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

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

mini tambourines
Photo: 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

wedding cake
Michael Radford

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

bride and groom kissing while saxophonist plays
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

black and white stationary with elegant script writing
Mike Cassimatis

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

tambourine bouquet
Jennifer Skog

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

quotes at weddings fabric favor display
The Great Romance

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

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Signed Records

guest book record player signature
Anastasiia Photography

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

centerpiece with horn
Rebecca Yale Photography

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

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Center Stage

cristina andre wedding dance floor
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

aubrey austin wedding 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

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

Rock The Night Welcome Sign
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

Deconstructed Cello Wedding Decor
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

Rock and Roll Wedding 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

Guitar Case For Cards
Chelsie Moreland Photography

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

Vintage Record Decor
Krista Lajara

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

quotes at weddings letter board sign
Cameron Ingalls

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

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

Sheet Music Programs
Photo Love Photography

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

Outdoor Piano Wedding Decor
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

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

Trumpet Floral 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

cd favors
Jasmine Lee Photography

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

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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