Music Is A Powerful Tool If Used Correctly.
Over the past 20 years the marketing trend was to say "Bespoke" that means we shall do everything a client or couple asked.
This is your Wedding or Celebration so why not?
This is quite true, but when you look closely at weddings its a very wide age group & 50-250 guests that all will not want to dance to the same music, & some music songs/genres will drive them home (we all have those).
Honestly, we have all been to weddings when the Dj only played songs you don't like as in most cases the couple getting married have told the Dj to only play a set playlist, & will not allow any "Plan B" so the Dj is not allowed to use there experience to fill the dance floor or take good fitting requests. This is the biggest problem: Guests at the "floor-killer" wedding when they get married do exactly the same as only allow the Dj to do there playlist, even if the songs are your favourite you need more than you to dance as its ain't fun dancing alone... We want everyone to celebrate with you!
We shall always do as clients/couples ask, but below is the winning formula for most & why?
1. Have a First Dance, Or an "Everybody Dance" this gets all your guests on the dance floor dancing, but if you pic a song not many people know some might stop dancing?
2. Then its best to play the "older disco-party music" as older people do tire easy or they are looking after grandchildren, so need a rest so you have a dance with your older guests. If you go straight into modern music they might not know it so won't dance?
3. When the older guests tire the music will change to yonger guests, or who is dancing to keep them dancing.
4. Buffet Time! We try to keep people dancing but might have to chill people out from jumping around etc. this is so they can eat & not to wear them out too early.
5. Back to floor fillers, then your last 60-90 mins this is mainly when you want to go a bit mad on the dance floor eg. clubbing/festival music or newer music.
6. End of night... We like to slow things down a bit or end with your First Dance, this puts the day back to you "your wedding"... If you want to finish on a high!!! eg. killers mr brightside, this will only hype your guests up more, leaving you to calm them down (time for bed etc.).
We ask for a "playlist guide" this is about 15-25 songs including things that must be played, then tell us the 1 or 2 songs Banned as we don't want you to run out crying... The "grey area" is genres or songs you might not be keen on but your guests would expect at a wedding, sometimes it needs the odd-one to kick your dance floor off again, but only the odd one.
Warning!!! the more music you pic we must play it even if it kills your dance floor... so the dance floor is dead for longer as the Dj is not allowed to change the music the client/couple says there playlist must be played eg. your guests are not keen on 80's music but the Dj has been told they must play another ten 80's songs... (the Dj knows its a wedding killer that night because no one is dancing as not allowed to change the music as No "Plan B", just play the couples floor-killer playlist).
This is why 15-25 is perfect unless Non U.K. music, or very close family/group into the same music.
Music is very powerful & we all like different songs & dislikes.
The best weddings are a verity of music from old party classics to new, the Dj will find out what will keep the dance floor busy & adapt to that if given a "Plan B", let the Dj use their years of experience.
Don't ever forget you will always look back on your wedding day, as all what we have written we always tell couples the "bespoke music" pro's & cons. To have a good memory you need people dancing with you to share that memory...
"We don't care what music we play as its only about giving you & your guests the best wedding/party/celebration,
Dj Darren Jewell"