Your Wedding Music Checklist: Top Song Choices from One More Song DJs

 

You can create a visually stunning wedding day, bring together your incredible friends and family, write beautiful vows and serve delectable food, but without the right music, your celebration is bound to fall flat.

Your wedding day song choices are essential to set the tone for each moment and allow you to infuse your own personality and style. Whether it be an unexpectedly tear-jerking tune as you step down the aisle or an absolute banger that has everyone amped up as you enter your reception, your choice of music is a critical part of your planning process.

So, to help guide you, we sat down with the ultra-talented, fabulously experienced (and super lovely) Aleks and Eddy from One More Song DJs to find out what songs they’re loving for key moments in a wedding day, to their insider tips on how to choose the best track for you.

Read on for their invaluable insights.

 

 

CEREMONY

When it comes to your ceremony, there are some key considerations to factor in. Will you have a live musician? A DJ? Or your celebrant, or a friend playing Spotify?

If your song choices are straightforward (e.g. you’re happy for one song to be played from the beginning for your aisle entrance), then Spotify may be ok. If your preference is to have songs play at a particular point or you want multiple key songs, consider hiring a pro to look after this.

 

Ceremony aisle (processional).

For your aisle song, think about the atmosphere you want to create. Do you want it to be soft and super romantic? Fun and upbeat? Or perhaps classic and timeless?

Also, think about timings – if you have a few different people walking down the aisle, maybe you pick more than one song or pick one song with a long build/intro. If you’re both coming down the aisle, choose something more upbeat so you can dance down together.

Here are some of our favourite aisle songs:

Video Games by Lana Del Rey

Kyle (i found you) by Fred again..

Bloom by The Paper Kits

Real Love Baby by Father John Misty

Something About You (ODESZA Remix) by Hayden James ODESZA

Listen to these and more of our choices, here – Aisle Song Choices

 

 

Ceremony finish (recessional).

And for your recessional (or, as we like to call it, ceremony finish song), we definitely recommend something super high energy that you both like and that fits in with the celebratory nature of this important moment!

Again, think about the timing. Some songs take a while to get into, so check with your celebrant and whoever is looking after music about when to start the song so you can head back down the aisle to the most energetic bit.

Some suggestions:

Thinking of You by Lord Echo, Lisa Tomlins

I Got U by Duke Dumont, Jax Jones

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen

Good Times by CHIC

Dancing in the Moonlight by King Harvest

Here’s the full list – Recessional Song Choices

 

 

Signing.

If you’re signing the registry during the ceremony, we suggest having two or three songs ready for this. It will give your photographer enough time to take photos without any awkward silences. This is a good opportunity to include some of your favourite tunes, as really, anything goes as background music at this point.

 

Pro tip – ceremony background music.

Don’t forget background music as guests are arriving. For this part of the day, our couples tend to choose one vibe to stick to, like acoustic covers of pop songs, classic Motown, jazz or chilled-out electronic tunes. And think about your post-ceremony cocktail hour, too. Usually, we recommend much more upbeat music than pre-ceremony.

 

 

RECEPTION

Wedding party entrances.

If you’ve booked a DJ, they have full control of the music at this point, so they can pre-program multiple cues if you want your wedding party to come in groups to one song, OR they can cue up multiple tracks so that each group come in to something different.

If you choose one song, pick something with a long and natural build so by the time you – the newlyweds – come in, the song is at its peak!

For extra fun and energy, consider drinking shots during entrances. There’s no better way to start the party!

Entrance songs we love:

Thunderstruck by ACDC

Fireball (feat. John Ryan) by Pitbull, John Ryan

Gimme Some Lovin’ by The Spencer Davis Group

Bring Em Out by T.I.

Stumblin’ In by CYRIL

All the bangers: Entrance Song Choices

 

 

Dance floor starter.

Formalities are over, and it’s time to get this party started!

The dance floor starter is such an important choice because it really sets the tone for the next couple of hours of dancing.

Depending on your guest list, we recommend something that will be known to the majority rather than something brand new (unless it’s a remix of a classic). Anything earlier than the 2010s is normally a winner for all ages.

It goes without saying – this has to be a stone-cold banger!

Dance floor starters:

Love at First Sight by Kylie Minogue

This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan

Canned Heat by Jamiroquai

Low (feat T-Pain) by Flo Rida, T-Pain

Shooting Stars by Bag Raiders

Here’s our full list of faves: Dance Floor Starters.

 

 

Final song/exit.

You can go one of two ways for the final song – either a sing-along or a raging banger. Or, for the best of both worlds, choose two final songs.

Work with your DJ on timings for this so that you haven’t left before your chosen song/s are played. If you do plan on leaving before everyone, pick a song that has enough time for you to have a boogie and then leave on a high about three-quarters of the way through before the lights come on!

Exit songs:

Torn by Natalie Imbruglia

Dancing on My Own by Robyn

Children by Robert Miles

Fairground by Simply Red

Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve

Our fave exit songs: Final Wedding Songs.

 

 

Pro tip.

Remember, although it’s your day, you’ll want everyone to dance; otherwise, it’s going to be a very lonely dance floor. When you’re providing song requests to your DJ/entertainer, give them a wide variety of genres and artists that you like and then let them work within that to create a wedding soundtrack that is uniquely you but that others will love too!

 

More expert advice.

Eddy and Aleks from One More Song DJs also have an episode on their wedding podcast, Project Engaged, where they talk more about how to choose your key moment songs. Check it out here.

 

 

For more song choice options, read what our fabulous Ivory Tribe celebrants recommend as their favourite aisle tracks.