Instrumental music, or regular music? What's your take?

One of my DH's few requests (along with 'we're not gettig married in a church') was 'no instrumental versions of songs with words.' We 'decided' by having an ENORMOUS, stress fueled fight, when I'd picked 'All You Need Is Love" for my processional, which lead to me saying, sarcastically, "what do you want, then? The theme to 'Star Trek'!?" Well, actually we went with "The Imperial March" from "Empire Strikes Back", which got everyone smiling right at the start. I walked down to Vivaldi and the recessional was the theme from "Superman". For us it worked perfectly-- light hearted, lots of smiles... it all depends on what you're going for.

We're not using regular music. Everything will be from the string quartet. The only regular music with words will directly come from my uncle's vocal group that will be singing a few pieces during the ceremony.

It totally depends what kind of vibe you are going for. I come from a very musical family with a lot of church involvement so it comes very naturally for us to enlist real musicians and pick out classical pieces to keep it very traditional. There is only a DJ at the reception. The church ceremony is all instrumental and vocal with classical and hymns

Why not mix it up? For our ceremony, the BM's and GM's are walking in to a traditional, classic instrumental song, I'll be walking to a modern song with words (though it's the acoustic version of the song, but only because I like that one better) and then the recessional will be to a classical instrumental song. We're using a modern song with vocals for our reception entrance too.

We are having a classical duo that plays rnb and pop covers for the ceremony so all the music will be instrumental except for when I walk down the aisle which will be the duo accompanied by a singer. Reception will have a dj so thats when the non instrumental music will start.

People use all types of music for the ceremony, there's no "right" way It's totally up to personal preference!

We're doing instrumentals on the way in and regular music on the way out

I had a pianist and singer, who are husband and wife acquaintances of mine. She has an amazing voice and can sing the damn phone book. We got lots compliments on that.

I had a the traditional Bridal entrance, but i recently went to a wedding where the bride walked out to "kiss the girl" from the little mermaid. i loved it!

It depends on what flavor you want. This day is all about you and your wedding, so if you think x,y,z enhances the feel for the day, then go for it.

I can say that instrumental is less distracting from any action going on, so for instance, if you walked out to Metallica (which I've seen at a wedding), then folks may laugh, lose focus on you and start thinking about the mosh pit at their last concert. Kinda silly example, but music is a big deal in setting the mood. Hope that helps.

It will all be DJ, because we will be on a very tight budget. As I look for songs, I feel like mixing it up is wrong some how lol. I want to do instrumental for the Prelude and Processional and and stuff, however I love A thousand Years in the Acoustic Version from Boyce Ave. And actually @Drop to Design Studios, it's still a maybe, but I think we are deciding on Ecstasy of Gold-Metallica version for the reception entry. I love metallica and he loves eastwood movies

I am not a fan of songs with lyrics for the ceremony processional and recessional.