Playlists and Wedding Music for your Day!

by | Party Music, Party Services

The Wedding Playlist – Saviour or Not?

As a Wedding DJ, I’m often asked to play many varied styles (check out THIS article).  Of course, the party classics often get an airing, but many parties will have their own particular favorites.

Your DJ will have 1 thing in common with you.  They want an awesome party!

They want bragging rights that they had a great one, people dancing and singing all night, a delighted client and they’ll drive away knowing they helped provide a night to remember.

Ok, so you’re worried about the DJ upsetting your cool mates by playing the Birdie song or showing off their knowledge of Norwegian Death Metal and so feel you need to give the DJ some guidance.

You have a few options:

100% playlist.

This is typically where the DJ is given a list of 100-200 songs and cannot deviate from the list.  They are unable to use their experience or take requests.  The list must be adhered to.  Yes, the DJ doesn’t really have much to do other than pick songs from a pre-selected list.

Why is this a good idea?

You have complete control.  No surprises.

Why is this a bad idea?

The DJ cannot use their experience.  Guests will be complaining.   If the list isn’t working, the party will not be a good one and typically guests will not dance and will leave early.
Your DJ should have adequate knowledge about the music you’ve discussed and should, therefore, be on YOUR wavelength.

 

Dictating every song of the night in a specific order

This is the same as the 100% playlist, but where you specify the order of play.  The DJ could potentially automate the entire night and go read a book for 5hrs as they can’t take any requests or inject any similar tracks using their expertise.

Why is this a good idea?

It is never a good idea.  You cannot predict how guests will react at a party.  Timing will vary so that 80s party set at the end of the Buffet  (starting at song #28) may start during the buffet if there are any delays.

This IS acceptable for background or obviously ceremony music, but again, if you need a certain song to coincide with a specific event, it needs close coordination between the DJ and other parties and so some flexibility is required.

Why is this a bad idea?

The experienced DJ you have hired is now simply loading tunes in a specific order.  You have paid a lot of money for a job that you could have done on Spotify.  They could even pre-load the tracks into their system and automate the entire night.

You may have decided these tunes and their order weeks in advance with good intentions, but on the night, the guests that you felt would enjoy a certain set, decided to sit and chat.  The rest of the room is wondering the significance of the music and start to request music from the DJ.

The DJ may have their requests on the playlist, but it isn’t the right time to play it.  Guests will be disappointed and the DJ frustrated that they cannot help.

The 3rd way…

The best way to get the magic playlist for your party is to discuss with your DJ.

Ideally, this should be something you’ll cover before you book.  I cover music basics fairly early on with each client.
There are many different styles and genres of music and not every party will be “party classics”, so I need to be confident that I’ll be able to deliver a great night with the music you and your guests enjoy.

Not all DJs are equal.  Some will have musical strengths over others.  If you do need a night of Norwegian Death Metal, you need a specialist.  If you only want a few tracks, you’ll need to help them or they’ll need to do their own research.

Quiz the DJ.  If you want mainly older tunes, how is their 70s and 80s knowledge?    Will they be picking older tunes from a “best of the 80s” compilation do they actually know the era?  If you’ve more recent tastes, do they know the bands you’re talking about?

If you don’t ask these important questions and find out on the night that they really don’t have a clue, you’re stuck with either micro-managing the DJ or even faced with a DJ with very little music that you want to hear.

Ok, so you’ve spoken to a few DJs and decided on one that you can trust musically (and they appear to be professional and tick all your other boxes).  You’ve booked them and now you can start fleshing out the music plan for the party.

You may wish to provide a “Do not play” list.  I’ve had parties where Abba is banned.  The Bride doesn’t want to hear any Frank Sinatra.  The Bride doesn’t want any Indian music (The Bride’s family were from India in this Indian-English Wedding!).

With this knowledge, I was able to explain that I was unable to play these songs (which were all requested) to guests.  I’ll be working directly for my clients and then their guests.

What can you do?

  • Create a shortlist of artists and songs you like.
  • Create a list of any songs/genres you do not want to hear (if any).  Very few experienced DJs will break out anything too hardcore if your initial chat was “oh, a bit of everything really”.
  • Think about previous parties and your guests and make some notes.  Do any tracks get one of your guests breakdancing or perhaps are a family sing-a-long?
  • Discuss all this with your DJ.  Are there any songs that give them cause for concern?  I personally know many DJs and none know every song from every genre, they should be honest and I’d personally prefer an honest supplier over one that nods and hopes for the best!
  • Let them use their experience to provide a really great night of music that you and your guests to enjoy.

 

So, please consider if you really need to provide a massive playlist for your Hertfordshire Wedding, and take my experienced advice against choosing a 100% playlist option.