Continuing in our series of wedding ceremony music, today we’re going to hit on a topic that’s near and dear to my heart – pop music! I’m trained as a classical violinist, but I have to say that pop music has become my passion, so let’s dive in and talk about what this means for wedding ceremony music, ok?
When the excitement of being engaged wears off (just a little), you’re faced with the reality of needing to make a LOT of decisions in a relatively short amount of time. Even with a long engagement (hey, thanks COVID!), the wedding planning process can still be overwhelming. Let’s not fool ourselves, guys. Planning a wedding can easily become a second full-time job, and it’s not one that you were expecting to have!
(For a quick win, check out our list of 10 favorite songs for walking down the aisle)
Let’s talk about why you might want to choose pop music for your wedding ceremony. The mood your ceremony music creates can set the tone for your entire celebration, so be sure to choose carefully! There’s so much incredible music to choose from, the possibilities are truly endless. In future posts, we’re also going to cover music for prelude, processional, unity ceremony, recessional, and postlude. There’s lots to do, so buckle up and let’s dive in!
(Want to avoid putting your ceremony together on your own? Check out our wedding ceremony templates for easy music selection.)
We’ve worked with over a thousand couples to choose their wedding ceremony music, and we’ve seen brides freeze because they’re just not sure about the kind of music that they want. They’ve come to us stressed and unsure of themselves, completely overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. So here’s the thing – let’s take it one step at a time. Step one, we’re going to choose a genre. So, let’s go! Here are 10 reasons to choose pop music for your ceremony:
- It’s Accessible
How many times have you been to a wedding and didn’t recognize any of the music? It was probably very beautiful, but it just didn’t speak to you.
It doesn’t have to be that way!
Pop music is relevant today, so pretty much everyone will know the songs. And when people recognize the music, they’re actively engaging in your ceremony. Win-win.
- It’s Cool
Yes. Yes it is.
Imagine walking out of your ceremony to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”
Classic Stevie Wonder. Doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
Ooh. For something a little more subdued, how about Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day?”
If you want people to be buzzing about your wedding ceremony for months after the fact, pop music is a great way to do it.
- It’s Vocal
Yes, most pop tunes have lyrics. Sometimes the lyrics are absolutely essential to the structure of the song. But other times, the melody can be played instrumentally, without the words. When that happens, people recognize the melody and often will think of the words while they’re listening to the music.
BONUS: No more nameless melodies! You’ve just added a second layer of meaning to your ceremony music because people are listening to the music and thinking the words.
- It’s Unique
Most couples want to personalize their wedding day as much as possible. After all, this is the one day when it’s truly all about YOU!
From a ketubah designed and painted by the bride herself, to a processional song chosen because it’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever heard and just can’t get it out of your mind, don’t hesitate to make unique choices for your celebration. Pop music opens up a world of music possibilities that will wow your guests and make your day truly one-of-a-kind.
- It’s Meaningful
Go ahead, walk down the aisle to the song that you were listening to when your fiancé proposed. It’s special to you, so why not include it prominently in one of the most special days of your life?
Choose a song that has hopes and wishes for your future life ahead. Or, choose a song that has cherished meaning about your past.
Ideas are only limited by your imagination, so open up your mind and see what it tells you!
- It’s Unexpected
People show up for a wedding expecting to hear…all together now: WEDDING MUSIC.
Surprise them!
Work with your ceremony musicians to put together a ceremony of completely unexpected (yet completely appropriate) music fitting for the first day of the rest of your life.
(Want to ditch the guesswork? Check out our wedding ceremony templates for already-done-for-you simplicity.)
- It’s The Best of Both Worlds
Pop strings, that is.
Pop by nature is current, and if you have strings who are well-versed in performing that style? BOOM.
Elegant. Alluring. Captivating.
Stringed instruments look graceful just sitting there. Those sexy curves, seductive necks and intricate scrolls. And once the music starts? You’ve got the best of both worlds.
- It’s Familiar
Like your favorite go-to bottle of wine, pop tunes are familiar and probably make you feel comfortable. For a lot of people, classical music isn’t something they’re very familiar with. Although classical music is exceedingly beautiful, it may seem stuffy to many, because of this unfamiliarity.
If you’re looking for a mood that’s less formal and more approachable, pop is a great way to do it. We’re all about making your wedding day as easy and stress-free as possible (like that favorite bottle of wine) so let’s create a musical landscape that makes you comfortable!
- It’s Fresh
Pop music is constantly evolving. The top singles and top albums change weekly.
If you’re a trendsetter and always have your finger on the pulse of what’s hot right now, pop music might be a great vehicle to reflect your personality and allow your guests to see you as a one-of-a-kind couple.
- It’s YOU
And is there really anything else to say? Your wedding ceremony is the one thing that should be exactly your style, so let’s do this right!
So, there you have it! I hope that this was a helpful intro to pop wedding ceremony music and why this route might be a good choice for you.
If you’re looking for inspiration, take a spin through our wedding ceremony ideas and get access to 25 already done for you templates to mix & match ideas. There’s some classical in there, but the settings are mostly pop! And no worries, we’ll be back with a post about wedding ceremony structure and events very soon. Hang tight.