8 Wedding DJ Tips Every Couple Should Know
Planning a wedding can be so stressful that some couples forget to make it FUN!
But the right DJ can take your song choices, mix them with their experience, sprinkle in a few intuitive decisions, and end up with pure magic.
We’ve compiled some of our best wedding DJ tips to make sure you get the most out of your wedding music.
1. Timing is Everything
Some of our favorite wedding photos are the ones of all the guests on the dance floor at the end of the night singing at the top of their lungs. Well, you can thank the DJ for that moment!
When it comes to songs and the crowd’s reaction, timing is everything. For instance, we can drop “Friends in Low Places” right after dinner and not get near as good of a reaction as we would at 10:45 when we dedicate it to all of your friends.
A great wedding DJ doesn’t just play the right songs, they play them at the perfect time to get the reaction your jam deserves.
2. Cue It Up
As you’re picking your ceremony music, you might have come across a song that’s almost perfect…but not quite.
Maybe the intro drags on a little too long, or the first verse talks about a break-up. Instead of picking a different song, you can have your DJ cue it up a little later. Now you can have your first married kiss right when the music swells (or edit out the part about being cheated on).
3. Girls (+ Guys) Just Wanna Have Fun
Your wedding is your special day and belongs to the two of you as a couple. But you’re also inviting all of your favorite people to share it with you. Doesn’t it make sense to include them in some of those milestone moments?
If you have a set of parents, grandparents, or godparents who have been married a while, play their wedding song as a special dedication to them. If you have lots of couples who have been married a while, have a special anniversary dance. Start with all the married couples on the dance floor and gradually “excuse” the ones who have only been married for one year, then five years, and so on. By the end of the song you have one married couple left.
Sometimes we like to ask them to give you a little advice.
If you’d rather ease into the dancing, you can “kick off” the night with the Wedding Shoe Game instead.
4. Keep It Short
The average song length is about three minutes long. It doesn’t sound like a long time, but when you’re up on the dance floor with all of your guests watching, three minutes feels like forever!
Rather than pasting an awkward smile on your face and faking your way through it, we usually suggest fading the song out after a while or inviting your parents, wedding party, or all of the guests to join you. (This is a good way to segue into the dancing portion of the evening, since everyone is already on their feet.)
Part of being a good wedding DJ is making sure that you feel comfortable whenever they can. By keeping your first dance, parent dances, and other special moments short, both you and your guests will enjoy the evening more.
5. Silence is NOT Golden
Give your guests a little “mood music” while they’re taking their seats and waiting for you to walk down the aisle. (It would be a little awkward if the first song your guests hear is your wedding march.)
Your DJ should play at least 30 minutes of music for your guests to enjoy before the ceremony begins. This helps to set the tone for the event and keep everyone’s excitement level up.
We usually play an appropriate mix of classical and upbeat jazz, but if you have another idea, we’d love to hear it!
6. Trust the Pros
While you should definitely have a say in your wedding playlist, you shouldn’t be expected to do all of the work.
At Our DJ Rocks, we believe that the client/DJ experience works best when we work together. We’ll ask you about the styles and genre of music you like (and don’t like) and have you fill out your “Must Play” list. In fact, you can make music selections for just about any point in your wedding day, from the family processional to the cocktail hour.
But sometimes, the most magical moments are the ones that nobody planned for. That’s why we ask for a little leeway to read the room and switch things up when needed.
Perhaps that song that was such a hit last summer doesn’t hit the way you expected it. We fade out and try something else. Maybe your guests are really feeling that old school hip-hop. We keep ’em coming.
7. Set the Mood
One of our top wedding DJ tips is this: don’t let the DJ steal your spotlight!
We know you want to get funky on that dance floor, but we also know that you want to mingle with the friends and family who are sharing your special day. A good wedding DJ should keep the music low during the cocktail hour and dinner so everyone can talk, congratulate you, and enjoy themselves.
There’s plenty of time to crank it up and get down later.
8. PG-13 Only
Unless otherwise instructed, we play only “PG-13” tunes.
In addition to blatant profanity, some songs have lyrics or a meaning that make them an inappropriate choice for your wedding reception. Even if a particular song is a favorite among you and your bridesmaids, remember that your grandma and your 3-year-old flower girl are in the room, too.
Sticking to “radio edits” ensures that everyone has a great time.
The Wedding of Your Dreams
Music plays such a big part in your wedding day, but there’s so much more to a DJ than pushing “Play.” Make sure your DJ is creating the right atmosphere right from the start and keeping that vibe going all night.
Use these wedding DJ tips to both help pick a DJ and refine your vision so your wedding unfolds exactly as you always dreamed.
At Our DJ Rocks, we believe the best weddings are the ones that reflect you, not us! That’s why we do our best to get to know you so we can craft an evening that exceeds everyone’s expectations. Contact us today to learn more about our wedding DJ services and reserve your date.
