Music for wedding reception
Found in: Recitals & Events
Joanne D., Australia
My nephew has asked me to play piano for approximately 30 minutes at his wedding reception while guests gather for canapes. Asking for musical suggestions as I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve played for wedding ceremonies but this makes me less comfortable and unsure of what I should play, and since my whole family will be there (most of whom haven’t heard me play for years) I want to do the best I can. He and his fiancee are 33 years old and are happy with me doing some classical but mentioned they would like something upbeat and happy toe get guests “in the mood”. Can anyone offer some great suggestions? I am comfortable reading lead sheets or usual piano notation.
Sue L., California
I love movie themes: The Sound of Music, Over the Rainbow, theme from “Somewhere in Time” and “An Affair to Remember”. Sometimes I play arpeggiated chord progressions accompaniment style to fill in between songs, and I often elongate the songs or mix them together.
Laurie Richards, Nebraska
You can use a lot of SM songs and make them longer by adding some simple improv and/or arrangements. Lead Me to Light, Squidgies, Dark Blue, In My Eyes, Shoo Fly, Fur Elise, The Gaz, Sit By My Side, One More Time, Home, Canon in D, and Miles are some that cover a lot of styles. Those are from Level 4 – 7.
If you’ve taught beyond that, there are more you could use. Songs from Jazz Clues would be good. Since you are providing background music, even just playing through some songs accompaniment-style with some rhythm variations (and embellishments?) would work.
If you happen to have any of the the Library of…books that SM used to sell, those would be good resources. Especially the Library of Piano Favorites (or Easy Piano Favorites).
Jacqui G., Canada
Look for an “easy piano” book with easy-listening type music – movie themes, Broadway melodies, songs from well-known musicals such as The Sound of Music. (Think elevator music). These simple arrangements are easy to sight read and people recognize the tunes. And keep in mind this comforting thought: this is not a “performance”, you will be the background music and people will be talking and moving around and only half paying attention to you.