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Choosing the playlist for your big day can be hard. Usually, the bride and groom choose their favourite songs that are most meaningful to them. But with all the different types of dances; mother-son & father-daughter dances, dollar dances, interludes & preludes and the wedding reception itself. Naturally, It can be difficult to find enough songs!

Below are some of our recommendations for the various different wedding songs required throughout the day:

First Dance: Harry Connick, Jr. : It Had to Be You

The first dance is usually a song that the bride and groom share, sometimes it reminds them of when they first met but mainly it needs to be romantic and easy to dance to!

The Mother Son Dance: Stevie Wonder – ‘You are the sunshine of my life’

A Mother-Son dance is a tradition where the groom and his mother dance. Often the dance takes place after the first dance.

Father Daughter Dance: The Temptations – ‘My girl’

Father-Daughter dances where the bride dances with her father is much like the Mother-Son dance. It usually comes directly after the Mother-Son dance.

Dollar Dance: Dire Straits – Money For Nothing

The Dollar Dance originated in Poland in the early 1900s. During the dollar dance the male guests have the opportunity to dance with the bride. Occasionally the female guests pay to dance with the groom.

Ceremony Hymns: Give me joy in my heart

Ceremony hymns are quiet, background music. Suitable for a wedding ceremony.

Bouquet Toss/Garter Toss: Cyndi Lauper – Girls just wanna have fun

Traditionally the bride tosses her Bouquet over her head to her brides maids. The woman who catches the bouquet is supposed to be the next to get married! Occasionally, the bride will toss her garter to the male guests (after removing it from her leg of course!).

The wedding reception playlist!

We have put together what we consider to be the definitive collection of tracks to make up the perfect wedding playlist. Judge for yourselves below:

Robbie Williams – She’s the one

Madonna – I’ll remember

Bruce Springsteen – Secret garden

Bee Gee’s – How deep is your love

Take That – Back For Good

Don McLean – American Pie

Michael Jackson – Thriller

Wham! – I’m Your Man

Gnarls Berkley – Crazy

Robbie Williams – Angels

The Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup

George Michael – Freedom

Michael Buble – Haven’t Met You Yet

Rod Stewart – Have I told you lately

Aerosmith – I don’t wanna miss a thing

Katrina and the waves – Walkin’ on sunshine

Tony Christie – Is This The Way To Amarillo

The Monkees – I’m a believer

Mighty Tubadours – She’s too fat for me

If you have decided that a summer wedding is not for you and you are splashing out on a Christmas wedding instead, then you are best advised to start planning your entertainment now. Because of all the corporate celebrations a lot of the best function bands will start being booked very early. Remember that wedding bands not only play weddings but all sorts of events such as birthdays and corporate events. Take a look at our wedding band listings and make contact with your favourite bands early.

One of our favourite wedding websites.

With so many couples coming to our site for no nonsense wedding advice we regularly scout the internet for other quality websites that you might be interested in. Well how about ‘Brides Against Breast Cancer’ ? http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org. The idea of this site seems to be recycling dresses that are in are good condition and supporting breast cancer in the process. For an increasing number of us, cancers of all descriptions have affected us, a family member or a friend. Recent estimates suggest that there will be a growing number of people affected in years to come partly as a result of our diets and as a result of us living longer. So, any website increasing cancer awareness is a good thing. That is so long as no holistic product is being promoted.

Brides Against Breast Cancer sells all brands of new designer and “gently worn” wedding gowns in all shapes and styles. With the average price of a gown at $600 the website claims to be able to supply a dress to fit any budget. Brides against cancer aim to distribute over 10,000 breast ‘self exam’ cards while supporting services including education, nutrition, exercise, support and therapy. A great site to be applauded.

Key advice for function bands to enhance their bookings

It is quite simple really, but a lot of the obvious things that result in an increase in bookings are too often overlooked. Making it easy for any couple to book you is in both parties interest. That means, a single visit to your site may be all you need to get a booking. That does depend on the quality of your site, demo material and of course your response when you eventually get an enquiry. To make the most of each visit you get to your website please see our advice page for function bands. Here you will find a little more detail on how you can enhance your gig diary and end each performance with a happy couple delighted with your service.

We’ve had a lot of requests recently for bands to perform abroad so we thought it might be the right time to highlight a brand new website that we love! Gig Heaven is the place to find bands, musicians, entertainers and all sorts of entertainment related service suppliers. From photographers and equipment hire to caterers and limo hire you’ll find everything you could possibly ever need for weddings and events anywhere in the world.

If you are planning a wedding or event abroad then check out these fantastic international wedding bands.

If you are part of an act who’d like to sign up then please head over to Gig Heaven and register now!

When you have been to all that trouble to plan your Yorkshire wedding carefully by booking a great band, arranging splendid catering and taken care of all those tens of other things you have had to do by your big day, it is reassuring to know you can re-live the moments years later watching your own DVD, enjoying the music again, listening to the speeches, soaking in the atmosphere and reminding yourself of how special your day was.

Yorkshire’s Dunelm Video enjoys a sense of occasion, recording and editing your perfect day in a narrative style.  Packages start at only £595 including 3 HDVideo DVDs and music recording licences. Dunelm are a trusted resource, friendly and experienced videographers.

Tel: 01325 718 188

www.dunelmvideo.com

Ever thought of adding an extra special touch of light jazz entertainment to your wedding day? Although not on our listings we have come across a superb UK based jazz trio that’s worth making contact with. With soft yet powerful female vocals backed by majestic piano and nylon guitar the ‘Mark Hussey Jazz trio’ are perfect alternative light entertainment for your wedding day. Normally found performing in Norway on their cruise ship residency during the winter and spring months you’ll be pleased to know that the band are normally available during the summer months right here in the UK. If you’re interested it’s best not waiting too long and making contact soon.

When you want to hire a live band, you are not only looking for quality music but a number of other qualities that we hope you will find when sourcing a band from our function bands listing pages. Here are just some of the points we think you should look out for.

1. Excellent customer service from the moment you enquire about availability.

2. Strong communication skills and timely responses

3. Customised quote to meet your requirements

4. Willingness to be flexible on performance timings

5. Ability to provide quality live music

6. Excellent presentation on and off the stage

7. Good quality sound system and basic lighting

8. Punctuality

9. Adaptability

10. Able to advise on the best music to perform at your wedding

Occasionally you come across a wedding that actually runs to the planned schedule but more often than not there are unforeseen delays. Your wedding day running to time depends very much on the people running each individual role efficiently. If something is delayed earlier in the day then this will often have a knock on effect to the later events. Wedding staff will be doing there best to get things back on track without rushing people on so it feels like a natural progression. Stay relaxed and try not not get involved with hurrying things up. Enjoy your day and try where possible to show appreciation. You’ll get a better service with people bending over backwards to please you.

Wedding promotion – We are offering some very special opportunities to advertise to the wedding community. To read up on or take us up on an offer read our advertise with us page or send us an email to topukweddingbands@gmail.com.