Time is of the Essence: The Wedding DJ Keeps it Moving

Your wedding DJ can do more than just spin tunes as your wedding guests dance the night away. Your wedding reception music is the backdrop for the entire event, and the DJ is the one who orchestrates the shifts in mood and tone. The order of your wedding music is key.  With so many exciting events happening during your reception, a DJ will help you keep time and keep the party flowing.

Grand Entrance

The guests are assembled at the wedding reception venue and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newly married couple. When the DJ announces the arrival of the bride and groom at the wedding reception, there's electricity in the air. Your wedding Disc Jockey can help you choose a song that's dramatic or fun. Here are a few suggestions.

Bittersweet Symphony, The Verve

Celebration, Kool and the Gang

Let's Get it Started, the Black Eyes Peas

Get the Party Started, Pink

Sirius, Alan Parsons Project

First Dance

The first dance may come directly after the grand entrance or after dinner. If you have a favorite song, the first dance is a great time to have it played, but if you're looking for suggestion, your DJ can help you find the perfect song. Popular first dance songs for your wedding include:

At Last, Etta James

In Your Eyes, Peter Gabriel

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Roberta Flack or Leona Lewis

Saved the Best for Last, Vanessa Williams

Father Daughter Dance

This is a poignant moment between father and daughter and can either be lighthearted or extremely moving. Favorites include:

My Girl, The Temptations

Heaven Must Have Sent You From Above, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

Butterfly Kisses, Bob Carlisle

Dance With My Father, Luther Vandross

Brown-Eyed Girl, Van Morrison

Mother Son Dance

Some couples prefer to have the mother son and the father daughter dance together, but more couples are including the mother son dance at their wedding reception.

Mama, Kanye West

The Man You've Become, Molly Pasutti

Sunshine of My Life, Stevie Wonder

Family Dance

Families come in all shapes and sizes, and to honor step parents and blended families, a couple may choose to have a family dance in addition to or instead of the more traditional father daughter and mother son dance. Inspirational family songs include:

Because You Loved Me, Celine Dion

You Raise Me Up, Josh Groban

Whenever I Call You Friend, Kenny Loggins

Cutting the Cake

When the wedding Disc Jockey announcing the cake cutting, he can play a traditional song or something more tongue in cheek. Some fun choices include:

How Sweet it Is by James Taylor

Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard

The Sweetest Thing by U2

Throwing the Bouquet

When the single ladies gather to catch the bouquet, it's all about the fun. Not all couples opt for the bouquet throwing, but for those that do, the following songs fit nicely:

It's Raining Men, Weather Girls

Girls, Girls, Girls, Motley Crue

Hey Ladies, Beastie Boys

Tossing the Garter

Not all brides wear a garter, but some do just so the groom can remove it and toss it to the single male guests. If you choose to have a garter toss during your wedding reception, some fun songs include:

You Can Leave Your Hat On, Joe Cocker

The Stripper, David Rose Orchestra

She's Got Legs, ZZ Top

Last Dance/Exit

All good things must come to an end, including your reception. You can let the DJ wind down with a slow song, or end on an energetic note. Last dance songs include:

Last Dance by Donna Summer

We are Family by Sister Sledge

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day

You may not take part in all of these events at your reception, but you'll be able to relax and enjoy yourself knowing that your wedding DJ is keeping the party moving and playing the soundtrack to your important day.