Should you actually make a wedding playlist? We’re not talking about the songs you might listen to while getting ready or the day of. Today, we’re discussing if you need to make a playlist of songs for your wedding ceremony and reception.
Or can you leave that up to a DJ to take care of? Well, it depends. So, let’s dive in and find out why making a wedding playlist is important.
What Does a DJ Do at a Wedding?
A wedding DJ typically is in charge of all the music during your wedding. If you have a ceremony in a different location than your reception, they may or may not cover that part.
They’ll play the music for the first dances, the party time, and all the other music needed at a wedding. Sometimes, that’ll include the wedding aisle entrance and exits.
However, they can also sometimes serve as an MC for the night. An MC or master of ceremonies may introduce the couple’s entrance, get people up on the dance floor, and introduce different events for the night.
Not all DJs will serve as an MC, too, but the best ones will. They’ll help make your wedding a party.
Why You Need to Make a Wedding Playlist
If you hire an experienced wedding DJ, they’ll likely have several playlists ready to go. However, with the wide variety of music and the personalities and interests of the couple, the DJ’s picks may not suit every couple.
Some couples may love country music, while others hate it. So it is important to discuss with your partner and potential DJ what music you want played at your wedding. Now, this is why it’s good to create your own playlist.
You may have certain songs that are special to you and your fiance. Or you may have ones that really make you get up and dance. Making your own playlist to give to your DJ can ensure that they play the music you want to hear and will love. It also makes it more unique and special to you.
My Biggest Regret With My Wedding Music Playlist
My biggest wedding music regret during my reception was not reviewing the music the DJ chose for our wedding. I let my husband coordinate that, other than the first dance and ceremony music. But otherwise, for the dance party, I didn’t really care. Boy, do I regret that!
I realized at the end of the night I hardly danced with my new husband at all. I wish I had included more slow dance time intermingled with the upbeat songs.
It would have been a lovely chance to check in on each other and share an intimate moment during the chaos of the day. That’s why I encourage you to actually create a playlist with a good mix of songs.
Because we were combining cultures (and having the wedding in Peru), I wanted our guests to enjoy music they would typically have at weddings. However, you should also include music you like and want to dance to.
The Best Pro Tip for Making Your Wedding Music Playlist
My pro tip is to start creating a list of music a couple of years before your wedding. Anytime you hear a lovely or fun song, write it down on a note on your phone. Then, by the time your wedding comes around, you’ll already have a playlist of great wedding music.
This can save you a ton of time and stress. Have your boyfriend or fiance start to do this, too. Then you can have music you both love.
One of the main reasons I didn’t care about the music is because I had enough to stress about and do already. This also takes some pressure off your DJ because they’ll know what songs to include and can even find more based on your preferences. It can help them curate a wedding playlist that you’ll actually love and want to dance to.
What Songs Do You Need to Include in a Wedding Playlist
Music plays an important role in signaling a change of events and the mood at a wedding. A wedding without music will likely feel boring and dull. Here are some types of songs you’ll want to add to your wedding music playlist.
Walking Down the Aisle
The most common wedding song is “Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.” But you can play whatever song you like when you walk down the aisle. You can even have different songs played for the entrance of your guests, the bridal party, and the bride.
At my wedding, I had one song play for the bridal party; then, it transitioned into another one when I was about to enter. It signaled everyone to stand up as well.
Leaving the Altar
Now, after the ceremony, you may play a song as you leave the altar. This can make for a fun photo and video moment as well. It can also be nice as guests transition into the reception space if nearby.
You can also just replay the song you walked down to. Or some couples choose to do a medley of that song with an upbeat one to transition.
First Dances
The first dance with you and your new spouse can be a very special and intimate moment. If you choose to do one, you may want to find a song that feels special to you both.
If you don’t have a couple song (as most don’t), you can find many romantic songs to dance to. We chose a medley of “Still the One” and “From This Moment On” because it captured our romance well.
Also, you don’t have to choose a slow song for your first dance. Some couples mix it up and do a choreographed dance to a pop hit.
In addition to the first dance, you may also want to include songs for the daddy-daughter dance, mother-son dance, and others.
Favorite Songs
You should include your favorite songs on your wedding playlist. Enjoy your wedding and dance to music that you love. This will also make your reception party more unique and fun. Guests can tell if you love a certain song and will want to dance with you.
Slow Dances
You should also include some slow dance music on your wedding playlist. Not everyone likes to dance to pop music, but may enjoy slow dances with their partners. Your grandparents or older guests may also enjoy a moment to slow dance with each other.
This also makes a perfect moment for you to get together with your new husband again and have more time to dance together. Slow dances also give you time to talk to each other and check-in.
Line Dances
Some people don’t know how or don’t like to dance. But line dances can be fun ways to get everyone on their feet and party.
Line dances may include anything from the “Electric Slide” to country line dances. This can also include songs everyone knows the moves to, like the “YMCA” or the “Macarena.”
Private Last-Dance Song
I highly recommend a private last-dance song as guests prepare for the send-off. Add another special and intimate song to your wedding playlist. Then at the end of the night, you can share this private time together.
You can share your favorite parts of the night and express your love and joy without people watching. However, this isn’t always feasible if your guests don’t have another place to go. We couldn’t have a private last dance because of the way our reception space was set up.
How to Coordinate With Your Wedding DJ
After creating your wedding playlist, you’ll need to coordinate with your wedding DJ. These suggestions can help you find the right one. It can also help ensure they know exactly what you expect. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Ask Questions
It’s important to ask lots of questions before hiring your DJ, in addition to what they charge, how long they work, and what they’ll play.
You may want to know what their style is like, if they’ll take song requests, and if they have all the equipment needed. Importantly, you’ll want to ask about their cancellation policy, liability coverage, and insurance.
And remember, your vendors are people, too. Some weddings can last eight hours. So you may want to ask how many breaks they’ll need and how they plan to fill that time.
Clarify Their Duties
You will want to clarify their duties and what they will and won’t provide. For example, our DJ didn’t do any MCing. That meant we had to get another person to MC our wedding and discuss when each part would take place.
Additionally, clarify what you want them to do. For example, I wanted to do a first dance with my dad for half of the song and then have the DJ invite other dads and daughters on the dance floor to join us.
Instead, he played the same song twice. It felt awkward as that wasn’t how I wanted it to go. I should have clarified.
Ask to Review the Final Wedding Playlist in Advance
Not all DJs will have your same preferences or standards. They may have vulgar music on a premade playlist that you don’t want to play at your wedding.
You should always ask to review their final playlist. Make sure it includes the songs you specifically asked for. And look for anything you want removed.
If you have any questions or concerns, let your DJ know. If you have a bridesmaid or other person help with this, clarify your expectations and standards with them. Let them know what to look for as well.
Does Your Wedding Music Playlist Really Matter
Does your wedding music playlist really matter? Well, this depends on the person and the type of reception party you want to have. Perhaps one or two songs and special dances will be meaningful and memorable.
However, the rest of the night, if the DJ didn’t play a song or two you requested, it may not make much difference to some. But for others, the music may be an important part of their night.
So, if you love music and dancing, you’ll want to have great music. If you want people to have a fun and memorable night, the right wedding playlist and DJ can make all the difference.
So what do you think? Will you make a wedding playlist for your big day?
Love, Laurel
