As someone whose lifestyle often escapes routine, here I am — in the same spot as always, with my usual cappuccino and my usual candle lit.
This week, in the midst of my little rituals, I bring you the idea of Preparation captured in the form of a Playlist.
It’s a playlist that I’ve been working on all week, curated especially for the bride’s getting-ready moment.
Putting it all together —
As I write this post down, Birdy is playing in the background, but it could just as easily be Billie Eilish, Sade, RY X, Lana Del Rey, Rosalía, or Jamie XX. Yes, you’ve guessed it, I’m listening to the playlist I’ve created while writing to you — it wouldn’t feel right any other way.
The truth is, I’ve had this playlist on loop for the past 24 hours, just to ensure the essence I wanted to convey truly comes through. As I mentioned in the post From Woman to Woman: The Celebration of Individuality:
The bride’s preparation moment “is when she sees herself as the Woman she is, feeling whole and confident about what lies ahead. Every detail of this moment carries great emotional weight (...)”.
Creating this playlist hasn’t been easy, I admit. Many songs made the cut and others didn’t — curating something is no easy task, even more so when the goal is to create such a special atmosphere.
I step in the bride’s shoes — what are the songs I'd like to listen to? I’ve then added all those options into a playlist… which ended up in the bin. Simply putting it: they were songs I love, but they didn’t make sense together. That’s when I realized: such a playlist needs a narrative, it has to tell a story, follow the emotional journey of the moment, represent different dimensions of femininity, and create a continuous sensory experience — from introspection and inner connection to celebration.
Keywords and structure —
I’ve restarted the process by writing down some core ideas that reflect how I imagined this playlist: Feminine / Elegant / Dreamy and introspective / Calm with energy / glam pop / retro chic / 80s and 90s vibe. A mix of contemporary + 80s — all in all, the mood of an glamorous and elegant bride who’s also emotionally present.
Then, I began thinking about how to shape the emotional structure of the playlist and craft its transitions — from soft and introspective to increasingly powerful and energetic.
The meaning behind —
The first part of the playlist represents the day’s awakening. A selection of songs to create a light, delicate, and cozy atmosphere — a romanticized take on morning light and that first cup of coffee. Female vocals for sweetness and intimacy, blending with soft folk, gentle harmonies carrying a vintage feel, and a hint of nostalgia. The transition to something more ethereal begins with Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish; the emotional core starts to emerge — self-love, memories, introspection. This is when artists like RY X, Sade, Lana Del Rey, and Rosalía come in and bring cinematic textures that evoke love, intimacy, and vulnerability. Angels by The XX ends this phase like an intimate whisper — delicate and deep.
Halfway through the playlist, and halfway through the bride’s preparation. It’s the moment for her inner glow to shine outward: a calm and confident kind of happiness. The energy starts to build subtly with Work by Charlotte Day Wilson. The songs begin to introduce looser, more uplifting and sensual rhythms, while still maintaining a softer touch. River and Wildcard by Miley Cyrus mark the shift from emotion to confidence. Tracks like Good Days by SZA and LLYLM by Rosalía, add a sense of light and presence.
And what better song than Diva by Beyoncé to lead us into the final part of the playlist? This phase is all about celebration — shining, laughing, putting on lipstick, feeling ready, and putting your foot forward with confidence. It’s the moment to end the preparation with power and poise. The rhythm turns more sensual and danceable. Retro chic enters the scene with Cher and Blondie, while glam pop comes through with Ariana Grande and Doja Cat. BESO by Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro add a touch of intimacy and connection before the playlist wrap up with an elegant, upbeat finish featuring Jamie xx and SZA.
Ultimately,
This playlist it's an emotional journey, a celebration of womanhood in all its phases and layers. Because every beginning deserves a soundtrack worthy of the moment, and every woman deserves to feel like the protagonist of her own story.