Without question, you’re going to have music at your wedding reception. But picking out your wedding reception music may be one of the most difficult things you’ll do. With the hundreds of thousands of songs out there, yeah, it can definitely be daunting.
You’ll want songs that you and your fiancé like (it is YOUR wedding, after all). But what about your guests?
Brian Harris, DJ and MC with Brian Harris Entertainment says, “When choosing songs that you want to dance to, think about the guests that you have invited. Try to choose songs that fit their taste in music as well as your own. Typically a wide range from oldies to hip hop will satisfy everybody’s love of music.”
Include a variety of songs (and styles) that will
• please a diverse group of people (from grandma and other elderly guests, to 10 year olds)
and
• keep people on the dance floor, (while making guests feel like they’re at your wedding reception and not out clubbing)
Where to start?
• What songs and music genres do you and your fiancé like (and don’t like)?
• What is the energy level that you want for your reception? Do you want high energy, or more low key?
• Are your guests a “dancing crowd” or do they prefer to sit back, listen to the music, and visit with each other?
Need inspiration?
Sometimes you need more inspiration than just flipping through your CD collection.
DJ Intelligence has compiled multiple music lists based on the most requested songs across the country, including the “Top 200 Most Requested Songs,” the “Top 100 Most Requested DO NOT PLAY Songs,” and the “Top 50 Most Requested First Dances” to help you determine what you want to hear (and don’t want to hear) for your wedding reception music.
So what’s popular in our neck of the woods (Dayton, Ohio)?
Brian Harris also shared the Top 5 Requested Wedding Reception Songs he’s been seeing:
1) Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
2) Justin Timberlake – “Can’t Stop This Feeling”
3) Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing”
4) V.I.C. – “Wobble”
5) Silento – “Watch Me”
and the
Top 5 Do Not Play Wedding Reception Songs are:
1) Chicken Dance
2) Hokey Pokey
3) Village People – “YMCA”
4) Rednex – “Cotton Eyed Joe”
5) Los Del Rio – “Macarena”
Once you’ve selected songs for your wedding reception music, be sure to give your DJ room to go “off script.” Sometimes the songs you’ve picked out (even if they are great songs) just don’t keep guests on the dance floor. A professional DJ knows how to read the crowd and play the music that will have the effect you want.
Brian says, “The less that the DJ’s hands are tied the more fun he/she can make the mix of music throughout the open dancing portion of the evening and keep your guests there even later into the night, which is probably what you really want, right!? :)”
Song titles that he recommends for a great reception include:
1) Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
2) Justin Timberlake – “Can’t Stop This Feeling”
3) Bruno Mars – ” Uptown Funk”
4) KC & the Sunshine Band – ” Boogie Shoes”
5) Usher – “Yeah”
The 2 biggest mistakes couples make when picking out their reception music
1) Choosing way too many songs
We all know nothing stops the momentum of a great party than “dead air” (you know, when the music just stops, and there is nothing playing). To avoid this, you’re probably going to pick out lots of great songs.
But . . .
In reality, a DJ will only be able to play 10 – 15 songs per hour. And at key points of the evening, other things will be going on (ex. announcements, toasts) where there won’t be any music at all. Picking too many songs means you won’t even hear half of what you chose.
2) Wanting all the songs played in a specific order
Don’t try to put all of your chosen wedding reception music is a specified order to be played. During the reception, your DJ may need to omit some songs because there just isn’t enough time to play them all, or change up the order to keep the energy going (or to pop in a slow song or two to give your guests a little breather).
Instead, pick out songs that you really want to hear sometime during the night, as well as songs to be played at specific moments, (you know, the Grand Entrance, the First Dance, and Cutting the Cake). Give your DJ guidelines such as what genres and artists you want played, (or don’t want played), then let him/her work their magic.
So, what kind of wedding reception music do you plan to have? Let me know in the comments below.
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
For more ideas, contact me today at [email protected] or at 937-235-2586 or 937-581-3647!
Photo Credit (Music Notes): angelp / 123RF Stock Photo
Photo Credit (Stack of CDs): gemenacom / 123RF Stock Photo
Fabulous advice!! I think hiring a good DJ who you trust to read the crowd & play what they’d like is key – a good DJ will keep the dance floor hopping where an iPod playlist will definitely fall flat!
Thanks Kara. I agree that having a DJ is the way to go.
What a great article – loved having music choices provided and you can’t go wrong with Bruno Mars of the upbeat Justin Timberlake song 🙂
I love Bruno and Justin. Their music is so happy.
Journey definitely has to be on every playlist for a great party. This was a very helpful to me as a wedding and event planner.
You’re right about Journey. Their music always seems to be a big hit at receptions. Glad you found this helpful.
The Sunshine Band, love it! Love watching with the retro look styles! Awesome blog here!
Back in the day, I had the biggest crush on K.C. Love their music. And it’s perfect for weddings – upbeat and gets people dancing! Glad you like my blog. Please feel free to share and spread the word! Thanks.