24 Music-Inspired Wedding Ideas That Will Hit a High Note with Your Guests

By Lauren Pardee
September 17, 2014
Ashley Burns

Show off your passion for music by incorporating it into your wedding décor.

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Ashley Burns

Many of the most memorable wedding moments are set to music, from processional songs that have you tearing up during your down the aisle to reception tunes that keep guests dancing all night long. Music, however, can be represented far beyond those celebratory moments during the ceremony or reception—it can actually be translated into big-day décor that authentically speaks to the life you and your partner share together, especially if music is a major part of your relationship. 

Music can be visually represented through so many different wedding elements, like invitations, centerpieces, cakes, and seating charts, while still playing into overarching rustic, modern, or classic celebration styles. Incorporating vintage music boxes and instruments into your tablescapes, for example, is a great way to include music into your Old-world-inspired wedding. Of course, showing off your love for music can go beyond a great playlist and décor. Allow your friends and family the opportunity to make some noise by placing a lace tambourine, like the one seen here by BohoWedds, on each of your guests' seats—they make for a fun alternative to throwing rice at the end of your ceremony and offers a subtle musical moment. This small instrument easily doubles as a wedding favor, too. Your loved ones can dance to their own rhythm all night and cherish the keepsake forever. 

No matter your event's style or genre, a music-themed wedding is a guaranteed hit. Music can ignite an energy throughout your big day that will strongly resonate with your guests. Beyond hiring the perfect band, DJ or musician, your design options are endless. Click through to discover our favorite music-themed wedding ideas—they're guaranteed to go platinum.

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Beyoncé-Inspired Cake

Michael Radford
44 Wedding Cakes with Fresh Flowers

This four-tiered cake by Hey There, Cupcake featured pink ombré layers and matching pink florals. Its hand-lettered XO design referenced one of Beyoncé's hit songs.

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Late-Night Party Line

Abby Jiu Photography

At the end of this classic, black-tie wedding in Ireland, guests danced under the stars as EDM DJ and saxophonist combo Cafolla and Engel led them to an underground dance club.

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Elvis Invitations

Mike Cassimatis
Everything You Need to Know About Postage

These chic, black-and-white wedding invitations from Minted featured an Elvis stamp—a subtle, but statement-making musical invitation accent.

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Tambourine Bouquet

Jennifer Skog
49 Bridesmaid Bouquets Your Girls Will Love

Instead of bouquets, this bridal party held tambourines threaded with wildflowers and greens by Pine and Perry as they walked down the aisle.

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Flavorful Favor Display

The Great Romance
28 Unique Ways to Show Off Your Favorite Quotes at Your Wedding

CCL Wedding & Events displayed large wooden Snoop Dogg lyrics that directed guests to hot sauce wedding favors.

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Signed Records

Anastasiia Photography
Unique Wedding Guest Book Ideas That Aren't Actually Books

Wedding planner Kelly McWilliams had attendees sign a record as a creative alternative to a wedding guest book.

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French Horn Centerpieces

Rebecca Yale Photography
35 Wedding Centerpieces to Steal for Your Thanksgiving Table

French horn centerpieces filled with white anemone and greenery elevated this fall wedding tablescape.

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Center Stage

Dave Robbins Photography

At this destination wedding in Cartagena, a large group of dancers and four musical acts performed on a stage that was decked out with blue and white delphinium, palm leaves, and a disco ball. Robbins Otoya was responsible for the set-up's décor. 

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Record Seating Chart

Ace & Whim

Hallie Slade brought these spray-painted vintage records, calligraphed by Details, Darling, to life; she placed them around a record player covered in florals. 

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Violin Centerpiece

Ashley Baumgartner

This unique centerpiece—made with an orange-wood violin paired with icy, pastel-colored florals and greens—by Heirlooms and Blooms elevated this blue-themed wedding.

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Let's Rock the Night

Joy De Vi

A "Let's Rock the Night" sign created by The Joy Troopers welcomed guests to this couple's party.

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Deconstructed Cello

Josh and Serena Photography

This deconstructed cello, topped with greenery and decorated with white script by East Made Event Company, made for an on-theme focal point at this ballet-inspired celebration.

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Rocker Invites

Joy De Vi

The Joy Troopers created these rocker-chic invites with edgy, black and white pop art and script.

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Guitar Case for Cards

Chelsie Moreland Photography
21 Ways to Set Up a Card or Gift Table at Your Wedding

At this outdoor, country wedding, an open guitar case, draped with a music sheet banner, was used to corral guests' cards and gifts.

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Vintage Cake Display

Krista Lajara
39 Amazing Dessert Tables from Real Weddings

Event designer Happily Ever After placed a gold-horned record player on top of a vintage luggage case, surrounded by blue and white florals, to enhance this dessert display.

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Rock and Roll Sign

Cameron Ingalls
29 Creative Wedding Signs You'll Love

For this bohemian desert ceremony, Wild Heart and Idlewild Floral & Event Design created a letterboard sign that read, "You Are the Rock to My Roll."

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Harp Seating Chart

Morlotti Studio

Italian wedding planner Ester Chianelli created this unique seating chart from an all-white harp, which she situated next to a large candle stand covered with blooms and greens.
 

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Sheet Music Programs

Photo Love Photography
Unique Ceremony Program Ideas We Love

Wrapped in twine and sealed with wax, these sheet music programs, made by a friend of the bride and groom, perfectly represented the music-loving couple at their vintage wedding.
 

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Antique Piano

Tiffany Amber Photography

This antique piano, draped in blush and yellow florals and greenery, was created by This & That Vintage Rentals and The Blooming Bud. It made for an interesting focal piece at this outdoor wedding.

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Sheet Music Seat Assignments

Ashley Baumgartner

For the Love of Parties personalized classic table settings with sheet music cards that featured calligraphy by Ashley Baumgartner.

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Dramatic Trumpet Centerpiece

Scott Clark Photo

This dramatic centerpiece, created by Shawna Yamamoto Event Design, wowed guests at this '60s-themed rock and roll wedding thanks to its trumpets, which hung from orange and pink florals and greenery.

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Wedding Jams To-Go

Jasmine Lee Photography
50 Creative Wedding Favors That Will Delight Your Guests

One couple created and gifted CDs of their weddings' greatest hits for guests to jam to on their car ride home.

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Bar-Top Record Player

Innocenti Studio

Glam Events played up this event's Great Gatsby theme by displaying an intricate gold-horned record player as bar-top décor.

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By Lauren Pardee