Must Have Monday

Having the wrong song play at your wedding reception can kill the mood on the dance floor. Your guests could have been having the time of their lives, but as soon as the Chicken Dance or The Electric Slide come on, the dance floor may clear. 

When meeting with your band or DJ, you can start to get a feel of what they like to play, in which you can start to create a Do Not Play list so they know what not to play. If you don't have any interest in a certain genre of music, like country, tell your band or DJ so they can get get an idea of what you do like. Same thing goes for certain artists. If you or your significant other do not like a certain music group or artist, make sure that your band or DJ are aware. 

Alyssa and Josh's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

Line dances may make it on to your Do Not Play list. Even though line dances are group dances and aren't necessarily horrible songs, you need to take your guests into consideration. The Hokey Pokey, Cha-Cha Slide or even YMCA, may not be the best dances for your romantic evening. On the other hand, these songs can sometimes bring both young and older guests onto the dance floor. So the key is really thinking about who you think will enjoy the songs before adding them to the Do Not Play list. 

Depending on the time that you are getting married, you may not want the popular music that is played over and over and over on the radio, played at your wedding. Before sending any over played songs over to the Do Not Play list, remember that some guests will request songs that they hear on the radio and love. Keeping a good mix of songs from all time periods is a good way to get guests on the dance floor all night long. 

Devon and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Ryan Estes Photography

Songs that are typically mood killers should definitely be included on your list. Any song mentioning a break up, death or other unhappy type songs shouldn't be played on a night that is about celebration! Your band or DJ should realize these types of songs aren't appropriate for a wedding and shouldn't play them, but if there is a song that you've heard at a wedding and it cleared that dance floor, adding it to your list, wouldn't be a bad idea. 

Creating a Do Not Play list will make it clear to your band or DJ the type of celebration you want at your wedding. It will help you feel comfortable and confident in your band or DJ and will leave no chance for confusion about a song you don't want played. Even though music can have a large range and everyone likes different styles of music, it's your wedding and you can play/not play whatever you want. Just remember there's plenty of junk music out there and a Do Not Play list can help any band or DJ get a sense of who you are as a couple!

Sarah and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Pravada Photography

-Amanda

How to Choose a Playlist for Your Wedding

Jason from Synergetic Sound & Lighting
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

Wedding music has changed a lot over the past few years. As with most things wedding related, there is a lot of leeway- and while there are traditional aspects to a lot of weddings, many of them are making way for more modern equivalents.

It used to be you heard mostly classical music during wedding ceremonies. Some of the more traditional processional songs are, The Wedding March, Pachelbel's Canon in D, and Trumpet Voluntary. I still hear a decent amount of classical/traditional music, but more and more couples are choosing contemporary songs that have special meaning to them and their relationship. So if you have more than one song that is important to you as a couple, consider using one during your ceremony as the song for the recessional. 

Also, if you're not really into classical music and would rather use more current music, talk to your DJ- they'll be able to give you some suggestions as to what might work for the different parts of the processional as well as the recessional. At one wedding I was at, the bride walked down the aisle to In My Life by The Beatles. I also think that Marry Me by Train and, The Luckiest by Ben Folds, would make beautiful bridal processional songs- although they are both popping up as first dance songs. 

Matt from Synergetic Sound & Lighting
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Childress Photography

When it comes to reception music there are millions of possibilities. A good place to start is to hire a DJ that you trust. Of course you'll have songs you'll definitely want played and others that won't want played, but by hiring a DJ you trust, who can read your crowd, you take a lot of pressure off of yourself. You have so many other things to do when it comes to planning the wedding that you don't need to spend a ton of time choosing an entire night worth of music. Focus on your introductions, your first dance, your parent dances, your cake cutting and music for the bouquet and garter toss if you choose to do them. 

If you do want to make a list of some songs you'd like to hear throughout the night, consider your guests when making your decisions. If you have a mostly older crowd, a lot of rap might not go over well. But if you have a good DJ, they will find a way to work in a few rap songs that you like, while keeping everyone else dancing and having a good time. 

The most important thing is to have a good time. If there are specific songs that will add to you enjoying yourselves, then definitely make sure they're played. But if you're not set on any specific songs for dinner or dancing, then let your DJ do their job and have fun dancing the night away!

-Becky