Hello Brides and Grooms!
Wedding Music Genres
Have you ever noticed how each wedding has its own nuances–such as centering more songs on one of the following genres: rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country, pop, indie, 70′s hits, and 80′s hits?
I have.
Naturally, many newlywed couples have their own favorite tunes that make them want to get up and dance, sing as loud as they can in their cars, or sit back and relax. Thus, the music that usually fills the air during a wedding reception is usually representative of the musical taste that jazzes the newlyweds.
Must Play and Do Not Play
At our wedding reception, we had a wonderful dj (from Touch of Class DJ’s in Raleigh, NC) named Brandon Hines that not only provided excellent music choices that propelled our wedding guests to get up and dance, but were congruent to the list of music choices that were on our “MUST PLAY” music list. He also provided great extras, like lighting choices during the reception, and bubbles during the bride and groom’s first dance. Most importantly, he hit all the key music choices we had decided on before wedding day such as: wedding party introductions to different music selections, Austin Power-themed groom entrance, Frank Sinatra selections and East Coast Beach Music during our 
sit-down dinner,Father/Bride and Mother/Groom musical choices, cake cutting music, Dixieland Delight by Alabama as a request for the groom and his fraternity brothers, current hits music selections for the bride and her girlfriends, bouquet toss music, garter removal and garter toss music, and last song of the night selection.
Thankfully, no one slipped Brandon a few dollars to play a song off our “DO NOT PLAY” list. Talk about a Bridezilla if someone would have done that…
Tips on Selecting Reception Music Selections
If I can give any advice, make sure during the wedding planning process that you:
- Sit down with your fiance and TAKE THE TIME to develop a “MUST PLAY” and “DO NOT PLAY” list.
- Ask your dj or band how many songs they would like you to provide so that you don’t have too many or too few of choices.
- Add some variety to the music selections so that it will encourage your wedding guests to dance.
- Trust that if no one is getting up to dance to the selections you chose, that your dj or band members will be able to “read” their audience and choose a song that will get people’s feet moving to the dance floor!
- If your dj or band members are not playing the songs of your choice, have your wedding consultant or a trusted wedding party member to have a friendly and respectful talk with them. Do not make it your responsibility to confront your dj or band member about this on your wedding day!
