No, I’ve never been married. Nor am I a wedding coordinator. But at the elderly age of 39, I’ve Second Lined, Harlem Shuffled, and Elaine-d my way through countless reception venues, hotels, and country clubs across the Greater New Orleans area. I’ve dutifully attended my friend’s and family’s wedding receptions and lived to tell myriad tales of dance floor mayhem – from wipe-outs to forced bridal party “dancing” with (read, illegal use of hands) your cousin Boudreaux. In my vast and varied experience, I’ve learned one thing is certain – be it a live band or DJ, music at a wedding reception is THE crucial element driving you and your guests level of party satisfaction (well that, and cocktails).
I once watched a Barbara Walters interview with Matthew McConaughey in which he stated that the only detail he would care about in planning the wedding when he married would be the music. True to his word, McConaughey hired Mellencamp, his favorite musician and close friend, to play during his wedding to Camila Alves in June of 2012. While we can’t all have The Coug serenade us down the aisle, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy “A little ditty, about Jack and Diane,” if you JUST HAVE TO HEAR IT.
With the average cost of live bands being three times as much as hiring a DJ, it’s easy to see why wedding entertainment is trending in favor of the spin masters. * That, and the visions of Skrillex dancing in our heads. While most DJ’s won’t provide the type of shows offered at Buku and Voodoo, DJ’s for-hire have definitely stepped up their game over the past several years.
*http://www.perfectweddings.us/2010/03/wedding-statistics.html
Most reception-style DJ’s, like the house DJ’s at The Balcony Ballroom, are versatile and willing to develop a playlist reflecting the tastes of the marrying couple and their guests. Within those confines, it’s a challenge selecting a mix that will appeal to both the flower girl and to grandpa. It undoubtedly takes some modicum of skill to seamlessly (and shamelessly) transition from Calling Baton Rouge to Hey Ya (the top-rated song to get your guests’ toes a tappin’, according to pop culture pollster Walt Hickey). *
A reception set list is not something that should consume much of the bride and grooms time. Any DJ worth their pay check should be able to comprise a tailored block of tunes based on a handful of suggestions from the happy couple, no matter the variation of the requests. The couple should also feel comfortable enough to veto any music styles or songs they find distasteful. A good DJ will have an extensive knowledge of music, from contemporary to classical. They should be armed with a potential list of songs in advance of the event, and be willing to alter that list and play music off-the-cuff in response to the natural flow of each unique reception.
“A great DJ is able to develop a play list based on suggestions from the bride and groom and from being able to read the crowd. They keep the party going by taking cues from who is and isn’t dancing. They have to play to the masses. I generally like to play 3 – 4 up-tempo numbers, then a line dance, followed by a ballad. Line dances tend to get everyone out of their seats and onto the dance floor. Slow dances are a great way to get the older generation involved, as well as that groomsman who may be trying to hit it off with one of the bridesmaids. It also gives the bride and groom a chance to reconnect, which they often haven’t done since their first dance of the reception. I think a lot of DJ’s forget the importance of slow songs. They try to keep matching the tempo of the previous song to keep the party going, thinking that a slow song will be a buzz-kill. In my experience, everyone loves slow dancing at a wedding. If not, it’s the perfect opportunity to hit the bar.” – Jay VanVrancken, Co-Owner, The Balcony Ballroom
The following is a sample set list for a wedding reception provided by The Balcony Ballroom:
Song Name Artist
Never Been to Spain 3 Dog Night
Use Me Bill Withers
Everyday People Sly & The Family Stone
Take Our Momma Scissors Sisters
Tell Me Something Good Rufus & Chaka Khan
Superstition Stevie Wonder
Into the Mystic Van Morrison
Groove Me King Floyd
Higher Ground Stevie Wonder
September Earth Wind & Fire
Living for the City Stevie Wonder
Wanna Be Starting Something Michael Jackson
Get Up Offa That Thing James brown
Jive Talking The BG's
Footloose Kenny Loggins
Sing a Song Earth Wind & Fire
Para Donde Vas The Iguanans
You Are the Sunshine of My Life Stevie Wonder
Second Line
The Second Line Stop, Inc - Ultimate Mardi Gars
Got to Give It Up (Part 1) Marvin Gaye
You Should Be Dancing The BG's
Blurred Lines Robin Thicke The Way You Make Me Feel Michael Jackson
Roxanne The Police
Good to be Alive Hallelujah Andy Grammar
Happy Pharrell
Uptown Funk Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars
Proud Mary Tina Turner
Suavermente - Meregue Version Elvis Crespo
PYT Michael Jackson
Soha Mil Pasos - Kizomba Remix Isabelle, Kizomba, Felicien Pachmama Tarifa You Can Leave Your Hat On Joe Cocker
So whether you like country, crooners, ’80 hair metal, or have a burning desire to mash the 3, know that hiring a DJ is more affordable and the song selections far more extensive than when hiring live musicians. At some venues, like The Balcony Ballroom, the DJ is included in the cost of your reception. If a DJ is not included, I highly recommend the article 22 Questions to Ask Your Band or DJ, published by TheKnot.com:
https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-reception-music-questions-to-ask-a-band
Join me next week for what is certain to be an interesting discussion on: Reception Drinking. Until then…
Somewhat Tastefully,
Ainslie
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - http://bodyodd.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/03/02/6172473-cant-dance-brain-chemical-throws-off-your-groove
Matthew McConaughey - http://nowdestinationweddings.com/articles/a-look-at-the-matthew-mcconaughey-and-camila-alves-wedding
Ainslie Blanke has over 6 years of bridal service experience, including management at both Friend and Company & Adler's. She's also a seasoned social media media marketer and retailer, with her last position being the Director of Marketing, Promotion, and Special Events for OffBeat Magazine.