Music for your Wedding's Cocktail Hour

While you and your wedding party take pictures, and your guests mingle and nibble before the wedding reception, the mood is festive and anticipatory. During cocktail hour, the party is just warming up, and your music should reflect the excitement without overpowering the conversation. Jazz or swing works perfectly here. You can also use this time to showcase the theme of your wedding. For a Mardi Gras or southern theme, spice up your cocktail hour with a little Dixieland jazz. For a beach or summer theme, steel drums will compliment nicely. As a prelude to a formal dinner reception, classical piano music will establish an atmosphere of elegance.

Get even more tips and advice on planning your wedding music at Elegala.com

33 Best R&B Songs for Your Wedding Reception

If you're looking to set a sensuous vibe at your wedding reception, look no further than a playlist full of R&B wedding songs. With smooth base lines and sultry lyrics, R&B songs of love and devotion are perfect for moving, grooving, and romance on the dance floor. But with decades of songs to choose from, the only hard part is narrowing your playlist down. Consider this list of the best R&B wedding songs your starting point

R&B Wedding Songs
These passionate R& B wedding songs have fitting lyrics and sultry melodies that will suit every component of your wedding from walking down the aisle through to the last dance.

• Never - Jaheim


• Forever My Lady - Jodeci


• Sweet Love - Anita Baker


• Caught Up in the Rapture - Anita Baker


• Spend My Life with You - Eric Benet & Tamia


• Nice and Slow - Usher


• You Got It Bad - Usher


• Ribbon in the Sky - Stevie Wonder


• You Mean the World to Me - Toni Braxton


• Always and Forever - Heat Wave


• On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men


• Never Let Go - Faith Evans


• Angel of Mine - Monica


• For You I Will - Monica


• The Sweetest Thing - Lauren Hill


• No Ordinary Love - Sade


• You - Jesse Powell


• The Cool in You - Babyface


• By Your Side - Sade


• I Swear - All-4-One


• Make it Last Forever - Keith Sweat


• Here and Now - Luther Vandross


• Every Beat of My Heart - Brian McKnight


• Back at One - Brian McKnight


• Saved the Best for Last - Vanessa Williams


• Crazy Love - Aaron Neville


• All My Life - K-Ci and Jojo


• Suddenly - Billy Ocean


• No One - Alicia Keys


• Hello - Lionel Richie


• Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston


• Everything - Mary J. Blige


• Family Affair - Mary J. Blige

Get even more great R&B wedding songs for your reception and a complete list of popular wedding songs at Elegala.com.

How to Plan Your Wedding Ceremony Music and Make Your Song Selections

First Things First

Be sure to consult with your ceremony site before making your musical selections. Many places of worship do not allow secular music and have strict rules about what songs may be used. If you are holding an outdoor wedding ceremony, make sure that your ceremony musicians will have a place to set up and, most importantly, will be heard.

Determine Your Wedding Ceremony Style

Setting the theme for the entire wedding ceremony, the site will help determine the type of ceremony musicians you use. Steel drums may be perfect for an outdoor beach ceremony, while a bold trumpet quartet will sound impressive in an elaborate cathedral.

Once you have established an overall theme and selected your ceremony musicians, you will need to choose the specific music selections for the different components of the wedding ceremony.

Prelude Music

The seats are filling, and the sanctuary is buzzing with guests meeting, greeting and anticipating the big event. Your music selections during the prelude will set the mood for the ceremony; gentle jazz or chamber music works perfectly here. The music should not overpower the mood; rather, it should compliment the budding excitement. Browse our list of popular prelude songs in our categorized list of wedding ceremony songs. (*note - here you can browse song options for each category below -from the pre-processional to the recessional)

Pre-processional Music

This is a generally solemn moment as important family members are seated. As loving family members relinquish their children into a new life and family, the ceremony music should reflect the significance of the occasion. While the choice is yours, traditional ceremony music usually works best here.

Processional Music

As the wedding party appears at the head of the wedding aisle, the ceremony musicians will switch from the pre-processional to the processional. Consider a tempo that permits the wedding party to walk at an exact pace while heightening the suspense for the wedding guests.

Music for The Bride’s Entrance

This is the moment that you and your guests have anxiously awaited. The ceremony music should reflect the excitement and be dramatic and sweeping. The traditional selection is Wagner’s Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride), but many brides are not afraid to insert something a little more reflective of their unique personality. Whatever you choose should be bold and exciting and comfortable for you. Take a deep breath and walk…this is your moment.

Recessional Music

You did it! You’re now man and wife, and the music you play while you and your new spouse walk up the aisle should reflect that excitement and elation. Have your ceremony musicians play something something joyous and upbeat. The traditional selection is Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.

Get even more advice to help you plan your wedding ceremony music in the Elegala.com wedding music guide.

World's Worst Wedding Songs

You may want to pass by these songs when putting together your wedding playlist. Not only are most of them cheesy and grossly overplayed at weddings, some contain lyrics that are completely inappropriate for a wedding. Don’t let these bad wedding songs happen to you!

1. Chicken Dance. Our Take: Nothing about a wedding screams “flap your arms and pretend to be a chicken.” Nothing. No one likes this dance, we promise.

2. YMCA - The Village People. Our Take: Most people look ridiculous attempting to spell out the letters.

3. Shout - Isley Brothers. Our Take: One of the most overplayed songs at a wedding reception. Please be original and leave this off your play list.

4. Macarena - Del Rio. Our Take: As a general rule, songs that promote a form of line dancing should be reserved for bad karaoke bars.

5. Electric Slide. Our Take: See previous response.

6. Celebration - Kool and the Gang. Our Take: Again, grossly overplayed.

7. Hot, Hot, Hot - Buster Poindexter. Our Take: So not hot!

8. Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion. Our Take: Leave the Titanic song off the playlist unless you want to leave the impression that your marriage is a sinking ship (and an overly sappy one at that).

9. Gold Digger - Kanye West. Our Take: Jaws drop, the dance floor clears, and the first official fight between the bride and groom commences

10. D-I-V-O-R-C-E - Tammy Wynette. Our Take: Seriously?

Get even more advice on picking your wedding songs in this complete wedding music guide.

Some Great "Get up and Dance" Wedding Songs..

Get ‘em Dancing!
Want to ensure a packed dance floor? I found this list of recommended “get up and dance” wedding songs from all eras and was please to see that it lacked the typical cheesy standbys (YMCA, Play that Funky Music, Electric Slide...)

Here are some highlights from the list of good wedding songs to dance to:

* Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)
* Kanye West - American Boy
* Pink - Get the Party Started
* Billy Idol - Dancing with Myself
* Prince - Let’s Go Crazy
* Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated
* Beatles - Twist and Shout

Have a great idea for an uber-danceable tune? Send it to us!

How to Plan Your Wedding Reception Music and Make Your Song Selections

Your wedding entertainment can really make or break the atmosphere of your reception. No other detail will command more influence over the behavior of your guests, so you should use this opportunity to elicit the behavior you desire. Thus, whether you want your guests dancing on the tabletops by night’s end or would rather keep the atmosphere formal and elegant, your reception music will help set the mood.

Once you have decided on the type of atmosphere you wish to create, it’s time to hire your wedding entertainment. The overall look and feel of your wedding and your venue may determine whether you should hire a wedding band or DJ; however, either will work in almost any situation.

Shop Around
Selecting your wedding reception music is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, so invest some time and energy in scouting for your band or DJ. Check out local acts or ask friends for suggestions. Other vendors can also provide recommendations. Once you find a few bands or DJs that interest you, check out their websites. Many offer sound clips that will further help you decide. Ask each potential band to send you some sample cds for review.

Meet and Greet
Once you have narrowed your list, set up appointments with your top prospects. Take note of the band leader’s or DJ’s personality. Does he or she have a pleasant manner or grate on your nerves? Also, make sure that your band or DJ wears something that coincides with the overall feel of your wedding reception. Mullets and ripped T-shirts don’t really work at formal dinner.

Plan Your Playlist
Make sure that your wedding entertainment plays a variety of music. You want to ensure that both your 17–year–old cousins and your 75–year–old grandmother will enjoy your wedding reception music and find songs that will entice them onto the dance floor. Supply your entertainment with both a play list and a do not play list. If your vision of your reception in no way involves your relatives performing “the chicken dance,” you must alert your band or DJ so that they will have a ready response when your Uncle Fred requests it. Browse our list of popular Wedding Songs for receptions for ideas.

Consult this complete guide to wedding music for even more ideas and money saving tips.

Plan Your Ceremony Playlist with these Popular Wedding Ceremony Songs

From the moment the guests file in, your music has the power to set the tone for your ceremony. With such a variety of options available and so much riding on the selection, choosing your wedding ceremony music can seem a daunting task.

This list of popular wedding ceremony songs will get you started. It lists popular song selections by ceremony section; prelude, processional,bride's entrance, recessional, etc. - which makes things super easy for you.

Once you've planned your ceremony selections - don't stop there. The same guide lists all popular wedding songs for the reception too!

Party with a Rock Star!

It turns out chivari chairs and silk table linens aren’t the only upgrades for rent. Today’s hottest party accessory is the rentable rock star. You can now splurge on the living breathing version of stars such as Christina Aguilera, Joe Cocker, or Carrie Underwood to belt out your first dance song or headline the entire affair.

For those of us without a Hollywood in, Grabow Entertainment offers VIP access to some of the hottest acts in the music industry. They handle all the details, from contracting the event with the talent’s agent to managing onsite production.

Learn more about renting a celebrity for your wedding reception at the Unveiled Wedding Blog

Wedding Bands or DJs - Which Should you Hire?

Inevitably, you will debate the question on whether or not to hire a band or a DJ to lead the evening’s festivities. In some instances, the type of venue you choose and the overall theme of your wedding will dictate whether you decide to go with a band or DJ, but the decision is always up to you.

Solve the debate on whether to hire a band or a DJ to lead your reception festivities by considering the pros and cons of each. THis article lists the positives and negative of both wedding bands and DJs

Popular Wedding Songs

I found a list of poplar weddings songs for your ceremony and reception. The categorized lists are a good starting point for creating your wedding playlist, but I'd probably try to get a bit more creative. That said, here are some highlights from the list:

First Dance Songs:
Amazed - Lonestar
From This Moment - Shania Twan & Bryan White
At Last - Etta James
When You Say Nothing At All - Allison Krause
All My Life - K-Ci & Jojo
I Knew I Loved You Before I Met You - Savage Garden
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
It's Your Love - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
My Best Friend - Tim McGraw
You're The First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White

Father/Daughter Dance Songs:
A Song For My Daughter - Ray Allure/Mikki Viereck
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle
If I Could - Ray Charles
Daddy's Girl - Red Sovine
Daddy's Hands - Holly Dunn
Daddy's Little Girl - Al Martino
Daughter of Mine - John McDermott
Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder

Mother/Son Dance Songs:
A Song For My Son - Mikki Viereck/Donna Lee Honeywell
A Song For Mama - Boyz II Men
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
Boy Of Mine - Traditional
I Am Your Child - Barry Manilow

Cake Cutting Songs:
Chapel Of Love - Dixie Cups
Cut The Cake - Average White Band
Cuts Like A Knife - Bryan Adams
Eat It - Wierd Al Yankovic
The Bride Cuts The Cake - Traditional

Bouquet Toss/Garter Removal Songs:Ladies Night - Kool & The Gang
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
It's Raining Men - Weather Girls
Another One Bites The Dust - Queen Bad Boys - Inner Circle
Bad To The Bone - George Thorogood

Last Dance Songs:
As Times Go By - Jimmy Durante
Goodnight Sweetheart - Spaniels
Always & Forever - Heatwave
Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) - Green Day
Hit The Road Jack - Buster Poindexter

Size Counts - Save on Wedding Music with an Ensemble Catered to your Guest Count

Having live music at your wedding ceremony doesn't have to be a budget breaker. A string ensemble can be a gorgeous accompliment to an elegant ceremony, but the potential cost of a string quartet can deter the budget-conscious bride.

But remember this - the size of the string ensemble should be determined by the number of guests at the gathering. It is not always necessary to have a string quartet (the most popular and costly string ensemble) if your guest list is less than 150 persons. A string trio, or duo is perfectly adequate for smaller venues, at less cost than a quartet.

For more advice to help you plan your entertainment, visit my complete wedding music guide at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple

5 Ways to Save on Wedding Music

Every bride worth her weight in tulle knows - when all is said and done – your guests may not quite recall the centerpieces, but all will remember whether (or not) they had a good time. I've found that elusive “fun factor” rides undeniably on the quality of your wedding entertainment. Of course, like everything having to do with weddings, the high price tag of wedding entertainment can intimidate the budget conscious bride - it certainly intimidated me! I didn't want to sacrifice the vibe in the name of savings, so as I researched my wedding entertainment, I looked for some creative budget saving tips. Here's what I learned...

1) DJ Vs. Band
It’s the age-old argument, but when it comes to your entertainment budget – the DJ usually wins the price war (unless of course DJ AM is on your vendor list). For me, however, nothing compares to live music, so I really wanted a band. Thankfully, I found that even if your ideal wedding reception includes drums and a vocalist (as mine did), you can still fit live music into your budget. Limit the number of pieces in your band, and save about $150 per musician. Or hire a band for cocktail hour and the first dances, then switch to a DJ for the final foot stomping moments of your reception – a budget-friendly best of both worlds!

2) Be an Off-Peak Bride
A wedding does not necessarily have to take place on a Saturday night in the spring or summer, and if you're willing to be flexible with your date and time, you can drastically cut the costs of almost all wedding services - including wedding music. Most bands and DJs offer discounts for off-peak times. (unfortunately - I couldn't take advantage of this -as my wedding was on a Saturday night in April)

3) Beware the Overtime
Most entertainment books for a four hour time block. Think your reception might run longer? Book ‘em for five, and be on the safe side. An extra hour of wedding music in advance is usually cheaper than a steep overtime fee.

4) Ceremony Savings
Ceremony musicians can tack on an extra $500-$1000 to your entertainment costs. One way to save money is to contract your reception musicians to play your ceremony too - they'll usually add the extra half hr or hr at a considerable discount (mine did!). Or consider some musical alternatives, and pocket the extra cash. If your ceremony site boasts a respectable sound system, round up some classical CDs and someone reliable to cue the music – and voila – instant background music. Or better yet, ask a talented friend or family member to perform during the ceremony (a perfect job for that cousin you couldn’t quite squeeze into your wedding party). You’ll cut costs and give a special person a significant role on your special day.

5) Go Amateur
Check out local universities for qualified and inexpensive musicians. Music professors and department heads can recommend the best students in the program. I do say this with caution – because a bad band can kill the party. Talented amateur musicians do exist, but be sure to hear them in person before making the hire.

-contributed by Joni Lacroix-
For more advice on planning your wedding entertainment, visit my complete Wedding Music Guide at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple