At most western culture’s wedding receptions, there is music. It doesn’t matter if it’s a sit down dinner, a buffet or light refreshments, music is universal. The general order of music is the following:
- Interlude
- Grand Entrance
- Dinner Music
- First Dance
- Father Daughter Dance
- Mother Son Dance
- Other special people (step parents for example) dances
While every family has its traditions, other special moments during the wedding reception include:
- Anniversary Dance
- Cake Cutting Song
- Garter Toss Song
- Bouquet Toss Song
Interlude
The guests arrive at the reception before the wedding party and bride and groom. Often the bride and groom are having pictures taken while the guests make their way to the reception. Gentle, soft music usually accompanies this period of time while cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served.
Grand Entrance
The Grand Entrance is when the Bride and Groom arrive at the reception. Often the wedding party is announced first as they enter the room. The Bride and Groom come in last and are introduced as the new married couple.
Dinner Music
During dinner, soft music is once again played. There is a lot of socializing during this period and generally people want to talk and not be drowned out by the music.
First Dance
The dancing doesn’t begin until the first dance of the Bride and Groom. This is a very special moment when they take the floor for the first time as a married couple. The choice of song is important for this dance. It should convey the meaning of the couple’s relationship and love for each other. It should also be appropriate for the type of dance the couple wants to do.
Father Daughter Dance
The next dance is the Father Daughter dance. This is where the bride’s father takes the floor with his daughter. You may have a special song that the two of you love or a song that characterizes your relationship. Your father may have a song special in mind, so make sure to ask him before starting your search. While the father daughter songs are special, they are usually not as romantic as the first dance songs.
Mother Son Dance
Following the Father Daugher dance is the Mother Son dance. Sometimes these two dances are combined. The Mother Son dance is another very special dance where the mother of the groom dances with her son. She may have a special song picked out that she’s been thinking about for a long time, so make sure to ask her! These songs are usually not as romantic as the first dance song.
Other special people (step parents for example) dances
You may have other very special people in your life that you want to honor with a special dance. The same songs that are appropriate for the Father Daughter Dance and Mother Son Dance are likely to be appropriate for these dances as well.
Anniversary Dance
The Anniversary Dance is not as traditional as the three dances above. However, if there are many generations of people at your wedding, you may consider having this dance. It starts with all married couples on the floor. Subsequently, couples must leave the floor as they are called with the couple married the longest being the last on the floor. Generally, the DJ or band leader will announce that all couples married less than a day must leave the floor first. Then, less than 1 year, less than 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, 30 years, etc. must leave the floor. Knowing your guests, you can come up with good cut off points for leaving the floor. Finally, you want to make sure all guests have left the floor except for the longest married couple. It is a nice touch to play the song they danced to for their first dance as the last song in the series. Since many songs are usually played in succession for this dance, you may want to cue up songs that different people from your wedding danced to as a special touch.
Cake Cutting Song
The dancing stops for the cake cutting. Some couples choose to have music played during the cake cutting and some do not. Some songs to consider are: Cut The Cake, Cuts Like A Knife, Sweets For My Sweet, Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), Eat It, Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, The First Cut Is The Deepest
Garter Toss Song
The garter toss happens when the groom takes the garter off of the bride and then tosses it to a group of unmarried men. Tradition says that the man who catches the garter is the next to get married. Usually a rather raunchy song is played while the garter is being taken off. Popular songs for the garter toss include: Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Sexbomb, The Stripper, Killer Queen, Fever, Foxey Lady, Wild Thing, You Can Leave Your Hat On, You Sexy Thing, Hot Stuff.
Bouquet Toss Song
The bouquet toss is when the bride tosses her bouquet to a group of unmarried women. Tradition says that the woman who catches the garter is the next to get married. Some good bouquet toss songs include: Girls Just Want To Have Fun, This One’s For The Girls, It’s Raining Men, Man! I Feel Like A Woman!, Just A Girl.
Often the person who catches the garter and the person who catches the bouquet have a song that they dance to together.
Final Song of the Evening
The final song of the evening wraps up the celebration. Couples usually go one of two ways with this song. One choice is to play a nice slow song for everyone, including the bride the groom, can dance to. It reaffirms the love that is in the room. Another choice is to play an upbeat celebration song so everyone leaves on a high note. The choice is up to you!
