Become a VIP for Exclusive Song Ideas
My Wedding Songs
  • Charts
    • Hot 50 Wedding Songs
    • Top 100 All-time
    • Best New Songs
    • Wedding Day Playlist
    • Love Songs
  • Song Ideas
    • Wedding Playlists
      • Wedding Song Lists
      • Ballroom Dance Songs
      • Era Song Lists
      • Genre Song Lists
      • Love Song Lists
      • Songs By Year
    • Unique Playlists
      • Music Artist Songs
      • Cultural Songs
      • Holiday Songs
      • Words in Song Title
      • Offbeat Playlists
  • Covid
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
You are here: Home1 / Wedding Music Blog2 / Wedding Planning3 / How to Keep Guests Happy At Your Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Planning

How to Keep Guests Happy At Your Wedding Ceremony

keeping guests happy at wedding ceremony

A Wedding Ceremony is more than the “I Do’s” when considering the events of the ceremony. You must consider all guests that will be in attendance. Your wedding is not only about your forever happiness but also your guests’ happiness at your wedding ceremony.

keeping guests happy at wedding ceremony

A ceremony starts with the arrival of your guests. What music will you have playing? Options for background music include the classics from Beethoven and Mozart. However, you could have a bit of flair with a performing harpist, string quartet, bagpipe players, or an acoustic guitar player.

As the ceremony starts, you must consider the music that will play as the wedding party walks down the aisle. Will you have the traditional processional songs or slow to mid-tempo modern songs? View a list of our top processional songs for song ideas.

The proper order of the processional is as follows:
• Groom (Bride)
• Groomsmen (if not escorting your bridesmaids)
• Grandparents
• Parents
• Ring Bearer
• Flower Girl(s)
• Bridesmaids (Groomsmen too if escorting)
• Bride (Groom)

I would recommend having a specific song for the bride (and her escort) down the aisle. You can use the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” song or a modern choice like “The One” By Kodaline or “Speechless” by Dan + Shay.

A common event during the wedding ceremony is the unity ceremony. This could be a unity candle lighting, tying a knot with rope, and unity sand mixing. I would recommend incorporating your family somehow in the ceremony too. Having your Mom’s holding the candles or providing each with a flower adds a special touch.

Another way of adding a special touch is to have family members conduct a short reading during the ceremony. The reading does not have to be scripture; the reading could be a poem, a message written by the reader, or something written by the wedding couple.

Once the ceremony is complete after “the kiss” and the minister announces the new “Mr(s) & Mr(s)”, it is your time to celebrate your new marriage with a recessional song. This is a great time to play a more uptempo song. If you are having a traditional wedding, you may consider these selections: Handel’s “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” or Purcell’s “Rondeau”. However, if you would prefer having a modern section, consider these popular selections: Blake Shelton’s “Beside You Babe” or Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”. You can view a list of the top 100 recessional songs for more ideas.

One more ceremony consideration is the weather conditions. If there is a chance of rain, why not hand out umbrellas as a wedding favor? If you are having a wintertime wedding, consider handing out throws as a wedding favor and hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps as your signature drink. If you are having a beach wedding, why not hand out flip-flops as a wedding favor?

A common complaint by wedding ceremony guests is that they cannot hear what is being said. You can ask your minister if they have performed at your venue before and if the venue has an ample sound system. You may also consider printing an itinerary so that guests can easily follow along.

Lastly, you must plan the timeline between the ceremony and the reception. If your ceremony and reception are in the same room, where will guests go and do during the ceremony to reception transformation? If the ceremony is in the same location but in another room, will you offer guests hour d’ourvs and cocktails during the walk? If the reception is at a different location that guests must drive to, be considerate of their time. If the ceremony ends at 5 pm and requires a 20 minute drive time, do not have the reception starting at 8 pm. The day should flow from the ceremony location to the reception venue.

In conclusion, here is a common wedding ceremony timeline:

  • Processional
  • Minister’s opening comments
  • Minister acknowledges and tells about the couple
  • Exchange of Vows
  • Unity Ceremony
  • Ring Exchange
  • Pronouncement of Marriage
  • Kiss
  • Closing Remarks

Read other related articles:

  • Song And Dance Wedding Game To Entertain
  • Great Pre-Ceremony Wedding Surprises For Guests
  • An In-House Reception Or House Wedding Ceremony Tips

Wedding Song Ideas Delivered Monthly!

LAST UPDATED June 17, 2020/0 Comments/by Matthew Campbell
Share And Save
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share by Mail
Matthew Campbell

About Matthew Campbell

Matthew (Matt) is the founder and editor of My Wedding Songs. He was a DJ in Montana in the 90s as DJ Express. Matt hosts the Wedding Songs Podcast and is the author of the Wedding Music Playlist. He has written for Mobile Beat Magazine and DJ Times and has been referenced in Rock n Roll Bride, Ruffled, Offbeat Bride, and 100 Layer Cake. Matt lives in Las Vegas with his wife and kitty Katniss. Read more about his inspiring story.

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the latest wedding music tracks in your inbox – Delivered Monthly

  • I agree to receive amazing song ideas. I have read and understood My Wedding Songs' Privacy Policy.

amazon book banner

Popular Wedding Song Lists

  • Bride Entrance Songs
  • Dinner/Cocktail Songs
  • Entrance/Introduction Songs
  • Father Daughter Dance Songs
  • First Dance Songs
  • Groom Processional Songs
  • Last Dance Songs
  • Mother Daughter Songs
  • Mother Son Dance Songs
  • Party Songs
  • Processional Songs
  • Recessional Songs
  • Sister Brother Songs
  • Unity Songs

Wedding Song Charts

  • Hot 50
  • Best New Songs
  • Top 100 All-Time
  • Wedding Day Playlist
  • Modern Love Songs

Era Wedding Song Lists

  • 2010s Wedding Songs
  • 2000s Wedding Songs
  • 1990s Wedding Songs
  • 1980s Wedding Songs

Genre Wedding Song Lists

  • Christian Wedding Songs
  • Country Wedding Songs
  • EDM Wedding Songs
  • Folk Wedding Songs
  • Hip Hop Wedding Songs
  • Indie Wedding Songs
  • Instrumental Wedding Songs
  • Pop Wedding Songs
  • R&B Wedding Songs
  • Rock Wedding Songs
  • Spanish Wedding Songs

Playlist Categories

  • Wedding Song Lists
  • Love Song Lists
  • Era Song Lists
  • Ballroom Dance Song Lists
  • Genre Song Lists
  • Cultural Song Lists
  • Music Artist Song Lists
  • Holiday Song Lists
  • Word in Song Title Lists
  • Offbeat Song Lists

Giving Back

In 2021, we will donate $0.25 for every 1,000 website visitors to Girls Who Code.

Follow Us!

My Wedding Songs on Facebook My Wedding Songs on Pinterest My Wedding Songs on Instagram
My Wedding Songs on Spotify
My Wedding Songs on YouTube

Wedding Songs Podcast

spotify-podcast-badge
Apple-Podcasts

The Company

  • Subscribe for Song Ideas
  • Purchase eBook
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Promote Your Wedding Song

My Wedding Songs App

Download app on Google Play

© 2003-2021 My Wedding Songs All Rights Reserved.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
We've worked hard to implement tools and processes to help you maintain your privacy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Affiliate Disclosure
Scroll to top