Choosing a band or the music for your wedding day can be a difficult task. You may want a DJ while your other half opts for a band or you may be marrying into a different culture where your required to have some traditional music from that country. Then there's the first dance. Many couples will opt for a song that means something to them but what happens if you have too many to pick for?
We give you a list of hints and tips to help you solves all your musical problems for your special day.

Tip one: Cultural music
If you plan on getting married in a religious ceremony remember to check with the church officials before selecting your music. There may be limitations on the music and instrumentation that is allowed to be used. From there you should choose and consult your wedding musicians right away to find out what they may or may not be able to perform. It is key to do this as quickly as possible since some of the most popular wedding musicians may be booked up to a year in advance. They can also supply you with a great amount of information as to what will sound the best in the location the ceremony is taking place and what music will suit different parts of the ceremony.
If you want to add a British theme to the day then it may also be worth asking if the band has access to a CD player, where they can play your favourite songs and some bands may have also rehearsed these too meaning you can have the music you want live.

Tip two. The first dance
If you can't decide on a song then its wise to have a listen to a romantic radio station such as Magic or Heart that plays a list of popular and timeless romantic songs. If you want to keep it personal then Think of a song you used to listen to together early in your relationship, or a song that was playing when you first met. It's also wise to pick a song with significant lyrical meaning. A lot of songs have thinly veiled sexual innuendos or ironic love themes rather than romantic ones. Take a bit of time to analyse the lyrics and make sure they speak to your relationship.

Tip three: Band or DJ?
Think about the theme of your wedding here. Do you want sophistication or is the day about letting your hair down and having a good time with your friends? If it's the latter then you may want to opt for a DJ who will not only be able to play that first song but will also have a contemporary and up to date play list to hand. If you're looking for sophistication then a band may be better. However, you'll probably only get the usual standard wedding songs such as Twist and Shout here. If you can't decide then it may be an idea to split the evening. Select a band for the dinner and then have a DJ for the evening.

Tip four: Ceremony music
You'll need a few pieces of music here. Firstly you'll need a prelude, which is the welcoming music that guests will hear as they are being seated. The prelude begins a good 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony and is often a medley of many songs.
For the wedding party's Processional pick a steady, flowing piece to introduce the bridesmaids and other members of the wedding party. This announces the official beginning of the ceremony, so it should feel that way. Think of the first song of the service they play at church that prompts everyone to stand.
Choose the Bride's Processional. This is the classic "Here Comes the Bride" moment. You don't have to choose this song specifically, but choose one that will make her entrance memorable and breathtaking.

Tip Five: Music sites
If your still worried about choosing music we've also put together a list of sites that may help you on your way.
www.Music-Scores.com
www.MusicNotes.com
www.discjockeys.com

Ah, The Cure. How they bring back memories of my... what's the opposite of "misspent"? Unspent? Well, however you would describe teen years mostly spent in your bedroom with the curtains closed. No, you wouldn't think of them immediately for a first dance song, but Lovesong, from the Disintegration album, is lovely. And it's fairly quick, so if you don't fancy just standing there, clutching at one another, it could be a good one.

Despite being frequently sung by men, I think quite a lot of first dance songs apply more to the bride than the groom. I wouldn't say that about How Can I Tell You by Cat Stevens. It captures so well the difficulty some men have in getting their feelings across, which is perfect for the wedding day (when, you know, they should really be doing their best to tell you how they feel!).

I know Celine Dion doesn't appeal to everyone, but she's certainly got a good pair of lungs on her. And I also know that her Titanic hit, My Heart Will Go On, is the UK's most popular first dance song. And, frankly, that's just wrong. This morning I heard another of her tunes, Because You Loved Me, and I think it would make a much better first dance song. The lyrics are beautiful and it's not immediately obvious who the artist is, which is probably a good thing. Find it on her Greatest Hits.

What a great idea for a wedding present! All couples want to find their perfect first dance song, don't they? (Each week, in Lost In Music, I try and help with suggestions.) So what better present than a framed, mounted, personalised plaque featuring the very CD of that song?

The other night I woke up with this song in my head and I just couldn't get rid of it. I'm not even that mad about it - mainly because I feel out of love with Elton John a long time ago - but I do think it would make a lovely first dance song. Particularly since the chorus includes the lines:

And I cant explain
But its something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away

Which is what you want on your wedding day, no?

I saw McFly's All About You the other day, on a TV show my son was watching (Space Pirates, if you're interested) and while I'm not a McFly fan, I do rather love this song. And, of course, your wedding day *is* all about you. Isn't it? Find it on their rather premature Greatest Hits album.

I've said before how much I love choreographed first dances, and so now, if I hear a song I think would make a good group first dance, I always have to check it out on YouTube. This morning, I was thinking about the Ally McBeal/Barry White routine and low and behold I found Katie and Jeff's First (Big) Dance. They're not doing the routine from the TV show, they're doing something more ambitious... and hilarious. Check it out over the cut.

I liked Oasis when they first came out, but then Liam got on my nerves so much that I couldn't listen to them anymore. Fortunately, Noel takes lead vocals occasionally and I always like his songs. This one, Talk Tonight, doesn't have particularly romantic lyrics, but even so, every time it turns up on my iPod, I think it would make a nice, and rather unusual, first dance song. Find it on their B-sides album, The Masterplan (the only Oasis album you need, in my opinion).

Originality: 9

Tears-from-your-Mum Factor: 8

Inappropriate song of the week: You Don't Bring Me Flowers by Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond

Ah, Coldplay. Much loved. Much loathed. I can't believe we haven't featured one of their songs as a first dance song sooner, to be honest. So I've chosen a very specific one: Green Eyes. Perfect if you have green eyes. Not so much if you don't.

Find it on their kajillion-selling album, A Rush of Blood to the Head.

Originality: 8

Tears-from-your-Mum Factor: 7

Inappropriate song of the week: Stay Out of My Life by Five Star (what?)

If you're looking to avoid the usual lounge singer style wedding bands that are out there, but still create a great atmosphere at your reception, don't be afraid to try something new. Whether you're a lover of Old Skool Ska and 2-Tone, or you know that the greatest hits of the genre will go down a storm, The Irregulars can cater perfectly.

The North London covers band specialise in events from parties to weddings, and perform hits by The Specials and even Smokey Robinson (mixing it up a little with a reggae version originally by The Beat). Great for pleasing punters of any age, reggae is a guaranteed floor filler. Find out more about the band and get in touch via their website.

More music ideas for your wedding and reception

Corinne Bailey Rae's Like A Star is one of those songs that I knew without knowing I knew it. And it's a perfect wedding song. Sweet, slow (but not too slow to dance to), romantic lyrics and people love a bit of Bailey Rae, don't they?

Originality: 6

Tears-from-your-Mum Factor: 8

Inappropriate song of the week: Teenage Love Affair by Alicia Keys

I've never heard of Lifehouse, but, watching a repeat of Gavin & Stacey last night, I heard a song that I immediately thought would make a perfect first dance song. Singing the lyrics to myself, I googled them and discovered it was You and Me by Lifehouse. It's a waltz (I expect it to turn up on Strictly Come Dancing at some point too) with a repeated refrain of "I just can't take my eyes off you". Oh and the song is nowhere near as scary as the fizzogs on the band (well, two of them, anyway)...

I've found another woman! Or a female-fronted band, at least.

I think Texas might have been one of those love 'em or hate 'em bands. I was never a fan, but I do like the song So In Love With You and can totally see it as a first dance song. It's slow, but melodic and Sharleen Spiteri's voice is lovely.

Despite my best efforts every Wednesday, sometimes people still struggle to choose the perfect first dance song. Sometimes, people ask the Bridalwave readers for help. Other times, they contact the Adam and Joe show on BBC 6 Music. Listening to this week's show, I heard Adam and Joe read out an email from a listener who wanted their help choosing a song. But they had a better idea...