Wedding Ceremony
1. Prelude
The prelude the 30 minute block of time that precedes the ceremony. For example, if the ceremony begins at 4:00PM the prelude begins at 3:30PM.
Song ideas
Piano Guys : All of Me
Chris Springer : How Great Thou Art
Vitamin String Quartet : All I Want is You
Mozart : Serenade No.13 In G Major
Tony Rice : New Chance Blues
Faith Hill : It's Your Love
Taj Mahal : Queen Bee
2. Bridal Party Entry
The ceremony will begin with the bridal party members entering and taking their places up front.
Song ideas
Train : Marry Me
Vitamin String Quartet : Viva La Vida
Israel K. : Over the Rainbow
3. Bride Entry
This is the moment everybody has been waiting for, especially the groom! The bride enters the ceremony, walks down the center aisle and takes her place next to her fiancé at the altar.
Song ideas
Johann Pachelbel : Canon in D
Rascal Flatts : Bless the Broken Road
Wedding Classics : Bridal Chorus
Piano Guys : 1000 Years
4. Symbolic Act
Some couples set aside time during the ceremony to celebrate communion, light unity candles or pour unity sand. This moment is called the symbolic act.
Song ideas
Brian Crain : A Walk in the Forest
Instrumental Praise : Amazing Grace
Shania Twain : From this Moment
Piano Guys : Open Arms
5. Recessional
This is the moment when the bridal party exits the ceremony beginning with the newly married couple.
Song ideas
Colbie Caillat : I Do
One Republic : Good Life
Hall & Oats : U Make My Dreams
Stevie Wonder : Signed, Sealed, Delivered
American Authors : Best Day of My Life
Mendelssohn : Wedding March
Natalie Cole : This Will Be
Wedding Reception
1. Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour begins immediately after the ceremony concludes. The guests enjoy refreshments while the bride and groom slip away to take photos. See Dinner Hour for song ideas.
2. Grand Entrance
This is the moment when the bridal party enters the reception. When the music starts the DJ will begin to announce the names of the bridal party as they enter, beginning with the bridesmaids and groomsmen and ending with the bride and groom.
Song ideas
Pharrell Williams : Happy
Frank Sinatra : Love & Marriage
Black Eyed Peas : I Gotta Feeling
Kool & The Gang : Celebration
Justin Timberlake : Suit & Tie
TI : Bring Em Out
3. Dinner Hour
The dinner hour begins right after the bridal party's grand entrance. It includes the meal, table visits and toasts. The average dinner hour lasts about an hour and a half.
Song ideas
Dean Martin : That's Amore
Nat King Cole : Unforgettable
Modern English : I Melt With You
Glen Miller : Moonlight Serenade
Louis Armstrong : What a Wonderful World
The Rolling Stones : Brown Sugar
The Drifters : This Magic Moment
Brian McKnight : Back at One
Muddy Waters : Mannish Boy
Florida Georgia Line : Cruise
4. Cake Cut
This is the moment when the bride, groom and guests are summoned to the cake table to cut the wedding cake.
Song ideas
Maroon 5 : Sugar
The Archies : Sugar Sugar
The Four Tops : Can't Help Myself
James Taylor : How Sweet it Is
Soul For Real : Candy Rain
5. First Dance
This is the moment when the bride and groom dance together for the first time as husband and wife. It is usually the first dance of the reception.
Song ideas
John Legend : All of Me
Kip Moore : Hey Pretty Girl
Heatwave : Always and Forever
Righteous Brothers : Unchained Melody
Richard Marx : Right Here Waiting
Bryan Adams : Everything I Do
Journey : Open Arms
6. Father/Daughter Dance
This is the moment when the father of the bride joins his daughter on the dance floor for a special dance. This dance represents the passing of the fathers care and protection for his daughter to his new son-in-law.
Song ideas
The Temptations : My Girl
Heartland : I Loved Her First
Steven Curtis Chapman : Cinderella
Bob Carlisle : Butterfly Kisses
John Mayer : Daughters
7. Mother/Son Dance
This is the moment when the mother of the groom joins her son on the dance floor for a special dance. This dance represents the passing of the mothers loving care for her son to her new daughter-in-law.
Song ideas
T. Carter : A Mothers Song
Mark Masri : A Mothers Love
Bonnie Barbey : A Mothers Prayer
Rod Stewart : Forever Young
Ben E. King : Stand By Me
8. Honeymoon Dance
The honeymoon dance is a special dance where guests pay to dance with the bride and groom. Guys line up to dance with the bride and gals line up to dance with the groom. The honeymoon dance is a great way to collect funds for the bride and groom as they begin their new life together.
Song ideas
Pink Floyd : Money
Madonna : Material Girl
The O'Jays : For the Love of Money
Michael Buble : Everything
Jason Mraz : I'm Yours
9. Bouquet Toss
This is the moment when the bride gathers with the single ladies on the dance floor to throw her bouquet.
Song ideas
Beastie Boys : Girls
Shania Twain : Man I Feel Like a Woman
Pat Benatar : Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Cyndi Lauper : Girls Wanna Have Fun
Beyonce : Single Ladies
10. Garter Toss
This is the moment when the groom joins his bride and the single guys on the dance floor to remove and toss the garter belt.
Song ideas
David Rose : The Stripper
Fox Studios : Fox Football Theme
George Thorogood : Bad To The Bone
Queen : Another One Bites The Dust
ZZTop : Sharp Dressed Man
11. Dancing
This is the moment when the dance floor is officially opened to all. Make sure to set aside at least an hour for dancing because people love to dance!
Song ideas
Usher : Yeah!
Cupid : Cupid Shuffle
Dazz Band : Let it Whip
Michael Jackson : Thriller
Chubby Checker : The Twist
Bob Seger : Old Time Rock N Roll
Brooks & Dunn : Boot Scootin' Boogie
KC & The Sunshine Band : Give it Up
Def Leppard : Pour Some Sugar
Wilson Pickett : Mustang Sally
The B52's : Love Shack
Etta James : At Last
Ke$ha : Tik Tok
11. Grand Exit
This is the moment when the bride and groom depart from the wedding reception. The guests will line up with sparklers, glow sticks, or something else to send them off. This usually takes place shortly before the event ends.
Song ideas
Bill Medley : Time of My Life
Europe : The Final Countdown
Frank Sinatra : Fly Me to The Moon
Smash Mouth : I'm a Believer
Semisonic : Closing Time
Planning & Coordination
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DJ Service
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