Top Song Requests
Everyone is unique, and weddings reflect that. But have you ever wondered “what are some fun facts about ways that weddings are similar?”
Well then you’ve come to the right place!
First, let’s make two categories of “requests”. First, there’s the formal business requests by the Couple themselves for the official itinerary. Then, there’s day-of requests by the guests (and sometimes the Couple as well) for what they’d like to dance to in the moment. I’ll write about the latter in another post, so regarding the former let’s summarize how weddings usually flow:
Ceremony
Prelude while guests arrive
Seating of parents/grandparents
Bridal Party entrance
Bride’s entrance
Ceremony (could have in-ceremony musical cues)
Outro
Reception
Cocktail Hour
Grand Entrance
Toasts
Dinner
Cake
Formal Dances
Free Dancing
Special Dances/Events
Last Dance
With that in mind, let’s go down the big hits!
1. Instrumental Prelude
Firs up, we have the prelude while guests are taking their seats. You typically just want something lovely while guests are arriving so that it’s not just empty silence and chatter. Hearing music playing at the ceremony can build excitement as they approach the seats too.
I have a default playlist, and 9 times out of 10 people like it and so we just run this option. But some folks do want to make a more personal statement, like “all country love songs” or “all Disney instrumentals”, etc.
2. Bride’s Entrance
It’s almost never the original version. If someone asks for this song, it’s The Piano Guys.
Also, this is the only song that is consistently asked. If they aren’t asking for this song, it’s almost always a unique song that I won’t play at another wedding, and sometimes ever again.
3. Outro
A classic. I’ve never seen a wedding that didn’t have goofy grins and some folks clapping and singing along, while watching and waving to the bridal party as they egress from the ceremony.
While not nearly as popularly requested as “A Thousand Years”, it’s still the one I see from time to time. :)
4. Grand Entrance
These are about equal, but Forever is more common since it’s family friendly.
Personally, I’m a Let’s Get It Started kinda guy but these are great too!
5. Cake Cutting
These are all about the same frequency, but what’s more special is that it’s almost exclusively one of these three. I’m sure you can see why. ;) I myself would probably pick either Sugar or How Sweet It Is.
6. First Couple’s Dance
I’m not sure if I’ve ever had a duplicate FCD song. So instead, here are some great songs to NOT play… I mean, unless you wanna be a repeat customer of mine, that is.
7. Father-Daughter Dance
He knew what he was doing when he wrote this, haha! There’s a few that I see, but this one is definitely #1. An honorable mention that I’d probably hope for if I had a daughter is Cinderella, which I’ve had only twice.
8. Mother-Son Dance
Not even contested, this is almost always the song. If it’s not this song then it, like the FCD, is something unique that isn’t likely to be picked at another wedding. I, however, will be using Hourglass, which was the request at my first wedding I ever DJ’d for.
9. Breakout Song for Free Dance
Most couples are impartial, they just want any ol’ song to kick off the night strong. Well, unless your party is wildly unique, then this song is pretty much always a banger. :)
10. Bouquet Toss
I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to play anything else for the Bouquet Toss.
11. Garter Toss
Not quite as popular as the previous song, but deeeefinitely very frequently used.
12. Last Dance
#1 without contest. However, some VERY strong contenders are Last Dance and Don’t Stop Believing.
Please remember this one thing:
It’s not about being unique. It’s about YOU having a great time at YOUR wedding. Don’t read this and think you have to avoid using these songs.
A great hit is a great hit for a reason. :) I hope you all had fun reading this.
Keep it funky,
Tony G.