There is so much to prepare for on-site registration! Venue, decor, guest seating, registry and wedding vows. And now, when there is no more time and energy left, you remember that all that remains is to choose the songs to which you and your fiancé will go out to each other. Don't worry, you don't have to listen to hundreds of tracks to find the one - we've already done that. To begin with, we focused on music for the bride's entrance, selecting both gentle and cheerful songs, among which everyone will find the perfect one for themselves.
Where to begin
Timeless classics or something unconventional to surprise guests? Or a well-known instrumental hit? Sometimes choosing a composition for a bride’s entrance is even more difficult than choosing music for a couple’s first dance. But there are several life hacks that will help you quickly decide on the musical direction and not make a mistake with the track itself. First of all, imagine how you see yourself appearing at a wedding: traditional on the arm of your father, spectacular accompanied by girlfriends, unusual (for example, getting out of a retro car right in front of the podium). When you see this moment, you will feel the mood that you want to share with your guests - this will be the starting point for finding a track.
How to seat guests at an outdoor wedding ceremony
Before the off-site registration begins, the bridesmaids and groomsmen help the wedding planner meet guests and take their seats. Sometimes the parents of the newlyweds also participate in this.
The seating arrangement for guests at an outdoor wedding ceremony is usually as follows: the first row on the left is for the parents and relatives of the bride, the first row on the right is for the parents and relatives of the groom. It is important to leave room for the girl with petals and the boy with rings if they will be seated during the ceremony.
The second row is for relatives and close friends. It is very important that the people closest and most important to you sit in the front row and in a pleasant environment for them. If someone immediately sits in the wrong place, it will be very awkward to ask them to move further away. It will also be awkward in front of the bride’s beloved grandmother if she has to sit in the last row next to the groom’s classmates.
For this reason, parents (or friends) usually take it upon themselves to escort the guests of honor to their reserved seats, while the usher seats everyone else and ensures that no one else sits in the front row. You can fence off the first rows with ribbon or place place cards, bows or flowers on the seats of the chairs. The manager asks all guests to turn off the sound on their mobile phones.
It is very important that guests do not trample the path along which the bride will walk before the ceremony begins. The danger of this is greatest if the path is white or light. Those responsible for seating guests should ensure that people go to their seats from the side, or the path should be laid out just before the start of the ceremony, when all the guests are already in their seats, but this is not entirely convenient.
Wedding style
Some couples, when choosing tunes for the bride and groom's entrance, are guided by the style of the celebration. At a rustic wedding, the bride’s appearance is often accompanied by a composition in a country style, while at an urban chic or loft celebration, covers of modern hits about love are usually used. But whatever the style of your wedding, remember the main thing: the bride’s appearance should be elegant and memorable for the groom for life. Below we share options for musical accompaniment for the bride’s entrance in different styles.
Wedding ceremony: answering questions from brides
Is it necessary to have a rehearsal?
Many brides are biased towards the wedding ceremony rehearsal - they say it deprives it of unique emotions.
But practice shows: a rehearsal does not in any way diminish the importance and value of the ceremony itself, but it helps to avoid worries and complications. The guests involved in the ceremony will know their roles, the organizers will be able to resolve all technical issues in advance, and you will worry less about the little things at the most crucial moment. So, if possible, it is better to conduct a ceremony rehearsal.
7 reasons to hold a ceremony rehearsal
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How do the bridesmaids and groomsmen come out?
There are several classic scenarios. For example, if the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen is the same, and you love beautiful traditions, they can come to the ceremony in pairs. Another option is for the groom's friends to come out first, and then the bridesmaids. For each output, choose your own music track.
Another idea is for the bride and groom to take turns walking out with their friends and bridesmaids, respectively. If the wedding is intimate and informal and there are few friends, you can not involve them in the ceremony, but invite them to take seats along with the rest of the guests.
How long does the ceremony last?
A common mistake brides make is to spend a lot of time on the ceremony, which causes it to be drawn out and creates an empty period of time between its end and the beginning of the banquet. In fact, a classic outdoor ceremony lasts 15-20 minutes.
This time includes the exit of the main characters, the receptionist's speech, vows and the exchange of rings. Separately, you should take into account the time for seating guests: the more guests, the more time it will take. Add another 5 minutes if your child will carry the rings.
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How to write a wedding vow?
Talking about love can be difficult. How to choose words that express all your feelings so that the oath turns out to be touching, sincere and at the same time not too personal so that it can be pronounced in front of dozens of guests? First, start writing it in advance. Getting it ready on the morning of your wedding day is very romantic, but most likely you won't have time to be alone with your thoughts. Secondly, avoid clichés. Don’t read examples of vows on the Internet - it’s boring, banal and doesn’t say anything about you. Let your speech not be so rich in epithets, but it will be sincere, from the bottom of your heart.
Wedding Vows: 9 Common Mistakes Couples Make
What time should I invite guests?
The invitations should indicate the exact start time of the ceremony. Inviting guests in advance because you are afraid that someone will be late, and then making them wait is rude of you. The optimal solution in this situation, which most couples use, is to hold a light buffet 30-40 minutes before the start of registration. During this time, guests can enjoy snacks and drinks, get to know each other, take pictures in the photo zone, fill out a wish book and simply soak up the holiday atmosphere.
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How to choose a master of ceremonies?
When choosing a registrar, pay attention not only to his professionalism and experience, but also to his appearance and voice. Beautiful posture and speech, grooming and presentability are very important for the ceremony to take place at the proper level. Discuss the text, content of the ceremony and musical accompaniment with him in advance.
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If you are planning a cozy family holiday, a family friend or one of your relatives can act as a master of ceremonies. But remember that being a wedding receptionist is a responsible task, so choose a person for this role who knows how and loves to speak in public.
How to involve children in the ceremony?
Children will become a real decoration of the on-site registration! Tasks that can be entrusted to them: opening the ceremony with petals or signs, helping with a train or bouquet, distributing programs or envelopes with petals. According to tradition, the ceremony is opened by angel girls who scatter petals or confetti before the bride leaves - it looks beautiful and touching.
Other important characters are the children who carry out the rings. It is better to entrust this important task to children over 5 years old, since younger children may be afraid of such a public role, and the ceremony will not go according to script. To avoid possible force majeure, involve children in the rehearsal.
And don’t forget to think about the appearance of the little heroes of the ceremony: let their outfits complement the color palette of the wedding, and for the flower girl you need to choose a beautiful basket for the petals in advance.
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What traditions can be carried out during the ceremony?
Choose traditions based on the concept of the wedding and your personal preferences. Sand and wine ceremonies look beautiful. In the first case, the newlyweds pour multi-colored sand from each of their vessels into one common one, showing how their lives merge into one and become inextricably linked. In the second, they close a bottle of wine in a box and write letters to each other “to the future” with a promise to open it on the next anniversary.
The beautiful European tradition of “tie the knot” - tying a knot - symbolically reflects the strength of family ties and the newlyweds’ willingness to be together and support each other. You can tie a knot together, holding different ends of the rope, or your parents can tie your hands together, reminding you that you are now inextricably linked to each other. Find even more beautiful wedding traditions in our article.
We want to hold the ceremony in the evening. What to consider?
First of all, think about the right lighting. A variety of garlands are suitable for decorating a wedding arch - with many small flickering lights or incandescent light bulbs with their warm yellow light, as well as Chinese lanterns or chandeliers. And along the aisle you can place bulk candles. Another common problem with all evening ceremonies that is often forgotten is the cold factor. Therefore, take care of blankets for guests in advance.
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What should be the ending of the ceremony?
Traditionally, guests shower the newlyweds with rose petals - this always looks beautiful in photographs. A worthy alternative to petals are ribbons and confetti. It will be bright! Want something unusual? Consider adding bubbles or a trail of sparklers if the ceremony is in the evening.
Not the easiest option to implement, but a very effective option is to release live butterflies at the moment of the most important kiss. The first dance of the newlyweds will also be a beautiful finale of the ceremony - it will set the right mood for the whole evening!
Choosing music for the ceremony:
Wedding playlist: 100 songs for ceremony, dancing, breaks
Classic
Fashion is changeable, but some traditions are eternal. For example, the appearance of the bride to the Mendelssohn March. What are the advantages of this composition: the bride’s exit will be not only touching, but also solemn. If you can’t imagine going to the altar without an iconic wedding composition, you can also listen to Mozart’s “Little Night Serenade,” Liszt’s “Wedding Feast,” Debussy’s “Moonlight,” or Prokofiev’s “The Tale of the Stone Flower.” And so that the music for the bride’s exit harmoniously fits into the fashionable playlist, consider classic tracks as musical accompaniment, but in a modern interpretation.
An excerpt characterizing the Wedding Exit
“However, everything suits you, my lovely,” she said. The smile of pleasure never left Natasha's face. She felt happy and blossoming under the praises of this dear Countess Bezukhova, who had previously seemed to her such an unapproachable and important lady, and who was now so kind to her. Natasha felt cheerful and felt almost in love with this so beautiful and such a good-natured woman. Helen, for her part, sincerely admired Natasha and wanted to amuse her. Anatole asked her to set him up with Natasha, and for this she came to the Rostovs. The thought of setting up her brother with Natasha amused her. Despite the fact that she had previously been annoyed with Natasha for having taken Boris away from her in St. Petersburg, she now did not think about it, and with all her soul, in her own way, wished Natasha well. Leaving the Rostovs, she withdrew her protegee aside. - Yesterday my brother dined with me - we were dying of laughter - he didn’t eat anything and sighed for you, my precious. Il est fou, mais fou amoureux de vous, ma chere. [He is going crazy, but he is going crazy with love for you, my dear.] Natasha blushed crimson hearing these words. - How she blushes, how she blushes, ma delicieuse! [my precious!] - said Helen. - Definitely come. Si vous aimez quelqu'un, ma delicieuse, ce n'est pas une raison pour se cloitrer. Si meme vous etes promise, je suis sure que votre promis aurait desire que vous alliez dans le monde en son absence plutot que de deperir d'ennui. [The fact that you love someone, my lovely, does not mean living like a nun. Even if you are a bride, I am sure that your fiancé would prefer that you go out into the world in his absence rather than die of boredom.] “So she knows that I am a bride, so she and her husband, with Pierre, with With this fair Pierre, Natasha thought, they talked and laughed about it. So it’s nothing.” And again, under the influence of Helen, what had previously seemed terrible seemed simple and natural. “And she is such a grande dame, [important lady,] so sweet and obviously loves me with all her heart,” Natasha thought. And why not have fun? thought Natasha, looking at Helen with surprised, wide-open eyes. Marya Dmitrievna returned to dinner, silent and serious, obviously defeated by the old prince. She was still too excited from the collision to be able to calmly tell the story. To the count's question, she answered that everything was fine and that she would tell him tomorrow. Having learned about Countess Bezukhova’s visit and invitation to the evening, Marya Dmitrievna said: “I don’t like hanging out with Bezukhova and wouldn’t recommend it; Well, if you promised, go, you’ll be distracted,” she added, turning to Natasha. Count Ilya Andreich took his girls to Countess Bezukhova. There were quite a lot of people at the evening. But the whole society was almost unfamiliar to Natasha. Count Ilya Andreich noted with displeasure that this entire society consisted mainly of men and women, known for their freedom of treatment. M lle Georges, surrounded by young people, stood in the corner of the living room. There were several Frenchmen, and among them Metivier, who had been her housemate since Helene's arrival. Count Ilya Andreich decided not to play cards, not to leave his daughters, and to leave as soon as the Georges performance was over. Anatole was obviously at the door waiting for the Rostovs to enter. He immediately greeted the count, approached Natasha and followed her. As soon as Natasha saw him, just like in the theater, a feeling of vain pleasure that he liked her and fear from the absence of moral barriers between her and him overwhelmed her. Helen joyfully received Natasha and loudly admired her beauty and dress. Soon after their arrival, M lle Georges left the room to get dressed. In the living room they began to arrange chairs and sit down. Anatole pulled out a chair for Natasha and wanted to sit next to her, but the count, who had not taken his eyes off Natasha, sat down next to her. Anatole sat in the back.
Tooling
Romantic ballads performed by The Piano Guys and Vitamin String Quartet have become almost classics over the past decade, so this is another win-win option for a bride's wedding reception. Here are a few covers of these bands, which are often played by wedding DJs at such an important moment:
- Vitamin String Quartet – We Belong
- Vitamin String Quartet – Never Tear Us Apart
- Vitamin String Quartet – Stay With Me
- The Piano Guys – A Thousand Years
- The Piano Guys – Secrets
Other popular instrumentals that are perfect for kicking off a wedding ceremony include Bruno Mars' "Marry You," Beyoncé's "Halo," Rufus Wainwright's "Hallelujah" and Ed Sheeran's "Perfect."
Movie inspiration
Another way to choose the right music for a wedding is to review wedding scenes from cult melodramas and choose a song that will best suit the atmosphere at your wedding. In addition, this is a great opportunity to see how your wedding entrance will turn out. Luxurious and stylish, like Serena Van der Woodsen in “Gossip Girl” with “You Got The Love” by Florence And The Machine, exciting, like Bella Swan in “Twilight” with “Sleeping At Last” by Turning Page, or touching, like Liv and Emma from Bride Wars, who got married to the song "Dream" by Priscilla Ahn.
Awards
The film received the following awards[1]:
| Awards | ||||
| Festival/Award | Year | Reward | Category | Winner |
| New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival | 2007 | People's Choice Award | Best Feature Film | "Wedding Exit" |
| Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival | 2007 | People's Choice Award | Best Feature Film | "Wedding Exit" |
| AfterEllen.com Visibility Award | 2007 | Best Festival Release Runner Up | "Wedding Exit" by Katie DeBono | |
| NewNowNext Awards | 2008 | People's Choice Award | Best Feature Film | "Wedding Exit" |
| Ft. Worth Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival | 2008 | Best Lesbian Film | "Wedding Exit" | |
Eternal hits
If you think that the music for the bride and groom's entrance must be recognizable, stop at one of the popular wedding hits. For example, “Say You Love Me” by Jessie Ware or “I Love You Always Forever” by Donna Lewis. It’s also worth paying attention to everyone’s favorite songs “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt and “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele. The bride's entrance or vows to "River Flows In You" by Yiruma will make the moment the climax of the wedding day, and the touching composition "Soul Food" by Leela James will give your guests goosebumps.
In addition to timeless hits, wedding DJs advise you to definitely listen to fashionable new items - they will help make the bride’s exit more lively and modern. We share a selection of current music for a stylish wedding:
- Dua Lipa – Levitating
- John Legend – Conversations In The Dark
- Ed Sheeran – I See Fire
- Lady Gaga – Heal Me
- Ellie Goulding – How Long Will I Love You
- Sia – Breathe Me
Cheerful music for the bride's entrance
If your character does not allow you to smoothly approach the groom and guests, but instead you will dance joyfully, do not restrain yourself, light up! Especially for you, we have selected songs to which you can dance, and others will do it with you:
- Smile - Katy Perry
- Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
- Watermelon Sugar - Harry Styles
- Classic - MKTO
- Say So - Doja Cat
- Higher Love - Kygo, Whitney Houston
- Smooth - Santana, Rob Thomas
- Everybody's Free (To Geel Good) — Kylie Minogue
- Marry You - Bruno Mars
- Paradise - Coldplay
- Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
- I'm Yours — Jason Mraz
- Shrek 2: Accidentally in Love — Animation Soundtrack Ensemble
- Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
- Love Someone - Jason Mraz
- Single Ladies - Beyonce
- Here Comes the Sun - Boyce Avenue
- Happy — Pharell Williams
- Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader
- Down - Jay Sean, Lel Wayne
- Firework - Katy Perry
- What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction
- Raise Your Glass - Pink
- If I Can't Have You - Shawn Mendes
- Everything - Michael Buble
Teryn Lee Photography
Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Messina
Add emotions
Music for a wedding is not always just fashionable sets from the best DJs. Wedding soundtracks are, first of all, your feelings, mood, atmosphere that you want to create at the celebration. Therefore, for key moments, it is especially important to choose only the music that you will later remember with trepidation in your soul. The bride's entrance will be even more spectacular if you find a composition that tells the couple's love story or reminds the lovers of something very personal. This is also the perfect time to pay tribute to your parents by playing the music they once got married to.
The main part of on-site registration
The registrar begins to give his speech, it should not be too long and not too short - about 7-10 minutes. After this, the newlyweds exchange vows and then rings.
The registrar says a few parting words and declares the newlyweds husband and wife. The groom lifts the veil if it covered the bride's face and kisses her.
At this time, it is important that the musicians start playing, and the guests are given a signal to shower the newlyweds with rose petals (soap bubbles).
Next, the newlyweds walk down the aisle and are also showered with rose petals. The bridesmaids and groomsmen follow them in pairs. After the ceremony, a buffet usually begins, during which guests congratulate the newlyweds, give gifts, and take photographs near the arch.
After the ceremony, don’t forget to take some posed photos at the arch with your bridesmaids and groomsmen, as well as with the groom.
