How to Select Music for a Wedding Reception

Selecting music for a wedding reception takes thought. You want to please everyone while making lasting memories for you and your new spouse. Here are some helpful tips for creating a memorable reception through the music that is played.

Instructions

General Music

1. Audition disc jockeys and bands and make sure they are willing to listen to what you want as far as reception music.

2. Pick music that will reflect the feel of the day and moment.

3. Choose slow music to be played during the meal. This will set the tone for the entire event.

4. Slowly transition from the dinner tunes to more upbeat music for dancing.

5. Please the older folks in your group by transitioning to big ban music and 1950s crooners.

6. Build the music to a more upbeat, contemporary feel as the reception goes on.

7. Pick a variety of different genres when choosing your play list.

8. Give your DJ or band cart blanche to provide and play different music than what you have requested. This gives him or her the opportunity to play requests from the guests.

Special Dance Music

1. Choose a song that has special meaning to you and your new spouse to dance your first dance as husband and wife.

2. Look at lists of popular songs to get ideas.

3. Ask your friends and family what they danced to for further ideas.

4. Repeat Steps 1-3 to choose a song for the father/daughter and mother/son dances.

Tips & Warnings

• Think outside your comfort zone when choosing your reception music, remembering that your guests want to have fun and make lasting memories of your wedding as well.

• Any competent DJ will give you a list of suggestions to use for your reception.

• Pick the music that will set the mood of your reception.

• Be prepared for lots of suggestions from well-meaning friends and family as you are making the decisions regarding your reception music.