Creating A Wedding Dance Playlist: Music For Every Guest

A wedding playlist is an important feature of any wedding. It sets the mood, inspires dance, and acts as the soundtrack to all the memories being made. A good wedding playlist should consist of songs the couple loves and songs their guests will enjoy.

There are many ways to create a memorable wedding playlist. One way is to make it as personal as possible by including songs that remind the couple and their guests of significant moments. Another way is to use music platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Pandora, which have wedding playlists that can be played as they are or edited to create a unique playlist.

It is also important to consider the flow of the wedding and the different moods and moments that will require different songs. For example, the welcome drinks period should have upbeat songs, while the ceremony should have happy, sweet songs without too many lyrics. The reception is a good time for familiar songs that are fun but not overly dance-oriented, and the first dance song should be slow and romantic, although modern couples are increasingly choosing faster songs.

To ensure the wedding playlist is well-rounded, it should include a mix of fast and slow songs, new and old, and different genres to appeal to guests of all ages and backgrounds. It is also essential to consider which songs to avoid, such as those with negative lyrics or that may trigger unwanted memories.

Creating a wedding playlist can be a fun and meaningful part of planning a wedding, and it will undoubtedly play a crucial role in making the day memorable.

Choosing Songs Together with Your Fiancé(e)

Choosing songs for your wedding playlist is a fun task to do with your fiancé(e). It is a meaningful way to make your wedding day personal to you and your spouse. Here are some tips for choosing songs together:

Make it personal

Sit down with your fiancé(e) and start building a list of songs that remind you of each other and significant moments in your relationship. These songs could be about past memories, inside jokes, or just songs that you both love.

Ask your guests for suggestions

Asking your guests to contribute to your wedding playlist will ensure there will be songs that everyone will enjoy. You can point them to your wedding website or a platform like Spotify where they can leave suggestions. You can also create a shared playlist that guests can add songs to. As the host, you can edit the list as you see fit.

Use music platforms for inspiration

Music platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Pandora have wedding playlists that you can play as they are, filter and edit, or combine to make your own. You can also use songs from films, books, or plays that fit your wedding theme.

Categorize the day

Each event throughout your wedding day is meant to portray a certain energy and emotion. Matching mini-playlists to these events will ensure you hit the right note and have the right songs playing at the right time. For example, you might want upbeat songs during welcome drinks, slow and romantic songs for the ceremony, and fun but not overly dance-oriented songs for the drinks reception.

Consider your guests

While it's important to choose songs that you and your fiancé(e) love, it's also important to consider your guests' enjoyment. Include songs that will be familiar to your guests, such as hit songs from past generations, and a mix of different genres to cater to different tastes. You can also poll your guests beforehand on what songs they'd like to hear.

Avoid certain themes

While it's ultimately up to you and your fiancé(e) to decide, it's generally best to avoid songs that focus on the negatives of love or heartbreak on your wedding day.

Asking Guests for Contributions

Asking your wedding guests to contribute to your playlist is a great way to ensure that everyone will enjoy the music. It also takes some of the pressure off of you and your partner to come up with a list of songs all by yourselves.

There are several ways to go about asking your guests for song requests. One way is to point them towards your wedding website, where they can leave suggestions. If they are tech-savvy, you can leave a link to a platform like Spotify or Google Sheets, where they can add songs themselves. You can also include a song request section on your wedding invitations or RSVP cards. This could be as simple as "We're taking requests! Let us know if there is a song you'd like to hear" or "I will dance at your wedding if you play this song: _____". You could even get creative and write something like "What song will get you on the dance floor? ______________".

If you don't want to include a song request section on your invitations or RSVP cards, you could create separate business cards with a song request section and hand them out to your guests. Alternatively, you could set up a station next to the DJ booth at your wedding where guests can write down their requests.

While it's a good idea to take your guests' music preferences into account, remember that you can't please everyone. You may want to include a disclaimer that not every song will be played, and you are the final decision-maker. It's also important to discuss song choices with your partner, as there may be certain songs that hold negative associations for them.

Happy planning, and have fun creating your wedding playlist!

Creating a Playlist Choosing Party

A wedding playlist choosing party is a fun way to involve your guests in building your wedding playlist. Here are some tips to host a successful playlist choosing party:

Invite Your Guests

Weddings are filled with small celebrations in the lead-up to the big day. Take advantage of one of these occasions by making your playlist creation into a party itself. Each of these events is likely to have some background music, which will be useful for testing the waters with your guests.

Get Suggestions from Your Guests

Encourage your guests to suggest songs by dropping their ideas into a hat or directly into a shared Spotify playlist. This way, you'll get a comprehensive list of songs that are meaningful to your guests and will make them feel involved in the wedding planning process.

Provide a Theme or Guidelines

While you want your guests to have fun suggesting songs, it's important to provide some guidelines to ensure the songs fit the mood you want to create at your wedding. For example, you could suggest themes like "songs that remind you of us" or "songs that will get everyone on the dance floor."

Make it a Mix of Old and New

Encourage your guests to suggest songs from a mix of genres and eras. This will create a diverse playlist that appeals to guests of all ages and musical tastes. You can also suggest themes like "oldies but goldies" or "modern classics" to get a range of songs.

Test the Songs

Once you have a list of suggested songs from your guests, take some time to review and test them out. Create a temporary playlist and listen to the songs to ensure they fit the mood you want and that there are no inappropriate lyrics or themes.

Finalise Your Playlist

After reviewing and testing the suggested songs, it's time to finalise your wedding playlist. Combine the guest suggestions with your own personal favourites to create a unique and meaningful playlist for your special day.

Remember, your wedding playlist should ultimately reflect your and your partner's musical tastes and create the atmosphere you want for your wedding. The suggestions from your guests will add a fun and personal touch, ensuring your guests feel involved and creating a memorable celebration.

Using Pre-Curated Playlists from Music Platforms

Choose Your Platform

Select a music platform that suits your needs. Spotify, for example, offers a versatile app with a wide range of pre-set wedding playlists that can be edited and customised. It also allows for collaborative playlists, enabling your family and friends to contribute. However, remember to opt for the premium version to avoid adverts and ensure you have access to WiFi at your venue.

Alternatively, YouTube offers a broad selection of pre-set wedding playlists with videos. While the videos themselves may not be needed, these playlists can save you time and energy. Like Spotify, a good WiFi connection is essential for using YouTube.

If you're an Apple user, iTunes may be a suitable option, especially if you already have your favourite music stored on Apple products.

Edit and Customise

Pre-curated playlists are a fantastic starting point, but adding a personal touch is essential. Sit down with your partner and go through the playlist, making changes to reflect your tastes and the overall mood you want to set. Include songs that hold special meaning for both of you, reflect your personalities, or are significant to your families and friends.

Blend Fast and Slow Songs

A successful wedding dance playlist should cater to different tastes and energy levels. Aim for a mix of fast and slow songs, creating a flow that allows guests to dance energetically and also have moments of rest. A good rule of thumb is to play about 90% upbeat songs and 10% slow songs. This ratio will keep the dance floor packed while providing variety.

Include Classic and Modern Tracks

Appeal to all generations by blending classic hits with modern chart-toppers. From Stevie Wonder to Dua Lipa, a diverse range of music will ensure that everyone, from your college friends to your grandparents, will be tempted to the dance floor.

Love-Themed Tracks

Create a romantic and intimate atmosphere with love-themed songs. These can be slow ballads or more upbeat tunes, but the key is to select songs that reflect the love and commitment you and your partner share.

Stay Up-to-Date

Keep an eye on the latest music trends to ensure your playlist is fresh and exciting. Include the top pop songs of the month, especially if they're upbeat and likely to be familiar to your guests.

Avoid Silence

When DJing your wedding, remember to avoid silence between songs. Seamlessly transition between tracks to maintain the energy and momentum in the room.

Duration of Songs

Generally, playing songs for about 90 to 120 seconds is a good guideline. However, use your discretion, as some songs with classic bridges or last choruses benefit from being played in their entirety.

Categorising Songs for Different Parts of the Wedding

A wedding playlist can be broken down into different parts of the day, from the welcome drinks to the ceremony, drinks reception, first dance, and the wedding party. Here's a guide to help you categorise songs for each part of your wedding:

Welcome Drinks

For the welcome drinks, choose 15 upbeat songs that will get your guests excited and set the tone for the day. These songs should be toe-tappers that create a cheerful and lively atmosphere as your guests arrive and get settled.

Ceremony

The ceremony calls for 4 carefully selected songs that represent your emotions during the wedding. Opt for happy and sweet tunes, but avoid songs with too many lyrics as they can trigger individual emotions in your guests or encourage singing along.

Drinks Reception

The drinks reception is a delicate balance. You want your guests to relax, chat, and enjoy their food, but also stay excited for the dance floor. Choose 30 fun songs that aren't too dance-oriented. Familiar songs that aren't over the top are ideal for this part of the day.

First Dance

The first dance is a special moment, and you only get one shot at it, so choose wisely. Traditionally, this is a slow and romantic song, but some modern couples choose faster songs to impress the crowd with their moves.

Wedding Party

This is where the fun really begins! For the wedding party, create a mix of fast and slow songs, new and old. A good range is 60-70 songs, ensuring you have plenty of music to keep the party going. This is the time to let loose and celebrate with your favourite tunes.

Overall, it's important to include a variety of genres and tempos to cater to different tastes and give your guests a break from dancing. Don't be afraid to mix old classics with new hits and create a playlist that reflects your unique style as a couple.

Frequently asked questions