Wedding Music Should Sound Like You

One of the best things about planning your wedding music is that there really isn't one playlist that works for every couple.

As Reno wedding DJs and MCs, we work with couples who have completely different tastes in music. Some love traditional wedding songs. Others want something completely unexpected. Most couples fall somewhere in between.

Our advice is simple: your wedding music should sound like you.

A recent wedding we were part of at Lavender Ridge in the Reno area was a great example.

Your Ceremony Music Can Show Your Personality

Wedding ceremony music doesn't have to be limited to traditional selections.

Maddy and Tyler incorporated music that reflected their personalities from the very beginning. Their ceremony included the Jurassic Park theme for Tyler's entrance, followed by the Star Wars theme for the wedding party. Maddy chose Stand By Me by Florence + The Machine for her entrance.

Those choices made their ceremony personal to them while still allowing Maddy's entrance to have its own special feel.

That's something we encourage couples to think about when choosing ceremony music. There are moments that can be emotional and romantic, but there are also opportunities to have some fun.

Think About How Your Music Connects the Moments

Music isn't only about choosing individual songs. It can also help create transitions from one part of your wedding to another.

For their grand entrance, Maddy and Tyler chose Feel So Close by Calvin Harris and had a specific part of the song in mind for their entrance.

After entering, they took a celebratory shot together and transitioned into their first dance to At Last by Etta James.

That's a great example of combining something energetic and fun with something traditional and romantic.

When we're planning music with our couples, we're not only looking at the songs. We're also thinking about how those songs fit into the flow of the wedding.

Your Dinner Music Is Part of the Experience Too

Couples sometimes spend a lot of time thinking about ceremony songs and dance music but overlook cocktail hour and dinner.

Those parts of the wedding matter too.

Cocktail and dinner music helps create the atmosphere while guests are visiting, eating, and enjoying the reception. It's another opportunity to include music you enjoy without worrying about whether every song will fill a dance floor.

Your wedding music doesn't suddenly begin when dancing starts. It can help set the mood throughout the entire celebration.

Then It's Time to Have Some Fun

When Maddy and Tyler were ready to start the dance party, their choice was Yeah! by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris.

That's quite a journey from Jurassic Park to Etta James to Usher — and that's exactly the point.

It was their wedding.

They also gave us permission to take appropriate requests from their guests. That gave their DJ room to combine the couple's musical preferences with songs their guests wanted to hear.

This is where giving your DJ some creative freedom can really help. Your music selections give us direction, and then we can read the dance floor and use our experience to keep people engaged.

You Don't Have to Play the Same Songs as Every Other Wedding

We DJ weddings throughout the Reno area, and no two celebrations are exactly alike.

You don't need to choose a song because you heard it at someone else's wedding, and you certainly don't have to choose something simply because an online list says it's one of the most popular wedding songs.

Choose music that means something to you.

Some of those choices might be traditional. Some might surprise your guests.

And some might simply be songs that make you want to get on the dance floor with your favorite people.

Let Your DJ Help Bring It Together

Part of our job as a Reno wedding DJ and MC team is taking all of those different musical ideas and helping them work together throughout the wedding.

Your ceremony should feel different from cocktail hour. Dinner should create its own atmosphere. Your special dances should have meaning. And when it's finally time for the dance party, the energy should change again.

That's why we want to learn about the music our couples enjoy rather than simply showing up with the same wedding playlist every weekend.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of wedding traditions worth keeping if they're meaningful to you.

But your music is one area where you can really make your wedding personal.

Maddy and Tyler's wedding at Lavender Ridge was a great reminder of that. Their music ranged from movie themes to classic romance to a packed dance floor, and all of it reflected the celebration they wanted to have.

When you're planning your own Reno wedding, don't worry too much about what you're supposed to play.

Choose music that sounds like you.

Photo Credit: 4JOY media