Top Music Selections

I am working on getting my full listing of over 10,000 songs online for people to search and make selections, but in the meantime, here is a listing of the most popular songs to dance to during the various stages of a typical reception:

Prelude Music

This is the music that is heard 15 to 30 minutes prior to your ceremony. At this time your guests are arriving and being seated. The Prelude music normally continues through the seating of the mothers, however it is a nice touch to have a special selection for them.

This is when the atmosphere for your wedding is established. It should compliment the mood you want whether religious, elegant, contemporary, or a mixture of styles.

There are a few general rules to keep in mind:
The music should be suitable as background music for prayer and light conversation. This is not the time for Kool and The Gang or other celebration-type music. Discuss your music choices with your church or synagogue. Policies of many churches and synagogues will prohibit contemporary music.

Classical List

• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
• The Prayer - Andrea Bocelli
• Arioso - Bach
• Romanza - Mozart
• Ave Maria - Schubert
• Sheep May Safely Graze - Bach
• Fireworks Suite - Handel
• Suite No. 3 in D:
• Air on the G String - Bach

Contemporary List

• The Rose - Bette Midler
• Everything I Do I Do it for You - Bryan Adams
• When I Say I Do - Clint Black and Lisa Hartman
• Love of My Life - Jim Brickman
• Always - Atlantic Starr
• For My Wedding - Don Henley
• Don't Know Much - Aaron Neville/Linda Ronstadt
• Tonight, I Celebrate My Love - Peabo Bryson/R. Flack
• The One - Elton John
• My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion - Titanic Soundtrack
• All I ask of you - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Processional Music

There are usually two 2 processionals; one for the bridesmaids and flower girl and one for the bride to walk down the aisle. You may also have a separate selection for the seating of parents and grandparents before the bridesmaid. However, too many selections/changing of musical selections may be confusing and may not make it easy for all to keep time while walking down the aisle. It is usually advisable to keep it simple..

The bride's processional announces the bride and centers the attention on the bride. This is one of the most important and anticipated moments of the day!

Classical List

Canon in D - Pachelbel
• Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke
• Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel
• Bridal Chorus - Wagner
• Spring from the Four Seasons - Vivaldi
• Trumpet Tune - Purcell
• Hornpipe from the Water Music - Handel
• Romance from String Quartet - Mozart
• Elvira Madigan Theme - Bach
• Here Comes the Bride - Wagner

Contemporary List

• Only Time - Enya
• At Last - Etta James
• Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
• Unforgettable - Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
• Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
• Princess Bride Theme - Mark Knopfler
• Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
• What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
• When I'm 64 - The Beatles
• From This Moment On - Shania Twain

Unity Candle Lighting

The lighting of the Unity Candle is a popular and symbolic wedding tradition. Candles that could be used could be from a simple taper, to a plain white or ivory pillar candle, or a fancy decorated candle. The stocky pillar candles can be decorated with flowers, beads, ribbons, your invitation, or your names and wedding date.

Some couples choose a song that further symbolizes the union they are creating on their wedding day. Here are 20 songs to start with.

Unity Candle Lighting Music

• When You Say Nothing At All - Allison Kraus
• The Prayer - Josh Groban and Charlotte Church
• Me and You - Kenny Chesney
• I Wanna Be Your Everything - Keith Urban
• I Cross My Heart - George Strait
• When I Said I Do - Clint Black and Lisa Hartman
• Forever and For Always - Shania Twain
• True Companion - Marc Cohn
• All My Life - K-Ci and Jo-Jo
• Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
• When You Say You Love Me - Josh Groban
• Beautiful In My Eyes - Joshua Kadison

Top 30 First Dance Music Suggestions

• At Last - Etta James
• Amazed - Lonestar
• From This Moment On - Shania Twain
• Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
• I Cross My Heart - George Strait
• It's Your Love - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
• Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
• You Are - Chad Brock
• Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
• I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden
• You're Still The One - Shania Twain
• I Do (Cherish You) - 98 Degrees
• To Make You Feel - My Love Garth Brooks
• Here and Now - Luther Vandross
• I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden
• Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
• I Could Not Ask For More - Edwin McCain
• I Swear - J. Michael Montgomery
• Back at One - Brian McKnight
• Beautiful in My Eyes - Joshua Kadison
• When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge
• Breathe - Faith Hill
• What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
• Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
• Unforgettable - Nat King Cole & Natalie
• My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
• Keeper of the Stars - Tracy Byrd
• I Finally Found Someone - Barbara Streisand
• All My Life - K-Ci & JoJo
• When You Say Nothing at All - Alison Kraus

Top 20 Father/Daughter Music Suggestions

• Daddy's Little Girl - Kippi Brannon
• Father's Eyes - Amy Grant
• Lullabye - Billy Joel
• The Way You Look Tonight - Frank
• Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle
• My Girl - The Temptations
• Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
• What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
• Daddy's Hands - Holly Dunn
• Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
• Unforgettable - Natalie Cole
• There You'll Be - Faith Hill
• Hero - Mariah Carey
• Through the Years - Kenny Rogers
• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
• Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
• Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
• Beautiful In My Eyes - Joshua Kadison
• Thank Heaven for Little Girls - Gigi
• Stand By Me - Ben E. King

Top 20 Mother/Groom Music Suggestions

• What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
• Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
• The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
• Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
• A Song For Mama - Boyz II Men
• Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
• Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
• I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
• Song for My Son - Mikki
• There You'll Be - Faith Hill
• Hero - Mariah Carey
• Through the Years - Kenny Rogers
• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
• The Rose - Bette Midler
• Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
• Beautiful In My Eyes - Joshua Kadison
• Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
• Stand By Me - Ben E. King
• Perfect Fan - Backstreet Boys

Top 12 Wedding Party Music Suggestions

• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
• That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick
• Friends - Michael W. Smith
• You've Got a Friend - James Taylor
• Celebration - Kool and the Gang
• We Are Family - Sister Sledge
• Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks
• Hot, Hot, Hot - Buster Poindexter
• I'll Be There for You - The Rembrandts
• What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
• Endless Love - Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
• Everybody Have Fun Tonight - Wang Chung
• YMCA - Village People
• Chicken Dance

Top 20 Icebreaker Music Suggestions

These are songs that help make the transition between the Formal Dances and the Open Dancing:

• Celebration - Kool & The Gang
• Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
• Get This Party Started - Pink
• I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden
• At Last - Etta James
• Unforgettable - Nat King Cole/Natalie Cole
• Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
• (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
• Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas
• The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
• Stand By Me - Ben E King
• That's What Friends Are For - D. Warwick & Friends
• When I'm 64 - Beatles
• Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
• Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
• Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
• I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men
• Truly, Madly, Deeply - Savage Garden
• You Shook Me All Night long - AC/DC
• It Had To Be You - Harry Connick, Jr.