Planning Your Wedding: Music and Master of Ceremonies

The music you play at your wedding and reception will set the mood for your big day. It can have a much greater influence than one would generally think. Bad music can make for a terrible mood. If your guests aren't in a happy, celebratory mood, it just won't be a party worth having spent your money and time on. Be sure to give both your music and your Master of Ceremonies considerable thought.

Some points in the wedding ceremony where music is traditionally used include the prelude (while the guests are waiting for the ceremony to begin), the processional (when the wedding party and finally the bride enter), within the ceremony itself and the recessional (as the bride and groom leave the ceremony location).

Music will be most important at your reception. This is a celebration and your music should reflect that. You'll want music for the cocktail hour (while your guests are waiting for your arrival), your first dance, the bride and her father's first dance, the groom and his mother's first dance, the guests' first dance and guests dancing throughout the reception, the cutting of the cake and the last dance.

The bride and groom should always discuss a "Do Not Play List". Songs that were special to them with exes are definitely out. Songs or artists that the bride or groom particularly dislike should also be added to the Do Not Play List. Songs with a depressing or sad message should also be avoided at all costs.

The Master of Ceremonies at your reception is also a very important choice. This is your day, not a version of American Idol. You want your MC to be someone charming and eloquent with a great sense of timing, but you don't want a glory hound looking for his shot at the big time.

The amateur stand-up comedian in your family is a bad choice for MC. If he lays a stinker on stage, you don't want it to be on your wedding day!

The MC should have good timing (as well as a good watch) so as to not let the entire reception slip away without bringing the guests' attention to certain important points such as special dances and toasts.

The MC should also have a very clear speaking voice. A microphone will not help a terrible public speaker. The MC should be comfortable in front of large numbers of people, be engaging, brief and clear.

Hopefully these tips have helped you to select the proper music and people to set the mood for your very special day.