Ipod playlist for Wedding Reception?

[singingpixie]

we're considering having an Ipod DJ or wedding reception- with either the Best Man or a friend Emceeing the important moments. Our budget is really tight, and since I work in theatre I know tons of people with the necessary equipment and the knowledge to set it up (I could do it if I wasn't previously occupied!).

We'd have a playlist for when people are arriving, one for dinner, and one for dancing, plus a separate CD w/ first dance, father/daughter and mother/son dances, cake cutting, and other important ones.

Any suggestions for songs to put on the arrival, dinner and dancing playlists?

 

[ashjohnson80]

I would definately start out with Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast.

I'm just kidding. Let me think about it.

 

[singingpixie]

I would definately start out with Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast.

I'm just kidding. Let me think about it.

Something tells me the older, more traditional family members might have a hard time w/ that one!

 

[ashjohnson80]

Here's one, The Luckiest by Ben Folds... That is a beautiful wedding song.

 

[GeorgeG]

I'm a musician and don't usually do much with pre-recorded music, but what you're doing makes perfect sense. An ipod or any other decent player can be patched through a regular sound system just the same as any DJ or even a musician would do. All you need is the proper cable and a microphone for announcements.

I'm a few generations ahead of what's probably your kind of music, but generally, such occasions get lighter music as people are coming in and while eating. This allows for the conversation that goes on during the first hour or so of the event. Once all the formalities are done, kick it up with a good mix for dancing, keeping in mind the mixture of generations. That includes staying on top of the volume, too.

You can ask a friend to keep an eye on the music for you and make the necessary announcements.

 

[singingpixie]

I'm a musician and don't usually do much with pre-recorded music, but what you're doing makes perfect sense. An ipod or any other decent player can be patched through a regular sound system just the same as any DJ or even a musician would do. All you need is the proper cable and a microphone for announcements.

I'm a few generations ahead of what's probably your kind of music, but generally, such occasions get lighter music as people are coming in and while eating. This allows for the conversation that goes on during the first hour or so of the event. Once all the formalities are done, kick it up with a good mix for dancing, keeping in mind the mixture of generations. That includes staying on top of the volume, too.

You can ask a friend to keep an eye on the music for you and make the necessary announcements.

Yeah, that was my thought. If money were no object, it'd be nice to just hire someone and be done, but we have access to the equipment, tons of people with the knowledge/skill to setup and run the equipment (and w/ pre-programed playlists, it's not like they'll have to sit by the mixer all night- we'll just make sure everything is of a similar volume, or maybe run it through a compressor), and several candidates for Emcee duties. All the extra work is really just making up good playlists, and that can be done well ahead of time- I don't mind prep work, I just don't want a million extra duties on the day of the wedding!

As for your being a bit removed from me generationally, that's ok- the guests will certainly not all be 25! What do you like to hear at wedding receptions?

 

[aynt79]

If it were my choice, for arriving guests/ dinner I would probably go with instrumentals/classical. Basically something soft with no words kept at a low volume, since it's just for background.

For dancing, especially at the beginning of the night, I would make a good mix of older and newer songs. Old Time Rock and Roll always seems to get young and old alike on the dance floor (it usually seems to be the
1st "dancing" song played at most weddings I go to). "Interactive" dances seem to go over well (if you can stand them ), like YMCA, chicken dance, macarena. Don't forget to throw in a slow dance every now and then.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I don't know how traditional you are, but keep in the mind that no one is supposed to dance until the bride and groom "open the dance floor" Rather than have our guests wait for our first dance to be after dinner, DH and I did a slow dance during cocktails and the band conductor announced that the dance floor is offically open. This is one of those rules that if you know it, fine, and if you don't, fine as well.

 

[singingpixie]

I don't know how traditional you are, but keep in the mind that no one is supposed to dance until the bride and groom "open the dance floor" Rather than have our guests wait for our first dance to be after dinner, DH and I did a slow dance during cocktails and the band conductor announced that the dance floor is offically open. This is one of those rules that if you know it, fine, and if you don't, fine as well.

Yeah, I do know that rule and had actually just read an article today suggesting to do the first dance right after you arrive at the reception. I'm not sure if I want to do the first dance at the beginning of the reception or after dinner. I'm guessing that our guests won't be huge dancers (lots of older family members and even our young friends aren't huge dancers) so they'll be a lot of mingling after dinner along w/ the dancing. I wonder if officially "opening the dance floor" before dinner might make it feel like there is too much time allotted to dancing for our group. It's definitely a good thought to consider though, and then I won't have to be all nervous about the first dance during dinner!

 

[GeorgeG]

There's a whole lot of music that will keep the generations happy. Swing and oldies tend to keep the dance floor full with all ages. Mix in some country if you've a mind, maybe a little jazz, and maybe some Jimmy Buffett. There are a lot of really talented younger performers doing old standards with quite a bit of success (Michael Buble, Renee Olstead, etc.). Even the old folks will enjoy some of the newer music as long as it isn't painfully loud. My BILs wedding was so loud even the younger generation was hanging out in the next room. It seemed only the drunks (BIL included) liked the music pounding away at what was left of their eardrums.

Back when I was doing a lot of weddings, we'd roll in with big amps and a stacked sound system and all the old folks would almost have a coronary until they found out we didn't even crank them up. It seems the old folks always get seated right in front of the band or DJ and the younger ones at the back of the room. It's best to designate one person who will have the say in how loud the music is. We always went with who was writing the check. After several hundred weddings I sort of burned out on them and stuck to playing in clubs for half the money and a quarter of the aggravation. There's nothing worse than a pushy, self appointed, aunt or uncle of the bride who insists on running things.

It sounds like you have a pretty good handle on thiings. Congratulations!

 

[singingpixie]

There's a whole lot of music that will keep the generations happy. Swing and oldies tend to keep the dance floor full with all ages. Mix in some country if you've a mind, maybe a little jazz, and maybe some Jimmy Buffett. There are a lot of really talented younger performers doing old standards with quite a bit of success (Michael Buble, Renee Olstead, etc.). Even the old folks will enjoy some of the newer music as long as it isn't painfully loud. My BILs wedding was so loud even the younger generation was hanging out in the next room. It seemed only the drunks (BIL included) liked the music pounding away at what was left of their eardrums.

Back when I was doing a lot of weddings, we'd roll in with big amps and a stacked sound system and all the old folks would almost have a coronary until they found out we didn't even crank them up. It seems the old folks always get seated right in front of the band or DJ and the younger ones at the back of the room. It's best to designate one person who will have the say in how loud the music is. We always went with who was writing the check. After several hundred weddings I sort of burned out on them and stuck to playing in clubs for half the money and a quarter of the aggravation. There's nothing worse than a pushy, self appointed, aunt or uncle of the bride who insists on running things.

It sounds like you have a pretty good handle on thiings. Congratulations!

Thanks!

 

[Poohnatic]

I DJed my own wedding! Back then, no iPods and I'd gotten rid of what DJ equipment I had (sold it when I moved), so I did it on a six hour videotape and brought the VCR and amp and speakers to the reception. I think I ended up making a dozen copies because several guests loved it.


Some great "dance" stuff that always gets people on the floor:
What I like about you Romantics
Rock Lobster or Love Shack B52's
Shout Otis Day and the Knights (Animal House version)
Time Warp Rocky Horror Picture Show
Mony Mony Billy Idol (now some people will scream out inappropriate stuff, my family doesn't care-but some do)
Electric Slide Marcia Griffiths



Some classics that are appropriate and good for the dinner hour:
When I'm Sixty Four Beatles
Moondance Van Morrison
Beginnings Chicago
Longer Dan Fogelberg
You Send Me Sam Cooke
Over the Rainbow Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (the eToys version-just beautiful)
Dedicated to the One I Love Mamas and the Papas
Kiss the Girl Samuel Wright (Little Mermaid soundtrack)
Lavender Blue (dilly dilly) Burl Ives from So Dear to My Heart, however there is an awesome version by Marillion that has special meaning for me
Happy Together Turtles
What a Wonderful World Louis Armstrong
Just the Way You Are Billy Joel
Baby, Now that I Found You Foundations or Alison Krauss
In Your Eyes Peter Gabriel
As Time Goes By Jimmy Durante


Are there any songs that your parents or fiance's parents used to play or sing to you when you were small? I think it'd be a great touch to add those to your mix.

I left out country, and can't think straight right now! I hope this list helps and I probably post more when I get a chance.

Suzanne

 

[diznygirl]

Some professional DJs are already using iPods, or laptops with iTunes, at weddings now. They make professional DJ equipment for them. So what you are doing is hip, trendy and all that kinda thing.

Meanwhile - keep the dinner music low and mellow. Generally guests are chatting with each other and I hate having to yell just so the person next to me can hear me. Other than that, have a great time!

 

[singingpixie]

By the way, thanks everyone for all the encouragement! A lot of the wedding planning boards out there are flooded with professional DJs saying what an awful idea this is- probably mostly because they want to keep the work, but also I'm sure they have valid concerns. I realize it's not quite as simple as just hiring someone, but the money we save can go a long way toward a honeymoon! Especially since neither of us have "dance party all night" type friends or family, it seems like a good way to save a good bit of money.