It's Time To Pick A Wedding Song

After 3 amazing years together, in December of 2022, I asked my girlfriend Emma to marry me, and she was kind enough to say yes! It was an amazing day full of love and family, and I could not be more excited to spend the rest of my life with the love of my life. While I am not the one checking the majority of items off our wedding planning list, I did take care of one very important task, the wedding band. And yes, I said BAND, a detail that cannot, and should not, be overlooked. With the band locked in, it was an immediate jump to a discussion about our wedding song and our first dance, and let me tell you, there is a lot to consider. While I can't tell you what to pick, nor do I think I should, here are a few things I think you should keep in mind when trying to figure out the soundtrack to your big day.

We're Doing It Live

As I mentioned above, we are going with a live band for our wedding, and while I will not tell you what to do, I can all but guarantee that going with a band will be one of your better decisions. Especially when it coms to the first dance, a live band brings a special sound to the event that I just don't think a DJ can match. That being said, if you are going to have a live band playing your first song, you should make sure that they know how to play it. Most bands will know the go-to's, and if not they'll coordinate with you well in advance, but if you have plans for a specially choreographed dance then make sure you are practicing to the version that the band is going to play. The last thing you want is the lead singer turning your wedding into Super Bowl 47, a la Alicia Keys.

Country Is King

There are a lot of music genres to choose from on your wedding day but there are none that do a love song quite like country. From artists like Blake Shelton, Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, or Shania Twain, you have and endless list of backwoods ballads that will fill your heart with love and your ears with twang. And not only are country songs great to slow dance too, your band will certainly thank you for range friendly selection, no doubt by delivering a performance that you are sure to remember. If you're not sure where to start, try picking your favorite country song on Spotify and then looking through the similar songs. If you don't even have a favorite to start with, try God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton.

Make It Yours

After all is said and done, the number one thing to keep in mind is that you are picking a song that matters to you, and no one else. Don't just pick a song that someone says, "Sounds pretty", or whichever hit is currently on the top of the charts. You should pick a song that really speaks to you, one that resonates with your heart. Music is meant to invoke feelings in the listener, so pick a song that makes you feel the same way that your new partner does. Now, if you are really struggling, specifically if you have a song in mind that doesn't feel right for a first dance, don't be afraid to start looking at covers, especially acoustic ones, of your ideal song. Rock, pop, and even certain even rap songs can sound surprisingly lovely when they're being brought to life by a couple of guitars and a vocalist.

So when it comes to picking your wedding song, just remember to pick something from the heart. If you pick the right band they'll give you the heartfelt performance you won't soon forget, but if you go with a DJ, I'm sure you can find the perfect track to begin your lives together. If you are a country fan you already know you have a massive catalog of songs to choose from, and if not, R&B would be worth checking out. No matter what you go with, just remember that what matters most is the person you are sharing the dance with.