This will be your go-to guide for choosing the perfect playlist for your wedding and help set the tone for your big day.

By Scarlett Lapidus

From walking down the aisle to hitting the dance-floor Scarlett Lapidus tells us how to nail the perfect playlist for your wedding day and help to really set the tone throughout the day. Weddings can range from simple ceremonies to extravagant affairs, but a common theme that is present in many of them is music, Scarlett tells The Best Wedding Songs for 2024….

How to Make an Entrance

It depends on the couple I think and the style of wedding. I am quite traditional (surprisingly), I love the old traditional Classical music for an entrance. Canon in D Major or The Wedding March. They really make a statement. However choosing a beautiful old Soul song will always work as well.

To Choose a Theme, or Not Choose a Theme?

A theme can be cheesy, however it is good to have direction. My best friend told me to ‘ do the very best version of the wedding you want’ as in don’t mix themes. Which I think is good advice. Choose one and stick to it. If you want it traditional, keep it all tradition, the church, the dress, the music. If you’re getting married on the beach, keep it romantic and light. Don’t have an organ at the beach for example.

Mixing is Good!

When choosing the perfect playlist for your wedding music – it should always be mixed! There are so many parts of the day. There are also a lot of different people, from different places and different ages. A cross over of genres can help get everyone on the dance-floor. You can always ramp up the music later on in the night.

Know the Basics

It depends on the length of the drinks reception. If the reception is 2 hours long you should aim to have atleast 3 hours worth of music, just encase. The average song is about 3-5 minutes long. On average you would need about 15- 20 songs per hour.

Transitioning from Day to Night…

I love live music. I really think a great wedding band after the meal can really get the party started. It also helps warm up your guests ready for the late night partying. There are so many great options for bands now especially with ALR Music. If your budget is tight though, you could always get a DJ live set up. Which is a DJ with either a percusionist, a horn section and even singers. That can really help add to the live element.

Celebrate That First Dance Moment

There are so many to choose from!! You need to decide if you want a slow song or dance song? Or you could always ask your DJ to do a remix/medley. My first song was ‘September by Earth Wind and Fire’, not that original but it has a sentimental meaning to us and its such a great classic dance track.

Slow songs

All of Me – John Legend

Sade – Cherish the Day

You’re my best friend – Queen

You’re all I need to get by – Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell

All I Do – Stevie Wonder

Adele etc

Dance songs

All that I’m Giving – Gwen McCrae

Only you – Steve Monite

This must be the place – Talking Heads

Kiss – Prince

Never gonna let you go – Tina Moore

Make It a Surprise

I love Disco, all things Disco, everyone loves Disco, thats my go to. Sister Sledge- Lost In Music . I have a great edit of David Bowies’ Lets Dance which always goes down well. Gala – Freed from Desire is a must. Marvin Gaye- Got to give it up. Gosh there are lots to choose from, I have added lots in my playlist.

**On the not-to-do playlist**….

Don’t be afraid of giving your DJ direction. Its your wedding, ultimately you want to hear all of your favourite songs and you know what you friends and family want to hear. As a DJ, I happy to get some ideas from a couple and then go from there. I want to make sure everyone is dancing all night!!

Not to do – Don’t put too many slow, singer-songwriter songs on your playlist. You need to have a good energy throughout the wedding. Also don’t be afraid of the classic, the hits. Everyone loves a hit!!