On occasion, here at David Turner Music, we will be blogging about DJ-ing weddings and events (among many other topics), in an effort to provide clients with some insight on the approach we take at wedding receptions, private parties, corporate and themed events, etc. While the overall approach to DJ-ing is similar for all of these parties, we want to share some things that we feel make a successful event. In this installment of the blog, I want to talk about disc jockey music selection for the different types of events, starting with weddings.
Wedding receptions can typically be broken down into a few parts, as far as music is concerned: Special Music Segments(Wedding party intros, first and special dances, etc.), light dance sets, dance sets, and the dinner set. When choosing a great DJ in Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, Naples or Fort Myers, Florida, you will clearly want him or her to have a variety of great music in their collection and, possibly more important, know the appropriate time to play that music. After all, you’ll see a lot of DJs brag about having tens of thousands of songs on tap. But, of course, that’s just part of the equation.
As an example, every bride and groom will have their favorite artists and songs on a playlist that they will supply to a DJ prior to the event, but it’s important to understand that their favorite music might not speak to all of the guests at the wedding. That said…make no mistake…YOU DEFINITELY PLAY THE SONGS THAT THEY REQUEST FOR THEIR WEDDING! However, maybe you can fit the slightly less popular or more obscure stuff in during dinner, for example. When you want a packed dance floor at a wedding, you really have to be playing the biggest hits…hits that everybody knows…not just the bride and groom.
As far as wedding party intros and special dances, they will, of course, involve playing exact requests. So, nothing to worry about there.
Dinner is the perfect time to focus on the bride’s and groom’s music requests…especially lesser known stuff and slower songs. Most wedding guests are engaged in conversation at this point, and also more receptive to music that they may not be as familiar with, anyway. So, go ahead and get those more obscure/mellow/chill requests in before the party kicks into gear!
Light dance sets at weddings might consist of a pre-dinner dance set, or an instance where some guests are finished eating, while others are not quite done. You’re not ready to blow the place up with the latest Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran or Coldplay song, but you want to “fill the void” so to speak, with some decent and danceable stuff. Go ahead and DJ some second tier hits while you’re prepping for the big set that will follow.
The big dance sets at a wedding reception in Sarasota, or any other place for that matter, will be huge hits from different decades and styles, and maybe a few regional-type favorites…just do a great job mixing and transitioning and all will be well.
So, that’s about it for the first rendition of the “Sarasota Best DJ Tips” blog. Stay tuned for additional posts in the near future, and thanks again for considering David Turner Music of Sarasota, FL for your disc jockey and live music needs on the west coast of Florida! – DT