Covering the Wedding Musical Basics with your DJ

When it comes to music, it is not enough to decide on skipping a live band or an ensemble for a DJ. If you don't sit down with that DJ and decide on a few things, you could have a very bizarre or unappealing mix of music to listen to. Remember: everyone has different musical tastes, so you can't assume the DJ automatically knows yours without prompting. So here are some things to discuss with the DJ prior to the wedding.

• See if they have a list of the music they have on hand so you can pick out songs you want to hear at some point during the reception and what songs you would not want to hear under any circumstance.
• At traditional weddings that involve dancing, there are a number of special dances that need to have songs picked out. Sometimes the bride and groom's first dance as a married couple can be done with their song (if that have one) playing in the background. There are also the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance to think about, or decide not to have altogether.
• Consider what kind of music you want playing during the meal, if you are having one. Instrumental music is popular, as are soft love songs played quietly so as not to disturb the flow of conversation.
• Wedding dances can be fun or embarrassing, depending on the person. If you happen to like the Electric Slide, ask your DJ to play it, and possibly other songs spread out through the reception. If not, make it very, very clear that you would rather keep the dancing optional and unthreatening.
• Think about the different kinds of people who will be at the wedding. If the bride and her bridesmaids have a song they'd always sing and dance to on nights out in their youth, mark that on the list of songs that must be played.
• If children are invited to the wedding, consider a few songs that they will recognize and want to dance to. Conga-lines are popular with the little ones, as is the Chicken Dance. And what can be more fun than watching a grown adult doing the chicken dance in formal wear with a group of small children?
• For the cake cutting, the choices for music are virtually limitless. Many opt for romantic songs to play, while couples with a serious humor streak will choose funnier songs like Def Leopard’s "Pour Some Sugar on Me," or even "Eat It" by Weird Al Yankovic.
• Similarly, the different songs that can be played during the garter removal are a large variety and probably should be picked prior to the wedding unless you are particularly fond of surprises.

The music can sometimes make or break the way the dance floor fills up during a wedding. So choose wisely -- if you have the DJ play songs that only a handful of people can get down and boogie to, it can make for a very slow-moving reception. And don't forget to pick out some favorite slow-dance songs. Variety is the spice of life, and can definitely make the difference for any wedding reception.