There are countless small aspects that go into adding lots of love to a successful, memorable wedding, and one of the most important to many brides and grooms is undoubtedly the wedding song. The perfect wedding music defines your new marriage, and its melody---whether fun and upbeat or geared toward love and romance---sets the stage for your new life together. Picking the perfect wedding song is a vital aspect of your wedding day, and it's important to spend some time together deciding what that song will be.

Your wedding music usually isn't the love song that is played before you walk down the aisle (that's usually the classical wedding march) or after you say your vows (although I have known of some brides and grooms who do play their wedding song right after they say "I do"). Usually, your wedding song is the love music that you and your new spouse dance to at the reception following the wedding.

You and your fiance are

bound to have personal favorite love songs, but the goal when choosing your wedding music is not to choose one that only one of you enjoy. Instead, you must pick wedding music that really defines your love up to that point, and a song that will set the tone for your new marriage. It could be a song that played some role or had some meaning to you when you were dating, or it could be a special wedding song that has a message that means something to both of you.

Many brides and grooms struggle with the question of whether their wedding music should be popular or centered on love. In other words, they are afraid that if they pick a song that only they enjoy, that their guests will not have the same taste in music and will disapprove. I think most of you would agree, however, that your wedding song is something that only two people who are in love should have any say about: and that is you and your fiance. Don't let other people's opinions about what your wedding song should be sway your decision one way or the other.

Whether you decide to choose a popular wedding song or more personal wedding music that means something special to you and your love, let your song set the foundation for a long, secure, and happy marriage. Your first dance should feel natural, wonderful, and celebrate your love!