Wanna Dance?

As I am getting ready to DJ an amazing wedding this Friday, always taking sales calls, and, of course,answering slews of questions regarding music and dancing, I thought I would post a few items to help couples blend their own tastes of music with a packed dance floor.


How do I know my DJ will play the music I want?

Honestly, after you choose your DJ and the agreement, you can only trust them. (The importance of hiring a great DJ versus a cheap DJ) I have a friend who is getting married in December and she absolutely, unequivocally did not want a DJ. A band wasn't an option for her either, she wanted her music, her way, and was terrified of a DJ being cheesy or not playing her music. She has since hired a fantastic DJ in Dallas at my encouragement. But this is what I am having her do, in order to assuage her concerns and it is what I am doing for my own wedding, because music is what I love.
She is creating a list of music she wants played. Each hour the DJ will play about 15 to 20 songs, so limit the song list to the hours needed. Here is her template she asked me to create for her including the ceremony:

Prelude music: lasts around 30 minutes: The DJ will play about 10 songs but will need about 15 songs in case the time line doesn't go according to plan. If you want classical music for your ceremony then keep with classical for the prelude.

Ceremony music:
1. A song for escorting the mothers and grandmothers down the aisle.
2. A song for the Bridal Party
3. Processional ( a song for the Bride)
4. Unity Candle, Seven Blessing, Sand Ceremony, etc
5. Recessional (the entire wedding party leaving the ceremony)


Cocktail Music: While you are taking pictures with your bridal party and family, your guests will be listening to about 30 minutes of music while enjoying each other and scrumptious appetizers. The DJ will only play about 10 songs, but will again need about 15 in case your photographer wants you a bit longer. Cocktail and dinner music should be fun and upbeat (no classical), while allowing your guests the opportunity to speak clearly. The ceremony, cocktail, and dinner music are all great places to strategically place your own tunes that might fall flat on your dance floor. Ideas are: classic jazz such as Frank Sinatra, Texas Country Music, Alternative, some of your favorite underground indie rock, or even a mix of favorites from the Rolling Stones or the Doors, whatever your fancy.

Dinner Music: You will need about 25 to 30 songs for your dinner music. Dinner will last approximately an hour, and you might only have time for 20 songs, but your DJ will need more, just in case!

Specialty Dances: (Tip: Stick to 2 no more than three of these, your guests don't care and won't be watching)
First Dance
Father/Daughter
Mother/Son
Wedding Party
Parents Dance

Dance Music: Your DJ will need about 20 songs per hour. However, I recommend giving your DJ a DO NOT PLAY LIST, and letting your guests request songs within reason. If the most important thing is that your guests dance, go ahead and give them those solid 70's and 80's jams.

Songs you might have fun choosing, but most of the time people let the DJ do this job: Cake Cutting, Bouquet, Garter, the Last Dance and the introduction song.

How do I get my guests to Dance?
1. If the bride and groom are on the dance floor, then the people will come.
2. Don't get a huge dance floor, make it smaller.
3. Invite the capacity of people permitted in your venue. The energy of a packed room helps.
4. Play the music appropriate to your crowd. e.g. I love Texas country music, but only three people will actually dance to that at our wedding, so I am sadly nixing local Austin music from our list of songs.
5. Meet with your DJ and go over icebreakers. You might be surprised to find there are many icebreakers without the cheese!
6. When your DJ says "This particular song may not get people dancing" Listen to him/her.

You can send this music to your DJ and they should be able to buy it or burn the music to lots of CDS and give it to them.

(Song suggestions coming soon)