Weddings

[djfrosty]

Hi all,

New to the forum, so please be patient with me!! lol

Ive been DJing on the mobile side since 2001, and have mainly done birthdays, engagements, school/kids parties in various venues, house, halls, marquees etc.

However, Ive never brought myself to do weddings, always steered clear of it.
But now Ive bit the bullet and gone and now have a few booked up for the comign months.

Was just wondering what sort of music you guys plays at these events? Have you any play-lists you generally stick to?
I have asked the clients for guest-lists of what specifically they want, but is there anything else I should be playing that is sure-fire winners for the guests.

Obvioulsy I do birthdays etc and its more or less the usual stuff, particularly for a mixed crowd, but go by what is going down on the night.

Any tips and hints would be much appreciated.

Regards,

DJ Frosty
Shared Passion Promotions

[CRAZY K]

Hi all,

New to the forum, so please be patient with me!! lol

Ive been DJing on the mobile side since 2001, and have mainly done birthdays, engagements, school/kids parties in various venues, house, halls, marquees etc.

However, Ive never brought myself to do weddings, always steered clear of it.
But now Ive bit the bullet and gone and now have a few booked up for the comign months.

Was just wondering what sort of music you guys plays at these events? Have you any play-lists you generally stick to?
I have asked the clients for guest-lists of what specifically they want, but is there anything else I should be playing that is sure-fire winners for the guests.

Obvioulsy I do birthdays etc and its more or less the usual stuff, particularly for a mixed crowd, but go by what is going down on the night.

Any tips and hints would be much appreciated.

Regards,

DJ Frosty
Shared Passion Promotions

The only thing to remember is you and the B and G only get one shot at this.

If it goes badly you will be blamed irrespective cos you are the specialist Wedding DJ. ;)

So prepare your music carefully by consulting with them--- if necessary get a playlist of music wanted and not wanted.

Do not try and guess or second guess what they want if they are vague, we have many posts on here asking for ideas--really you should get the client to do the work.

Do as much as possible to find out exactly what they are expecting music wise before the night---

If you do that you will increase the chances of a very successful evening, you have the experience of general functions so you shouldnt have any problems.

Just make sure you dont :Censored: up the first dance---

:D :D :D

CRAZY K

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Weddings can be great fun but you need to be able to play a wide range of music, or rather at least HAVE a wide range of music. Most of them you'll play the classic party tracks. Make sure you have a quick chat with the client about music they like or dislike and be prepared for the usual mic work.

All and all some of my best gigs have been weddings so dont dread it, just prepare well for it.

Having a good look at the music section of the site might be of help so you have all the big hits from the various genres.

[djfrosty]

Cheers for the advice fella.

As I said, I have requested playlists of what they want, so I will go more in depth with them and therefore can cover more or less the 5 hours worth.

And yes, have asked for their choice for first dance, so hopefully it'll all run smoothly.

[Danno13]

Guests at Weddings are no different to those at normal parties, same rules apply.. read the crowd and see what they respond to, whilst slotting in B&Gs requests where appropriate. Works for me!

[Daryll]

The reply from CRAZY K , read it again , print it out , stick where you can see it every day :D :D .
Very wise words.

If in doubt use these. very basic, but none the less useful (word 97-2003 format)


5702

5705

5706


Daryll

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

really you should get the client to do the work.



Hmmm, not sure I agree with that. People book us for our expertise in knowing what works and what to play in certain situations.

Extract as much info, yes, but make them do the work? Nah...

[Excalibur]

Hmmm, not sure I agree with that. People book us for our expertise in knowing what works and what to play in certain situations.

Extract as much info, yes, but make them do the work? Nah...

I've no idea who this Solitaire fellow is, but he appears to make sense. ;)

[DJ Jules]

As I said, I have requested playlists of what they want, so I will go more in depth with them and therefore can cover more or less the 5 hours worth.

Oh yeah, and watch out for Brides who have absolutely no :Censored: clue what their guests are in to. I did a wedding for a wedding where the Bride was British and the Groom was from Belgium a while ago, and she had no clue what the Belgians were in to. Completely and utterly threw me. She asked for Chart/R&B and it turned out they were more into Belgian drinking songs (in Belgian) and Coldplay!

Julian

[rob1963]

Hi DJ Frosty,

Here are my most requested & played songs at weddings (excluding chart stuff)

Abba – Dancing Queen..........Los Del Rio – Macarena
Abba – Mamma Mia..........Los Lobos – La Bamba
A-Ha – Take On Me..........Lou Bega – Mambo Number 5
Arrow – Hot Hot Hot..........MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
B 52’s – Love Shack..........Madonna – Vogue
Barry White – You’re The First..........Martha & Vandellas – Dancing In The Street
Beatles – Twist & Shout..........Mavericks – Dance The Night Away
Bee Gees – Night Fever..........Medley & Warnes – I’ve Had The Time Of My Life
Bee Gees – Staying Alive..........Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is A Place On Earth..........M People – Moving On Up
Beyonce – Crazy In Love..........Monkees – I’m A Believer
Bill Haley – Rock Around The Clock..........Mud – Tiger Feet
Billy Ocean – Love Really Hurts Without You..........Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline
Black Box – Ride On Time..........Nolans – I’m In The Mood For Dancing
Bluebells – Young At Heart..........Original – I Luv You Baby
Blues Brothers – Everybody needs Somebody..........Outkast – Hey Ya!
Bobby Brown – Two Can Play That Game..........Proclaimers – 500 Miles
Britney Spears – Toxic..........Pussycat Dolls – Don’t Cha
Bryan Adams – Summer Of ’69..........Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now
Candi Staton – Young Hearts..........Real Thing – You To Me Are Everything
Cher – Believe..........Ricky Martin – Living La Vida Loca
Chesney Hawkes – I Am The One & Only..........R Kelly – She’s Got That Vibe
Chic – Le Freak..........Robbie Williams – Angels
Christina Aguilera – Dirty..........Robbie Williams – Rock DJ
Christine Aguilera & Friends – Lady Marmalade..........Robin S – Show Me Love
Chubby Checker – Let’s Twist Again..........Rolling Stones – Brown Sugar
Commitments – Mustang Sally..........Rose Royce – Car Wash
Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way..........Roy Orbison – Pretty Woman
Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun..........Salt n Pepa – Push it
Dee-Lite – Groove Is In The Heart..........Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancing
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen..........S Club 7 – Reach
Diana Ross – Chain Reaction..........Shakira – Hips Don’t Lie
Dire Straits – Walk Of Life..........Shania Twain – Man I Feel Like A Woman
DJ Casper – Cha Cha Slide..........Shapeshifters – Lola’s Theme
Donna Summer – Hot Stuff..........Sister Sledge – We Are Family
Earth Wind & Fire – Boogie Wonderland..........Soft Cell – Tainted Love
Elvis Presley – Jailhouse Rock..........Status Quo – Rocking All Over The World
Eric Prydz – Call On Me..........Steeler’s Wheel – Stuck In The Middle
Eurythmics – Sisters Are Doing It..........Stevie Wonder – Superstition
Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup..........Sugababes – Push The Button
Four Seasons – December ’63..........Take That & Lulu – Relight My Fire
Four Tops – Loco In Acapulco..........Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now
Frank Sinatra – New York, New York..........Tina Turner – The Best
Gap Band – Oops Upside Your Head..........Tom Jones – It’s Not Unusual
Girls Aloud – Jump..........Tom Jones – Sex Bomb
Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive..........Tommy James & Shondells – Mony Mony
Hot Chocolate – You Sexy Thing..........Tony Christie – Amarillo
House Of Pain – Jump Around..........Toploader – Dancing In The Moonlight
Human League – Don’t You Want Me..........Trammps – Disco Inferno
Jacksons – Blame It On The Boogie..........Travolta & John – Grease Megamix
Jacksons – I Want You Back..........UB40 – Red Red Wine
Jamelia – Superstar..........Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl
Jeff Beck – Hi Ho Silver Lining..........Various Artists – Perfect Day
Jocelyn Brown – Somebody Else’s Guy..........Village People – YMCA
Katrina & The Waves – Walking On Sunshine..........Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men
KC & The Sunshine Band – Give It Up..........Westlife – Uptown Girl
Kenny Loggins – Footloose..........Wham – I’m Your Man
Kool & The Gang – Celebration..........Whigfield – Saturday Night
Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out Of My Head..........Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Make sure you always for requests in advance, though, so you get an idea of what they like.

I did a wedding tonight where I got throigh 45 of their 50 requests before I ran out of time.

The bride was telling me about her friend, who only managed to get ONE of her requests played at her wedding.

Hope this helps.

:)

[soundtracker]

There's some weird mixes there Rob:)

[Paul The Party Dj]

Hi Frosty
I just want to highlight something Crazy K put in the first reply ...
"music wanted and not wanted"
Not wanted can be VERY important. For example, if "Angels" was played at a funeral last week it my not be a good idea to play it.
Also people frequently say things like "80's" - ask them for one or two favourites to get an idea of what they are looking for.
Ask them how cheesey they want to go - and if they are prepared to let you step over that line if guests specifically ask. Sometimes "Oops" and "Cha Cha Slide" are perfectly acceptable - they just don't want "The Birdie Song"!

I consider it a great honor to DJ at weddings and plan accordingly.

Paul The Party DJ

[DJ Jules]

I consider it a great honor to DJ at weddings and plan accordingly.

I agree, and also charge accordingly. The hard part is explaining to customers why a 4hr party is £200 and a 4hr wedding is £300. I once got asked that question and replied "because we put a lot of planning and care into weddings" to which I asked (obviously), "Well, don't you do that anyway?"

Duh.

Julian

[rob1963]

I agree, and also charge accordingly. The hard part is explaining to customers why a 4hr party is £200 and a 4hr wedding is £300. I once got asked that question and replied "because we put a lot of planning and care into weddings" to which I asked (obviously), "Well, don't you do that anyway?"

That's why I charge exactly the same for weddings as any other event.

All my clients get exactly the same high level of service, so it makes sense to me that they should all pay the same.

[Spirits High]

Some good advice and tracks in here ;)

Don't forget though if there's something on the B & G's request list that looks a bit "iffy" :eek: always announce that it's off their request list a "special" song to them.

That way if it all crashes and burns not wholly your fault :D :D

[rob1963]

Don't forget though if there's something on the B & G's request list that looks a bit "iffy" :eek: always announce that it's off their request list a "special" song to them.

That way if it all crashes and burns not wholly your fault :D :D

Good advice, Paul.

The other option is to lose it amongst the background music earlier in the evening.

As weddings usually run late, I quite often find I don't have time to get in all the bride & grooms requests, so the ones I don't manage to fit in will always include those I don't think are particularly suitable or won't get people dancing.

:D

[DazzyD]

Do as much as possible to find out exactly what they are expecting music wise before the night---
...
Just make sure you dont :Censored: up the first dance---
CRAZY K

Couldn't agree more!


Weddings can be great fun but you need to be able to play a wide range of music, or rather at least HAVE a wide range of music. Most of them you'll play the classic party tracks. Make sure you have a quick chat with the client about music they like or dislike and be prepared for the usual mic work.

All and all some of my best gigs have been weddings so dont dread it, just prepare well for it.

Having a good look at the music section of the site might be of help so you have all the big hits from the various genres.

Good advice.


Hi Frosty
I just want to highlight something Crazy K put in the first reply ...
"music wanted and not wanted"
Not wanted can be VERY important. For example, if "Angels" was played at a funeral last week it my not be a good idea to play it.
Also people frequently say things like "80's" - ask them for one or two favourites to get an idea of what they are looking for.
Ask them how cheesey they want to go - and if they are prepared to let you step over that line if guests specifically ask. Sometimes "Oops" and "Cha Cha Slide" are perfectly acceptable - they just don't want "The Birdie Song"!

I consider it a great honor to DJ at weddings and plan accordingly.

Paul The Party DJ

There's some good comments on this thread.

I too believe that it is an honour to be chosen to be a major part of someones big day. As the DJ, we generally provide the last entertainment of the big day. We can't influence what has gone on before the disco - whether it's been a big success or gone badly wrong - but we do have a lot to do with the moods people go home in. If it's been a good day, the DJ can either send people home feeling happy and entertained or bored and let down. Likewise, if the day has had a few hiccups, the DJ can lift the mood and make them forget the lower points. Just bear in mind that people, brides especially, put a lot of belief in to their big day. They want - and expect - it to be just perfect. But. as DJs, we can't get bogged down in the stress of it all. My advice is to get the first dance out of the way then relax and slip in to party mode. It's always worked for me!

[yourdj]

I mainly do weddings and the advise i would give is:

- let the bride and groom choose when to do first dance.
- keep it cool until then.
- buy a wireless mic and stand in the middle of the room.
- introduce yourself and run straight to the first dance, the b&g are more nervous and don't want to be standing around.
- i use a par can with remote, light them up, the photographer will be thankful.

- at the end get everyone to cheer etc. then do a proper into of yourself and hit them with a very good track. i always use move on up (curtis mayfield) as it appeals to my general clientele (new forest venues) but maybe cha cha slide might do it for another gig :).

- From my experience wedding crowds expect the classics, which does not necessarily mean cheese. mix valerie with aha, buddy holly, etc.

- save some corkers for the end!! I would use sweet caroline, new york new york, dont stop me now, all night long etc.

- when you see people leaving as they do early. stop the music and get everyone together (circle works) and play a last dance such as angels or something. The guests will remember that far more.

- then hit them with the reserved classics.

- do a false ending 10 mins before end and make them ask for more.
- play a couple more corkers and finish with a slow one or new york new york etc.

Good luck

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

- From my experience wedding crowds expect the classics, which does not necessarily mean cheese. mix valerie with aha, buddy holly, etc.



I'm not sure you can generalise like that.

[rob1963]

buy a wireless mic and stand in the middle of the room.

:confused:

Why?


do a false ending 10 mins before end and make them ask for more.

I disagree.

What happens if they DON'T ask for more?

I guess you'll be finishing at 11.50!

:shrug:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

:confused:

Why?



To get people's attention probably.

[rob1963]

To get people's attention probably.

When using the mic, I think you're just as likely to get people's attention if you're behind the decks as if you're with a radio mic out in the front somewhere, as people will automatically look towards to speakers when they hear you talking, regardless of where you actually are.

I remember when I roadied for you & you went out front to announce the throwing of the bouquet or something, and one person in the crowd was mouthing something to me. As I was behind the decks, he assumed it was me that had been speaking!

:shrug:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I remember when I roadied for you & you went out front to announce the throwing of the bouquet or something

Slightly different circumstances though, as the dance floor was 3 miles away! :p

[rob1963]

Slightly different circumstances though, as the dance floor was 3 miles away! :p

Fair comment!

:D :D :D

[djfrosty]

Some good advice and tracks in here ;)

Don't forget though if there's something on the B & G's request list that looks a bit "iffy" :eek: always announce that it's off their request list a "special" song to them.

That way if it all crashes and burns not wholly your fault :D :D

I mostly 90% of the time do this anyways, so the host always looks the fool!! lol

[Spirits High]

I mostly 90% of the time do this anyways, so the host always looks the fool!! lol

Fast learner then :D

saying that the B&G last weekend wanted Kelly Lorena - Heart of Gold (DJ Hixxy mix) incase some are wondering it's proper good hardcore :D

Went down an absolute storm, I followed with the Bass force mix of Scouting for girls She's so lovely ;)

What a great 11 ish minutes that was :)

[yourdj]

I'm not sure you can generalise like that.

Fair enough but many of the request slips come back with the classics. i would say current chart too of course.


:confused:

Why?



I disagree.

What happens if they DON'T ask for more?

I guess you'll be finishing at 11.50!

:shrug:

they never have? Just rounds the evening off for me at a high point and it gets everyone in the room participating.

[yourdj]

When using the mic, I think you're just as likely to get people's attention if you're behind the decks as if you're with a radio mic out in the front somewhere, as people will automatically look towards to speakers when they hear you talking, regardless of where you actually are.

I remember when I roadied for you & you went out front to announce the throwing of the bouquet or something, and one person in the crowd was mouthing something to me. As I was behind the decks, he assumed it was me that had been speaking!

:shrug:

i normally do weddings in forest hotels which are never massive. Depends on the venue but i generally stand on the floor and invite the crowd and bride and groom. then i go to the decks. just the way i do it. do not have a roadie so its pretty obvious its me djing.

just prefer that than being behind equipment. more personal in my opinion.

[rob1963]

What happens if they DON'T ask for more?

I guess you'll be finishing at 11.50!

:shrug:


they never have? Just rounds the evening off for me at a high point and it gets everyone in the room participating.

Wow!

In that case, you have my serious respect.

If I said I always had people shouting for more at the end of the night, I'd be telling a massive porky, and yet I receive excellent unsolicited customer feedback on a regular basis.

Weird!

:shrug:


i normally do weddings in forest hotels which are never massive. Depends on the venue but i generally stand on the floor and invite the crowd and bride and groom. then i go to the decks. just the way i do it. do not have a roadie so its pretty obvious its me djing.

just prefer that than being behind equipment. more personal in my opinion.

Fair enough.

[Ryu]

As you can tell by this thread, there is a lot of things to consider...

From the B and G's perspective, they will want a problem free party, with a full dancefloor all night, with folks dancing to an playlist consisting of the B and Gs favourite tracks. As you've probably guessed the reality is very different.

Wedding Playlists from B and G's we've had have contained everything from obvious party standards through to hardcore dance and heavy metal. In some cases the B and G have been insistent on us sticking to it rigidly, in others we're allowed "artistic licence" and can interpret the list as we see fit. I muchly prefer the second one, the reason being is, You do a great deal more entertaining of a range of age groups than a Bride and Groom (in most cases).

If you DO get a strict B and G in terms of requests, ask them if they know any of their guests favourites are (Especially the B and G's Parents). Its amazing how often B and G's forget that, although it is "Their Special Day" they are inviting 100plus people along to enjoy it with them.

Weddings are the most hard work, but potentially the most rewarding, if you get it right, you will be responsible for making a great day truly special and return bookings are almost inevitable!

[djfrosty]

Hi All,

Well I did my first wedding on Sat 11th July.
It was slightly different, given that they wanted no first dance, and I gave them a sheet asking for all songs they wanted me to play, which they did .
Not your usual wedding selection.
Stuff like The Cure, Muse, Kasabian etc.
This was not a problem as I could just play their list all night.

However, I did make an announcement that the music was the choice of the happy couple, but I would be taking requests. At which point, a load of 40 something women rushed over for Lady Gaga and some other current pop tunage. Oh and the 20 kids all after Michael Jackson all night.

Most of the guests spent the evening outside in the garden of the hall where the barbecue was, and I was playing to a load of women in the main hall, not a problem. They weren't outside cos of the music, more to do with the heat and grub!

All in all, not a bad gig, and bride and groom were happy and most of the guests.

Now, for me, another wedding to do this coming Sunday, with a usual playlist and a few Swedish numbers for the bride and her family who originate from there.
Fingers crossed for me. If its liek the last one, should be fine. I'll have to start taking more weddings on.

Cheers all.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Why the hell do you want weddings?...Just by looking at your flyer gallery ;)
Glad it went well BTW :)

[rob1963]

Hi Frosty!

Glad to hear your first wedding went well, and I hope it's the same with the next one on Sunday.

I love weddings..which is why all my marketing is aimed in that direction, and why about 90% of all my work is weddings.

:D

[djfrosty]

Why the hell do you want weddings?...Just by looking at your flyer gallery ;)
Glad it went well BTW :)

Loooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaadddssaaaa money!!!!!

[visualdjmax]

Why the hell do you want weddings?...Just by looking at your flyer gallery ;)
Glad it went well BTW :)

Have to agree. You are right about more money though for weddings over club work. Well done. Hope all goes well for Sunday.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Loooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaadddssaaaa money!!!!!

Lol. Cant argue with that. I still enjoy club work, but im sooooo glad i got out of promoting :)

[Jonny Boy]

As weddings usually run late, I quite often find I don't have time to get in all the bride & grooms requests, so the ones I don't manage to fit in will always include those I don't think are particularly suitable or won't get people dancing.

:D

I agree: always explain to the clients you will do you BEST, that you will play as many as possible on the night. When times-plans go awry we must "improvise, adapt and overcome!"... we're like Entertainment Marines: ten-hut!

I have had weddings that have run 2.5 hours over before the room is ready. Partly due to slow changeover by the venue.... partly the loooooong speaches.
I just approach clients asap and explain the state-of -play, ask how they want me to adjust the timings accordingly. Most times, if wedding includes a live show, I find couples prefer to shorten the disco and keep the full live set(s) - after all this has cost them the most.*

*Although I often feel torn here as if they have hired 45mins Rat Pack for first set and the wedding has run late, as the style is not so suited for packing the floor early on, I want to kick the party off. But many times I've found the party doesn't kick off regardless until guests are fed and watered...
catch 22.

BUT, in the end it's the couple's prerogative...i just make sure I explain the options as fully as possible and am sure they are aware of what the repercussion of their choice will be. Many times they say "it's up to you: you're the professional."