Music

jbrook12

Ok I am having a moment here and could use some input.

Backstory: My Mom hired a guy she used to work with to DJ the wedding and reception. All we have to do is rent what he needs and supply music. We are doing it this way to save money.

Here is my issue. I have to find and put together a playlist for the whole reception. I am having trouble with what music to have and how many songs I would need for the reception.

Has anyone had to do this for their wedding and reception? If so how many songs do you have lined up to play?

TIA

w+c3

Well I have not but here is sort of how I would look at it...

how many hours is your reception?
Most songs are about 3 mins long...

So I would take (#hours for reception) X (60)
Then divide (answer) by (3)

That would be roughly the amount of songs you would need. And you obviously will have breaks for speeches and such so you could always drop 10 songs off for like 30 mins of downtime that I'm sure you will have. And some songs will be longer so I mean give or take but it gives you a ballpark.

Hope this makes sense!

mary1217

I definitely suggest breaking the music list down into groups - Dinner Music - Dance music - cake music - garter/boquet toss music - entrance music, and like w+c3 said figured out about how much time you would need for each and divide by 3. 

theladyherself

Our DJ provided us with a Top 200 list that you could use to get you started.  I'd be happy to share.  Emaill me at lgoodman@marykay.com and I'll send it to you.

stahlkc

I agree with the PP, esp. about grouping the music into categories. Maybe plan for one or two extra songs for each group though, just in case something runs long.

rachel801231

This is totally what we are doing as well. My dad has an old band buddy he use to play with who has equipment and the skills to be a DJ for a night.  I have been breaking down music into categories and will have a CD for each category. 
These are the categories I have
Special songs: Include entrance song, first dance, cake cutting song, etc.
Dinner music:  I selected some various "love" songs to play during dinner
Dance Music: These are the dance songs/group songs and just get your groove on songs to play once the party gets started. 

Right now I have just downloaded the songs.  I haven't put them onto any discs yet.  If you need any song ideas let me know and I can email you a list.

ETA:  I think the average CD hols 80 minutes worth of songs.  So if you have dinner and want music during this.  Just play an entire CD and if dinner is longer than an hour and 20 minutes, I think it would be ok to just let the CD start over again for dinner. 
I'm doing the same thing for the "dance" music but I will probably have 2 cd's full of music with popular dance songs and songs my FI and I just like.  That's two hours and 40 minutes of dancing.  I know we won't be dancing that long so that will give us plenty of songs to dance to. 

adrienne0925

I have a list of songs that someone gave me as well if you would like to see it!

jbrook12

Thank you all so much for the help!! I greatly appreciate it!!

I love the idea of breaking it all down into categories, that will make it so much easier to insure it will be used at the right time!


For those that offered to let me see music list I would be so grateful. If you wouldn't mind to email them to me, my email address is jberkey12@yahoo.com

bstengler

you can actually buy cds for dinner music, cocktail music, just made for weddings. maybe go on amazon.com or check out best buy????

jbrook12

I have one like that for the music we are all coming in to, never thought of looking for the other kind! Its worth a try.