Selecting meaningful music for your wedding day is a really personal and special aspect of wedding planning. Everyone thinks the wedding first dance song as the main music decision, but there are so many other moments that require thoughtful music choices. The songs chosen for key moments like your ceremony processional and recessional, reception introductions, first dance, and parent dances set the tone for those moments and create lasting memories.

You may assume your guests won’t even notice, which may be true, but keep in mind that these are your memories. You’ll relive these moments when you’re watching your wedding film and you’ll think of your day each time you hear these songs randomly playing. These musical choices reflect your unique relationship and personal style while enhancing the experience of the day. Plus, a lot of guests DO remember unique song choices that they don’t hear at every wedding.

This is not a post with just a list of unique wedding first dance songs, but rather a breakdown of moments throughout the day you’ll want to consider a special song for! I’ve thrown in a few examples from our own wedding day. Here are some important considerations to help you choose the perfect wedding special dance songs for your special moments!

The Processional: Setting the Stage

The processional is the moment when a couple, and sometimes their wedding party and family, make their entrance into the ceremony. The music sets the mood for the ceremony and can resonate with your personality. When selecting a song, consider the atmosphere you want to create—whether it’s traditional, modern, upbeat, emotional, or uniquely personal.

For example, at our wedding, my husband walked down the aisle to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley, a classic tune that exudes timeless romance. It was one of his favorite options from the list our band presented to us. My entrance was marked by a piano mashup of “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles and Pachelbel’s Canon in D – a nod to my mom’s processional song when my parents got married. This was a special touch that felt more personal than just choosing “Here Comes to Sun” on its own. Here’s an example to share with your band if you like this idea!

The Recessional: Celebrating the Union

The recessional marks the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the celebration! It’s a chance to choose a song that reflects the happiness and excitement you’ll feel as newlyweds. For my own wedding, we chose “All of Me” by John Legend, a heartfelt and romantic song that perfectly captured the joy of the moment. Our ceremony songs were live piano renditions played by our band, not a recording of the original songs, which made them a bit more unique!

When picking your recessional song, think about a track that makes you both smile and feel excited. Often, with a band or live performers, you’re choosing from a list of songs they already know! Typically, you can find something beautiful from the extensive lives, but it’s always worth asking them to learn something special if it will make that moment more memorable for you two!

The First Dance: A Moment of Connection

Your first dance is a prime opportunity to share a romantic moment together! The wedding first dance song is often the most considered song of the day, since it can be deeply personal and meaningful. It often feels like a reflection of your journey together!

Consider your taste in music, since this is the song you’ll relive the most over the years! It doesn’t have to be typical or anything you’ve heard before. I’ve seen couples dance to everything from their favorite pop-punk song from high school to a song written by their own family member! Make this your own and embrace the moment that’s entirely for you two.

For our wedding, we danced to “Samson” by Regina Spektor, which has meaningful lyrics that have resonated with us since we met over 10 years before our wedding day! When choosing your first dance song, consider lyrics that are significant to your relationship or a song that brings you both joy and comfort.

Parent Dances: Honoring Special Bonds

Parent dances (or dances with a loved one) are emotional and poignant moments that celebrate the special bonds between the couple and their parents. Selecting these songs can be particularly meaningful, as they honor the relationships that have shaped you. At my wedding, I danced with my dad to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel, a song that exudes both love and reassurance. It’s also one of my favorite songs he has played on piano ever since I was a child.

My husband danced with his mom to Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young,” a song that conveyed warmth and timeless affection. Bob Dylan is my husband’s favorite artist, so this version of the song was a great choice for them.

If you want to make this a fun connection moment during the planning process, work on the decision with the parent/guardian/loved one you’ll be dancing with. You can reminsice on songs that hold meaning from your childhood to adulthood and that make you think of one another.

Personal Touches: Adding Unique Elements

Adding personal touches to your wedding music can make the day even more special. Whether it’s a favorite song from your childhood or a track that has significant meaning to your relationship, incorporating these elements can make your wedding feel uniquely yours. In our case, incorporating a mashup of personal favorites and unique variations to classic tunes created a soundtrack that was both personal and memorable.

Keep in mind that the favorite songs don’t only have to appear in these key moments – make special requests to your band or DJ, so they can incorporate them into the overall vibe for the night!

PS – Don’t Forget!

There are a few other parts of the day where you’ll want to consider making a playlist so you’re not hanging out in silence! Getting ready in the morning, your after party, and any weekend events like a welcome party/rehearsal dinner or next-day brunch! On your wedding day, your band or DJ will have all the rest covered, but those pre-ceremony and post-reception moments could always use a fun playlist of songs!

Choosing the right music for your wedding involves more than picking popular songs or just choosing what’s on the setlist. It’s about curating a playlist that reflects your love story and unique style. By thoughtfully selecting your processional, recessional, first dance, and parent dance songs, you create a soundtrack that enhances the emotional resonance of your special day. With a blend of timeless classics and personal favorites, you can ensure that your wedding music is as memorable as the moments it celebrates.

What wedding special dance songs did you choose for your big day? I’d love to hear in the comments what your wedding first dance song choice is!

Loved this helpful wedding planning blog post all about wedding special dance songs? Come check out this post all about the audio phone guestbook trend!