Category Archives: choosing wedding music

wedding music

Choosing the Best Wedding Music for Your Big Day

The wedding music for your wedding could be one of the most important decisions that you make in wedding planning. Your wedding playlist should reflect your and your partner’s personalities, but it should also keep your guests engaged and on the dance floor through the night. The best memories from the night are created on the dance floor, so the wedding music you choose should be hand-picked with careful consideration. 

Choosing the Right Wedding Music for Your Special Moments

When you choose the songs for your special moments, there are so many things to consider. In different stages of the event, the song needs to reflect the moment and mean something to the newly married couple. A few examples include these:

The First Dance

The first dance of the newlyweds should be something special to the two. It can be a song that they consider “their song.” It can also be a song that represents the story of the couple. The first dance can be slow and romantic, but it can also be upbeat and fun if that is what the couple prefers. Either way, you should choose a song based on what both people like and features an appropriate middle ground for both parties involved in the choice. In any case, the first dance signifies the love and union in this new marriage. 

The Grand Entrance 

The grand entrance of a couple at a wedding is the first time they will be introduced as one. The cameras will be set up to capture the moment, everyone’s heads will redirect to the entrance of the room, and the wedding music should be the cherry on top that creates the perfect moment for the scene. This song should be celebratory while also meshing the story of the two individuals together. 

The Transition Songs 

The wedding reception will likely run on a very detailed schedule. The couple can work with their wedding DJ to find the perfect songs to transition from moment to moment seamlessly. 

Choosing the Right DJ for The Night

I am here to tell you that the perfect wedding DJ does exist. When searching for a wedding DJ the first thing you should consider is the quality being offered. Your professional wedding DJ will work to ensure that the party never stops and the atmosphere is always where it should be. When you look at photos from your wedding night, you might associate each moment with a song. That is because An Enchanted Evening will work with you to create the perfect playlist for your wedding. 

Award-Winning Wedding DJ in Chicagoland

At An Enchanted Evening, we understand the significance of your special day and strive to ensure everything runs as planned. Our wedding DJs in Chicagoland know what it takes to make your big day memorable. We offer DJ and lighting services to help make your day as special as it should be. To discover more about how we can help create a beautiful event for you and the people in your life, contact us today!

wedding guests having fun dancing at wedding reception

How to Get the BEST Wedding DJ Playlist

Crafting the perfect wedding DJ playlist for your big day is about more than just choosing your favorites from the 100 Most Requested Songs of All Time. While this wedding planning task isn’t the most complicated, it’s still a major undertaking that can get even better (and more fun!) with these tips.

Start browsing and listening.

The best way to fill in the blanks on your wedding DJ checklist is to start crafting a list of favorite dance songs. Remember, that these songs shouldn’t just be your favorites; they should be your guests’ favorite songs too—plus they should be incredibly dance-able. While your favorite mellow song might seem like a logical option for the list, it’s also a sure-fire way to clear the dance floor and put your guests to sleep.

Choose an awesome wedding DJ.

Even if you’re not hiring a wedding planner, hiring vendors is all about adding members to your wedding team. Hopefully, you’ve chosen every team member for their expertise. This is your chance to lean on them!

To be clear, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give your input into the wedding playlist. Every wedding playlist should be customized specifically to the couple. This is your special day, and the playlist (like every other wedding detail) should reflect who you are as a couple. It does mean that you should hire a wedding DJ (with these questions) who you trust to put together a playlist that reflects your tastes and keeps your guests on the dance floor.

Jot down the songs that make your ears hurt.

An awesome wedding DJ playlist is based just as much on the songs you don’t like as your favs. If there are any wedding songs you absolutely can’t stand, now is the time to voice your opinion. This is the time to talk with your wedding DJ about wedding songs and games you don’t want to hear played on your big day.

Think about non-music entertainment.

The best wedding receptions are a combination of dancing and games. As you plan your wedding DJ playlist, think about what other wedding games you want included. Don’t hesitate to ask your wedding DJ for recommendations; they may have suggestions you haven’t even considered. For guests who don’t want to hit the dance floor, browse through this list of other wedding entertainment to make sure every wedding guest enjoys your big day.

shot of people dancing at epic wedding reception

10 Questions that Get You the Best Wedding Entertainment

Wedding reception music is a HUGE part of an awesome wedding, which is why narrowing down your choices for wedding entertainment are so important. Do you want a band? DJ? What’s the right wedding entertainment for your wedding day?

The good news is you can answer this big question with a few easy questions.

Do we want live music? Do we need an emcee?

The main difference between a band and wedding DJ is the issue of live music, though this does come with some pros and cons. While bands can deliver an awesome performance, they may be limited to the songs they can play. DJs offer a variety of wedding dance songs, but don’t deliver them live. Both wedding entertainment options should deliver an interactive experience, though you should be leery of wedding entertainers (bands and DJs) that don’t ask questions about songs you want played. This is a sure sign of an amateur that delivers the same playlist to every wedding—-they don’t customize their song list to you!

It’s also important to remember that you need an emcee to announce important events throughout the night as well. Most bands and DJs offer the service, but you should always make sure to ask if they can emcee so you’re not yelling at your guests at the top of your lungs.

What are our favorite songs? What wedding songs do we hate?

A custom playlist is one of the biggest perks of hiring a professional wedding entertainer—and not one that you can get from any wedding entertainer. Some bands come with set playlists. Unfortunately, some DJs have the same limitation.

Before contacting any entertainers, decide what you songs you want played (and not played). The answer steers you to the right kind of entertainer (band or DJ). Better yet, you can make a list with our wedding DJ checklist that you can use when interviewing prospective entertainers.

What is our wedding theme?

If you have your heart set on a wedding theme, like a Great Gatsby or a tropical wedding, look for wedding entertainment that can customize their playlist. For the latter theme, a wedding DJ who can compile a tropical playlist or a steel drum band can complete the theme and transport wedding guests to a warmer climate.

How big is our wedding? Where are we holding the wedding?

These details may not narrow down your options, but they are important logistical details that can help you as hire a wedding DJ or band. A top-notch Chicago wedding DJ or band should have experience at many of the top local wedding venues, which minimizes the amount of calls you need to make. If you have your wedding venue booked, you should also let the entertainers know; some wedding entertainers (bands and DJs) charge a travel fee. 

What is our budget?

Your wedding budget is an important part of choosing a wedding entertainer. It can also narrow down your options considerably because wedding DJs are typically more affordable than wedding bands. This advice does come with an important tip: always allocate enough money to hire a professional wedding DJ. Unfortunately, hiring an amateur DJ comes with the risk of a one-size-fits-all playlist, substandard emceeing and equipment, and no back-up in case of an emergency.

What other wedding entertainment do we want? Should we include a surprise?

Don’t limit your wedding entertainment to only a band or DJ! Instead, have fun giving guests other ways to enjoy themselves at the reception. It can be a lot of fun generating trivia games, coloring tables for young guests, and coming up with fun wedding themed props for a photo booth. Or, if you want to make your reception more spontaneous, twist one of these wedding surprises into a one-of-a-kind event your guests won’t forget.

5 Wedding Playlist Mistakes to Avoid

disco balls from a wedding danceYour wedding reception music can either keep your guests on the floor or make them run out the door. We’ve given you tips on crafting the perfect wedding playlists before; now we’re doing the opposite and giving you mistakes to avoid so your wedding reception isn’t a complete flop.

Hiring a DJ who doesn’t customize.

This is your wedding. While there is something to be said for leaving the important decisions to the experts, you should have some input into the songs that are played for your guests.  For example, if you have a traditional German family, you may want some polkas included in your wedding playlist.  Don’t hire a DJ who doesn’t ask for your input.  Those are usually the DJs that use a standard playlist (and can’t even accommodate your guests’ requests!)—and your wedding should be anything but standard. This is your big night; use these questions to vet your DJs and hire the right DJ that creates a custom playlist for your big day.

Not giving your DJ any options.

We all have songs that give us the same sensation as hearing nails on a chalkboard.  That being said, you don’t want to add so many songs to the ‘do not play’ list (yes, your DJ should ask you for this list) that your DJ can’t play any of your guests’ favorite songs.

Putting too many songs on the ‘must play’ list.

Be realistic when you put together your wedding reception playlist.  Ask your DJ how many songs they can play so you’re not disappointed. Give your DJ a list of “we really, really want” and another list of “these songs may or may not get played.”  To ensure that really special songs make it to the top, give your DJ a short explanation of why they are important (and let the DJ know if they can share it at the reception!).

Thinking you can handle it all by yourself.

As much as you think you can handle DIY wedding reception music, think over your decision carefully.  While it’s true you can customize your wedding playlist, you also have to find the time to compile the list, invest in good equipment, and deal with any headaches if your equipment breaks down.  That list doesn’t even include finding someone who is willing to give up a night of fun to run the equipment.

Being too risqué in your music.

As much as you love that song, you don’t want to hear from your friends and family for days and weeks about the songs that traumatized their kids.  For the most part, make sure your music is PG-13 and songs that your guests want to dance too (or hire an excellent wedding DJ that’s done this before).  Trust us, your guests will thank you if you do.