Essential Music for Your Reception

After the cocktail hour comes to a close and it’s time to launch the celebration, open with great songs that will naturally put your guests in a great mood.  Setting the right mood from the start will set the stage for a fun & memorable event.

Dinner Music

An experienced DJ or Entertainment Director will possess the knowledge to vary music during dinner and will plan accordingly with the bride and groom to ensure their preferences are accommodated into the mix.  Standards are always a good choice and the music played during dinner should be relaxing, enjoyable and fit the mood the newlyweds wish to convey.

First Dance

The flagship event at most wedding receptions is the bride and groom’s first dance.  Typically following the grand introduction of the wedding party or perhaps after dinner, the bride and groom will share an intimate dance alone and your song should reflect how you feel about one another.  I have also observed couples begin their first dance will a slow balled and suddenly break out a pair of dark sunglasses and change it up to Corey Harts “I Wear My Sunglasses at Night” or an AC/DC balled.  It’s your night!  Make it special.

Father Daughter Dance

If you share a special bond with your father, select a song that reflects that bond.  Although your father may not show or admit it, his dance with you on your wedding day is a highly emotional event for him as he has just given his little girl away.  I frequently advise my clients to approach their fathers for a song preference as this takes pressure off of you and extends respect to your father in selecting this very important song.

Wedding DJ Columbus Ohio

http://www.millenniummobiledj.com

 

Making the Cut on the “A” List

Top “FIVE” Prelude & Processional Songs

- “Moonlight Sonata” Beethoven

- “Water Music” Handel

- “The Four Seasons” Vivaldi

- “Greensleeves” Traditional

- “Ave Maria” Schubert

Top “FIVE” Recessional Songs

- “Wedding March” Mendelssohn

- “Ode To Joy” Beethoven

- “Hallelujah Chorus” Handel

- “Trumpet Tune” Purcell

- “Magnificat in D” Bach

TOP “FIVE” FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE SONGS

- “My Girl” The Temptations

- “Thank Heaven for Little Girls” Gigi

- “Just The Way You Are” Billy Joel

- “Unforgettable” Nat King Cole

- “Wind Beneath My Wings” Bette Midler

TOP “FIVE MOTHER/SON DANCE SONGS

- “Don’t Know Much” Linda Ronstadt

- “I.O.U.” Jimmy Dean

- “Moon River” Andy Williams

- “Moon Dance” Van Morrison

- “Til The End of Time” Perry Como

Wedding DJ Columbus Ohio

http://www.millenniummobiledj.com

 

So you think you can dance?

The idea is to spark motivation and engage your guests to participate in this most memorable event “your wedding day”.  This may consist of a dance duo, group or solo performance and guests should have plenty of advanced notice to polish their act.  Guests who are on board with this opportunity may then confirm their attendance to participate and be prepared to dazzle.  You may consider rewarding the winner with a prize (not too extravagant) as they are your friends and relatives.  This is a friendly competition by design to make the reception more engaging, lively and a night to remember.

Wedding DJ Columbus Ohio

http://www.millenniummobiledj.com

 

A GUESTBOOK IDEA FOR THE DECADES

It has become the standard that upon arrival to the reception site, guests sign a book to represent their attendance at the reception.  At the conclusion of the reception, chances are good that these books end up on a shelf in a closet or in a box, rarely, if ever, to be revisited.   Consider ushering in a keepsake that can be displayed in your home.  How about having guests sign a unique puzzle that may be displayed on a wall in your home.  If you are a musician and play the guitar, purchase an inexpensive acoustic and have guests sign the face of the guitar which also may be displayed on a wall.  Have a professional construct a silhouette of the two of you which guests may sign.  For the tech savvy, how about using Instagram on your wedding day whereby guests may write notes, submit and even print them off at a later date.  Make it memorable, make it fun, make it you.

Wedding DJ Columbus Ohio

http://www.millenniummobiledj.com

 

SPIN DANCEABLE MUSIC GUARANTEED TO PACK THE DANCE FLOOR

Experiencing an awesome night of dancing and fun is the flagship at any wedding reception, but attracting your diverse mix of guests to the dance floor can sometimes be a challenge.  Engage your guests with fun songs they will want to dance to.  Regardless of whether you have retained a band or a DJ, if you envision a packed dance floor, consider a playlist of songs that will encompass all in attendance and mix it up.  As the couple under the spotlight, you may undoubtedly have your own personal faves, but do they reflect the preferences of your guests?  In spite of the fact that it’s your day, your wedding reception isn’t necessarily the time to showcase your discerning tastes as the main entrée of music.  By all means, your personal favorites should be mixed in and a talented entertainer will know when to fit them in.  People love dancing to music that makes them feel good and to which they are familiar.  You may love Indie Rock, but will your guests flock to the dance floor to embrace this music?  Bottom line:  Plan accordingly with your entertainer and take your guests into consideration during this process and you will deliver an all inclusive event.

Wedding DJ Columbus Ohio

http://www.millenniummobiledj.com

 

Cruising Down Memory Lane

As a Columbus Ohio wedding DJ, I’m in tune with the concept of making your guests feel like essential parts of your big day by incorporating them into the decor to even include a gallery.  You may consider hanging pictures of the bride & groom with friends and family along the corridor leading from the ceremony to the reception.  It will ignite the conversations during cocktail hour and as your guests discover pictures of themselves with you, the reminiscing will be magical.

http://www.millenniummobiledj.com