Wedding Reception Music For A Great Party

Music sets the tempo for your wedding reception.  It lets guests know what to expect, communicates the tone of events and can accentuate the theme of the day.  So how do you use music to weave your ideas together, check out these tips.

Consider your guests.  When thinking about the songs for your wedding reception, consider the age and personality of your guests.  While much of your play list will include Top 40 and dance hits, remember that guests have some favorite songs that they like to dance to at weddings as well.  If you’re getting married near a particular holiday or season, consider adding music for that time of year as well.

Create playlists, but don’t go overboard.  When thinking about the songs for your wedding reception, it is helpful to think of them in three groups; “Must Play”, “Try To Play” and “Do Not Play”. These lists are very helpful in letting your wedding DJ know the types of music you do and don’t want to hear at your wedding reception.

Trust your DJ.  While you will likely attend a few weddings this year, your  wedding DJ will be performing at numerous events.  Allow him to use his professional skills to guide you towards songs that he knows will pack your dance floor.  After all, you do want guests to dance.

Let your DJ take requests.  Talk with your wedding DJ about the type of party you are hoping for.  Do you want music as the background for visiting or do you want a dance party?  Allow the DJ to take requests and suggest alternatives that will keep the party flowing.  A professional DJ can read the crowd and play the best song next.

Every guest request isn’t a good request.  While it’s become trendy to ask guests to submit songs in advance, it is highly suggested that you don’t ask guests for requests in advance.  If you do collect requests, make sure that you discuss with your DJ to make sure he is screening requests to make sure they match your vision.  You don’t want to create a party for one person.  If you receive 100 requests of songs averaging 3 minutes, that is 5 hours of music programming.

Music Set The Tone.  The music for your wedding reception gives your guests a cue on what kind of event you will have.  This starts with your Grand Entrance to the wedding reception.  Choosing a fun song for bridal party introductions can help get the crowd ready for your big moment and give your guests a preview of what is to follow.

Cocktail hours can rock!  The formality of the ceremony is over and guests are ready to have a good time.  The music for your cocktail hour is a great way to share your personal tastes so anything goes.  Consider acoustic artists, crooners, reggae, love songs through the ages or any other genres that fit with your wedding theme.

Keep Dinner Upbeat.  There is no rule that says you must play soft jazz during dinner service.  Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, Dave Matthews Band, Radiohead, Mat Kearney and artists of similar nature translate well to the dinner hour.  Your wedding DJ can also play songs that pickup the tempo as you get closer to the dancing portion of the evening.

Keep It Flowing.  Nothing kills the flow of a dance floor more than constant interruptions.  Work with your wedding DJ to establish a timeline that takes care of the traditional wedding events early in the reception and allows you to open the dance floor.

End It On The Right Note.  Ending your reception on a high note gives your guests a final, lasting impression.  Whether a special slow song for the romantics, or a sing-a-long for friends, give some consideration to  your last song of the evening.

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Wedding Reception Exit Strategy

You’ve had a beautiful ceremony and an amazing wedding reception, but the night is over. Enjoy your wedding day a little longer by leaving the end of the night activities to someone else. Too many brides make the mistake of forgetting to hand these tasks off to a trusting friend. (Want to know the other mistakes brides make? Click here)

Gifts

This is a job that you can give to your most trusted friend. At the conclusion of the reception, someone should be tasked with collecting the boxes, bags and envelope holder. Decide in advance who this person will be and where they will place the items. Often the gifts are placed in the couples hotel room if at the same venue or given to the parents of the couple. This is particularly important to decide if you are departing in the morning for your honeymoon.

Decor

If you have rented any items for your decorations, you may need someone to not only collect them at the end of the evening, but also to return them to the vendor. Some companies will pickup the rental items, but there may be a fee for doing so.

Floral arrangements may be given to guests as they part, donated to a hospital or nursing home or disposed of by the venue. Be sure to check with the venue to see what items can be left on site at the conclusion of the evening.

Fees and Gratuities

Typically, most fees are paid prior to the wedding day, but it is possible you will have some due that evening. One of the best man’s duties is to handle any fees or gratuities for the couple. Prepare and label envelopes in advance so he can handle those tasks for you.

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The Award For Top Guest Goes To…

          

 Looking to add some fun to their wedding reception, Joey and Renee presented awards to the Top Guests.  Mike Staff Productions DJ Kurt made an announcement, at the couples request, that the award for the Top Guest would be given near the end of the reception to the “freshest, livest and most energetic party person to ever exist”.  This led to a fun night with guest requesting songs they could make their own like “Time Warp”, “Rock Lobster” and 90′s hip hop.  The dance floor remained packed throughout the evening as guests cheered when a new contender for the award was announced.

Is this something you would consider for your wedding?

To learn more about our award winning DJ services, click here.

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How To Make Your Wedding Reception Stand Out

Your wedding reception is the party to celebrate your new beginning with your family and friends.  And you, of course, want it to be a night to remember.  Here are some things couples are doing to make sure their guests do!

Candy Buffet.  The candy bar is a guest favorite; with many venues adding this as an a la carte option.  The candy bar is also a great way to add a splash of your wedding colors, if available as candies.  A candy bar is creating by choosing 5-10 different types of candy and displaying them in glass containers on a sweet table or in smaller containers on guest tables.

Groom’s Cakes.  Many couples choose to highlight the groom’s hobbies or interests with a groom’s cake.  The groom’s cake can feature his favorite team, alma mater or any other interest he has.  This cake is often placed near the wedding cake and can be served as a dessert option, wrapped as guest favors, or kept for the one year anniversary.

Unique Centerpieces.  Centerpieces have moved beyond flowers and candles and now incorporate much more.  Feathers, branches, fruit displays, hurricane lamps, candelabras and bird cages are all alternatives to flowers and very trendy.  Mason jars and branches can be added to give your formal affair a more relaxed feel.

Mascot Visits.  Guests are sure to remember when a 6 foot Tiger or Spartan enters the reception room.  Often arranged as a surprise to the groom, mascot visits are great for one of a kind photo ops for you and your guests.

Unexpected Venues.  Art galleries, museums and theaters have become popular reception spots as couples look for ways to separate from the norm.  While they do present more challenges in arranging rentals and catering, the unique venue can be well worth the effort.

Showstopper Cakes.  Everyone loves cake; especially showstopper wedding cakes.  Whether for elegance, unusual features and delicious flavor, couples are making their wedding cakes memorable.

Ice Cream Bars.  A great option for dessert is a DIY sundae bar.  Ice cream is scooped into sundae dishes and guests can add their favorite sundae toppings.  A growing trend is to hire an “ice cream artist” who makes flavors to order on a cold stone in front of guests.

ShutterBooths.  ShutterBooths are designed to blend in and compliment your event while adding another level of entertainment for your guests.  They give your guests an experience they’ll never forget; build excitement at your wedding with a ShutterBooth. Guests enjoy the spontaneity of posing for pictures and revealing their true personalities. (Click here to learn about Shutterbooths)

Reception Club.  While the main activities at the wedding reception will likely be dinner and dancing, some couples decide to create a separate club area within their wedding reception for relaxing and conversation.  You can rent swanky, trendy couches and chairs for the occasion.  A special touch for this area is a separate martini bar or cocktail waitresses just for the lounge.  Rugs, lamps and lighting accents help to create the club feel.

Lighting.  Nothing else can add the “Wow Factor” to your reception room more than decorative Up-Lighting & Accent Lighting. Custom lighting designs specifically tailored to your wedding reception perfectly sets the mood from the moment guests enter the room.  (Click here to learn about Up-Lighting)

We’re ready to make your reception memorable (and capture it too!).  Click here to learn more.

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Choosing Your Wedding Reception Venue

The venue you choose for your wedding reception is the stage for your dream wedding.  And so many of your later decisions will be based upon the wedding reception venue – the centerpieces, menu, invitations, and more.  For that reason, the date and venue are usually the first two decisions you will make.  So, how do you select the perfect wedding reception venue?  The following factors often help to decide where to hold your party of a lifetime.

The Guest List.  When considering a wedding reception venue, it’s a good idea to ask the guaranteed minimum and absolute maximum number of guests they can accommodate.  The minimum number is the amount of guests you will pay for, even if your wedding guest list is fewer than this number.  The minimum number may be negotiable if your wedding reception will be during non-peak dates.  When considering the maximum number, think about the layout of the venue.  Will guests be seated in overflow rooms, making it difficult to hear toasts or view dancing?

The Vibe.  When you conduct a site visit, be conscious of how you feel when at the location.  Does the venue have “the vibe” you are looking for – whether that be formal, hip, sophisticated or casual?  Does the staff have a welcoming, professional manner?  Can you picture your friends and family enjoying your wedding at this location?

The Decor.  When viewing a possible wedding reception site, consider the decor of the facility.  Has it been recently updated?  Is it scheduled for a major overhaul?  Does the decor suit the decorations you have in mind?  Does the venue supply any basic decorations such as mirrors or table linens?  Are there any architectural elements you can highlight?  Does it present good photo opportunities?  You will spend the most amount oftime on your wedding day at this facility.  Make sure the decor is something you enjoy.

Location.  Guests appreciate it when you take their needs into consideration too.  If you have a large number of out of town guests, a reception venue with or near hotel accommodation is a great convenience.  If your wedding ceremony location and reception are close to each other, your and your guests will have less travel time.

Ceremony Options.  If you are interested in combining your ceremony and reception venues, you can save time and moneyon your wedding day.  If there ceremony will take place outside, make sure you consider the indoor alternative in case of inclement weather.  Does the venue charge additional fees if you have to enter the facility early for these reasons?  Are there fees for chair rental and setup for the ceremony?

Practical Matters.  While this is your dream wedding, there are still real world matters to consider.  Make sure the venue has ample parking and conveniently located restrooms.  How many bartenders will service your guests?  Do they offer valet service?  Coat check?  Handicap accessible?  Does the wedding reception venue offer a bridal suite where you can freshen up or store items?  If you are getting married at the height of summer temperatures, ask to visit on a warm day so you can feel if the air conditioning is adequate.

The Entertainment.  Your wedding reception is the party to celebrate your wedding so consider the venue’s layout for the entertainment.  Is the dance floor in a good location and large enough to accommodate your guests?  Is there room for the DJ to be placed by the dance floor?  If you are considering an outdoor venue, are there ample electrical resources?

A Yummy Task.  Of all the items on yourplanning checklist, none are as delicious as sampling the reception menu.  You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, so don’t skip tasting the food for your reception.  Most reception venues regularly schedule tastings so that you can sample items you are considering for your wedding menu.  You can also discuss additional food and drink items, such as midnight snacks and signature drinks.

Fees and payment schedules.  Some reception venues provide the catering, table linens, china and more.  Some venues provide just the facility.  And others will allow you to bring in your own caterer – for a fee.  Whatever your choice, be certain that you understand the fees and they are written in your contract.  Additional fees to consider are gratuities for the maitre d’, wait staff, coat attendants, valets and bartenders.  Some contracts will include a line item for gratuities in the details.

You will likely pay a security deposit upon signing the contract for the reception venue.  Ask to include the payment schedule in your contract.  The terms should also define if, and under what circumstances your payments would be refundable.

Somewhere different.  Many couples are choosing to hold their reception at a non-traditional venue.  If you choose a non-traditional venue, you may incur additional costs to supply basic items like  tables, chairs, and table wears.  Additionally, the wait staff will likely be contracted for the event so you may want to work with both the venue and caterer to compare wait staff fees.  Some ideas for this option include:

• Art galleries
• Sports arenas
• Botanical gardens
• Zoos
• Historic homes
• Museums
• Planetariums
• Yachts
• Theaters
• Vineyards
• Restaurants
• Orchards
• Planetariums

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