Selecting The Music

Creating Your Request List

We add music to our core database monthly or as needed. Over the past few years, less clients are actively viewing and using using our online database. As a result,  updates to the listing have stopped. You can still use this database on the back end of the site to add songs to your own custom request list and create a Must Play, Try to Play and Do Not Play list. If you are having trouble finding a First Dance song or a Parents Dance song, view one of the PDF files linked below! These files and list of songs were created in March 2016. If you have organized a request list on some other music service like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube or composed a list on a Word Document, Excel/Spreadsheet, etc., please share the list of music requests with us. If you are listening to specific versions of songs, please share the specific link to the track. We do not stream actively from these services at your event. We prefer to have all songs needed locally in case WiFi or cell signal is limited or non-existent. Most importantly, share any key songs that are critical must play.

Over the past few years, many clients tell us specifically what they want played at their event. This is both good and bad. It is nice to share familiar favorites that may be wanted by you, your family and your guests. Quite often, past clients have organized and vetted requests submitted by others. Often these requests are not as familiar to all guests. What if your guests don't like your selections? Older crowds, middle aged or younger crowds do not always listen, dance or respond to the same music...maybe occasionally. Ultimately, it is difficult to forecast the mood of you and your guest and what will get them dancing in the moment. As we make our way through your event as it ebbs and flows, we see what works and what does not. Everyone may want to have fun, but not everyone may actively dance. As an entertainer who has attended thousands of events, it is important to be able to adjust accordingly to the mood and what is present not only on the dance floor, but what is in the room.

Ceremony Music Selection Tips

Future Sounds can provide the music for your ceremony. We have three options. Depending on the venue, we can use our main system for both the ceremony and the reception or an additional system that includes speakers, two wireless microphones, prelude, ceremony and postlude music. An additional microphone can be set up for the ceremony readings if desired. It is most important for us to have a clear line of sight to view the ceremony. Obstructions could cause timing issues with the music processionals and recessionals. Additionally you can add a microphone to amplify the musicians playing at you ceremony. If you have a friend or family member that you want to play or sing at the ceremony, they need only to bring their instrument and voice and we can amplify them through our system. We can offer audio support with mics and no music. We can also play just the music and plug in to the house system for the ceremony.

The music for your ceremony can be traditional with the classical favorites of Bach, Pachelbel, Wagner and Mendelssohn. We have put together several instrument themes of classical ceremony music. You can pick a particular theme or mix and match selections. The classical choices are brass, flute, guitar, harp, organ, piano, strings, symphony and violin. Our ceremony format guide will help you organize the order of music. If you prefer a non-traditional format of music, placement of your selections would need to follow the same template listed on the ceremony format guide. Alternative selections of music have included but not been limited to Enya or Celtic music, classic jazz or easy listening artist and contemporary love songs. More contemporary assortments can be selected from the Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ), 101 Strings, O'Neill Brothers, Piano Music Experts, and the Piano Tribute Players. There are a ton of musicians that offer instrumental song versions online. These artists can be found in Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and many other services.

Reception Music Selection Tips

More and more, the marriage of two individuals includes more than just the immediate family and friends. Families are spread across the country and friends are stretched around the globe. In addition to being a centralized social event, nationalities, ethnicities, cultures, theologies and genealogies will converge at one point within a time frame of 4 to 6 hours. In short, guest list are becoming more diverse and with that in mind; musical preferences and dance styles are becoming just as diverse. You may want to plan for an eclectic selection of music that will offer various levels of entertainment for both you and your guests. Some of your guests may just listen, others may dance. The opportunity to hear familiar songs may offer your guests a feeling of inclusion and encourage participation. It is a nice gesture to keep those who are traveling great distances in mind when developing your music list of request. If a large part of your guests are coming from another country, please share that information.

The best way to choose musical selections is to think of your own collection or music stations you listen to quite often. Think of particular artist, playlists, or song titles you enjoy. Take some time and try to remember movies or TV shows that had a special song played in the background that may be suitable for the mood, theme, or atmosphere you'd like us to create. Think about all of your guests and what they would enjoy listening to and possibly dancing to during the reception. A good variety works well for any occasion; however, you may choose to have a particular type of music throughout the evening. The choice is yours.

A few things to keep in mind as you are organizing your requests. The average song is about 3.5 minutes long. You can play an average of 16 to 18 songs per hour. An average of 60 to 70 songs can possibly be played during a four-hour reception. At a wedding reception, traditional events like the cutting of the cake and the toast take time away from musical playtime. It is not necessary to take a lot of time composing a huge request list. If you wish to make a list, we suggest make a list of some of your favorites and leave room for request from your guests. Again, the choice is yours.

If you have questions, please call (210) 945-9601 or email us.

First Dance & Parent Dance Selection Tips

First Dance Suggestions     Bride/Father Dance Suggestions     Groom/Mother Dance Suggestions

There are a variety of songs in the world of music that can express the first time you met, the first kiss, or that first date. Song lyrics can express your relationship that has developed during the time you have remained together. We feel the song should express who you are to each other and the lyrics should express memories that can take you back or point to the reason you decided to get married. Although it is difficult to narrow down the perfect song, there are many that songs that can place you in a moment and describe that feeling of being loved. Two of my favorites are from the group SafetySuit and their song "Never Stop (Wedding Version)" and Michael Buble's song, "Close your Eyes." By far, there are many incredible song writers and singers that have shared their message about relationships and love. Finding the perfect song may not be easy, but is possible.

A few things to keep in mind as you are thinking about your first dance. A majority of men prefer a shorter song to dance to as opposed to a long song. A few things can be done to reduce the pressure of this traditional dance if neither of you dance. First, you can skip this part and go into the other events of the evening. If you want to dance, you can have your parent's and/or the bridal party join you at some point in the song. This will fill the need for those who want a first dance song but not too much of one. We can edit or remix song selections and make them shorter. There is nothing written that states you must dance to the whole song. So we can end the music at any point or after a particular verse.

Another important factor during this part of the reception is the dance with the parents. Again, one song can take care of this special dance. Traditionally, this dance is for the bride and her father. The groom can dance with his mother during this second dance or choose to have a separate song. If you have more than one set of parents, you may want to include all that are in attendance or depending on your relationships and theirs--avoid this dance. If you have several sets of parents, you can have each set join you on the floor with their significant other. This option invites each parent to be a part of the excitement with one song. This dance and the first dance is a great moment for a formal photo opportunity.

If you have questions, please call (210) 945-9601 or send us an email.

Anniversary Dance (Married Couples Dance)

The Anniversary Dance or Married Couples Dance can be a great way to kick off the dance after the dances above. If you have parents, grandparents or other couples in attendance that have been married for many years—this dance is a great way to see how many couples have reached incredible milestones in their marriage. It is neat to hear what has guided and helped the longest married couple reach their great milestone. If there are many couples that are not married, we can invite all couples out to the floor and not segregate the married from unmarried couples. At some events we start with all couples and narrow down to the longest married couple. We can also start with the bride and groom and invite couples as we increase years together working toward the longest married. Both ways work well.

The Grand March

The important thing to remember is that the Grand March is part of a cultural tradition and there is meaning to what is done during the march. The march occurs at the beginning of the dance before the first dance. The march resembles the obstacles of life, growing family and the twists and turns faced as you build your home. Lastly, it ends with everyone circled around you as you come together for your first dance. The circles are rings of support that represent those closest to you such as your immediate family and best friends as well as your extended family and friendships.

The march protocol begins with the couple being led around the room encountering obstacles of life. The couple is separated; which signifies a quarrel, then is reconnected which signifies the make-up. The march rows expand from two people, then four people and so on to signify the growing family and friends. The march patrons return to single file, forming a snake that signifies the twists and turns of life. The couples then join and form a bridge. Each person goes under to signify the strength of the married couple. Lastly, the newlyweds dance together surrounded by family, the wedding party and guests who form a circle around them signifying the everlasting support of their marriage.

Historically, a few songs have been used for this march. The most familiar song used in my opinion is “Under the Double Eagle”. It is important to have leaders who are familiar with the march and can guide your guests through the obstacles. Depending on participation, the dance may be a few minutes long or may be 20 to 30 minutes long. Other factors that determine the length of the march are size of the venue/dance area and space to navigate the participants. If you plan on doing this and have questions about this tradition, please let us know.