First Day of Our Life: Music for the Background

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First Day of Our Life: Music for the Background

19 { November } 2010 by Ginger

For months, I worked on the music for our wedding day. I spent hours putting together my perfectly crafted playlists for various times throughout the day, before the band would start. I searched through my entire music library, and I found online recommendations, for “love songs” of all different genres that could appeal to the many different generations represented at our wedding.

{Image with G-pa Ginger courtesy of Mark Hayes Photography}

At times, I thought this a stupid endeavor; a complete waste of time. But I was shocked to receive many compliments on the soundtrack of the day.

So, if you are interested in doing something similar, I will share my playlists, in order, with you. For each song, I will do my best to link it to a video or audio clip. So without further ado:

Pre-Ceremony

{guest photo}

This music played as guests were arriving and taking their seats. This list is approximately 1 hour long, and played on repeat until the ceremony began.

Blind Pilot: 3 Rounds and a Sound

Chris & Thomas: You’re the One I Want
Jack Johnson: Better Together
Hank Williams, Sr: Baby, We’re Really in Love
Ben Harper: Everything
The Platters: Only You (and You Alone)
Bob Marley & the Wailers: Satisfy My Soul d
The Avett Brothers: Offering (If you listen to just one song in this post, it should probably be this one.)

Iron & Wine: Love and Some Verses
Johnny Cash: Rose of My Heart
Dispatch: Carry You (I have no idea why this song is set to scenes from Gladiator – was it used in the movie? Anyone know?)
Peggy Lee: Fever
Jason Mraz (ft. Colbie Caillat): Lucky
Amos Lee: Arms of a Woman

Recessional/Post-Ceremony

{Mark Hayes Photography}

This playlist began with our recessional, and continued to play as guests cleared the ceremony area. The playtime is approximately 30 minutes.

Nina Simone: Feeling Good (We modified this song to start right as she sings …and I’m feeling good… just before the music starts. Approximately 0:38 into this video. Edited version below.)

Ray Charles: Hallelujah, I Love Her So Barry Louis Polisar: All I Want is You (this one has kind of a creepy ending that we edited away)
Ingrid Michaelson: The Way I Am
Jason Mraz: I’m Yours (from the Casa Nova Sessions)
Al Green: Let’s Stay Together
Yardbirds: For Your Love

Happy Hour

{guest photo}

By far the longest of the playlists; this played as people enjoyed appetizers, lawn games and mingling, and the wedding party gathered together and took photographs. The total playtime of this list is approximately 3 hours.