Decisions, Decisions: Choosing the Right Music for My Big Day

Music, like food, can make or break your big day, which is why you hired a trained professional who is an expert in the field of DJing. Now, although your DJ has a wealth of experience and can anticipate what music will get your guests up and dancing, you want your big day to be reflective of your musical tastes as well. So, you may be asking yourself, “Should I provide my DJ with a music list?” The answer to that question is simple - YES! 
As a rule of thumb , I always ask my clients for a song list . A song list is like a road map for a DJ . Think of your song list like Waze or Google Maps it gives your DJ the most direct route to the end result that you are looking for.... people dancing of course!

As a DJ , I am compelled to ask, “How was the DJ?” whenever someone tells me that they attended a wedding. There are usually two common responses : “ The music was great!” or “ The music was terrible.” When I hear that the DJ was terrible I always ask myself , “Was it really the DJs fault? ” Allow me to explain. Giving your DJ free reign over what to play without giving him an idea of who you are and who are your guests creates the opportunity for a less than desirable end. You might be asking, “Why?” and the question is a good one. Your DJs musical preferences are, more often than not, dissimilar to your own and your guests, which is why communication and song lists are so very important.

Now that you understand why it is important to have a song list, the next step is to figure out, how to make everyone happy . I recommend a diverse song list. Remember you will probably have guests that range in age from 20 to 60. In light of this, your song list should include a similar range. Creating a song list doesn’t mean that you need to do all of the work. After all, that is why you are hiring a DJ. Allow your DJ some flexibility by giving him a list of 20 or so songs and an overview of your guests ages, likes, and dislikes. Ultimately, it is your event, so the decision is yours. But, keep in mind that you hire vendors to help make your day smoother. A little guidance will help you to ensure DJ has some creative input while still allowing you to be in control by incorporating your favorite songs.

As you can see, whether your DJ allows for your input through communication and a song list is an important thing to consider when shopping for a DJ. I strongly suggest that you ask prospective DJs if they will allow you to provide a list. Believe it or not, I am hearing more and more that some DJs don’t allow the wedding couple to provide a list, which to me is absurd. My thought is you are hiring this individual they should be working for you and not the other way around. I have also heard that some DJs wont allow the wedding couple to request songs...absurd! My recommendation is to ask these two questions before hiring a DJ. “Will they will play your song list? ” Also ask them “ Will my guests and I be permitted to request songs? ” Remember that your ultimate goal in hiring a DJ is for your guests to dance and have a good time. The best way to ensure that this happens is collaborate with your DJ, which is most easily done by developing a song list.