As a Celebrant, I encourage people to use music to help establish a mood and set an overall tone for any celebration or life tribute they are planning. The right choice of music can open people's heart and help them be present to the moment. Often I get asked, where do I begin?  To start, what is the overall tone you wish to set? Is it intimate? fun? serious? joyous?  You may even find that you want to start out with one mood and end with a different one.  Once you have a clear sense of this, think about all your favorite music.  If you are planning a tribute or remembrance, think about the person you are honoring, did they have favorite music?  If not start listening.  The web is a great source of possibilities.  Visit musicians websites, they usually have great samplers!  If you google "ceremony musicians" you will have a wonderful selection to choose from. Or you can always begin by visiting my dear friend Carol's site.

One consideration for you:  if you are not using live music, you will want to think about people's ability to sit through songs or music when there is no other activity going on.  For instance, it might be perfect in a memorial service to play a recorded cello piece during a moment of reflection or honoring.  Playing a recorded song that is 3 minutes long in a Wedding Ceremony, (unless people get up and dance!) probably will have some people squirming.  While 3 minutes may not seem long, it really is for your guests!  The important part of this is to have fun and enjoy the selecting process.  If you are working with a DJ, or musician friends they will also be able to help a great deal.