Lyla Dejesus
Music is an integral part of any wedding, and creating the perfect playlist can be a daunting task. Couples should aim to create a playlist that reflects their personal style and taste, while also considering the preferences of their guests. The length of a wedding playlist will depend on the duration of the wedding and the number of songs selected. On average, a wedding playlist should include 60 to 100 songs, with room for adjustments based on personal preferences and the flow of the event.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal Length of Wedding Playlist | 3-5 hours |
| Number of Songs | 60-100 songs |
| Song Length | 3 minutes on average |
| Pre-Ceremony Playlist | 12-15 songs for 45 minutes |
| Cocktail Hour Playlist | 20-25 songs for 1 hour |
| Dinner Playlist | 12-15 songs for 45 minutes |
| Reception Playlist | 100 songs for 3 hours |
| Welcome Drinks Playlist | 15 songs for 1 hour |
| Ceremony Playlist | 4 songs for 15-20 minutes |
| Drinks Reception Playlist | 30 songs for 2 hours |
| Party Playlist | 60-70 songs for 3-5 hours |
| "Must-Play" List | 10-15 songs |
| "Do-Not-Play" List | Songs with explicit lyrics, violent themes, or controversial styles |
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What You'll Learn
'Must-play' and 'do not play' lists
The length of a wedding playlist depends on how long you want it to play for during your wedding. Some couples create a playlist that covers the entire span of their wedding, from setup to teardown, with an extra 30 to 60 minutes. Others create a playlist that is about 4.5 hours long, or 5 to 6 hours long, depending on the duration of the party.
When it comes to crafting the perfect wedding music playlist, it's important to select songs that resonate with you and your partner. Start by visualizing your dream wedding and the songs that would create the desired atmosphere. There are no rules; choose music that reflects your personal style and taste, whether it's contemporary, traditional, or something in between.
Must-Play Lists
To ensure your wedding DJ plays the songs you love, provide them with a list of your favourite songs. You can also ask your DJ for suggestions and discuss any specific songs you want included. Must-play songs can include those that are special to you and your partner, such as "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield, or songs that are popular with your friends and family, like "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers.
Do Not Play Lists
In addition to your must-play list, it's essential to create a "do not play" list to communicate the songs and types of music you want to avoid. These can include songs that are overplayed, cheesy, or inappropriate for a wedding. Some common songs on "do not play" lists include:
- "The Chicken Dance"
- "Single Ladies" by Beyoncé
- "Electric Slide"
- "The Cupid Shuffle"
- "Wobble" by V.I.C.
- "Cha-Cha Slide"
- "Macarena"
- "Cotton Eye Joe" by Rednex
- "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO
- "Happy"
- "Sweet Caroline"
- "My Way" by Frank Sinatra
- "Let Her Go" by Passenger
- "Who Let the Dogs Out"
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Songs for different parts of the day
The music you play at your wedding will set the tone for the entire event. From getting ready with your bridal party to the very last song of the night, your wedding music will create an atmosphere and bring out beautiful emotions.
Getting Ready
As you get ready with your bridal party, you'll want to set the mood with some fun songs. Keep your audience in mind—if you have family members of different ages getting ready with you, try to keep the music PG. If it's just you and your bridal party, you can blast some Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion to get in the groove.
Guest Arrival
As your guests arrive at the ceremony location, it's nice to have some background music playing, also known as prelude music. You'll want to play calm, relaxing music that sets the mood without distracting anyone. Think acoustic covers of popular songs to make your guests feel extra fancy.
Aisle Walk
The song you walk down the aisle to will be one you remember for the rest of your life. You'll want tunes that hit people right in the feels—think slow, emotional, and romantic. You may also want to choose different songs for the bridal party and the groomsmen.
Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour is the perfect time to set a relaxed and inviting atmosphere while guests mingle and enjoy their drinks. You can play some of your favourite songs—whether it's adult contemporary, alternative rock, classic rock, reggae, or Top 40.
Reception
The reception is where you can really let loose and celebrate. Play high-energy tunes and sing-along anthems that will keep the party alive. As the night goes on, keep the energy high with late-night party anthems, and don't forget to include a special song for that final, unforgettable dance.
The length of your wedding playlist will depend on the length of your reception. On average, songs are about 3 minutes long, so for a 5-hour reception, you'll need about 100 songs. However, it's always good to have extra songs just in case, and with streaming platforms like Spotify, you can create a playlist that's longer than you need without worrying about it ending too soon.
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How to decide on a song length
The length of each song in your wedding playlist is an important consideration. While there are no rules when selecting music for your wedding, there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on song length.
First, consider the overall length of your wedding reception and the number of songs you want to include. A good rule of thumb is to have 18 songs per hour for continuous dance music. For a 4-5 hour reception, this would translate to roughly 70-100 songs. Keep in mind that you will need to subtract "talking time" for things like toasts, blessings, and other formalities.
Second, think about the flow of your wedding and the energy you want to create at different points. For example, you may want more upbeat and fast-paced songs during the welcome drinks and reception, while opting for slower songs during the ceremony and dinner. This can help you determine the length of each song, as faster songs may be shorter, while slower songs may be longer.
Third, consider the preferences of your guests. While it's important to choose songs that you and your spouse enjoy, keep in mind that your guests may have different musical tastes. Try to include a mix of new and old songs, as well as hits from past generations to cater to a wider range of ages and tastes.
Finally, don't be afraid to delegate! Asking your guests to contribute song requests can take some pressure off of you and ensure that there will be songs that everyone will enjoy. You can also provide your wedding DJ with a "must-play" and "do-not-play" list, allowing them to fill in the rest with their expertise.
Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and create a playlist that reflects your personal style and taste. With a little planning and flexibility, you can create the perfect wedding playlist that will keep your guests entertained and create lasting memories.
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Picking songs with your partner
The most meaningful way of creating a wedding playlist is to make it as personal as possible. Dedicate some time to sit down with your partner and start building a playlist that reflects your relationship. You'll both immediately begin thinking of songs that remind you of each other and significant moments.
Visualise your dream wedding. What are you and your wedding party wearing? What do your ceremony and reception venues look like? Now, stop and listen closely, what music do you hear? Music plays an integral part in the success of any wedding. From the first note of the ceremony prelude music to the last dance of the night, the music creates the atmosphere for your wedding.
There are no rules when selecting music for your wedding. Pick something you and your partner enjoy, whether it be contemporary, traditional or somewhere in between. You may have a particular style or genre of music that you prefer, but it's best to be a little flexible. Your priority should be creating memories, but those memories will consist of your guests having a good time too. So, consider including some songs that will get everyone on the dance floor. Hit songs from past generations will definitely connect with more than a few of your friends and relatives. Golden oldies tend to stir memories of their own relationships, growing up, high school, fun, and a lot more.
You probably don’t want your wedding day to be a downer, so when creating your wedding playlist, it’s always wise to include a list of music that shouldn’t be played. This would include anything overly negative, with lyrics that curse too much, violent themes, and controversial styles. It’s a good idea to have a discussion with your partner. There could be a song that seems innocent enough, but you or your spouse may connect it to a time in your life that you do not want to revisit on your wedding day.
Asking your guests to contribute to a wedding playlist lifts a lot of weight off of your shoulders. It also ensures that there will be songs that everyone will enjoy. Point them towards your wedding website where they can leave suggestions. If they are technologically savvy, leave a link to Spotify or another platform where they can add the songs themselves. You are the final decision-maker, so feel free to edit the list as you see fit.
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Asking guests for song suggestions
Asking your guests for song suggestions is a fun way to involve them in the wedding planning process and ensure that the music played at your wedding is to their liking. Here are some tips to consider when asking your guests for song suggestions:
Manage Expectations
Let your guests know that you are looking for song suggestions to help guide the music selection and that not all songs may be played. This will help manage their expectations and avoid any disappointment if their song is not played. You could also suggest that they include a note with their song request explaining its special relevance to them, so it gets proper attention.
Provide Clear Instructions
When asking for song suggestions, be clear about the number of songs you would like each guest to suggest. For example, you could ask each guest to suggest one or two songs on their RSVP cards. This will help you gather a diverse range of songs without being overwhelmed by too many suggestions.
Use Digital Tools
If you have a wedding website, you can include a comment section or a song request form for guests to submit their suggestions. Alternatively, you could direct them to a collaborative Spotify playlist where they can add their song suggestions. Digital tools can make it easier for guests to submit their suggestions and for you to manage and organize the song requests.
Consider the Length of the Playlist
Keep in mind the length of your wedding and the number of songs you will need to fill that time. On average, a song is about 3 minutes long, so for a 4-5 hour reception, you may need around 60-100 songs. You can also create separate playlists for different parts of the wedding, such as the pre-ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception.
Curate the Suggestions
Once you have gathered all the song suggestions from your guests, take the time to curate the playlist. You may not want to include every song suggested, and that's okay! Choose the songs that fit the atmosphere and theme of your wedding and create a diverse and engaging playlist.
Remember, while it is great to involve your guests in the music selection process, ultimately, the music played at your wedding should reflect your taste and style as a couple. Don't be afraid to infuse your personality into the playlist and make it truly yours!
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Frequently asked questions
A good rule of thumb is to have 18 songs per hour for continuous dance music. For a 4-hour reception, this equates to roughly 72 songs. However, you should subtract "talking time" for things like toasts, blessings, and bouquet and garter tosses.
Target 15 songs, with an average play length of 3 minutes, that are upbeat and will get your guests' toes tapping.
The most meaningful way of creating a wedding playlist is to make it as personal as possible. Dedicate time to sit down with your partner and start building a list of songs that remind you of each other and significant moments. You can also ask your guests to contribute to ensure there's something for everyone.
