Choosing the music for your wedding day is yet another daunting task.  More than any other part of your wedding, music will set the mood and influence emotions.  You may insist upon traditional music and instrumentation, or you may opt for more modern arrangements.  But no matter what you prefer, there are a number of decisions to be made and logistics to coordinate.

For your ceremony, you must select the songs you want and hire a musician or musicians (not necessarily in that order.  If you are unsure of what songs you want, your musician may be able to help you decide).  If you are hiring more than one musician for the ceremony, you need to make sure they all know the songs you select, and are able to play them together.  If you are concerned about orchestrating more than one instrument or singer, ask your primary musician if he has any associates that he is comfortable working with.

For your reception you will probably have to decide between a live band or a DJ.  While some couples go for both (so the DJ can play during dinner, band breaks, etc) most wedding budgets are limited and demand choosing one or the other.  After you make your decision, you will have to draft a song list.   This list should include the song you want played for your first dance, the wedding party dance, dances with your parents, and various other songs you want played throughout the course of the evening.  You may also want to indicate songs that you do not want played.  For example, some people just don't want to hear the Chicken Dance or the Hokey Pokey at their reception.  However, before making a long list of do-not-plays, remember that you are throwing a party for your friends and family.  You want to make sure they have a good time too.

Be sure to check out our ideas for songs to help get you started (ideas for ceremony and reception music included).