Classy and Classic Songs for the First Dance
BumbyPhotography.com
This is a list of popular classic first dance songs for your wedding. Any wedding band should be willing and able to perform these for your special dance. If you already have a song that is “your song” it can be a great special touch even if it is not a romantic song. To make it even more memorable for your guests have the MC tell the story behind the song first. If you don’t have “a song” or are looking for something that will make your wedding classy and classic here is a list of songs that will be memorable.
- At Last
- As Time Goes By
- Dream a Little Dream of Me
- Our Love Is Here to Stay
- Somewhere
- When I Fall in Love
- Unforgettable
- Forever
- Grow Old with Me
- Can I Have This Dance?
- I Will Always Love You
- What a Wonderful World
- The Way You Look Tonight
- As Time Goes By
- Here and Now
- Tonight I Celebrate My Love for You
- Our Love is Here to Stay
- Unchained Melody
- When a Man Loves a Woman
- A Whole New World
- Can’t Help Falling in Love With You
- Could I Have This Dance?
- Fascination (Waltz)
- I Only Have Eyes for You
- It Had to Be You
- Endless Love
- Wonderful Tonight
- Come Away with Me
- I Wanna Grow Old with You
- Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
- You Are So Beautiful
- Always and Forever
- Through the Years
- Feels Like Home to Me
- Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love)
- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
- I Love You (for Sentimental Reasons)
- Crazy
- Embraceable You
- L-O-V-E
- Our Love is Here to Stay
- Someone to Watch over Me
If you don’t see a song that you like here, ask your Orlando or Florida wedding band for more classic wedding first dance song ideas. Have a memorable first dance!
New Orleans Band Parade
A New Orleans band parade is historically for funerals and are now used for funerals, weddings and events. The New Orleans parade was originally performed by dixieland jazz bands or dixieland brass bands in the early 1900’s. The dixieland band processes to the grave site performing slow sad music like “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”. After the funeral service the band plays upbeat dixieland songs like “When the Saints Go Marching In” to celebrate their loved one going to heaven to be with God. Now the celebratory part of the tradition is also used for weddings and events.
The New Orleans band parade is often called “second line” parade. This is because when the parades were first done, there would traditionally be a “second line” of people marching along with the band.
Events Using New Orleans Band Parades and Music
- Funerals: Traditionally the parade is at the cemetery. The dixieland band processional leads family and friends on foot, or in cars, to the gravesite. The band performs slow jazz funeral music until everyone gathers at the graveside. After the service the dixieland jazz band performs upbeat New Orleans jazz music to celebrate their loved one’s transition to heaven.
- Memorials: New Orleans jazz music at the memorial service. The band provides prelude music (music before the memorial service), service music hymns and postlude music or parade out of the service music. The postlude or exit processional parade music is traditionally upbeat second line music celebrating a love one’s transition to heaven.
- Weddings: Use jazz brass band parades for your wedding ceremony recessional (walk back down the aisle at the end of the wedding ceremony) for a memorable surprise for your wedding guests. Some wedding couples like A parade starting right after you walk back down the aisle. The most popular New Orleans wedding parade is a parade from the ceremony to the cocktail hour or the cocktail hour to the reception. What a fun surprise for your guests instead of being herded from cocktails to the reception. A trumpet performing a fanfare to get everyone’s attention and then inviting everyone to join the parade.
- Conventions/meetings: Wake up everyone at your morning meetings with a New Orleans Brass Band parade though the room performing fun interactive music. Imagine your CEO leading the parade with a traditional New Orleans umbrella.
- Parties and Events: Nothing livens up a party more than dixieland jazz music. Choose soft background music or a fun lively performance.
Costumes
Different brass band costumes for different occasions
- Funerals: The traditional New Orleans band parade Costume (pictured above)
- Weddings: The traditional New Orleans band parade costume (pictured) with mardi gras beads
- Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras Parades & Parties: The traditional New Orleans parade costume with mardi gras beads or purple, green and gold mardi gras costumes
Hire A New Orleans Band Parade
In Orlando, Florida, Central Florida and Florida contact Music Remembrance for an authentic New Orleans style brass band performing dixieland second line music. A large selection of different size brass jazz bands are available. If you would like, the band continues performing for your event after the parade.
While booking a second line parade, mardi gras parade, dixieland parade, jazz parade, funeral processional, and New Orleans wedding parade, ask your musicians if they are full time performers to get the best bands available. Music Remembrance uses all full time professional musicians.
New Orleans Band parades make your funeral, wedding or event memorable. We hope to be a part or your event. Please let us know how we can serve you.
Choosing Music Ensembles For the Wedding Ceremony: Helpful Lists of Music Styles and Ensembles
Sometimes choosing music ensembles for your wedding ceremony can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t need to be.
I think that it is wise to first decide which kind on mood, tone or theme that you would like to set for your ceremony. After choosing your tone, selecting the style of music is an easier second step. After choosing the music style, choosing a music ensemble of that style will seem less daunting
Remember that when you get to this step there are many recordings available on web sites and you tube so that you can hear what each ensemble sounds like.
Of course, our wedding music ensembles offered here at MusicRemembrance.com are always available to serve you.
Below are some lists of styles and ensembles that I hope you will find helpful.
STYLES OF MUSIC FOR YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY
- Classical (the most popular choice – includes Baroque and Renaissance Music)
- Acoustic Pop
- Folk
- Christian Popular
- Christian Traditional (hymns and sacred classical pieces)
- Pop
- Rock
- Punk
- Hip Hop
- Alternative Rock
- 1960’s pop
- 1970’s pop
- 1980’s Pop
- 1990’s Pop
- Disco
- Old School
- Reggae
- Ska
- Christmas Music
- Children’s Songs
- Campfire Songs
- Big Band Music
- Retro Swing
- Jazz
- Smooth Jazz
- Fusion
- Bebop
- Cool Jazz
- 1920’s Jazz
- Early Jazz
- Traditional Jazz
- New Orleans Street Beat Jazz
- Vocal Jazz
- Latin Jazz
- Salsa
- Calypso
- Themed Music
- Choral Music
- Opera
- Italian Opera
- Operetta
- Instrumental Music
- Chamber Music
- Wind Ensemble Music
- Orchestral Music
- Marches
- Disney Music
- Movie Themed Music
- Universal Studios Music
- Cartoon Music
- Rap
- Dance Music
- Dance Band Music
- R&B (Rhythm and Blues)
- Country
- Soul
- Blue Grass
- Traditional Jewish
- Cajun Music
- African Music
- Balinese Music
- French/Parisian Music
- Japanese Music
- Chinese Music
- Russian Music
- Ukrainian Music
- Irish Music
- English Music
- German Music
- Middle Eastern Music
- Italian Music
MUSIC ENSEMBLES FOR YOUR WEDDING
CLASSICAL – Chamber Music Ensembles and Orchestras
(Includes Classical, Baroque and Renaissance Music)
Brass
- Brass Quartet
- Brass Quintet
- Brass Choir
- Solo Trumpet
- Trumpet & Organ
- Trumpet & Piano
- Trumpet & String Quartet
- Trumpet & String Orchestra
- Trombone Quartet
- Trombone Choir
- Fanfare Trumpets
Strings
- Solo Harp
- Harp & Violin Duo
- Harp & Guitar Duo
- Harp & Flute Duo
- Harp, Violin and Flute Trio
- String Quartet
- String Trio
- Violin & Cello Duo
- Violin Duo
- Solo Violin
- Strolling Violin
- String Ensemble
- String Orchestra
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar Duo
- Guitar & Bass Duo
- Guitar & Violin Duo
Woodwinds
- Solo Flute
- Flute & Harp Duo
- Flute & Piano Duo
- Flute & Harpsichord Duo
- Flute & Guitar Duo
- Flute, Harp and Violin Trio
- Woodwind Trio
- Woodwind Quintet
Keyboard
- Organ
- Piano
- Piano Duo
- B-3 Organ
- Harpsichord
- Electric Piano (Great for outdoor weddings)
Orchestras
- Symphony Orchestra
- Chamber Orchestra
- String Orchestra
Percussion
- Percussion Ensemble
- Drum Ensemble
- Marimba Ensemble
CHORAL MUSiC -Classical/Pop/Folk/Traditional Christian Music
- Choir
- A cappella Choir
- Vocal Ensemble
- Choir with Pianist
- Choir with Organ
- Choir with Organ and Brass Quartet
- Choir with Chamber Orchestra
- Choir with Symphony Orchestra
OPERA
- Soprano Soloist
- Alto Soloist
- Tenor Soloist
- Baritone Soloist
- Bass Soloist
- Italian Tenor
- Opera Singer with Piano
- Opera Singer with String Quartet
- Opera Singer with Piano and String Quartet
- Opera SInger and Chamber Orchestra
- Opera SInger with Symphony Orchestra
- Opera Troupes
- Opera Singers with the Ensembles Above
ITALIAN OPERA
- Italian Tenor
- Three Italian Tenors
- Soprano Soloist
- Alto Soloist
- Baritone Soloist
- Bass Soloist
- Opera Singer with Piano
- Opera Singer with String Quartet
- Opera Singer with Piano and String Quartet
- Opera SInger and Chamber Orchestra
- Opera SInger with Symphony Orchestra
- Opera Troupes
- Opera Singers with the Ensembles Above
OPERETTA
- Soprano Soloist
- Alto Soloist
- Tenor Soloist
- Baritone Soloist
- Bass Soloist
- Vocalist with Piano
- Vocalist with String Quartet
- Vocalist with Piano and String Quartet
- Vocalist and Chamber Orchestra
- Vocalist with Symphony Orchestra
- Operetta Troupes
- Operetta Singers with the Ensembles Above
INSTRUMENTAL
- All of the Ensembles listed under Classical
WIND ENSEMBLE MUSIC
- Wind Ensemble
- Concert Band
MARCHES
- Marching Band
- Concert Band
- Wind Ensemble
- Sousa Band
- Brass Band
- English Brass Band
- Orchestra
- German Band
- Drum and Bugle Corp
- Marching Stage Show Act
- Trash Can Drum Ensembles
ACOUSTIC POP
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar & Voice
- Guitar & Vocals
- Guitar Duo
- Guitar Duo & Voice
- Guitar Duo & Vocals
- Guitar & Upright Bass Duo
- Guitar, Upright Bass & Vocalist
- Guitar, Upright Bass & Vocalists
- String Quartet
- String Quartet & Singer
- String Quartet & Singers
- Solo Piano
- Piano & Voice
- Piano Duo
- Piano Duo & Singer
- Piano Duo & Singers
- Piano & Guitar Duo
- Piano & Guitar Duo & Singer
- Piano & Guitar Duo & Singers
- Piano, Guitar & Bass Trio
- Piano, Guitar & Bass Trio & Singer
- Piano, Guitar & Bass Trio & Singers
- Guitar, Bass & Drums Trio
- Guitar, Bass & Drums Trio & Vocalist
- Guitar, Bass & Drums Trio & Vocalists
- Piano, Bass & Drums Trio
- Piano, Bass & Drums Trio & Singer
- Piano, Bass & Drums Trio & Singers
- Guitar, Piano, Bass & Drums Quartet
- Guitar, Piano, Bass & Drums Quartet & Singer
- Guitar, Piano, Bass & Drums Quartet & Singers
FOLK
Same Ensembles as Acoustic Pop
CHRISTIAN POPULAR
- Contemporary Christian Band (consists of Piano, Bass, Keyboard, guitar(s) )
- Contemporary Christian Band & Singer or Singers
- Contemporary Christian Band, Singer(s) & Horn Section
CHRISTIAN TRADITIONAL
Same Ensembles from Classical Ensemble List
JAZZ MUSIC
- Jazz Combo
- Jazz Combo with Singer
- Jazz Big Band
- Jazz Big Band with Singer
- Jazz Quintet
- Jazz Quartet
- Jazz Trio
- Jazz Duo
- Solo Jazz Piano
- Jazz Piano with Singer
- Jazz Piano Duo
- Jazz Piano Duo with Singer
- Solo Jazz Guitar
- Jazz Guitar with Singer
VOCAL JAZZ
- Vocal Jazz Quartet
- Vocal Jazz Group
- Vocal Jazz Choir
- Swing Choir
- Swing Era Vocal Jazz Trio with Big Band
- Swing Era Vocal Jazz Quartet with Big Band
- Vocal Jazz Group with Jazz Combo
BIG BAND MUSIC
- Big Band
- Big Band with Vocalist
- Jazz Big Band
- Jazz Big Band with Vocalist
- Avante Guard Big Band
- Studio Orchestra
- Society Orchestra
RETRO SWING
- Big Band
- Big Band with Singer
- Big Band with Singers
- 6-piece Big Band
- 6 piece Big Band with Singer
- 6 piece Big Band with Singers
DIXIELAND
- Dixieland Jazz Band
- New Orleans Funeral Band
- Dixieland Combo
- Solo Dixieland Pianist
- Solo Dixieland Pianist with Vocalist
- Solo Dixieland Guitarist
- Solo Dixieland Guitarist with Vocalist
- Solo Dixieland Banjo Player
- Solo Dixieland Banjo Player with Vocalist
- Zydeco Band
- Dixieland Trio
- Dixieland Quartet
- Dixieland Quintet
- Dixieland Sextet
1920’s JAZZ
- Society Jazz Orchestra
- Dixieland Jazz Band
- New Orleans Funeral Band
- Dixieland Combo
- Solo Dixieland Pianist
- Solo Dixieland Pianist with Vocalist
- Solo Dixieland Guitarist
- Solo Dixieland Guitarist with Vocalist
- Solo Dixieland Banjo Player
- Solo Dixieland Banjo Player with Vocalist
- Dixieland Trio
- Dixieland Quartet
- Dixieland Quintet
- Dixieland Sextet
SMOOTH JAZZ
- Smooth Jazz Ensemble
- Smooth Jazz Ensemble with Vocalist
FUSION
- Jazz/Rock Fusion Band (Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, Septet…..)
- Jazz /Rock Fusion Band with Vocalist
- Jazz /Rock Fusion Band with Horns
- Jazz/Rock Fusion Band with Horns and Vocalist
COOL JAZZ
- Cool Jazz Trio
- Cool Jazz Quartet
- Cool Jazz Quintet
- Cool Jazz Sextet
- Cool Jazz Orchestra
- Studio Orchestra
BEBOP
- Solo Bebop Pianist
- Pianist with Singer
- Piano Duo
- Jazz Piano Duo with Singer
- Piano & Guitar Duo
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar & Singer
- Guitar Duo
- Combo
- Combo with Singer
- Big Band
- Big Band with Singer
- 4 piece Combo
- 5 piece Combo
- 3 piece Combo
- Big Band
LATIN JAZZ
- Latin Jazz Band
- Solo Pianist
- Pianist with Bass and Percussion
- Pianist with Singer
- Piano Duo
- Jazz Piano Duo with Singer
- Piano & Guitar Duo
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar & Singer
- Guitar Duo
- Combo
- Combo with Singer
- Big Band
- Big Band with Singer
- 10 Piece Latin Jazz Band
- 9 piece, 8 piece, 7 piece, and 6 piece Latin Jazz Bands
- 4 piece Combo
- 5 piece Combo
- 3 piece Combo
- Big Band
SALSA
- Salsa Bands of various sizes
CALYPSO
- Steel Drum Band
- Calypso Band
REGGAE
- Reggae Band
- Ska Band
1950’s POP, 1960’s POP, 1970’s POP,1980’s POP 1990’s POP
- 1950’s Band, 1960’s Pop Band, 1970’s Pop Band, 1980’s Pop Band, 1990’s Pop Band
Some bands specialize in these eras and dress in era costumes
POP
- Pop band with Singer
- Pop band with Singers
- Pop band with singers & Horn Section
ROCK
- Rock Band with Singer(s)
- Rock Band with Singer(s) & Horn Section
RHYTHM AND BLUES
- Rhythm and Blues Band
- Rhythm and Blues Band with Horn Section
- Solo Piano
- Pianist/Singer
- Piano Duo
- Solo Guitar
- Guitarist and SInger
COUNTRY
- Country Band
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar and Singer
- Guitar Duo and Singer
- Vocal Quartet
BLUE GRASS
- Blue Grass Band
- Solo Banjo
- Banjo and Singer
- Guitar and Singer
- Blue Grass Quartet
- Banjo and Fiddle Duo
- Banjo, Fiddle and Bass
- Soul Band
- Wedding Band
- Pop Band
- Variety Band
- Big Band
- Band with Record Scratcher
- Rapper
- Rapper with Band
- Rapper with Band and Video
HIP HOP
- Band with Vocalist/Rapper
PUNK
- Punk Rock Band
ETHNIC MUSIC
Traditional Jewish
- Traditional Jewish Ensembles
- Jewish Band: Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Trumpet, Trombone, Sax
- Small Jewish Band: Guitar or Piano, Bass, Drums, Soprano Sax
Cajun Music
- Traditional Cajun Ensemble
- Early Jazz Ensemble
- Solo Guitar
- Guitar & Vocal Duo
- Guitar Duo
- Guitar Duo & Vocal
- Guitar & Bass Duo
- Guitar, Bass & Vocal Trio
- Violin & Guitar Duo
- Violin, Guitar & Vocal Trio
- Violin, Guitar & Bass Trio
- Violin, Guitar, Bass & Vocal Quartet
African Music
- Traditional African Music Ensembles
- Drum Ensembles
- Drum Ensembles with Voice
- Percussion Ensembles
- Percussion Ensembles with Voice
- Traditional African Music Ensemble & Vocals
Balinese Music
- Traditional Balinese Music Ensembles
- Balinese Gamelan Ensemble
Italian Music
- Traditional Italian Bands of various sizes
- Solo Vocalist
- Strolling Vocalist
- Traditional Spanish Ensembles
- Flamenco Guitar
- Guitar Duo
- Guitar Trio
- Guitar Ensemble
Japanese Music
- Traditional Japanese Ensembles
- Bamboo Flute
- Flute
- Traditional Chinese Ensembles
- Traditional Russian Bands
- Solo Violin
- Traditional Ukrainian Bands
- Solo Violin
- Traditional Irish Bands
- Traditional Irish Pub Sing-a-long bands
- Traditional German Bands
- Polka Bands
- Traditional Middle Eastern Ensembles
CHRISTMAS MUSIC
- All of the above classical ensembles
- All of the above jazz ensembles
- Pop Bands
THEMED MUSIC
CHILDRENS SONGS
- Singer
- Guitar and Singer
- Piano and Singer
- 2 Singers
- 2 Singers with Guitar
- Vocal Group
- Vocal Group with Guitar
- Singer with Band
- Singers with Band
CAMPFIRE SONGS
- Singer
- Guitar and Singer
- 2 Singers
- 2 Singers with Guitar
- Vocal Group
- Vocal Group with Guitar
- Singer with Band
- Singers with Band
Once you have selected a style of music for your wedding ceremony selecting the ensemble should be much simpler. I hope that you find this list of music styles and music ensembles for each style helpful. Orlando’s Music Remembrance carries all of these ensembles and more.
How to Use Music For the Events of the Wedding Reception
There are many different events of the wedding reception that will be greatly enhanced by music. Here is a guide on helping you in your choice of wedding reception music for the various events that make up a wedding reception.
This is a list of the events that are traditionally accompanied and enhanced by music with descriptions on how it can be done effectively.
Cocktails
If you are having a cocktail hour before your guests enter the main room you can hire a small pop or jazz group, classical musicians from your ceremony, solo guitar, or many other small ensembles. Many brides and grooms hire a small ensemble from within the reception band or musicians from the ceremony because they can receive cost savings.
Music Preceding the Bridal Party Entrance
Traditionally the reception band performs background music while your guests find there tables and await the wedding party entrance. If you would like to get the party started right away you can request dance music.
Introduction of the wedding party
The typical format for the introductions is having the music start while an announcement is made by the reception band that the bridal party is about to enter. Music is played throughout the introductions. The music is played softly as the names are announced and louder as they make entrances. Another option is to have fanfare trumpeters play a fanfare before each name is announced and the band play only as they are they are entering.
First Dance
The first dance of the wedding couple is one of the most special events of the wedding reception. All good wedding bands will be happy to suggest traditional songs for this or fill your special request.
Mother/Son and Father/Daughter Dances
Ask your wedding band for a list of popular songs for these or make special requests. If you only know one dance step, make sure that you request something that will work well with that dance.
Toasts
The wedding reception band can play a fanfare. announce the toasts and introduce each toastmaster. Those proposing the toast should talk with the wedding band during cocktails to be shown microphone technique.
(A helpful article about proposing toasts) http://honeymoons.about.com/od/weddingsaway/ht/wedding_toast.htm
Cake Cutting
Music is played for the cake cutting and for the announcement of the cake cutting. The announcement is made and music is performed as your guests gather for the event. You can request a special song or have the traditional “The Bride Cuts the Cake” performed.
Garter and Bouquet
Some brides and grooms choose to omit some of these events. All of these events are accompanied by announcements, narration and music by the reception band.
- Taking off the Garter: The groom takes the garter of the bride. “The Stripper” is the traditional song but many brides make special requests or just request the wedding band select something more subtle.
- Garter Toss: Music accompaniment or a drum roll until the garter is caught.
- Bouquet Toss: Music accompaniment or a drum roll until the bouquet is caught.
- Placing of the Garter: The recipient of the Garter places the Garter on the leg of the bouquet recipient. “The Stripper” is the traditional song but many wedding couples make special requests or request that the wedding band select something more subtle.
Departure of the Bride and Groom
The wedding band announces the departure of the wedding couple and performs music as everyone gathers for the rice, bird seed or confetti throwing or bubble blowing.
These are some of the traditional events of the wedding reception that music are used in conjunction with.
MusicRemembrance.com offers the top wedding bands in Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Central Florida and we’ll be glad to customize music for these and other events that you may add to your special day.
