Creating A Wedding Playlist: Music For Your Big Day

Music is an integral part of any wedding, setting the tone and inspiring dance moves. While hiring a DJ can be a good option, creating your own wedding playlist can be a fun and meaningful task. Here are some tips to help you craft the perfect playlist for your big day:

- Involve your partner: Making the playlist together is a great way to add a personal touch and ensure that the music reflects both of your tastes. Discuss your favourite songs, any significant memories associated with certain tracks, and the overall atmosphere you want to create.

- Consider your guests: While it's your special day, you also want your guests to have a good time. Include a mix of genres and eras to cater to different tastes. Take suggestions from your guests, either through song request cards or by creating a collaborative playlist on music platforms like Spotify.

- Plan for different parts of the wedding: From the ceremony to the cocktail hour and the first dance, each part of the wedding has a unique vibe. Create mini-playlists for each section, ensuring the music matches the desired mood and energy level.

- Curate with care: When selecting songs, pay attention to the lyrics and avoid anything overly negative or non-romantic. Include a mix of fast and slow songs to keep the energy flowing, and be mindful of any songs that might have personal associations you want to avoid on your wedding day.

- Don't stress: Remember, it's your wedding, and you can't please everyone. Choose songs that resonate with you and your partner, and don't be afraid to include tracks that are meaningful to you, even if they're not typical wedding songs.

DJ vs DIY: The pros and cons of hiring a professional or doing it yourself

The pros of hiring a DJ

If one of your top priorities is having a "killer dance party", then hiring a professional DJ is the way to go. They will take time and stress off your plate by handling the logistics, timing, MC'ing, and troubleshooting any technical issues. They can adjust the volume levels and song selection based on the mood of the crowd and keep the party going.

DJs have a huge selection of music at their fingertips and can switch gears seamlessly. They can also provide tips on dance floor setup and volume control for different phases of the night.

The cons of hiring a DJ

Hiring a DJ can be expensive, and if you have very specific musical tastes or strong opinions about the music, you may be better off creating your own playlist. Additionally, some couples may not want to deal with potentially cheesy or embarrassing announcements and games that some DJs include.

The pros of DIY

Creating your own wedding playlist gives you total control over the music selection. You can include personal touches, such as songs that remind you of each other or significant moments. It can also be a fun activity to do with your fiancé, friends, and family members.

Doing it yourself can also save you money, especially if you borrow equipment from friends or use your own devices.

The cons of DIY

If you choose to DIY, you or someone you assign will be in control of the music throughout the event, which means you need to be prepared and organized. This includes creating separate playlists for each segment of the day, having backups in case of technical issues, and testing your playlist beforehand to ensure it flows well and there are no awkward gaps or transitions.

Additionally, if you are not a hardcore dancer, creating your own playlist may result in less dancing at your reception. A DJ, on the other hand, can help make the dance party happen and keep the energy going.

Whether you decide to hire a DJ or DIY your wedding music, the most important thing is to have fun and create memories. Involve your spouse, family, and friends to make it a team effort and keep your guests entertained.

Collaborating with your fiancé: How to make a playlist with your partner

Creating a wedding playlist can be a fun and meaningful experience for you and your partner. It's a chance to incorporate music that reflects your relationship and tastes while also considering what will create an enjoyable atmosphere for your guests. Here are some tips on how to make a wedding playlist with your fiancé:

Make it personal

The first step is to sit down with your fiancé and start building the playlist together. Discuss the songs that are meaningful to both of you and remind you of each other and significant moments in your relationship. This will make your playlist unique and special.

Consider your guests' preferences

While the playlist should primarily reflect you and your partner's musical tastes, you also want your guests to have a good time. Consider including a mix of genres and eras to cater to different age groups and music preferences. You can also ask your guests for song requests or use a collaborative platform like Spotify to allow them to add suggestions.

Plan for different parts of the wedding

Your wedding day will likely consist of several parts, such as the ceremony, cocktail hour, first dance, and reception. Create mini-playlists for each of these events to ensure the music matches the desired atmosphere and energy level. For example, you might want more upbeat music during the cocktail hour and slower, romantic music for the first dance.

Test and edit your playlist

Once you've compiled a list of songs, take the time to listen through the entire playlist. This will help you identify any awkward transitions, gaps, or moments of silence. You can also use this opportunity to ensure that the songs are in a logical order and create a cohesive flow.

Delegate if needed

Creating a wedding playlist can be time-consuming and daunting, so don't hesitate to delegate tasks or ask for help. You can assign a friend or family member to manage the music during the wedding, ensuring that the playlists are played at the right times and making any necessary adjustments.

Remember, your wedding music is a celebration of your partnership, so enjoy the process of creating a playlist that reflects your love and commitment.

Asking guests for input: Ways to get song requests from your wedding guests

Asking your wedding guests for song requests is a great way to get everyone involved and ensure there will be songs that everyone will enjoy. Here are some ways to get song requests from your wedding guests:

• Add a "song request" section to your RSVPs. This way, you can plan ahead and curate a list of songs that your guests would like to hear.
• Leave music request cards on the dinner tables or DJ booth. This way, guests can write down their song requests and drop them off at a designated place.
• Create a collaborative playlist on music platforms such as Spotify. Share the playlist with your guests, and they can add their song suggestions directly to the playlist.
• Host a playlist-making party with your friends and bridesmaids. Ask everyone to come with 5-10 songs they would like to hear at the wedding. This way, you can have a fun get-together and also get some song ideas for your wedding.
• Point your guests towards your wedding website, where they can leave song suggestions. If they are tech-savvy, you can also leave a link to a music platform such as Spotify, where they can add songs themselves.
• Use a service like Request Now, which allows guests to text in their song requests. This can be a more convenient way to gather requests and avoid having guests come up to the DJ throughout the night.
• If you are sending out physical invitations, include a song request card that guests can fill out and send back with their RSVP.

When it comes to song requests, it is important to find a balance between playing songs that you and your fiancé like and songs that your guests will enjoy. Ultimately, the final decision on the playlist is yours, and you can edit and curate the suggestions as you see fit.

Hosting a playlist-making party: Making a fun event out of choosing songs

Hosting a playlist-making party is a fun way to get song ideas for your wedding and spend quality time with your friends. Here are some tips to make it a success:

Invites

Ask your friends to come with 5-10 songs they'd like to hear at the wedding. That way, even if the party doesn't yield many new ideas, you'll have 30-80 different options to choose from.

Activities

• Have everyone drop their suggestions into a hat or a box. Then, play each song and have everyone vote on their favourites.
• If you want to add a fun twist, turn it into a game. For example, give everyone a certain number of tokens and have them "bet" on the songs they think should make the cut.
• If you're feeling creative, prepare a few themed games and activities. For example, you could have a "lyric scavenger hunt" where guests have to find and collect items with specific lyrics from your wedding songs. Or, have a "finish the lyric" quiz where you play a snippet of a song and have everyone try to finish the line.

Food and drinks

No party is complete without refreshments! Prepare some snacks and drinks for your guests to enjoy while they brainstorm song ideas. If you want to make it extra special, you could even create a signature cocktail for the occasion.

Location and atmosphere

Choose a fun location for your party, such as a bar or a restaurant. If the weather is nice, consider hosting it outdoors in a park or a garden. To set the mood, create a playlist of songs that get everyone excited and happy. You could even decorate the venue with wedding-themed decorations to get everyone in the wedding spirit!

Using music platforms: How to use Spotify, Pandora, etc. to your advantage

Music platforms such as Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube can be a great help when it comes to creating your wedding playlist. They can be used in several ways, from providing inspiration to being the source of the music on the day.

Finding inspiration

Music platforms can be a great source of inspiration when it comes to choosing songs for your wedding. Many have wedding-specific playlists already curated, which you can use as they are, or edit and adapt to your tastes. You can also search for songs that fit a certain theme, such as music from a particular decade, or songs from films or plays.

Creating your own playlist

You can also create your own playlist from scratch, compiling all of your favourite classic love songs, and having total control over what songs play. This can be a fun activity for you and your fiancé to do together, and you can also ask your wedding guests for song requests to add to your playlist.

Practicalities of using music platforms on the day

If you do decide to use a music platform on the day, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you will need to make sure you have a good sound system, and that you have tested it thoroughly beforehand. You will also need to make sure that you have a backup plan in case of technical issues, and that you have someone you can depend on in charge of the music. It is also a good idea to save your playlists to multiple devices, and to actually save the songs to the devices rather than relying on a Wi-Fi connection.

Frequently asked questions