"Wedding-appropriate" music?

Lasairiona

I have read several posts here and on other wedding communities about what is "wedding appropriate" and what isn't and was curious as to close do people actually follow those lists? Meaning the songs that are not wedding-appropriate, are they nixed entirely even though they are much more danceable than most weddings songs, or are they played but only in moderations? And for wedding appropriate songs, which are mostly slow love songs, at weddings (and wedding related events such as anniversary parties, etc) you have attended, do they make up the majority of the song list or not? Most are really not that danceable. At least in my experience at weddings and anniversary parties and the like, the slow/loveydovey wedding appropriate songs clear the dance floor in a heartbeat unless it's the first dance or a special dance for all married folks. Whereas the "inappropriate for weddings" songs that are danceable have the dance floor packed the entire night. What are your thoughts on the whole thing?

jenn.daniel

to me, "wedding appropriate" = whatever won't give nana a heart attack. This also takes into consideration that nana doesn't hear very well and only gets a few words form every sentence. So to me, suggestive phrases are ok in moderation, but repetative curse words are a no. Which pretty much means we'll just play music we like. I do think that songs out break-ups, cheating, etc are inappropriate.

panda&squishy

IMO, if they can play it on the radio, they can play it at my reception. So obviously edited versions of songs, no swear words, etc. I agree with PP about leaving out songs about breaking up, cheating, etc. Also, I have no problem with songs by Lady Gaga. I think there was debate about that somewhere last week.

laurening

I've been to a lot of weddings and they've always included mostly danceable songs with a handful of slow songs throughout. You have to play party music to keep the party going. If it makes you feel better, I've heard "Rumpshaker" and "Baby Got Back" at more than one wedding...Use your family and friends as a gauge. Have the DJ play the PG edited radio version rather than originals if you're worried about crude lyrics or cursing. There's no reason that you can't play most dance songs that you'd hear in a bar/club. Don't worry too much about a few random lyrics unless the song is obviusly about cheating or somehow disrespectful (ex. you may want to skip Kanye's "Golddigger" Good dance song, but maybe not for a wedding.)

panda&squishy

I wanted to use Kanye's Golddigger as our entrance song, FI wasn't okay with that. Heh. Another idea: we're having the DJ start out with song the older guests would like and get progressively younger as the night goes on with the idea that the older guests will leave earlier. So Sinatra and oldies for a short bit, then by the end of the night, more into the Top 40 kind of stuff.

dsouldiva

I don't think a song being upbeat and danceable makes it inappropriate for a wedding.It depends greatly on the age of your guests, if 80% of your guests are over 55, a whole night of Kanye West and Lady Gaga is probably inappropriate, likewise if your guest list is almost entirely in their early 20s a whole load of bobby darin, nat king cole etc is not going to bring the house down!Generally if the song is filled with swearing, it is not appropriate for a wedding. 

dsouldiva

Sorry hit post too early, A WHOLE night of slow lovey dovey songs would not be inappropriate, but by God it would be boring!

jenn.daniel

Fi and I are actually big fans of Frank Sinatra, and we're in our mid-20s! But we realize our friend probably don't want to dance to it. I like Panda's if they play it on the radio it can be played at the reception.