Indian Wedding Music: Everything You Need to Know 

Indian wedding music can make or break the whole event! In this article, we will give you the essential deets about Desi wedding music, so you don’t waste your valuable time and make your big full of fun! 

Remember the last Indian wedding you’ve been to? You hear the super loud Bhangra music, which is piercing your ear every few seconds. You are trying to move and groove to the beat of the music, but you can’t escape the music volume even when you are trying to get away from the speakers. Then, after some time, you realize everyone is hanging outside the hallway. Now understand why!

Or 

Imagine it’s your cousin’s wedding, for which you made a list of Indian wedding dance songs, and the dance floor is packed. Every uncle, aunty, and your cousins out there are beating the dance floor. Suddenly, a Vidai song started playing in the background, which you did not include in your playlist. 

This is a funny yet serious situation because you have no idea whether to laugh or cry as Vidai songs should be left for the bride’s farewell. This undoubtedly seemed like the result of improper planning. 

Traditional Indian weddings consist of formal ceremonies and family meetings, so Indian wedding songs are a must. However, proper planning can make the whole event. In contrast, the wrong song selection can break the event. 

This guide will give you all the info on planning out the Indian wedding music according to each event. So be ready to rule the floor with desi wedding songs! 

Indian Wedding Music According to Each Event 

When it comes to Indian weddings, music is essential. So it is crucial to find exciting music that has a wide demand from your guests. 

Indian wedding songs can impact the whole mood of the event; that’s why it is incredibly vital to select the right music. 

Mehndi 

This function is one of the most famous events in Indian weddings. It includes bridesmaids, girl members, and brides to have their hands filled with Henna. 

Professionals are gathered in, and they draw stunning, detailed band designs on each hand. 

As a bride, your event’s musical celebrations start at your Mehndi ceremony, a ladies-only occasion that is informal and relaxed. So it’s undoubtedly a treat to have the traditional Indian music with those henna-adorned hands together. 

For your Mehndi event, you can consider traditional classic duet Tabla and Sitar with classical Indian Santoor player. Here are five classic Mehndi traditional Indian wedding songs: 

1. Mehndi Hai Rachne Wali- Alka Yagnik 

2. Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna- Udit Narayan and Lata Mangeshkar 

3. London Thumakda- Sonu Kakar 

4. Gal Mithi Mithi- Tochi Raina 

5. Sadi Gali- Lehmber Hussainpuri 

Sangeet 

This event is entirely based on Indian wedding music. That’s why it’s called “Sangeet.” So how could this not be on the list? 

This function is the first formal intro of the bride to her new family, which could indeed be stressful. 

This musical night has family members from the Groom and Bride’s side to dance off the wedding stress.

Dance performance of the bride and groom in the Sangeet or their parents makes the whole event fun. Sangeet is the perfect time to relax your guests and yourself with fantastic entertainment that takes the pressure off from both parties. 

You can consider hiring a playful Bollywood band or even play bright Indian songs to dance like no one is watching you. 

For the Sangeet, you can indeed consider these five songs: 

1. Chaap Tilak from Coke Studio 

2. Tareefan From Veere Di wedding 

3. Chittiyan kalaiyan From Roy 

4. Batameez Dil From Yeh jawani Hai Dewani 

5. Makhna From Drive 

Wedding Ceremony/ Shaadi 

Finally, it’s the big and most awaited day! So how could the most special day of the couple’s life be all music-free and boring? Couldn’t it be right? 

This event is the groom’s arrival with Barat, and it could be as big and bold as you want. While the traditional arrival of the horseback is not for every groom, the Bollywood Bhangra band or Brass band isn’t for every Barat. 

People nowadays go for Bollywood dancers or Dohl Drummers sometimes to remember the whole event for their lifetime. 

In the traditional Indian wedding (if you have attended any), you must have seen that music is generally the folk songs, Shehna or Lagna geet of Gujarati music. 

Or people also choose Bollywood music played by fusion bands, live bands, or professional DJs. But, no matter what you choose, don’t forget to play these five most famous Shaadi songs to make sure the music complements your ceremony. 

1. Punjabi Wedding Song- Hasee Toh Phasee 

2. Latthey di Chadar- Folk Song 

3. Sasuraal Genda Phool – Delhi 6 

4. Bole Chudiyan – Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham 

5. Banno Tera Swagger – Tanu Weds Manu Returns 

Vidai/ the Bride’s Farewell 

Vidai is the bride’s farewell to her family and friends, usually accompanied by the traditional Bollywood songs. 

You must have a great collection of Indian wedding songs because it’s undoubtedly one of the defining moments of your life. 

This moment is sentimental, as the bride’s new life is beginning. 

You can always experiment with the songs or play the new Vidai songs to make the stream of events memorable. 

These five songs are the evergreen Vidai songs: 

1. Dilbaro From Raazi 

2. Laadki from Coke Studio 

3. Laadli By A.R Rehman 

4. Kabira From Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani 

5. Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja By Neel kamal 

Wedding Reception 

The last event of a traditional Indian wedding is the reception. As everyone sits down to enjoy the wedding meal, the background music of the event should be classical with soaring strings and vocals. Still, you can get everyone to the dance floor with a live band or even with a DJ and get everyone involved. 

Here is the list of five Indian wedding reception songs that you could play without doubt:

1.Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi – Once Upon A Time in Mumbai 

2.Perfect-Ed Sheeran 

3.Raabta-Agent Vinod 

4.Gazab ka Hai Din- Dil Junglee 

5.Ek Ladki Ko Dekha- Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga 

How to Rock Every Event with Indian Wedding Music? 

Above, we have mentioned what types of Indian wedding songs are suitable for each event. But, in case you are still confused about how to perfect your Indian wedding song list, keep on reading! 

Determine the Goal of Your Event

If you have a goal for Indian wedding music, you should plan to make each event like a Bollywood movie wedding. 

For example, since Intimate Indian weddings are in trend due to Covid-19, you want to keep your Sangeet casual and not so overwhelming. 

For this, you should not blast Bhangra songs; instead, you share your vision with your DJ. This way, you can guarantee to have the environment you dreamed of.

Furthermore, you can think of the specific performances for which you can play different songs. Like the romantic ones for the couple’s dance, mother-daughter dance, and father-daughter dance on the emotional and Bhangra songs or traditional Indian wedding music on the groom’s entry.

Go with the Familiar Songs 

Most people are into a variety of music, but you have to keep in mind that the majority are still happy with a narrow genre mix. 

You may want to put the unique and new wedding song in the playlist, but this might not guarantee great moves from the public; instead, people may be confused about what dance steps to do. 

In short, go with the common and select those classic songs which make people move to the groove naturally. 

Take inspiration from everywhere, not just Google! 

There are many Indian wedding music lists available online, but you still have no idea what you want? 

Take some inspiration from other resources as well. You can search different apps like Spotify, Youtube, and Pandora. These places have many ideas for finding something definite within a mood or genre you like.

Keep the Lights Dim 

Bright songs with bright lights are indeed not a great combo for dancing and enjoying the event. Instead, put dim lights and flashy tones on your dance floor to set the party mood. 

Pick the DJ Wisely 

Remember to hire a DJ to play the music and pick the right songs for your event. You can give them some ideas and inspiration so you can get the type of music you exactly want. Also, don’t forget to point out your specific requests. 

Wrapping-Up 

Indian wedding music is one of the essential components which should be present in the event. Modern-day weddings use musical entertainment in the best way by including family performances, DJ performances, crazy dancing crowds, and much more. 

After reading the above guide, you are ready to make your wedding memorable with the right Indian wedding songs playlist. 

We hope that now you have a pretty good idea about Indian weddings music after reading Indian Wedding Music: Everything You Need to Know.

We have many years of experience with Indian, South Asian Weddings, and multi-cultural weddings, where many traditions come together on the wedding day.

We even wear a Kurta pajama to blend in with the guests.

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