Wedding Music that Will Get Your Guests Dancing.
By
Nina Callaway, About.com Guide
Suggestions for Wedding Music - - Ensure A Full Dance Floor and Fun Times
I think the best weddings have romantic and beautiful ceremonies, and receptions that feel like great all-out parties. Wedding music is perhaps the most important element of making your guests go home saying, "Man, that was a fun wedding." If you want to ensure that your guests are dancing and having fun all night long, here are my tips for great wedding music.
Variety is Key in Wedding Music
What appeals to your high school friends is not going to be exactly the same as what appeals to your business colleagues. So mix things up and play some of each. If you do it right, the guests who come to the floor for KC & the Sunshine Band will stick around for Beyonce.
Know Your Audience
In some circles, line dances like "Electric Slide" are hugely popular. Amongst my friends, it would go over like a lead balloon – that's why I have it on my personal Do Not Play List. On the other hand, my family has a soft spot for "Copacabana", so even though it's cheesy, it might just be played. Bottom line, you know your friends and family better than any DJ or bandleader. If there's a song that will really get your guests dancing, or keep them from dancing, don't hesitate to make that known.
Ask Your Guests About Their Favorite Wedding Music
On your reply card, ask guests to name a song that will be sure to get them up and dancing. It will help guests get excited for dancing, and ensure that the wedding music appeals to a wide variety of people.
Taking Care of Older Guests
Sure, you want your friends to have a good time, but don't ignore Grandma and Grandpa. Older guests will tend to be among the first to leave, so tailor your music selections accordingly. Towards the beginning of your reception, play more 40's, 50's and 60's hits, mixed with current selections. In the last hour, you can stick to current music. Some oldies that appeal to many generations: Elvis – "Teddy Bear" or "Hound Dog", Supremes – "You Can't Hurry Love", Jerry Lee Lewis – "Great Balls of Fire."
Get the Dancing Started a Little Early
Traditionally, dancing wouldn't start until after the cake is served. But today's brides and grooms want to have more lively and fun wedding receptions. So they're kicking off the dancing shortly after the main course is served. In fact, at one of the more fun wedding receptions I've ever been to, the dancing started as soon as the bride and groom were announced. (The only time the dancing stopped was for the toasts!)
Stack the Dance Floor
Hey, you're the bride (or groom). You get to boss the bridal party around, at least a little bit. Careful scientific observation tells me that guests are more apt to dance when there are already people dancing. So tell the bridal party that part of their job is to dance, and to ask other people to dance. Plus, the pictures of your 20-something-year-old roommate dancing with your 80-something-year-old great uncle will be
