The 2019 wedding season is about to come to an end. I have one more left on November 2nd and then my second season is a wrap! This one has been everything: a learning experience, exciting, challenging, inspiring, frustrating, just everything all in one! I got to experience and help plan weddings for different cultures and had the pleasure of getting to know 14 new clients and their families.
Just because the 2019 season is ending does not mean things are quiet! I am almost fully booked for 2020 so there is a lot to do to ensure I set my third season up for success. As I progress in planning with clients, I notice a lot of the same questions come up again and again. I’ve been filing these questions away and plan to create blog posts to answer all of them!
This first one is going to be entirely about music choices! I get asked all the time about song choices for the wedding party processional & recessional, first dance songs, and parent dance songs.
I always encourage clients to first think about any songs that have meaning to them and try to find ways to incorporate it into your day. Music can be so powerful (those wedding highlight reels you see, would it feel the same without the song in the background?!). Just because a song doesn’t seem like “the right fit” doesn’t mean you can’t choose it. For example, the song Mexico by James Taylor was mine and my dad’s dance song. He used to play it for me when I was little and I grew up loving it and associating it with him. I decided to choose it as our father/daughter dance song. If you know this song, it is not at all your typical wedding parent dance choice but we loved it and it was right for us. We took a handful of dance classes to work out a short routine so we felt comfortable dancing to a non-traditional song. You can make any song work for you!
So, let’s take a look at some great options for your big day! I hope you find something you love!
WEDDING PROCESSIONAL:
A Thousand Years by Christina Perri or The Piano Guys version
Marry Me by Train
Somewhere over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Perfect by Ed Sheeran
Higher Love by James Vincent McMorrow (this was my song!)
Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
Anything by Vitamin String Quartet (just Google Vitamin String Quartet Wedding Songs for tons of great options, instrumentals only)
Anything by The Piano Guys (instrumentals only)
Here Comes the Sun by Imaginary Future or Sleepy Time Players
How Will I Know by Sam Smith
I Do by Westlife
Let Her Go by Music Lab Collective (instrumental)
You are my Sunshine by Kina Grannis
Heaven is a Place on Earth by Grace George (Acoustic)
Without You by The Piano Guys
Heaven (Candlelight Mix) by DJ Sammy & D/O
Fix You by Boyce Avenue
Love Me Like You Do by Brooklyn Duo
WEDDING RECESSIONAL:
I’m Yours by Jason Mraz
Marry You by Bruno Mars
Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder
You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates
You are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie Cole
Better Together by Jack Johnson
Something Just Like This or A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay
You’re My Best Friend by Queen
Best Day of My Life by American Authors
Ho Hey by The Lumineers
Anything Could Happen by Ellie Goulding
The Power of Love by Huey Lewis & The News
Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
Everything by Michael Buble
Love by Matt White
Love on Top by Beyonce
I Choose You by Sara Bareilles
I Do by Colbie Caillat
Beautiful Day by U2
FIRST DANCE SONGS:
Amazed by Lonestar
From This Moment by Shania Twain
Beautiful in White by Matt Johnson
Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
Crazy Love by Michael Buble
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
A Moment Like This by Leona Lewis
All of Me by John Legend
Stay with You by John Legend
Speechless by Dan & Shay
Lost in this Moment by Big & Rich
At Last by Etta James
In Case You Didn’t Know by Brett Young
How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding
Born to Love You by Lanco
Your Song by Elton John
Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
Yours by Russell Dickerson
I Get To Love You by Ruelle
My Best Friend by Tim McGraw
PARENT DANCE SONGS:
(Some are more geared to Father/Daughter and some Mother/Groom but many are universal)
Footprints in the Sand by Leona Lewis
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
How Sweet It Is by James Taylor
You've Got A Friend - James Taylor
Whenever I See Your Smiling Face by James Taylor
Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
My Girl by The Temptations (more father/daughter)
Daughters by John Mayer
Days Like This by Van Morrison
I’ll Be There by Jackson 5
I Loved Her First by Heartland
My Wish by Rascall Flatts
Humble & Kind by Tim McGraw
Forever Young by Rod Stewart
Walk With You by Edwin McCain
Child of Mine by Carole King
The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
In My Life by The Beatles
I Hope You Dance by LeeAnn Womack
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groben
I hope you all found this list helpful! As always, Happy Planning!
Love,
Alyssa