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New Hampshire

Alternatives to "fun songs" since my DJ is playing my do not play list

So my DJ finally got back to me via email (we didn't have a chance to do an in person consultation and now I really regret it).  We got him through the package at our reception place so we had little choice.  He is a real radio DJ during the week.

I emailed him my list of please play and don't play.  I specifically said, no line dances, no chicken dance, no YMCA, no nickelback etc.  I asked specifically for no "fun songs" such as "we are family", "shout" etc.

He finally emails me back (apparently the email was stuck in his drafts?) saying that he will play our special requests, but he is going to play the "fun songs" because that's what gets the party going such as "you shook me all night long", "play that funky music white boy" etc.  I can't stand those songs.  I get that when you go to weddings a lot of times they play them...but I DON"T want to hear them.  We have a mostly young crowd and by the time the crowd gets "Tipsy" which is why the DJ feels he should play the music to get the tipsy crowd going...anyone older will be gone or not drunk.

So what do I do...I don't want to hear these songs.  I don't need anything obscene but you can play some clean usher, even Kesha for goodness sakes.  I want some good dance music, but what I want to her.  I need to get back to him because our wedding is on Saturday.

Re: Alternatives to "fun songs" since my DJ is playing my do not play list

  • jrich7686jrich7686 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hi,
    I would call the coordinator at wherever your reception is immediately and explain the situation. This is your wedding, and you are paying for it... whether the DJ comes with the reception package or not, you are still essentially paying for his service and in my opinion it's unacceptable that he isn't respecting your wishes. Sure, there are certain songs that will keep the crowd going-- but if they are ones that you positievely can't stand, it is not worth ruining your mood over. It's your day! I agree & think the Chicken Dance/ YMCA are cheesy and dont want them at my wedding either. However, songs to keep the crowd moving: "Shout" (kind of cheesy but not as bad) "Cupid Shuffle" "Cha Cha Slide" anything by Michael Jackson is sure to keep the dancing going! May I ask who your DJ is?

    Good luck!
  • edited December 2011
    Steve Hamel from WKNE Radio.  He is part of the Best Western package. I'm just disappointed because you think a real radio DJ would be better.

    He's running the reception different too like cake cutting before parent dances and such but at this point whatever who remembers when you cut the stupid cake right?  Just don't disrespect my wishes.  We're even paying for an extra hour of the reception, so you shoudl really want to ekep me happy because that's OT for you my friend!
  • jrich7686jrich7686 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree, you definitely should speak up!
  • edited December 2011
    Your DJ should respect your wishes, but remember that he is a professional. It's his job to keep your dance floor hoppin'. I understand where you are coming from, but a few words of caution.

    Some of your younger guests may request these songs. I know someone who LOVES "Shout" at weddings. She's 24. 
    DH's older aunts weren't drunk at our reception, but they were up on the dance floor from the "fun songs" to Usher. 
    You probably won't even notice the songs when they are played. We missed most of the "fun songs" because we were taking pictures, visiting family and friends, etc. 
    Often there are only 2-3 "fun songs." Will it really ruin your day if 2-3 songs are played? There were some recent songs played at our reception that I hate, but it didn't ruin the day/night for me.

    If you are really 110% dead against it, won't even consider another option, give him some songs like early Britney Spears, Ke$ha, or even 80s dance (like the Go Gos) to get the crowd going.
  • edited December 2011
    This makes me so glad we interviewed our package dj. fi is a musician, and super picky about the music being played.

    Did you book him yet, if not I'd say find another DJ. You can offer substitutes for "fun songs", which is what we are doing. But to say "I will do things this way"- well screw you. He can make all the recomendations that he wants, but to flat out refuse your do not play list.... i'd dump him in a second.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-hampshire_alternatives-fun-songs-dj-playing-not-play-list?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:101Discussion:1a30e2c7-b5e6-414f-9809-8a1e7f4aa22bPost:b0fd5075-41f0-413f-80e0-5f1e3997ec90">Re: Alternatives to "fun songs" since my DJ is playing my do not play list</a>:
    [QUOTE]This makes me so glad we interviewed our package dj. fi is a musician, and super picky about the music being played. Did you book him yet, if not I'd say find another DJ.
    Posted by elahenara[/QUOTE]

    she said her wedding is on Saturday...
  • edited December 2011
    owch. i guess again, is a good idea to meet and interview your vendors.
  • edited December 2011
    Yeah we interviewed every other vendor, but he was part of the package (cake, dj, limo) so word to the wise choose your package wisely.

    I get that there is going to be one "shout" or something it just won't be a wedding without one.  I just feel like I would have hired a DJ who says "my style is mostly modern music" or whatever.  I know that his station is not a lot of newer music.

    My day won't be ruined if they play a few fun songs, but his style appears to be only "fun" wedding songs.  I literally don't know the words to paradise by the dashboard light so we won't have the perverbial 10 min line of girls and boys singing, I hate the grease medly so that's out.  I can't stand play that funky music white boy and we don't want any line dances or the chicken dance. Unfort that's a good chunk of wedding music. 

    I emailed him again last night and gave him absolutely don't play "fun songs", gave him some I can tolerate and then suggested a lot of newer bands.

    I get that it's his job and he knows what he's doing, but at the same time if I requested my reception be all metalica and megadeath I would hope he would make it happen.  At this point whatever.  He did find our first dance song "I'll Catch You" which is not a radio hit and some song my FMIL found on google for her song so I can't complain that was probably a lot of work.

    Thank you ladies for all your help and support I'm just stressed and hindsite wish we dealt with this long ago so that it wasn't an issue just a conversation.
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