You’ve chosen the venue. The flowers. The place settings, the centerpieces, the lighting. The bridal party ensembles and guest dress code, The Dress. The time of day and its accompanying vibes. The photographer. The menu, the signature cocktail, the wine. Each element carefully chosen for the aesthetic it creates or contributes to – because you know exactly what you want your day to look, taste, smell and feel like. But what does your day sound like? The music is a huge piece of the overall theme of your wedding, so whether you’re having a classic, elegant affair, or a bubbly, quirky dance party, it’s important to choose the right sound to go with your day! That’s where Around Town Entertainment comes in, of course. As one of NYC’s top live music and entertainment companies, we’re here to help ensure that your music coordinates perfectly with the vibe you want to create for your special day.
Think of your favorite movie. Got it? Now think of your favorite moments from the film – is there music playing under them? Film scores and soundtracks have an incredible ability to change the feeling of a moment or even the entire film, thanks to music’s ability to create or evoke an emotion. Did you know that When Harry Met Sally was originally supposed to have a contemporary soundtrack? Writer Nora Ephron and director Rob Reiner decided they simply needed to go with jazz standards, however, and brought in Harry Connick Jr. to score the film with improvisational jazz, as well as jazz standards, as he watched parts of the film; bringing that cozy, nostalgic, comforting, classic feeling that the film is known and loved for.
Live music, more than canned, really lends itself to making sure that the sound and theme you want for your day is consistent – because live bands can modify a song from its original style so that it matches more closely with what you’re looking for. And as some of NYC’s top wedding bands, we can guarantee that your favorite songs will sound just the way you want them to.
We’ll also help you find the right style of music to match your wedding aesthetic! From here, we’ll be digging into some aesthetics that are popular right now and what music we think coordinates well in creating a cohesive experience and vibe for your big day. Of course, what matters most is picking music that’s important and meaningful to you, but if you’re feeling stuck or don’t know what to choose, then we’re here to help you get the ball rolling and the creative juices flowing! We’ve chosen to list artists, rather than songs to get you started, but each artist’s name is hyperlinked to a song of theirs that you might consider wedding-appropriate; keep in mind all of these artists have a lot more songs though, so explore to your hearts’ content!
Rustic or Barn Vibes:
Rustic has been on the rise the last several years, as weddings seek simplicity and a very natural feel. Music genres that pair well with this aesthetic are bluegrass, country, folk, indie, and acoustic. Feel free to lean into songs that have more guitar or bass, or even a violin! Artists and bands that have some great music to match this vibe are George Ezra, Laura Marling, The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, and Johnnyswim. If you’re looking to go full country, then you can’t go wrong with Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Brandi Carlile tunes!
Vintage or Classic Elegance
The best part of “classic” is that it will never go out of style, and incorporating vintage elements only serves to make a wedding feel truly timeless – just like your love! Classic, elegant, charming music that suits this theme perfectly tends to come from the 1940’s and 50’s with big band music and its iconic singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong. There’s even been a resurgence in this style of music recently, so you can look to artists like Laufey, Cody Fry, or Melody Gardot for new releases with slightly more modern lyrics, or even just a fresh take on an old classic. If you feel that this style of music suits your wedding aesthetic, consider adding horns to your band! This style of music is heavily characterized by brass, piano, and percussion, so if this is the sound you want, we recommend adding a saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or even all three.
Contemporary Modern & Industrial
The word “steampunk” comes to mind – another trend that’s been on the rise has been the industrial twist. Old warehouses, burnished brass fixtures, minimalist flower arrangements, exposed wood and brick… you can picture it easily, but what does it sound like? This one is fun because it’s so versatile, though it tends to lean towards music written after the 1950’s. This is a perfect style for getting a little edgier, heading into “urban rock,” incorporating Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Carole King, Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac, and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Aretha Franklin, and Phil Collins. Powerhouse vocals, a great guitar or piano line, and a nice steady beat, this genre of music is sure to get your guests jumping and swaying on the dance floor.
Whimsical or Bohemian
We won’t lie… this one is harder for us to bring suggestions for, because by their very definitions, these wedding themes are meant to be completely, utterly, and personally unique. Which means you can choose just about anything! In fact, you probably choose this wedding aesthetic because you already know exactly who you are as a couple and what kind of music the two of you prefer. So we won’t bore you with suggestions for this one and instead say: Yes! Whatever style of music you’re thinking probably works!!
