Hiring a DJ vs. Creating a Playlist for your Wedding Reception
While hiring live music for your wedding offers the excitement of a performance, it’s not in everyone’s budget. Disk jockeys (DJs) are becoming increasingly popular in the wedding industry for ceremonies and receptions. A DJ usually comes with a lower price tag than hiring a full-on band. Additionally, a DJ comes with a lot of benefits including convenience, a diverse selection, authentic and/or alternative versions of songs, and better volume control. A DJ is also likely to have the most recent hits and is able to play any song that a band may not have learned yet.
PROS of hiring a wedding DJ:
convenient and stress-free
a more diverse and up-to-date selection
better volume control
they’re able to read the room and play what they think is best suited in the moment
the possibilities are endless
more budget-friendly than a live band
How to find the right DJ for you:
When it comes to finding the right wedding DJ for your special day, several considerations can help you make the perfect choice.
Firstly, start by researching and reading reviews of local DJs in your area. This will give you an idea of their reputation and the experiences of previous clients. Once you find one you like, reach out to them and schedule a consultation to get a feel for their personality and style. During these meetings, discuss your musical preferences, wedding theme, and any special requests you may have. Take note of their responsiveness, professionalism, and their ability to adapt to your needs. Additionally, ask for a sample mix or playlist to gauge their expertise in keeping the dance floor alive. Lastly, inquire about their equipment, backup plans, and whether they offer any additional services such as lighting.
By following these steps and trusting your instincts, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect wedding DJ who can curate the soundtrack of your dreams and create an unforgettable atmosphere for you and your guests!
But what if a DJ is out of your budget too?
To each their own; while there are many advantages to having a DJ at your wedding, your budget doesn’t always allow for it. I skipped it and you can too!
Instead, we created a custom wedding reception playlist! My husband is an on-air radio host, so we were at a bit of advantage; we had a friend in charge of music (who also works in radio) to keep an eye on the playlist and make sure things ran smoothly. But you could have anyone who is familiar with the program you use (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) and do the same thing!
Tips for making your own wedding reception dance playlist:
These are some of the steps my husband followed to round out our playlist:
every 5th song is a slow song
mix in some current and popular songs
we kept ours to mostly throwbacks
added a lot of timeless and classic reception songs like “The Cha Cha Slide”, “I Knew the Bride” (a must-have in my opinion), “Forever and Ever Amen”, etc.
know your audience and adjust — there are some songs we know get our friends on the dance floor
put them in the order you want them to play — this makes it easy to simply hit play and let it go!
if you do have the playlist made up and in order, make sure no one can access the device and mess up the queue (this is why it’s super helpful to have a designated person on the device, controlling the music and making sure there’s no hiccups)
you could find a pre-made playlist and edit it to cater more towards your guests (like ours here!)
You can find our actual wedding reception playlist on Spotify HERE — remember this was curated to our audience when we got married in 2021; but with a few adjustments, this is sure to get any group on the dance floor!
PROS to making your own playlist:
cut down planning time
save money
it’s exactly curated to you and your partner
you get to be in control of all the songs that get played during the reception
