I'm big on being transparent: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Rest assured, all opinions and recommendations whether affiliate links or not are based on my genuine belief in their value.
Choosing a playlist for your wedding lets you personalize every note of your celebration, making sure it sounds just as much like you as it looks and feels. This approach not only helps manage your budget but also ensures that your music truly represents your unique journey together. Tackling your wedding tunes is no small feat—it demands careful thought and meticulous planning to ensure each moment flows seamlessly. While the idea may seem daunting, we're here to arm you with the necessary tools and insights, helping you navigate this journey with confidence. Our goal is to empower you to craft a soundtrack that perfectly captures the essence of your unique love story, ensuring your celebration resonates deeply with every note.
First, Know the Rules:
When planning your wedding music, it's crucial to check with your venue about some key rules and regulations before you dive any deeper into planning. Addressing these points early ensures your celebration flows smoothly without unexpected challenges. Be sure to understand the following:
Noise Restrictions: Many venues, especially those in residential areas or with close neighbors, have strict noise restrictions or sound level limits. You want to make sure you can play your wedding playlists in peace, so get some clarity on what and what is no allowed.
Time Restrictions for Outdoor Music: If you're planning an outdoor reception or ceremony, ask about any curfews or time restrictions for playing music outside. These rules are often in place to comply with local ordinances.
Restrictions on Projected Music Outside: Some venues may have specific rules about projecting music outside, even beyond noise levels, such as restrictions on speaker placement or the type of music allowed. Make sure that you are permitted to play your own music outside and are not limited to acoustic music.
Determine Set Up Options & Logistics:
After discussing any rules and regulations, ask your venue for their insights and suggestions for providing your own music. They know their space better than anyone and chances are they will have seen what works really well and what doesn’t work at all. Be sure to check on the following set up and logistical needs:
Confirm Availability of In House Equipment - If Any: Many venues have some sort of in-house sound equipment. It always pays to ask if they have any option to use these, as you may just be able to plug into their system, which takes a lot of work off of your plate. If they don’t offer an in house system, you’ll need to tackle the leg work which we'll get into shortly!
Power Source: Determine the availability and location of power outlets at your venue or if a battery-operated system is necessary.
Venue Size and Guest Count: Assess the size of your venue and the number of guests to decide if you need additional speakers to ensure clear sound everywhere.
Acoustics & Set Up: Determine the best placement for your speakers ahead of time - consider things like proximity to the dance floor, protection from inclement weather (if outside), ease of access, etc.
Choosing the Right Speaker System:
If your venue does not have an in-house system at your disposal, you can rent basic equipment at a reasonable cost or you can even purchase your own budget-friendly portable speaker system. Choosing the right speaker system will depend on a number of factors. It's not complicated, but requires a little thought and planning on our end.
Luckily for you we have a separate blog post dedicated exclusively to helping you select a speaker system, as well as some fun accessories like party lights, microphones, etc. You can read that post right here. But if you need some speaker suggestions right here, right now, we'd say these are our top choices;
Creating Your Soundtrack: Creating Your Wedding Playlists
Crafting your own wedding playlists is a creative and intimate way to infuse your celebration with personal touches that reflect your unique love story. This approach allows you to carefully select every song, ensuring that each tune resonates with you and your partner, setting the perfect mood for every moment of your special day. From the walk down the aisle to the last dance, your handpicked playlist not only saves costs but also creates a deeply memorable and bespoke musical backdrop that will leave a lasting impression on you and your guests.
Start with our Free Curated Playlists: We’ve crafted dozens of ready made playlists in a variety of styles for each and every part of your wedding. All of our playlists are free to use and you’re welcome to use them as is, or as a song library and starting point for your own curation.We've picked out the most requested dance tunes, most popular first dances, trendy and traditional ceremony options and beyond. Looking for the perfect cocktail jazz playlist - we have it. Want a country reception - we have that too. Bridgerton style music for your guests before the ceremony arrives - oh yeah, we have that. Go ahead and make your life easy! But know that we're always adding more to our collection, so be sure to follow us on Spotify!
Organize Your Music By Segment: Organize your music into playlists for different parts of the wedding: ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. If you have special songs for moments such as the first dance, or grand entrance, you will want to have them on their own list so they are easy to access. Read our guide article about different segments and how much music you need in our next blog post!
Communicate Clearly: Ensure whoever is in control of transitions knows what is what. Label your playlists clearly, and have a printed out copy of what specific songs are to be played when so there is no confusion.
But, who will make announcements? How does that work?!
Many couples wonder if they can pull off a wedding without a professional MC and the answer (in our opinion) is, yes! (Yes! One thousand times, yes!) We have seen dozens and dozens of weddings that have been smooth sailing without the help of a professional MC or DJ to guide the evening. All it takes is some careful thought and planning.
If thoughtfully planned for, having your friends or family members act as the MC throughout the night can provide a really beautiful and super personalized experience for all. When done right, we feel there is no easier way to add a touch of class, elegance, and intimacy to your celebration!
If thoughtfully planned for, having your friends or family members act as the MC throughout the night can provide a really beautiful and super personalized experience for all. When done right, we feel there is no easier way to add a touch of class, elegance, and intimacy to your celebration!
Who To Ask: Ask someone confident, articulate, and personable, who can comfortably make announcements and engage with guests. You don’t want to ask anyone who would be uncomfortable or too shy to have fun. You also want to be sure whoever you ask is responsible enough to come through for you. Be sure they understand and agree to your expectations and make sure they are up to the task. You might select one person, who naturally shines in the spotlight, and would be eager to take on the role, or you could choose to spread the joy by asking various guests to introduce different segments of the event. Consider this a really fun way to further include members of the wedding party or to honor those not in the party by entrusting them with the task of introducing special moments. Is there someone who didn't make it into the bridal party that would be touched to introduce you as a married couple? Think of the people in your life who would be thrilled to be included in a small, but meaningful way.
How To Prep Your MCs: Provide them with a detailed event schedule and discuss the tone and style you prefer for announcements. You can ask them to read something you have already scripted, or depending on your/their comfort level may wish to make announcements off the cuff. Either way, be sure to discuss and decide on how this will be handled well in advance so there is no uncertainty and no surprises. (We're planners - we don't like surprises.)
Coordinate with your Day-Of: If using a Day-of Coordinator, you should discuss your plan with them to see if/how they can assist you. They should be able manage the timing of your event and que up anyone who is supposed to speak, as long as it’s within reason. For example - it would not be unreasonable to ask your coordinator to tap your Maid of Honor when it’s time to introduce the father/daughter dance at 7:15pm. However, these tasks can’t take up all of their time. Discuss with them what is reasonable for them to manage, understanding that excessive needs will not be able to be accommodated.
Additional Considerations
Batteries & Backup Plans: Have backup devices and a copy of your playlist ready to avoid any technical hitches. Be sure you have packed charging cables, additional batteries, extension cords and any other additional equipment that may be necessary.
Licensing and Permissions: Check with your venue about any music licensing requirements.
WiFi Dependence: If relying on streaming, ensure a reliable internet connection or have all tracks downloaded.
Ad Free Listening: If going with a service like Spotify, be sure you have upgraded to a premium version to ensure your music is not interrupted by ads!
Ready to create your own soundtrack? Our next blog article dives into exactly how to plan out your wedding music. We discuss what is appropriate for each segment of your event and how much music you need to have on hand, as well as the trends and traditions to keep in mind. If you missed it, be sure to read our post on selecting a sound system here: "Sound Decisions: How to Choose Right Speaker System for DIY Wedding Music"
Don't forget, to make life easy, we’ve done a lot of the leg work for you! We’ve crafted dozens of ready made playlists in a variety of styles for each and every part of your wedding. You’re welcome to use the lists as is or use them as a library or starting point for your own curation. You can find those premade playlists right here.
Don't forget, we'd love to have you join us at The I Do Club, where you'll find a treasure trove of wedding planning tips and can mingle with couples who are planning their own events, just like you!
Happy Planning,
Jillian
I'm big on being transparent: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Rest assured, all opinions and recommendations whether affiliate links or not are based on my genuine belief in their value.
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