The DIY Wedding Music Guide: The Full Breakdown of Wedding Music Needs - What & How Much

I'm big on being transparent: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Rest assured, all opinions and recommendations whether affiliate links or not are based on my genuine belief in their value. 

When it comes to your wedding, the soundtrack you choose is more than just background music; it's the heartbeat of your celebration and it not only sets the tone, but underscores every significant moment of the biggest day of your life. From the the music that plays as guests enter your ceremony space to the final dance, each and every selection plays a vital role in your day. If you're tackling your wedding music without the help of a DJ, figuring out what your needs are can be tricky. Do you know what kind of music you need for each moment of your day? Do you know how much music you should have for each of those moments? Would you like to know what some traditional options are as well as some popular trends? If you have any one of those questions, then you are in the exact right place!

The soundtrack to your wedding day should reflect you as a couple and your love story

Wedding Music Needs - The Full Breakdown

I've seen many couples opt to forego a DJ for their wedding. For some, this is a budget-based decision, while for an ever growing number of couples, this is more about having each song perfectly curated to fit their tastes. Wedding playlists are more than just a bunch of songs on loop, and it does require some planning and thought to get it right but I have full confidence that you can do this - you may just need a little professional guidance. Below we're going to breakdown exactly how much music you need, for what and for when. We'll give you insights on trends, spell out traditions, and provide you with our personal opinions.

Use the small down arrow to the left of each wedding segment to expand the section.

Prelude: Setting The Stage

What is the Wedding Prelude:  Think of the prelude as your guests’ first taste of the day – a musical appetizer, if you will - as they arrive and get seated. You want it soothing enough to chat over as guests greet each other in anticipation, yet engaging enough to signal the amazing day ahead. 

Recommended Playtime For Wedding Prelude:  Aim for about 45 minutes, which allows for a 30 minute window for guest arrival, plus necessary padding in case of delays. 

Traditional Prelude Choices: Soft, classical pieces or instrumental versions of romantic songs are used to create a serene atmosphere and set a more formal tone

Contemporary Prelude Trends: Lately, couples are choosing light, instrumental versions of contemporary songs to modernize this segment, making the prelude more personalized and reflective of their tastes. It's also become more and more popular to play acoustic or light pop tunes with or without vocals. One big trend, which we really love, is the use of Bridgerton style pop string covers.

Our take: Why not spice things up? Imagine grandma nodding along to an orchestral rendition of Beyoncé – yes, it’s possible, and yes, it’s awesome.

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The Processional: Here Comes...Everyone!

What is The Wedding Processional: This is it – the emotional high point where everyone’s trying not to ugly cry. Your squad makes the iconic walk and then the Bride enters, most times to different song from everyone else.  If you’re a same-sex couple, you may wish to have the wedding party enter, then have two distinct processional songs for each of you. There is no wrong way to get yourself down the aisle, so do whatever matches your vision and preference!

Recommended Playtime For Wedding Processional  Aim for 3 to 5 minutes, but be ready to loop or cut if Mary walks slower than you rehearsed. A nice fade out or transition at the end or between songs is clutch. Make sure you have enough music, especially if you have a long walk or a large wedding party.

Traditional Processional Choices: Classics like "Canon in D" by Pachelbel and "Bridal Chorus" by Wagner are perennial favorites.

Contemporary Processional Trends: Modern couples often select instrumental covers of popular songs, infusing personal significance into the ceremony. Like with the prelude, we are seeing couples use country, pop, and acoustic songs in their original form as part of their selections, which helps to tell their unique story.

Our take: "Canon in D" is always a class act, but walking in to your favorite love song, perhaps something unexpected? Chef’s kiss!

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Ceremony Interludes: Musical Fill In The Blank

What is A Ceremony Interlude: These are your ceremony’s tender moments turned up a notch with music that touches the soul. They are not included in every ceremony. Sometimes, they are a stand alone feature of the ceremony and sometimes they are used simply as the musical backdrop of something else - like a sand ceremony. They may or may not be listed in your program.

Recommended Playtime: A quick 2-5 minute serenade works wonders for making those special moments linger a little longer.

Traditional Interlude Choices: Operatic solos or classical instrumentals are commonly used to underscore the ceremony's gravity.

Contemporary Interlude Trends: Personalized selections ranging from love ballads to meaningful soundtracks are now being incorporated to enhance the ceremony's emotional depth.

Our Take: This one is really on you and your personal taste. If you went contemporary for your processional, we say stick with that theme. If you went classical, then something equally formal would fit nicely.

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The Recessional: The Victory Lap!

What is The Wedding Recessional: It’s official! You’re married! The Wedding Recessional is where you, as the couple, recess out of the building followed by all of your guests. So strut back down that aisle to something celebratory and set the mood for the party to come! It's the song that is blasted upon the officiant's last words, such as, "I know pronounce you Mr. & Mr.", "You may kiss the bride", "Go In Peace", whatever phrase ends your ceremony.

Recommended Playtime For Wedding Recessional: You’ll need one specific song to kick off your exit, followed by 10-15 minutes of upbeat music as the crowd files out behind you.

Traditional Recessional Choices: Uplifting classical music or traditional wedding marches are standard selections. Mendelssohn's “ Wedding March” is the go-to of all go-tos.

Contemporary Recessional Trends: Joyful, energetic pop songs or personalized anthems that celebrate the couple's new beginning are increasingly popular. Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” is a recent favorite for couples, along with “Best Day Of My Life” by American Authors.

Our Take: You did it! Pick banger to celebrate, followed by 10-15 minutes of nothing but feel-good tunes.

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Cocktail Hour: Mix, Mingle & Groove

What is Cocktail Hour: This is the time spent between the end of the ceremony and start of the seated meal. Typically the couple uses this time for some photographs or a private moment. It’s where guests mix and mingle before moving on to the rest of the party.

Recommended Playtime For Cocktail Hour: Cocktail hour is typically an hour, but it can be cut down to 45 minutes or as long as 1.5 hours. Plan your playtime according to your timeline, always padding with an extra 15 minutes in case of any delays.

Traditional Cocktail Hour Choices: Low key instrumental background music, typically light classical songs or low-key jazz tunes

Contemporary Cocktail Hour Trends:  Acoustic and indie love-song mixes are pretty popular choices right now, especially for lighthearted outdoor events. Full blown country themed mixes are also more popular than ever before and a nice way to enjoy country sounds before dance tunes take over. For slightly sexier affairs, modern mixes feature newer songs with more soul than the typical top 40 - think something in the vein of Paolo Nutini & Ray LaMontagne. We have a great feel-good jazz playlist that couples have chosen to use time and time again.

Our take: This is the soundtrack to clinking glasses and catching up. Let your venue atmosphere guide you but keep it fun. On the beach, go for light vacay vibes. For an evening soiree, you can beat that cocktail jazz playlist above.

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The Reception: The Party You've Been Waiting For

What is The Wedding Reception: It may seem silly to explain, but it’s not. From your grand entrance anthem to the tear-jerking first dance and the all-out dance party, your reception is where your playlist really shines but it’s not one continuous moment. Instead the reception actually consists of two distinct parts: the meal and open dancing. There are a number of minor segments within each, many of which are flexible and/or optional. We'll walk you through everything in minute.

Recommended Playtime For The Wedding Reception:  5-6 hours total (1-1.5 for dinner; 4-5 for open dancing)

How The Reception Progresses & Your Musical Needs:

• The reception typically begins with the introduction of the wedding party followed by the couple's Grand Entrance. It may transition directly into the First Dance or move into a meal, with the First Dance occurring later in the event.

• During the meal, you'll want background music that reflects your tastes and the vibe of your event - it can be upbeat or mellow and laid-back depending on what you prefer and should reflect the level for formality of your event.
  

• In the first hour of the reception, there may be a couple of toasts and the option to incorporate special traditions, like dances with parents. Following the meal, you might choose to have a cake-cutting ceremony. These moments add up, creating several stop-and-go instances if you're managing your own playlists. We'll delve into strategic ways to handle this in another post.

• Once the meal concludes, it's time for the First Dance if it hasn't happened already. Traditionally, no one dances before the couple, which is a compelling reason to consider a First Dance even if it's not entirely your style. More on this in another post, but for now, just know that the First Dance is an ideal way to kick off the "open dancing" portion of your reception. After the meal and the couple's dance, it's time for the real party to start, inviting everyone onto the dance floor for what is referred to as "open dancing

Traditional Reception Music Choices: Mellow background dinner music, followed by traditional dances, the first dance and then opening dancing featuring a blend of fantastic dance beats, your cherished slow songs for swaying, and classic dance hits like the YMCA, Cha-Cha Slide, Macarena, The Twist, etc.

Contemporary Reception Music Trends: Today, many couples opt for a looser style reception where the meal is far less formal. They opt to start the reception with their first dance, and encourage guests to hit the dance floor at any point after, even during the meal. They may, or may not, include any traditional dances, a cake cutting, or even toasts. For this reason, dinner music may be more upbeat or dance floor friendly. As the reception progresses, great dance tunes still dominate, but playlists have broadened to encompass a wide range of genres, including pop, R&B, rap, country-cross over tracks, and 90s throwbacks. Generally, there are fewer slow songs in the mix, as couples aim to energize the atmosphere and encourage everyone to hit the dance floor.

Our Take: We're all for a killer dance party and have enjoyed seeing affairs become less stuffy and more celebratory. While we encourage couples to include their favorite songs and person preferences we also recommend thoughtful curation. Consider a few important factors: Is it audience appropriate? Does it appeal to a large group of people? Will it maintain the energy on the dance floor? Could it offend any guests? While it’s your wedding, you should always aim to be a good host. Therefore, we strongly advise selecting music that's suitable for your audience, whatever that entails.

This playlist of ours has thousands of likes and offers 24 hours of all the top wedding reception favorites.

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Key Reception Moments

Grand Entrance: A high-energy song to announce the arrival of the newlyweds and bridal party, setting an upbeat tone for the reception.

First Dance: A significant romantic song for the couple's first dance. This can range from classic ballad to modern love song. You may opt to dance this alone, or invite your guests to join in. It's your show and this is completely optional.

Father-Daughter/Mother-Son Dances: These dances symbolize the special bond between the parents and the newlyweds. It's common for couples to feel unsure about navigating these traditions, especially when family dynamics vary drastically. It can involve a step-parent, grandparent, no parent, or a same-sex parent. If one partner prefers not to dance, that’s fine, too. Remember, these moments are optional. They can and absolutely should be customized to fit your unique situation.

Dance Floor Openers: Energetic songs to get guests dancing. We always recommend that the couple choose a couple songs they know will get their crowd up and on the dance floor. If you’re at a loss - we joke that anything Bruno Mars typically does the trick.

Cake Cutting: The cake cutting can be made into a grand affair, a sideshow event that occurs discretely during dinner, or can be skipped all together - it’s up to you. If setting the moment to specific music, we like to recommend a sweet, thematic song to accompany your cake. 

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The Last Song: The Bow On Top

What is The Last Song: This is the finale of the wedding celebration and an opportunity for one last memorable moment on the dance floor. When the song ends, music stops completely and guests make their way to the exits- whether to the after party or to bed is up to you, so choose this song wisely.

Traditional Music Choices: Romantic ballads or classic love songs that reflect the couple's journey.

Contemporary Trends: Uplifting, celebratory tracks that leave guests with a real sense of joy!

Our Pick: We love a song that leaves everyone breathless. What’s that song for you and your partner? Make the final moment one you’ll never forget.

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Fast or slow, there is no wrong way to go for your first dance as a married couple.

Let Vibe & Vision Guide You

Take some time to reflect on the discussions you've had with your partner about the feel of your event. What's the overall vibe or style you're aiming for? Is it formal or laid-back? Traditional or modern? Will you be exchanging vows in a beautiful rustic barn or in a grand ballroom of a sprawling estate? These considerations, along with your personal music preferences, should guide your selection process. For instance, if you're tying the knot in a bare-foot beach ceremony, grand overtures played by the London Symphony Orchestra might feel out of place for your guest arrival. Instead, lighter instrumental pop covers could better complement the setting and mood. You get me? You get me.

Where To Find Free Pre-made Wedding Playlists & Song Libraries

Right. Here.

Yes. When you are ready to begin making your playlists, the very first stop you should make is here. We have already done sooo much of the work for you! Our free, curated playlists cover your music needs from prelude to last song in a variety of styles and themes. We even have playlists to use while getting ready or during your bachelorette weekend. You can use these playlists for absolutely free. Download them as they are or use them to pick and choose songs from. (The greatest dance hits and most requested songs are the same for everyone, so why reinvent the wheel.) Our only ask? Please follow us on Spotify and like those playlists that you like. If you're extra generous, go ahead share the good news on social so other's can take advantage of their awesomeness.

Free Pre-made Wedding Playlists

PRO TIP: As you compile songs, you may wish to put together a "Do Not Play" list so you are sure to avoid any songs that one or both of you really dislike.

PRO TIP: If you are using electronic RSVP system, why not ask for some song requests from your guests?

Next Steps for DIY Wedding Playlists: Making It Work

Now that you know what you need, you need to know how to make it work for your event. Check out our post, "DIY Wedding Music: Everything You Need To Know About Skipping the DJ and Making Your Own Wedding Playlists". We even have a post about what kind of speaker systems you might need if you find yourself in the situation of having to provide the whole shebang. Either way, you are well on your well to crafting a soundtrack that does your love story justice.

Happy Planning!

Jillian

I'm big on being transparent: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Rest assured, all opinions and recommendations whether affiliate links or not are based on my genuine belief in their value.