Top Song Choices Every Wedding in 2025 (Yours Included) Needs
5 min read
Your wedding is coming, and all the visions and fantasies you have filling up your head have one thing in common: music in the background. Wedding music playlists are some of the most exciting yet overwhelming aspects to plan in advance. You’ll have the occasion to dance to your favourite songs all night long, almost entirely ensured your guests have a great time since they’ll have numerous other elements and instalments to secure a blast. On the other hand, you know there are some must-have types of songs weddings generally play in some specific moments: the playlist that’s on before the ceremony begins, the one that accompanies your entrance, the one around the cake’s arrival, and the one where you showcase your curated outfits. How will you plan everything successfully?
We’re offering a wedding music guide to assist your soundtrack planning, ensuring all moments are accompanied by tunes that elate your hearts.
Pre-wedding/prelude music
Your tracks will set the tone for the event – music that’s there even before you arrive. This is one of the main moments when your music choice focuses on your guests more than on you and your spouse, because yes, there will be such moments. You’ll get to cheer them up with music that suits their overall taste preference, depending on the subcultural category and age generation.
As a general rule, you should have around half an hour of pre-ceremony music to cover early arrivals, late guests, wardrobe hiccups, and all the charming mess that all weddings have.
Wedding outfit reveal
Of course music creates the atmosphere, but your wedding’s visual part is almost just as impactful. From the stunning bridal gown to the groom’s fresh suit and from your coordinated bridesmaids’ looks to the mother of the bride’s graceful ensemble, every outfit will leave its mark on the ceremony – and your lingering memories.
You can coordinate your pre-wedding music with the theme of your wedding to set the tone and welcome guests into the vision of your dream day. End your wedding on the same note for circularity, and you’ll have left your mark infinitely. A curated playlist will convey your love story, which is exactly what you want on the most significant day of celebration.
The processional
The processional stage is one of the most emotional wedding moments – the walk down the aisle. Given the episode’s sentimental load, you may want your soundtrack to reflect the mood you have; it can be playful, tender, or stately. Couples tend to opt for titles that carry personal and emotional significance to reflect their stories, or simply music that evokes the intended mood as they approach each other. You can have orchestral versions of your all-time favorites or instrumentals if you want something more unique.
Timing is also important: your song should match the procession’s pace and make for a perfect flow. Your guests will be captivated, and you’ll be so proud of the effort you’ve poured into your soundtrack.
Bridal processional
One of the most significant moments everyone is looking for is when the bride enters the stage. Music will accompany her path towards the altar, and the right song can create a cinematic effect that will have everyone visually hooked.
The key is to strike a balance: choose a song depending on how long it takes for you to reach the altar. You want everything in sync, so maybe practicing several times in advance will help you make the inspirational impression you want.
Recessional
Recessionals celebrate couples as they exit the ceremony, so they’re evoking joy and achievement. Unlike processionals’ solemnity, recessionals are more uplifting and energetic, inviting people to applaud and smile. Couples generally pick cheerful, upbeat tracks to lift the mood after the emotionally intense ceremony.
This moment marks a joyful transition from ceremony to reception – a moment where you can collaborate with a wedding DJ to ensure the music aligns perfectly with your pace and energy, if you want something modern. It will certainly leave your guests energized for the celebrations ahead.
Reception entrance
The opening moments of the reception, from food to music to the couple’s entrance, are what truly establish the mood of the ceremony, and are when the party actually begins. For this moment, having an MC or a DJ announce your entry on a carefully curated, upbeat song can get the guests in just the right mood to celebrate. Guests are encouraged to cheer, clap, and stand up, building a high-energy welcome.
You don’t need to be an encyclopaedia of dynamic music – you can hire specialists for that or use one of the many online apps designed to help users find the best music for each event or moment.
Party starters
As with the reception entrance soundtrack, you’ll want really high-energy, upbeat, pumped-up music that has guests desiring the party to never stop (at least, until the sunrise). Here are some ideas, depending on the targeted era and genre:
Classic dance-floor icebreakers:
- Whitney Houston: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
- Stevie Wonder: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”
- ABBA: “Dancing Queen”
- The Killers: “Mr. Brightside”.
Modern party starters:
- Dua Lipa: “Don’t Start Now”
- Walk the Moon: “Shut Up and Dance”
- The Weeknd: “Blinding Lights”
- Missy Elliott: “Get Ur Freak On”.
Dance floor all-time favorites:
- Beyoncé: “Crazy in Love”
- Robyn: “Dancing On My Own”
- The Spice Girls: “Wannabe”
- Outkast: “Hey Ya!”.
What will be the song that wraps up your dream day?
The final song is the track that will linger in everyone’s memory; the song that will tie everything together. You’ll get the chance to play the song that crowns your love, which is why you’re advised that, for this special moment, you look into your hearts.
Do you feel like you’d be blissfully happy while the party wound down and the world was ending, with your soulmate? You have just the right tracks for that. Or maybe you two have a song that connects you, one that nobody else knows and understands. In this case, you have just the right moment to let it warm everyone’s hearts. Play what you feel: you’ll be thankful for it for the rest of your life. You know what? Do what you feel! We’re talking about the last songs, and this is the last piece of advice for you to keep in mind.
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
