Reception Entrance Songs To Stay Away From

There are some reception entrance songs that can cause you to cringe every time it is played during wedding receptions. Sometimes, it is because the song is too “common” but other times, it is simply inappropriate. Give your guests a favor and stay away from reception entrance songs that are overused and have negative meanings. Here are 10 reception entrance songs that you should never play on your own wedding:

1. Pachelbel’s Canon in D – Don’t get me wrong, this classic has a very beautiful melody. The thing is, why would you choose a song that has been played at almost all weddings in the world? In short, it is overused. Maybe there is one song that played a special part in your love story? For sure, there are better entrance song than an overused classic.
2. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Your guests might be able to sing along with it. It’s been covered by a lot of singers like Josh Groban, Celtic Woman, and Renee Fleming. The question is, would you want your guests to say “I know this song!” soon as it is played? Will it be better if your entrance song leaves them speechless, just because it’s so meaningful?
3. Here Comes the Bride by Richard Wagner –Like the first two songs on this list, it is overused. Most couples or wedding planner probably don’t know that this song is associated with a short and ill-fated love story. Furthermore, Wagner’s music was a favorite of Adolf Hitler, the infamous Nazi leader who was responsible for the murder of millions of Jews.
4.  The Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn – This wedding recessional was popularized by Queen Victoria’s daughter when she had it played at her wedding in 1858. Again, it is another one of those overused reception entrance songs.
5. Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5 – The band is known for their songs about unstoppable love. This one’s an exception. It is about a record company that pressured the band to create more song for their new album when everybody thought they already had enough songs for the said album. A song about frustration is clearly not one of the reception entrance songs you would want to play on your wedding day.
6. Every Breath You Take by The Police – It’s a popular song, but not as overused at weddings as the first four entries. Again, it’s all about the lyrics and its meaning. “Every Breath You Take” is a song about obsession. Any song that has a negative meaning should not belong to your list of possible reception entrance songs. This one was written by Sting while he was struggling to keep his first marriage from falling apart.
7. You’re Beautiful by James Blunt – The song will make the bride feel like she is the most beautiful woman on Earth while she enters the reception area with the groom. The happy feeling won’t last. At the end of the song is the sad reality that the guy singing the song will never be with the beautiful stranger he met on the subway. Sad songs like this is never a good choice for wedding reception entrance songs.
8. Love the One You’re With by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – This one is just too cruel to play at your own wedding. The song is clearly talking about settling. You wouldn’t want your guests to think that you are not one another’s greatest love.
9. Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton – It is one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time according to the Rolling Stones. However, this is not a good reason to make it one of your top choices for your reception entrance song. You probably think it is a love song, but it is not. It was written to express Clapton’s emotion after his son died.
10. Lips of an Angel by Hinder –Why would you choose a reception entrance song that talks about a man still pining for his ex? Reception entrance songs should never be about cheating and infidelity. Those who have chosen to play this on their wedding probably just know the chorus.

Weddings should be joyous. It is the celebration of the union of two people in love. It can be made even more joyous and solemn by staying away from these 10 inappropriate reception entrance songs. Do you have other songs to add to the list?