We are back with our 2nd edition of Wedding Song Ideas (check out Part 1 here)! Choosing those special songs for your wedding day can be challenging for many couples, so we’ve compiled a list of ideas – both Classic and Contemporary – for all those memorable moments.

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Ceremony

Classic:

1. Hallelujah / Jeff Buckeley
2. Summer Guest / Ásgeir
3. Maybe I’m Amazed / Vitamin String Quartet
4. La Valse de L’Amour / Patrick Doyle
5. Beethoven’s 5 Secrets / The Piano Guys
6. Clair de Lune / Clade Debussy
7. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring / Johann Sebastian Bach
8. Your Guardian Angel / Vitamin String Quartet
9. Here Comes the Sun / Guitar Dreamers
10. I’m Ready / Bryan Adams

Contemporary:

1. Boom Clap / Lennon & Maisy
2. Flightless Bird, American Mouth / Iron & Wine
3. Turning Page / Sleeping at Last
4. What Love is All About / Johnny Reid
5. Somewhere Only We Knew / Lily Allen
6. Love / Matt White
7. Love Someone / Jason Mraz
8. You and I / Michael Bublé
9. When You Say You Love Me / Josh Groban
10. Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop / Landon Pigg

Grand Entrance

Classic:

1. Signed, Sealed, Delivered / Stevie Wonder
2. You Make My Dreams Come True / Hall & Oats
3. It’s Not Unusual / Tom Jones
4. Could You be Loved / Bob Marley and the Wailers
5. Come Fly With Me / Frank Sinatra
6. That’s Amore / Dean Martin
7. You’re My Best Friend / Queen
8. Bittersweet Symphony / The Vitamin String Quartet
9. This Will Be / Natalia Cole
10. Get Ready / The Temptations

Contemporary:

1. Happy / Pharrell Williams
2. Shut Up and Dance / Walk the Moon
3. Honey, I’m Good / Andy Grammar
4. Sugar / Maroon 5
5. Adventure of a lifetime / Coldplay
6. I Got U / Duke Dumont feat. Jax Jones
7. Top of the World / Tim McGraw
8. Love Is / Rod Stewart
9. Good Life / Kanye West feat. T-Pain
10. Best Day of My Life / American Authors

First Dance

Classic:

1. It Had To Be You / Billie Holiday
2. Something In The Way She Moves / James Taylor
3. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic / Sleeping At Last (cover of The Police)
4. Let’s Stay Together / Al Green
5. You Are So Beautiful / Joe Cocker
6. I Cross My Heart / George Strait
7. Crazy Love / Van Morrison
8. Endless Love / Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
9. Unchained Melody / Righteous Brothers
10. La Vie en Rose / Andrea Bocelli

Contemporary:

1. Thinking Out Loud / Ed Sheeran
2. Purpose / Justin Bieber
3. Tenerife Sea / Ed Sheeran
4. How Long Will I Love You / Ellie Goulding
5. Latch (Acoustic) / Sam Smith
6. State of Grace (Acoustic) / Taylor Swift
7. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) / Sleeping At Last
8. Die a Happy Man / Thomas Rhett
9. Heartbeat / Chris Young
10. Close Your Eyes / Michael Bublé
11. The One / Kodaline

Parent Dance

Classic:

1. Cupid Shuffle / Cupid
2. Overjoyed / Stevie Wonder
3. I’ll Be Seeing You / Billy Holiday
4. When the Stars Go Blue / Tim McGraw
5. When You Need Me / Bruce Springsteen
6. Landslide / Fleetwood Mac
7. When You’re Smiling / Louis Armstrong
8. The Prayer / Céline Dion & Andrea Bocelli
9. Cinderella / Steven Curtis Chapman
10. Love Me Tender / Barbara Streisand (with Elvis Presley)

Contemporary:

1. To the Moon and Back / Luke Bryan
2. Book of Love / Peter Gabriel
3. Even My Dad Does Sometimes / Ed Sheeran
4. I’ve Got You (And You’ve Got Me) / Lennon & Maisy
5. Stars / Alessia Cara
6. Golden / Lady Antebellum
7. Across the Universe / Rufus Wainwright
8. By Your Side / Sade
9. Lost Stars / Adam Levine
10. In My Life / Diana Krall

Bouquet/Garter Toss

Classic:

1. Walk this Way / Aerosmith & Run – DMC
2. Hit Me With Your Best Shot / Pat Benatar
3. A Little Less Conversation / Elvis Presley
4. U Can’t Touch This / MC Hammer
5. Last Dance / Donna Summer
6. The Final Countdown / Europe
7. I Got You / James Brown & His Famous Flames
8. Burning Down the House / Talking Heads
9. Whip It / Devo
10. She’s a Lady / Tom Jones

Contemporary:

1. Watch Me / Silento
2. Hot in Here / Nelly
3. Partition / Beyoncé
4. Country Girl / Luke Bryan
5. Milkshake / Kelis
6. Marvin Gaye / Charlie Puth & Meghan Trainor
7. S.O.B / Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
8. My House / Flo Rida
9. Hey Mama / David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack
10. Don’t Stop The Party / Pitbull

Photo Credits (top-bottom): Carey Nash Photography, Brianna Hughes Photography, DQ Studios, Kelly Redinger Photographer, DQ Studios.

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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design

Choosing your wedding music can be a daunting task that many couples struggle with. We’ve created a list of both Classic and Contemporary song selections for all those memorable moments throughout your wedding day. Leave a comment with your additions and we’ll keep adding to the list!

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Ceremony

C.J. Scott Photography; Sharon Litchfield Photography

Classic:

1. Bridal March (Instrumental) / Jonathan Cain
2. Because You Loved Me / Celine Dion
3. Canon in D / Johann Pachelbel
4. Ava Maria / Schubert
5. Somewhere Over the Rainbow / Israel Kamikawiwo’ole
6. Songbird / Fleetwood Mac
7. Con Te Partro / Andrea Bocelli
8. Only Time / Enya
9. When I Fall In Love / Nat King Cole
10. Fairytale / Enya

Contemporary:

1. A Thousand Years / Christina Perry
2. Marry Me / Train
3. Marry You / Bruno Mars
4. All of Me / John Legend
5. Everything / Lifehouse
6. Better Together / Jack Johnson
7. Till Kingdom Come / Coldplay
8. Ho Hey / Lumineers
9. Love Song / Taylor Swift
10. Make You Feel My Love / Adele & Garth Brooks

Katch Studios

Grand Entrance

Classic:

1. How Sweet It Is / James Taylor
2. Eye Of The Tiger / Survivor
3. Beautiful Day / U2
4. Finally / Ce Ce Penniston
5. Love & Marriage / Frank Sinatra
6. Here Comes The Sun / The Beatles (Glee Cast)
7. We Got Married in Jackson / Johnny Cash & June Carter
8. White Wedding / Billy Idol
9. Let’s Get Married / Jagged Edge
10. Celebration / Kool & The Gang

Contemporary:

1. Treasure / Bruno Mars
2. Home / Phillip Phillips
3. Love Stoned / Justin Timberlake
4. Just The Way You Are / Bruno Mars
5. The Other Side / Jason Derulo
6. Like Home / Nicky Romero & NERVO
7. Feel So Close / Calvin Harris
8. I Gotta Feeling / The Black Eyed Peas
9. Crazy In Love / Beyoncé
10. Home / Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
11. Wake Me Up / Avicii

Carey Nash Photography

First Dance

Classic:

1. The Way You Look Tonight / Frank Sinatra
2. Time After Time / Rod Stewart
3. All for Love / Bryan Adams
4. At Last / Etta James
5. When a Man Loves a Woman / Michael Bolton
6. Amazed / Lonestar
7. Can’t Help Falling In Love / Elvis Presley
8. Lost Together / Blue Rodeo
9. Your Song / Elton John
10. I’ll Be / Edwin McCain
11. L.O.V.E. / Nat King Cole

Modern:

1. Angel / Robin Thicke
2. Forever / Ben Harper
3. Giving Myself / Jennifer Hudson
4. Wanted / Hunter Hayes
5. Everything / Michael Buble
6. Not Even The King / Alicia Keys
7. I Won’t Give Up / Jason Mraz
8. Us Against The World / Coldplay
9. Bubbly / Colbie Caillat
10. Dance With Me / Johnny Reid
11. All Of Me / John Legend
12. Young & Beautiful / Lana Del Ray

Sharon Litchfield Photography

Father-Daughter / Mother-Son Dance

Classic:

1. Butterfly Kisses / Bob Carlisle
2. Wonderful World / Louis Armstrong
3. Unforgettable / Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
4. Forever Young / Rod Stewart
5. Isn’t She Lovely / Stevie Wonder
6. Wonderful Tonight / Eric Clapton
7. Loved Her First / Heartland
8. Stand by Me / Ben E. King
9. Moon River / Frank Sinatra
10. All You Need Is Love / The Beatles

Contemporary:

1. Mama’s Song / Carrie Underwood
2. Daughter / John Mayer
3. My Wish / Rascal Flatts
4. You Raise Me Up / Josh Groban
5. Something I Need / One Republic
6. Celebration / Kool & The Gang
7. Daddy Dance With Me / Krystle Keith
8. Oh Sweet Child Of Mine / Taken by Trees
9. My Little Girl / Tim McGraw
10. Just Wanna Dance With You / George Strait

Kelly Redinger Photographer

Bouquet/Garter Toss

Classic:

1. You Sexy Thing / Hot Chocolate
2. Pour Some Sugar On Me / Def Leppard
3. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun / Cyndi Lauper
4. It’s Raining Men / The Weather Girls
5. I’m Too Sexy / Right Said Fred
6. Bad Boys / Inner Circle
7. You Can Leave Your Hat On / Joe Cocker
8. Baby Got Back / Sir Mix-A-Lot
9. Another One Bites The Dust / Queen
10. Ice Ice Baby / Vanilla Ice

Contemporary:

1. Single Ladies /Beyoncé
2. Only Girl / Rihanna
3. Sexy Back / Justin Timberlake
4. Run The World (Girls) / Beyoncé
5. Little White Church / Little Big Town
6. Can’t Hold Us / Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
7. Gangnam Style / PSY
8. Gold Digger / Kanye West
9. Boys / Britney Spears
10. We Can’t Stop / Miley Cyrus

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Jennifer + Team | Jennifer Bergman Weddings
Edmonton Wedding Planning + Design

Music is such an important part of celebrations. The songs you choose for your big day will become lifelong triggers of the emotions you experienced at your wedding.

We’ve had the opportunity to work with a talented local musician at several of our clients’ weddings and it’s been exciting to watch her career take off! Erica Viegas is a singer/songwriter who is available to perform at Edmonton and area weddings. This multi-talented performer released her first EP (Where My Heart Goes) in 2010 and was named one of Avenue Magazine Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2011. Read on for Erica’s tips on choosing your wedding music.

Quick – give us your best Tweetography (ie. tell us about yourself in 140 characters or less)!

I’m a singer/songwriter from Edmonton who loves to play my own music at various shows and I also like to lend my voice to weddings!

What kind of music services do you offer for weddings?

Most often, I am asked to play music for the ceremony (along with about 20 minutes when people are being seated beforehand), though reception music can be arranged, which could include the dance or certain parts in the reception. I can play myself (piano, voice, guitar), but usually like to bring in another instrument too if that suits the wedding – the most popular being cello, or another guitar. I love to make wedding music really beautiful, but also relevant and enjoyable. A lot of people picture ceremony music being boring, or older style hymns, and I want music to add something special and meaningful to a wedding — choosing songs that have words and music that can make a difference to the couple and their guests. Though singing is something I enjoy, I have also done receptions of instrumental music as well. Depending on the couple’s vision and budget, I can also play with a full band, although ceremony music usually tends to be quite acoustic and intimate.

Who have been the biggest influences in your life (musicians or otherwise)?

I love folky/pop music and tend to write and record music in that vein — I listen to lots of Canadian music like Sarah Harmer, Kathleen Edwards, Serena Ryder, Sarah Slean….and I’m inspired by people who have managed to have successful and growing careers in the Canadian scene. I’m always inspired by music that tells a story and creates an emotion.

Do you have a repertoire of songs that couples can select from, or will you learn new songs if the bride and groom have something special in mind?

I do have a list of songs that I’ve played in the past or that are often requested. A lot of people have never really thought about music before coming in, so I like to meet the couple by doing a little “mini-concert” of different choices at my place before the wedding and have them say “yes” or “no” based on what I’m playing. This also helps me to suggest songs that match the style they prefer.

I’m usually more than happy to learn a song that is meaningful to the couple if I’m given enough time. It’s also fun to learn new songs I’ve never heard of because chances are that other couples might like them too. Though my own music is more mainstream, I did train classically and can sing some traditional classical music pieces if that is what the couple is looking for.

What are some of your favourite songs to play when the bride walks down the aisle?

Most couples prefer instrumental songs when walking down the aisle so that all attention stays on the beautiful bride. I love doing an instrumental version of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen on piano with a cellist. The “Forrest Gump Feather Theme” is a gorgeous instrumental and many brides still love “Canon in D,” which is also really pretty. A bride once introduced me to “Sea of Love” by Cat Power, and that was a really cool one to sing down the aisle, as well as Fleetwood Mac/Eva Cassidy’s “Songbird” or “Feels like Home” by Chantal Kreviazuk, which has gorgeous words. Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” Edwin McCain’s “I’ll Be,” David Grey’s “This Year’s Love,” or Jack Johnson’s “Better Together” have been requested a lot in the last little while, as well as “Ave Maria” for church ceremonies.

Any advice or tips for brides and grooms when considering their wedding music?

Music has the ability to create emotions in a really special way. Picking songs that are meaningful to you as a couple is a great way for your energy and style to shine through in the ceremony. Depending on where you choose to get married, you may have to tailor your music accordingly. Certain churches, for instance, have restrictions on what types of songs you can sing and it definitely helps me if the couple can tell me in advance if the person celebrating their service has restrictions — that way I can work within the confines of the place they are celebrating to still find something that suits them. If you have a “special song” as a couple or songs you remember from other weddings, that always helps. I really enjoy meeting couples and getting to know them enough to help them pick the music, even if they are stumped for ideas when we first sit down.

What’s in store this year for Erica Viegas?

My first wedding of 2012 was in the first weekend of the New Year, and I am looking forward to celebrating lots of weddings with great couples. On a personal front, I think I’ve sung at over 200 weddings, but never actually been a bridesmaid (because I’m always singing instead)….so I’m very excited to be a bridesmaid for the first time this summer! I’m also finishing up recording on a new album I’ve written, produced by Mike Lent (Jann Arden’s former musical director), which has really been a labour of love that I can’t wait to share soon, and travel with (at a few festivals) this summer!

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For more information and to hear Erica’s music, visit her website.

Jennifer
Edmonton Wedding Planner

Photo Credit: Moments in Digital Photography.