Choosing the Perfect Wedding Day Soundtrack: 5 Top Tips from a Wedding Singer
- Abbi-Kaye Ellison
- Mar 5
- 4 min read
So you’ve booked a live singer, musician or band for your wedding day! First of all, congratulations and an excellent choice, if my biased self as a wedding singer can say so. Another thing ticked off of the wed-min to do list and another supplier sourced. However, you're now faced with the task of having to consider what songs you want to hear your singer perform on your wedding day? Aka, setlist selection. Now not all musicians give you the option to have a say in the set that they perform. Especially if they're a more specialised act, for example a Queen Tribute Band - it's very likely that they'll have a pre-made setlist as the finished product. But as is the case with my own couples, with many musicians, you have the option of choosing your set lists from a repertoire and therefore have a say in what you to hear on your wedding day. As a none trained musician, choosing a setlist may seem like a daunting task and another thing to add to your "I do" - to-do-list. But it can also be a lot of fun! Setlist selection is a great way to create the most bespoke and you-sounding soundtrack to your day and another way of adding more of your personalities into the day. If this sounds more like your style, but you aren't quite sure what considerations are needed. Let these 5 tips from a professional wedding singer, be of assistance to you!
WHAT ARE THE SONGS? - Before the setlist selection begins. Make sure you’ve received a full list of the artists repertoire. Ideally this should be done around/before booking so that you’re clear in the style of music that your musician covers. Make sure that you vibe with the majority of their songs. Otherwise, this isn't going to be a great fit.
HOW MANY SONGS? - With this information and based on the performance time agreements made with your supplier. Find out how many songs are needed. E.g the standard 45mins set usually includes around 13 songs. I like to always advise my couples to go a little under the song allowance. As some songs are longer than others and it's always easier to add more songs to the list if needed. Rather than having to make the heartbreaking decision of cutting out a song that you may have already gotten excited to hear.
WHEN ARE THE SONGS? Consider the time of day in which you’re having live music. Will the vibe need to be upbeat or more relaxed. Consider this when choosing your songs. If you’re singer is booked for the PM party slot of your wedding day, a list chosen full of mostly big beautiful ballards, might not get your guests a’grooving as much as you’d like. Vice versa, choosing something like Uptown Funk for your wedding Ceremony might not be the best fit. (Unless you're going for an Office US, Jim & Pam's wedding style Ceremony Entrance. Then of course, go for it!).
HOW TO PICK THE SONGS? - Make a date night of it! Sit down with a bev or a brew. And actually listen to the songs in your musicians repertoire. Open up your song streaming platform of choice and play through the songs. Get the vibe for how they’d feel at the particular time of day and have fun with it. Highlighting your favourite songs and crossing through your rejects. Many of my couples have done this and have found it to be a really fun and visceral way of getting excited about their wedding day!
WHO CAN HELP US? - Consult with your singer and/or your guests! I myself am always happy to advise, edit and suggest set list arrangements to my couples. Any helpful, wedding singer should do the same in my opinion. In my case, as the established musician. I’ll always create the order of the songs selected to make sure the flow and energy of the day is right. With the disclaimer that improv may be needed to accomodate the live-ness and real time energy of your wedding day. Additionally, couples in the past have turned to their wedding party or guests to choose their favourite songs from the repertoire. This is a great idea if your musician is booked for a later slot in the day, such as Wedding Breakfast or Evening Do (as they're more likely to be in more of a sing-along mood). This is a certified way of making sure they join in!
NO THANK YOU! - (Bonus tip) Don’t be afraid to let your wedding musician know which songs you definitely DON’T want to hear. It’s your day and it’s perfectly fine if you don’t want to hear Mr Brightside. No matter how much they may personally love performing it, they shouldn't be offended. The job of the wedding musician, is to help bring your perfect wedding day vision to life. Not to perform their own favourite songs.
With these tips in toe, you'll now hopefully be ready and perhaps more eager to be your own wedding day DJ. And with the help of your live musician, create the perfect soundtrack to your day!
HAPPY SET-LISTING FOLKS! All the best, Abbi-Kaye (Viva la Vintage) x
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