Whenever we sit down with a bridal couple to talk about music selections for their celebration two big questions are asked. What songs do you want to hear? What songs do you NOT want to be played?
Often times people know more what they don’t like. A recent bridal couple began naming songs to put on the the Do Not Play List. Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling”; “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang; John Mayer’s “Your Body Is a Wonderland” is not invited to the wedding.
All the typical “wedding songs” were off limits. Being involved in many weddings, a night without the songs that everyone plays is a welcome break. Here’s the problem…. The reason why everyone plays those songs is because people love those songs.
“I Gotta Feeling” is ranked No. 1 on the list of most requested party songs over the last 12 months. Oh and “Celebration” after all these years is still at No. 26.
So it presents a bit of a conundrum in an era when weddings are as much, if not more, about the guests’ experience as the bride and groom. No matter how much a couple loathes “Love Shack” (No. 11 most requested and No. 10 most banned), is there something to be said for putting taste aside to get everyone grooving?
We always stress to couples to consider guests and not just what they like to listen to. Yes it is your day, but be considerate. We have had couples choose every single song to be played frome begining to end and others choose a single artist or group to play all night. Trust me, grandma is not going to want to hear the Greatful Dead for 6 hours.
A DJ needs flexibility to satisfy guests of all ages. Couples should keep ”Do Not Play” songs to no more than the 10 songs they truly can’t stand.
A list that’s too long or restrictive can dampen a party. If your guests are asking for certain songs that are banned they feel shunned when told thier request won’t be played.
To ensure that “everyone from 3 to 103″ was entertained at her wedding in June, Abby Jakoplic left her musical fate to the DJ and banned the Do Not Play list. She welcomed the cheesy and cliche — including the No. 1 most shunned song. “We had everyone from toddlers to grandparents out there doing the ‘Chicken Dance,’” Jakoplic said.
Yes it cheesy, but cheesy can be fun. That’s a song all ages will dance to. In case you were wondering:
Top 5 Do Not Play songs
“Chicken Dance”
“Macarena” by Los Del Rio
“Y.M.C.A.” by Village People
“Cha Cha Slide” by DJ Casper
“Electric Slide” by Grandmaster Slice
