Franklin Dean
Music is an integral part of any wedding, and creating the perfect playlist can be a daunting task. Whether you're opting for a DIY approach or hiring a professional DJ or band, a well-crafted playlist can make or break your wedding reception. From mixing genres to including a variety of fast and slow songs, there's an art to curating a playlist that will keep your guests entertained and dancing. In this discussion, we will explore the process of creating a wedding playlist, from deciding on the overall vibe to involving your guests in the music selection process. We'll also offer tips on how to balance your favourite songs with crowd-pleasers and ensure that your wedding playlist reflects your unique musical tastes while keeping the energy high throughout the event.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Music Platform | Spotify, iTunes, YouTube, Pandora |
| Playlist Sharing | Share playlists with guests to gather suggestions |
| Playlist Creation | DIY, DJ, Band |
| Music Genre | Wedding classics, current hits, fast-paced, slow dance, eclectic |
| Timing | Welcome drinks, ceremony, drinks reception, dinner, after-party |
| Number of Songs | 4-15 songs for the ceremony, 30 for the drinks reception, 15 for welcome drinks, 1.5 hours of music for a 1-hour dinner |
| Vibe | Upbeat, feel-good, sappy, emotional, dance music |
| Must-Haves | Songs that remind you of each other, significant moments, crowd-pleasers |
| Do Not Play | Songs that are too lyrical, overplayed, or may trigger bad memories |
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What You'll Learn
Involving your guests
Ask for Song Requests
Asking your guests to submit song requests in advance of the wedding is a great way to involve them in the music selection. You can include a link to a Google Form on your wedding website or send it out via email. This way, you'll get an idea of the songs your guests would like to hear and can try to accommodate their requests. It's a fun way to get your guests excited about the reception and takes some of the planning burdens off your shoulders.
Collaborative Playlists
Utilise technology by creating collaborative playlists on music platforms such as Spotify. Share the playlist with your friends and family, allowing them to add their favourite songs. This can be a fun way to involve your guests and give you a diverse selection of music. You can also use collaborative playlists to gather song requests if you don't want to create a separate form.
Include a Mix of Genres
Your guest list likely includes people from multiple generations and diverse backgrounds, so it's important to cater to different musical tastes. Include a mix of genres, such as pop, country, rock, and hip-hop, to appeal to a wide range of guests. Embrace the crossover of genres and don't be afraid to mix things up! This ensures that everyone hears something they recognise and enjoys.
Throwback Tunes
Include some throwback tunes that are reminiscent of a particular time and place. For example, you could create a collaborative playlist of songs that were popular when you and your spouse first met. This will evoke nostalgia and create a sense of familiarity for your guests, especially those who were part of that time in your life.
Sing-Along Tunes
Towards the climax of the evening, switch to some classic sing-along tunes that everyone knows by heart. Songs like "Sweet Caroline" and "Red Red Wine" are perfect for getting your guests to belt out the lyrics. It's a fun way to get everyone involved and create lasting memories.
By involving your guests in the music selection, you'll create a diverse and inclusive atmosphere that caters to different tastes and generations. Remember, the key is to ensure your guests have a great time and share memorable moments with you on the dance floor!
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Deciding on a DJ or band
Deciding between a DJ and a band for your wedding can be a difficult choice. There are a few factors to consider when making this decision. Firstly, the type of music you want to be played at your wedding is important. If you have a particular style in mind, such as a string quartet or a rockin' country band, this may influence your decision. For example, big band sounds are generally best played live.
Secondly, the atmosphere you want to create is key. A DJ can seamlessly switch between genres and styles, creating a versatile playlist and building energy throughout the night. On the other hand, a band can provide a unique, live rendition of songs, adding a special touch. However, a band may need to take breaks, whereas a DJ can play continuously.
Thirdly, the cost is an important consideration. Bands can be anywhere from four to ten times more expensive than a professional DJ. However, there may be exceptions where a sought-after DJ could be equally as expensive, or even pricier, than a band. It is worth noting that a DJ may charge extra for additional services such as MC'ing and providing extra microphones.
Another factor to keep in mind is space. A DJ requires very little space and can easily set up in most venues, whereas a band may need a larger area and could have more equipment restrictions.
Ultimately, the decision between a DJ and a band is a personal one and depends on your specific wedding vision and budget. If you are unable to decide, there is also the option to have both! You could have a DJ play during a band's breaks, or even hire a fusion band that combines a DJ with live instruments, giving you the best of both worlds.
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Creating a 'do-not-play' list
While creating a playlist for your wedding, it is important to have a 'do-not-play' list along with your 'must-play' list. This is to ensure that your wedding band or DJ doesn't play songs that you don't like.
The 'do-not-play' list is a list of songs that you would rather not hear at your wedding. It could include songs that conflict with your wedding's theme, tastes, or values. For example, you may want to avoid songs that are controversial or offensive to any community member. It could also include songs that are too generic or cheesy, overplayed, or inappropriate. You may also want to avoid songs that are too high-energy, especially if your wedding has mostly older folks in attendance.
When creating your 'do-not-play' list, it's important to consider the overall vibe you want for your wedding and the musical journey you'll be taking your guests on. You don't want to give your DJ or band a list that's too long, as it inhibits their ability to use their natural talents and read the room. Instead, focus on the songs that you absolutely do not want to hear.
Some examples of songs that are commonly included on 'do-not-play' lists are "The Chicken Dance", "The Macarena", "YMCA", "Play That Funky Music", "Baby Got Back", and "Single Ladies". You may also want to avoid line dances like "The Wobble", "The Cha-Cha Slide", and "The Cupid Shuffle", as well as songs by artists such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, and Mariah Carey.
Remember, the 'do-not-play' list is just as important as the 'must-play' list, so take the time to consider the songs that you and your partner truly dislike and communicate them clearly to your DJ or band.
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Choosing songs for different parts of the day
Music is a crucial part of setting the tone for your wedding and keeping your guests entertained. From the ceremony to the cocktail hour, reception, and after-party, here are some tips for choosing songs for each part of your special day.
Ceremony
The ceremony is often an elegant and tear-jerkingly beautiful affair, so you might want to opt for classical ceremony compositions or romantic ballads for this part of the day. For instance, Johann Sebastian Bach's "Unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major: Prelude, BWV 1007" or Pachelbel's Canon.
Cocktail Hour
The cocktail hour is a social interlude where your guests can mix and mingle. You can choose feel-good songs from a range of genres, such as Motown, Frank Sinatra, or Fleetwood Mac.
Reception
The reception is all about celebrating and getting your guests excited, so it's essential to create a playlist that caters to a range of tastes and ages. You can mix up the genres, playing a combination of fast and slow beats to keep things interesting. It's a good idea to include some classic love songs, Top 40 hits, and even some cheesy, universally beloved songs to get everyone on the dance floor. For instance, "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mya, and Pink ft. Missy Elliot, or "Drunk in Love" by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z.
After-Party
The after-party is when you can really let loose with some bangers and hits that everyone will love. This is the time to play those songs that might be a little too wild for your parents or older relatives!
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Using music platforms for inspiration
Music platforms can be a great source of inspiration when creating a wedding playlist. Spotify, for example, has a wide range of pre-set playlists that can be edited and customised. You can also create collaborative playlists on Spotify, allowing your family and friends to add their suggestions.
My Wedding Songs is another app that helps you find songs and create your wedding playlist, with lists of artist and song titles. The app is available for Android devices through Google Play and on Amazon.
You can also ask friends and family for song suggestions to add to your playlist. This can be done by creating a Google Form for guests to submit their requests, or by asking them to come up with 5-10 songs each.
When choosing songs, it's important to include a mix of genres and tempos to cater to different tastes. You can include modern covers of vintage songs, or throwbacks to when you and your partner first met. It's also a good idea to include some current hits to engage your guests.
Don't forget to also consider the runtime of your playlist. For a wedding party, you'll need around 60-70 songs to cover 3-5 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Creating a wedding playlist is an art form. You can use music platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Pandora, which have pre-made wedding playlists that you can play as they are or edit to your liking. Alternatively, you can create your own from scratch.
Hiring a DJ or band can be expensive, but it will save you time and stress. They will handle the logistics, timing, and MC’ing, and they will be able to read the room and use their expertise to select the right music. If you decide to create your own playlist, you will need to appoint someone to be in control of the music throughout the event.
Your wedding playlist should include a mix of songs that you and your partner love, as well as classic love songs, current hits, and some cheesy sing-along songs. You can also ask your guests to contribute song suggestions, ensuring that there will be something for everyone.
The length of your wedding playlist will depend on the length of your reception, typically ranging from 3 to 5 hours. You should also consider the timing of certain songs to match the energy and emotion of different parts of the event, such as the welcome drinks, ceremony, and dinner.
It is important to communicate your musical preferences and any specific must-play and do-not-play songs to your wedding band or DJ. While they will use their expertise to read the room and adjust the music accordingly, providing them with a general guideline will help ensure that your favourite songs are played and any disliked songs are avoided.
