After a lifetime of imagining what it will be like, your wedding day is becoming a reality. This is one of life's special moments and all the people you care about are gathering to celebrate your new beginning. You've hired a professional Disc Jockey to provide the musical entertainment giving you the opportunity to have your musical tastes represented. Here are a few guidelines to consider:

Ceremony Music

Prelude - As your guests arrive, music will help create a welcoming atmosphere. You can choose traditional, light classical pieces, a theme (Celtic, Spanish guitar, etc.) or a combination of soft, contemporary instrumental and vocal music.

Processional - After all guests are seated, some couples choose a song for special members of their families to be seated, such as grandparents or parents. The bridesmaids typically have their own song to walk down the aisle to and, of course, the bride has her special song.

Ceremony - Light classical, contemporary vocal or instrumental pieces that express your feelings for each other may be used during a unity candle or sand ceremony. If you're not planning on something like this, there is no need to play music during the ceremony.

Recessional - The knot is tied so select a song that conveys the emotion of the moment and reflects your tastes. Joyous, fun, triumphant and upbeat are some music characteristics worth considering.

Cocktail Music

The ceremony has ended and your guests convene to converse and enjoy beverages and hors d'oeurves while you take pictures. Choose music that is upbeat (not necessarily dance music) and can reflect the joy of the occasion. You're building on the event's musical atmosphere - setting the stage for a fun evening.

Dinner Music

Once the meal is underway, the music volume should never be so loud that your guests cannot carry on a conversation across the table. Often, a change in tone from the cocktail hour to softer music helps facilitate easier conversation at dinner. However, it is not uncommon to have dancing during dinner. Everyone has a different take on this. Your DJ can program a mix of dinner music to fit your event style and both your tastes and the tastes of your guests.

Dance Music

No doubt there will be people from many different generations and when the dancing starts, you'll want them all to have a turn on the dance floor. Generally, it works well to cater to the older guests earlier in the evening, including your parents and grandparents and their friends. A set that combines songs from the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's will usually get the job done.

You may have heard the adage, "As the night gets older, the music gets younger". As the reception continues, the music can become more current, but it is the DJ's responsibility to read the crowd and take the music where it needs to go for everyone to have a good time. Many people complain that they hear the same old, tired songs at every wedding and don't want them played at their wedding. Remember, people respond to music they are familiar with. An overly restrictive playlist might hamper a DJ's ability to get your guests up and moving.

Talk to your DJ (the expert, remember) about the different genres and songs you like and don't like. You may even create a suggested song list ahead of time as a guideline for your DJ. Discuss the latitude you want to give them in taking requests and catering to those with tastes different than your own. It is highly suggested you mix the event music up a lot to try and please everyone.

Extra Tips

Take time to discuss the layout of the room and placement of the dance floor and your DJ with both your DJ, facility and/or coordinator. As an entertainment event, it is crucial that your entertainment be a focal point with regard to their placement. Don't bury your DJ in a corner.

Avoid placing tables between the speakers and the dance floor. When the dancing starts, the people at these tables will have difficulty hearing each other as, naturally, the volume will increase.

If you have assigned seating arrangements, you may wish to place elderly guests away from where the speakers are placed. Check with your DJ ahead of time.

When compiling your music list, if song names or artists escape you, discuss favorite styles of music with your DJ and let them do the rest. If you give them a song list ahead of time, give them some notice in case they need to acquire a unique request.

Occasionally a singer or two or another musician is brought into the mix with either a ceremony or reception. This should be shared with your DJ ahead of time to ensure they have the proper microphone, stand, and, perhaps, backing music needs covered. For example, for your ceremony, your DJ generally mics the officiant, but would need another mic on a stand off to the side for a reader or singer.

(Not generally related to the music on the night, but...) The ambiance of the room comes into play when it comes time to dance. No one wants to dance in a room lit up like Sav-On Drug. Either have your DJ or banquet captain dim the lights accordingly as the evening sets in and it's time to dance.