What do you NOT want to hear on your big day?
Does the idea of your DJ playing the Hokey Pokey at your wedding make you cringe? If so, let us introduce you to our friend the Do Not Play List.
What is the Do Not Play List?
The Do Not Play List is one of the most valuable tools you have in your wedding planning arsenal! Your do not play list is essentially the opposite of your song request list.
this is a list of genres artists & songs that you want to avoid hearing at all costs during your wedding
When you hire a DJ for your wedding, most of the time they will ask you what you’d like to hear though out the evening, but less frequently they’ll ask you what songs you don’t want to hear.
This is why it’s super important that you take the initiative ahead of time to bring this up with your DJ as you’re planning the music for your big day.
Talk with your DJ!
There are nearly an unlimited number of options of songs you can hear throughout the evening. Do not waste a single minute of your wedding hearing songs that you don’t like.
Musical taste is a funny thing. Just because it sounds like nails on a chalkboard every time you hear a particular artist sing, does not necessarily mean that your DJ or guests will feel the same way about that artist.
Without this extra little bit of information, your DJ’s song selection is left to their assumption of what they think you want to hear and what’s keeping your guests moving on the dance floor.
By no means does your Do Not Play list have to be all-encompassing. But just like your song request list, the more information you provide the more likely it is that you will have the ideal soundtrack for your wedding.
Do we really need a Do Not Play List?
Let’s pretend for a second that you have opted to allow song requests from your guests at your wedding.
Your DJ is your musical gatekeeper, so of course they’ll have your song request list that they will be working with. But there is definitely a gray area when one of your guests asks for a song that’s not on that request list, but that the DJ thinks it might match your vibe.
That being said, there is definitely a chance that they might play something you don’t want to hear by accident.
Your Do Not Play List can help prevent this from happening throughout the night.
Don’t worry, the guests understand!
It is also worth noting that typically your guests are way more understanding when a DJ tells them that the song they’ve requested is on your Do Not Play List.
As DJs, we are always watching the dance floor to help dictate where we go next musically.
How awkward would it be if your DJ is playing a genre of music that you don’t like, but the guests are having a great time on your dance floor?
Most DJs will see this crowd reaction as an encouragement to continue playing similar music. Yes your guests might be having a great time, but don’t let it be at the expense of you hearing music you dislike at your wedding.
Talk with your partner
Are there particular songs that evoke bad memories? Songs you feel might be a bit overplayed? Maybe songs that remind you of an ex? Definitely let your DJ know so they can avoid these songs entirely.
We encourage couples to work together to find music that will make them happy and make their wedding special!
If the Chicken Dance is your jam and it will bring you happiness and joy to hear it at your wedding, then your DJ should play that Chicken Dance with a smile on their face!
Talk with your partner and figure out collectively what you would like to request your DJ to play and definitely what not to play.
The more information that you give your DJ, whether it be songs that you do or do not want to hear, the more likely it is that you will be happy with the final outcome.
If you have any wedding-related questions that you would like answered in the future, please contact us!