How to Choose Slow Dance Songs for a Wedding Reception

It's not difficult to choose slow dance songs for your wedding reception. As long as you avoid inappropriate songs, it's all up to your own tastes. There are, however, a couple of important things you should consider while picking music for slow dances during your wedding reception.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• band
• dj
• playlist

1. Hire a band or DJ. You should interview, audition and sign a contract with whoever you decide to hire for your wedding reception. After that, take time to sit down and talk to them about your musical preferences and look over their collection of songs.
   
2. Choose a song for the first dance. The first dance is traditional and is the most important dance of the night. Pick something that will have deep symbolic meaning, lyrically and tonally. Choose a waltz, fox-trot or a slow swing song, depending on what you family's favorite step is.
   
3. Intersperse slow songs in between the upbeat songs. It'll take some accessible, fun songs to get everyone on the dance floor initially. After that, you can slow things down occasionally for more romantic dances or to allow guests to take a break.
   
4. Choose familiar songs. The idea is to get your guests to dance. If you pick songs that they like, they'll be more likely to get up and dance. If you have couples attending, try to play songs they consider "theirs" as they'll have to get on the dance floor.
   
5. See if the band can play variations and renditions of your favorite songs. Talented musicians are able to vary the tempo and feel of songs in order to fit them to an occasion better. Don't be afraid to ask them to include one of your favorite songs, even if you think it won't fit.
   
6. Trust the band or DJ. These event performers know how to read a crowd and can get a feel for what to play next. Rather than micromanaging the playlist, let them use their own judgment and experience.
   

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Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the first dance is long enough for the family members to cut in as tradition dictates.
• As a throwback to tradition, try including the first dance songs from your parent's wedding.
• Check the resources for some suggestions for good first dance and slow dance songs.
• Check the resources for some suggestions for good first dance and slow dance songs.
• Don't force guests to do too many slow dances. You might lull them to sleep.
• Make sure your band and DJ has a wide range of songs in their repertoire. You'll be unhappy if you get a DJ that only has top 40 hits and no classical songs or slow romantic tunes.