during the course of |
| of the song. In Your Eyes may be the perfect | | | | your reception that will require some music to help |
| song for you, but the track is nearly 6 minutes long. | | | | make the moments special. It may not seem like a big |
| That’s a long time to be out there - the two of | | | | deal, but having music for these moments add to the |
| you
alone with everyone’s eyes upon | | | | overall presentation at your reception. They help set |
| you
feeling paranoid yet? Don’t be afraid to | | | | the mood and tone of the entire evening. Let’s |
| ask your DJ to fade the song out early. | | | | take a look
|
| The main thing to remember - this is your big moment. | | | | Introduction Music — This is the big moment; |
| Make it special not only for you, but for your guests as | | | | your Grand Entrance when you and your groom are |
| well. | | | | first brought into the hall to the cheers of all your |
| Bridal Party Dance — The first question we | | | | friends and loved ones who have gathered to |
| often get regarding this song is Does the bride & | | | | celebrate your wedding. So naturally, you will want to |
| groom stay on the dance floor during this dance? | | | | choose music to highlight the moment. |
| The answer is Yes. It looks a little strange when | | | | There are a few things to consider. Will the bridal party |
| the bride and groom leave the dance floor with their | | | | also be introduced at this point? Will your parents also |
| closest friends on it. | | | | be introduced? Do you want one song for everyone, |
| Some couples are choosing to combine the bridal | | | | or do you want a separate song for your bridal party |
| dance and the bridal party dance -- one song for | | | | and one for you and your groom? Do you want |
| everything. This is a good idea if you have a small | | | | something a bit mellow for your parents to walk in to, |
| bridal party or if you are uncomfortable being the | | | | and then get a bit louder as your progress through the |
| center of attention. Whatever you decide to do comes | | | | rest of the introductions? |
| down to planning; making sure you let your DJ and | | | | Again, this is a BIG moment, and one you want to |
| your bridal party know what you want to do, i.e. when | | | | capitalize on. Use this moment to really pump up your |
| you want the bridal party to join you on the dance | | | | guests. |
| floor. | | | | Having said that, this moment can be as full of pomp |
| Some couples have chosen to allow their party | | | | and circumstance as you want, or can be as fun and |
| members to dance with their significant others instead | | | | rowdy as you’d like. There are some |
| of whom they walked down the aisle with. This is fine, | | | | standards such as Celebration, |
| and may save a few awkward (and jealous) | | | | Let’s Get It Started or Get the Party |
| moments, but make sure that this is planned out with | | | | Started. But our DJs have used everything from |
| your DJ and your bridal party in advance. Doing this will | | | | Here Comes the Bride to the Austin Powers |
| double the number of people on your dance floor and | | | | theme song, from In the Mood to the Blues |
| a larger group of people will be a bit harder to keep in | | | | Brothers, from the Chicago Bulls theme song to the |
| one place for very long. Make sure everyone knows | | | | Imperial March from Star Wars, from the U of M |
| what the plan is and what is expected of them. Plus, it | | | | fight song to one of the songs used for the C.S.I. |
| is imperative that you have everyone’s names | | | | TV shows. As you can see, the possibilities here are |
| at the time of your consultation. Adding names at the | | | | quite endless. |
| last minute does increase the possibility of your DJ | | | | There are no real rules for this one, so you can be as |
| making an error, and we HATE making errors. But we | | | | creative and individual as you like. Consult with your |
| are only human. The more you plan it, the easier it will | | | | bridal party for this one, and check out or list of ideas |
| go for everyone involved. | | | | here on our website. |
| Some brides have been willing to drop the bridal party | | | | Cake Cutting — Often couples will choose a |
| dance all together in favor of making life easier for | | | | song to highlight the cake cutting ceremony. This one |
| everyone, avoiding awkward moments or because | | | | isn’t really a necessity per se, but it does help to |
| they just want to get to the party. This is fine, but keep | | | | draw attention to the cake cutting. |
| in mind that the bridal party dance is a great | | | | We recommend something upbeat or mid-tempo for |
| opportunity for your photographer to get some good | | | | this and keep it light-hearted. And again, this can be |
| shots of your bridal party. If you still feel that you want | | | | almost anything. Some couples choose to let their |
| to drop the bridal dance, make arrangements with your | | | | Grand Entrance song play out if they go directly to the |
| photographer to get pictures of your party during the | | | | cake cutting after their introduction. |
| day. | | | | Love & Marriage by Frank Sinatra is popular |
| Having said all of this, actually choosing a bridal party | | | | here, but sometimes brides balk at using the theme to |
| song tends to be a bit easier. If you have been trying | | | | Married With Children (remember the Bundys?). |
| to choose between two songs for your bridal dance, | | | | If nothing else it does usually get a chuckle or two. |
| you can use both; one song for the two of you and | | | | Choosing a song with a food or sweets theme, like |
| one for your bridal party. | | | | Ice Cream, Sugar Sugar, Sweetest |
| You can also choose to be a bit light-hearted with this. | | | | Thing or How Sweet It Is always works. You |
| Friends In Low Places can work, as does | | | | can even go as far as Weird Al’s Eat It. |
| With a Little Help From My Friends. | | | | Again, this is a light moment so have fun with it. |
| Again, think about songs that may have special | | | | Bouquet Toss/Garter Removal/Garter Toss — |
| meaning to those you have chosen to stand up with | | | | This is something we will be discussing more in a later |
| you. For example, I attended a bonfire once with a | | | | column. If you decide to do this, there will be several |
| number of good friends and there was a moment | | | | songs you will need; one song for the ladies for the |
| when someone pulled out a guitar and played | | | | bouquet toss, one for the gents for the garter toss, |
| You’ve Got a Friend
and there we all | | | | and a song for the garter removal. There may be |
| were; swaying back and forth. singing loudly, A couple | | | | others needed as well, depending on what you want |
| of years later, one of the attendees at that bonfire | | | | to do. This is certainly the most lighthearted moment of |
| remembered this and chose that song to be their bridal | | | | the evening so you can have fun with this as well. Just |
| party dance. And sure enough, that moment happened | | | | remember
your grandmother is sitting right there
|
| again on the dance floor. Consult with the members of | | | | How to find the songs — Didn’t think that |
| your bridal party; they can be a good source of ideas. | | | | there were this many songs to choose, did you? Have |
| As before, another thing to keep in mind is the length | | | | no fear
we’re here to help. |
| of the song. For example, if you want your DJ to | | | | Most of the time there are obvious choices for your |
| introduce your best man and maid of honor, the other | | | | ceremonial dances. There’s that one song that |
| 16 members of your bridal party, both sets of parents, | | | | the two of you have always considered yours. |
| and acknowledge your flower girls and ring bearers, | | | | But maybe the choices aren’t so obvious. So |
| choosing a short 2 minute long song like What a | | | | how to find them
? |
| Wonderful World is NOT a good idea. The song will | | | | First of all, start early. Don’t wait until the last |
| end before your parents are brought out onto the | | | | minute to choose the songs. These will be some of |
| dance floor! Conversely, choosing a 5 ½ minute long | | | | the most important moments of your wedding. Take |
| song like Celine Dion’s Because You Loved | | | | as much care in choosing songs for these moments |
| Me when there are only 3 couples to introduce is a | | | | as you did in choosing the hall, your flowers or your DJ! |
| bit much. Again, feel free to have your DJ fade the | | | | Listen to the radio. Go to your music collection. Browse |
| song out early. | | | | through music stores. Poke around through iTunes or |
| The main thing to remember is that this is your | | | | the like. Ask your friends, especially those who have |
| moment to share with the people closest to you. Make | | | | already gotten married. Ask your family. |
| it meaningful, make it fun, and make it special. | | | | And of course, check out the song lists that we have |
| Daddy/Daughter Dance — This is, of course, a | | | | included on Many talented and experienced DJs were |
| tradition, but this doesn’t mean you have to be | | | | consulted when compiling these lists, so there are a lot |
| traditional about it. Sure, Daddy’s Little Girl | | | | of ideas there for the taking. Ask your DJ for ideas |
| is still used. Of course Butterfly Kisses was | | | | when you consult with him. Use his experience and |
| created for this moment. And it seems nowadays that | | | | knowledge. That’s what we’re here for! |
| there’s a new song coming out of Nashville | | | | Now, all of this may seem like a lot to consider when |
| about once a month that’s tailor made for the | | | | choosing songs, but it’s really much easier than |
| daddy/daughter dance. | | | | it appears. |