Balancing Your Music Tastes with Your Guests Music Tastes
When planning your wedding, there can be a lot of pressure to focus on the needs of your guests, especially when it comes to music!
A lot of couples tend to back off on their music tastes in anticipation of music tastes not being acceptable or recognizable to their guests. It is great to consider the tastes and demographics of your guests, but that doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice making the soundtrack of your day limited to the top pre-built playlists of your favorite streaming services, unless that’s what you’d love to hear!
Here are some common things couples struggle with when choosing music:
I have eclectic taste in music and love to explore music, but it’s probably not something “danceable.” Will my friends stay to dance until the end? Will my grandparents recognize any of the music? We have a lot of young kids - how do we make sure the music is family friendly? My brother is going to request a bunch of music, but I don’t like what he requests sometimes.
Things to consider when balancing guest music tastes while including your own unique tastes:
Music is not just for the dance - it’s integrated throughout the whole day! - If something isn’t danceable, or doesn’t fit for keeping guests on the dance floor, it can be included during the ceremony seating music, the cocktail hour, or dinner. These are moments where the music is less about recognizability but more about the mood or “vibe” of the day. Your DJ can help navigate selecting and arranging your songs to create that atmosphere and be inclusive.
If you are on the dance floor or grooving to the music during dinner, your guests will be happy and supportive! - The day is about you, and if the song is a obscure song from the local indie progressive rock band or a bass-heavy techno song, seeing you both blurting out the lyrics, swaying your bodies, or going crazy on the dance floor turns any unknown song into a meaningful moment.
The music may not be recognizable by many, but some would love to hear it! - Sometimes your friends grew up on that one song playing constantly at every party, but it was a one hit wonder in 1982, or your dad has a running joke to request “Another One Bites the Dust” at every family wedding, that’s great! In those cases, it is always great to preface a song like those with a shoutout or dedication from the DJ to your guests who would enjoy the song. It eases the confusion on the song choice, and encourages participation on the dance floor.
There’s many fun and creative ways to say “no” to a request, but by also keeping it light! - Sometimes certain requests are a hard line issue, but sometimes they can negotiated. Many couples are turning “no” requests into “if you want it, pay for it!” A pay to play request list is a fun way to say “no,” but still gives your guests the satisfaction that if they really want the song, they can both give you some funds for your honeymoon, and get what they want. Usually your DJ can do a plug or shout out when a song is purchased. A lot of couples choose to do this option instead of the classic dollar dance tradition.
In a nutshell: When you are happy and engaged, your guests will be, too!
When selecting your DJ, it’s important to be open with your music tastes and not hesitate from what you love to hear - this is a special day and completely unique to you and the people you are celebrating with. There is plenty of room for balancing your music tastes and the tastes of your guests throughout the day.
