If you’ve been to many weddings, you know that the right music can make an otherwise great wedding spectacular. Whether you opt for a live band or DJ, choosing the soundtrack to your special day — and who will play it — can be overwhelming. We talked to some of the hottest music acts in the Chicagoland area to get the insider information on how to make sure you and your guests are grooving all night long.
Do:
Make sure the sound system is appropriate for the number of guests. If the speaker system isn’t big enough, you’re going to have a problem.
Ask your DJ what kind of events they have played, suggests Mike Bell of Open Mike Entertainment. If they’re used to playing younger events in the city or low-budget affairs, they might not be the right choice for a large formal wedding reception.
Work with a professional company that has complete insurance coverage, says Howard Wallach of A-Z Entertainment, which was voted the Make It Better Best DJ of 2015 by readers.
Ask your DJ what they plan on wearing. If the immediate answer is an all-white tuxedo and a fedora, you may want to rethink your booking. “The DJ may be in some of your pictures,” Bell says. “You can’t Photoshop out a bad outfit.”
Ask if the DJ has edited versions of popular songs to ensure the night is grandparent-friendly.
Crowdsource reviews and see what the company’s website looks like. You’ll want to be sure you’re working with seasoned professionals.
Don’t:
Neglect your budget. “The budget always comes first,” says Patrick Doody of Green Fourteen Weddings. “Whether you decide on a DJ or a live band is really related to how much you want to spend.”
Be afraid to negotiate. “Ask, what can you offer me based on this price?” Doody says.
Feel pressured by a company that won’t let you pay by credit card. That should always be an option, according to Wallach.
Play it Again, Sam: What’s Hot (and What’s Not) For Wedding Music
Must Play:
“Crazy Love” by Michael Bublé
“Marry You” by Bruno Mars
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson
“Shut Up and Dance” by Walk The Moon
Do Not Play:
“YMCA” by Village People
“Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks
“The Chicken Dance”
For Mother/Son Dances:
“In My Life” by The Beatles
“My Wish” by The Rascal Flatts
For Father/Daughter Dances:
“Hero” by Mariah Carey
“You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins
“My Girl” by The Temptations
First Dance:
“All of Me” by John Legend
“Your Song” by Elton John
Getting Guests on the Dance Floor:
“Ignition Remix” by R. Kelly
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
“What I Like About You” by The Romantics
“Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones
Last Song of the Night:
“Best Friend” by Queen
“No Ordinary Love” by The Deftones
“Is This Love” by Corrine Bailey Rae
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel
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