Playlist
Sit down with your FI and go through your music to create short must-play and do-not-play lists. You are each allowed veto power, of course. Give your DJ or your bandleader a quick phone call to review your list. Band leaders know which songs work really well in their repertoire. Go ahead, ask them for their input of what they think might not work so well and why. If your must-play list gets too long (say, more than 10 songs), create a third list. This can be more of a wish list of songs you’d like to be played only if your guests respond positively to them.
Please don’t micromanage, like: ‘I want the girl in the band to sing ‘Moves Like Jagger’ Play it at 9:46 p m at a slower tempo (122.76 BPM would be perfect!) Don’t sing the Christina Aguilera part, because I can’t stand her.
Sounds too loud
Despite the presence of alcohol and all your college friends, a wedding shouldn’t resemble a frat party. Rave-level volume at all the time during the reception will frustrate older family members.
When your band is asked to keep it ‘Low’ so your friends can chat during cocktails, make sure they are not thinking its a request for the Flo Rida song. Once everyone is in a dancing frenzy, there is nothing wrong for the music to sound full and rich on the dance floor. Clever bands achieve this by placing and aiming their main speakers there. A good band always watches the guests and directs the sound where it is needed. The days of just two speakers on sticks to the left and right of a band are long gone. Modern sound systems contain multiple sets of dedicated speaker systems for different zones. Subwoofers are essential for a balanced sound. Some of the older folks and relatives still might need a little time to catch up, holding small conversations with each other throughout the evening.
Inappropriate songs
Sure you want to hear everything in your iTunes collection, but don’t destroy your sit-down dinner because you had to fit “Nine Inch Nails” in there somewhere. Music should fit the mood of the moment.
Stick with instrumentals or soft ballads during dinner and then transition into the dance party. An expert band will know what songs fit each moment. Work with them to pick an appropriate number of dinner-friendly selections so your guests can digest without the singer trying to outdo Sammy Hagar screaming over Eddie Van Halen’s guitar. This is not the moment for “Right Now!”
Great article.