Beach Wedding Music

There are countless ways to make your wedding unique, and your beach wedding music is another element that can add a special touch to your day. Continuing the ambience of the service through the reception and on to the evening party will help your day to flow and add to the overall enjoyment of yourselves and your guests.

When you start planning your beach wedding music, make sure you and your fiancé discuss your specific music tastes. Your wedding is the perfect place to play music that suits both your personalities and your theme. You can even combine different styles of music if you like, just give some consideration to how it is presented.

There is also the decision of whether or not to have live beach wedding music. If live music is within your budget, it can add a great atmosphere to any wedding. Great beach wedding options are steel drum bands or even look-alike bands. If you want something a little more formal, perhaps a jazz band would be perfect.

A disc jockey on the other hand is much more versatile than a band and you have the option to hear many different kinds of music throughout the evening. It is recommended that you put together a list of your favourites so your dj knows what your tastes are.

The Ceremony:

The beach wedding music for your ceremony is a very important part of your day and should be memorable. Follow this link for a guide to choosing the perfect beach wedding ceremony music.

The First Dance:

Of all your beach wedding music, this should be a song that you can call your own. Perhaps a special song to the two of you. Just in case you want to theme your first dance song to your beach wedding theme, here are a few songs that would be perfect:

Sea of Love - The Honey Drippers
Sail Away - David Gray
Is This Love? - Bob Marley
I Love You Like This Hole In My Head - Sting (From The "Dolphins" IMAX movie)
Better Together - Jack Johnson
You Are The Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder
You Sang To Me - Marc Anthony
True Companion - Marc Cohn
Beyond the Sea - Robbie Williams/Frank Sinatra
Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
Kiss the Girl - Samuel E. Wright (from The Little Mermaid)
I Got You Babe - Sonny & Cher or UB40
I Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis or UB40
When We Dance - Sting
Dance With You - Live

Background Music:

For background beach wedding music think of artists and/or songs that remind you in some way of the beach. Try one or a mix or the following:

Oldie favourites like the Best of the Beach Boys
The chilled ambient sound of Cafe Del Mar.
The laid back acoustic rock of surfers boys Jack Johnson and Donovan Frankenreiter.
Reggae sounds like that of Ben Harper, Bob Marley & UB40.
The heart warming contemporary Hawaiian sound of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
Instrumental Caribbean Steel Drum Beach Wedding Music for some island wedding music vibes.

Grand Entrance to Reception:

The purpose of playing this song is to introduce you for the first time as husband and wife when you arrive back at your reception venue after having your photographs taken. This song is quite important as it should convey to your guests that the formalities are over and it is time to start having fun! Choose from one of the following songs for a truly summery, party sound:

Club Tropicana - Wham
Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
Wipe Out - The Surfaris
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
Who Let The Dogs Out - Baha Men
Austin Powers Theme Song

Dancing:

The Baha Men - Sunny, Caribbean dance music. They also do a great island version of Dancing in the Moonlight.
The Beach Boys - Some of their greatest hits are still good party songs.
Instant Party, Summer Sizzle (Various Artists) - This is a great collection of beach/summer related oldies. Latin Music also adds a distinctive summery vibe to any party.

While the songs/artists above are great additions to enhance your summer, beach wedding music vibe, don't forget to add in a good mix of oldies, eighties, nineties and new chart hits. If you follow this recipe and add in a few summer/beach type songs, you will definitely have a party to remember!

Alternative Entertainment:

Surprise your guests with one of the following alternative entertainment options:

Have some dance instructors teach your guests the salsa or jive. This is sure to get the party started.
Karaoke is a sure way to find out which of your guests are gifted singers, and a great fun too.
Hire a fortuneteller who can impart some wonderful news - like who'll be the next one to get married etc.
A magician or mind reader is also a great attraction and can wonder around the room wowing your guests.
Fire dancers are another great form of entertainment and are great for a beach wedding.