I have been blessed to be the DJ at over 3,000 Weddings, Company parties, Sweet 16’s, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, and Charity events since I started this journey in 1989! And the one question I hear over and over again is simply, “What is your favorite song?” Well, one night last week I finally sat down and gave this question a good hard thinking over. How can I just pick one song? If I pick one song, what style of song? And, again, the question came to mind… how do I pick one song?
So, after some more time of thinking, I am not picking one song. But I am picking moments at an event that a song helps make memories. You can understand that, can’t you? You hear a song on the radio and you can be taken back to that one night on the beach, or in the rain, or whatever. My memories come more like that. A song that brings back that one first dance, or how that couple really enjoyed screaming with their friends on the dance floor!
So here are my top songs for each part of a wedding!
Bridal processional
You have to start with the bride walking down with her dad! How magical can this be?
The one song that I love to play and love to hear is by Edwin McCain. “Walk with you”.
He sings,
I’ll take this slow sweet walk with you
You’ll let go of my hand to say : I do
He will discover just how blessed a life can be
I know ‘cause all those years ago
Your mom handed you to me
I get chills!
Couple recessional
This is the start of the party. And with that, you need a fun song that make that statement!
If you didn’t know, this song was always “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” by Mendelssohn. For most modern weddings, that really doesn’t do the job any more.
I always get a great feeling from the crowd watching the couple with “Signed , Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder. If you play it at just the right part of the song, it can make everyone at the ceremony happy and ready to party! Even me!
Grand entrance song into reception for couple and bridal party!
This song can even get me pumped up for the party! The right song will make the celebration start as soon as everyone hears it. I still remember the first grand entrance I ever did! We used the theme from Rocky. Oh, it was classic and became that cheesy sound the brides of today do not want! The song that gets my heart pumping is T.I. “Bring ’em Out”! Easy song for everyone to clap to, and an easy track to get the bridal party dancing in to. And, most important, a song I love to hear. I get excited when a bride picks this song!
First dance
This can be the most magical point to a wedding. Everyone is watching. The words in the song can make or break the mood. The one first dance song that always gets me is a classic. I remember one first dance at one location as my all time favorite! The lighting was just right at the Biltmore Ballroom in downtown Atlanta. 300 guests watching the couple dance to “At Last” by Etta James. The sound was like she was there singing to the couple. Mom for both bride and groom have a tear in their eye. Dads are holding those moms’ hands, as the couple slow dance as if no one is there. I can see it right now. Can you?
Father daughter dance.
The year was 1997. I was the DJ for a wedding at the (no longer there) Crystal Brook Catering Hall in Long Island, NY. Nothing particularly unique about this wedding, except the song the bride handed me to play off a CD. Yes, I said CD. I was working with an MC who was my mentor, and we both looked at the CD cover and song she picked. What is this? Then the song came on. He and I cried like little babies… as did every person at the wedding. I am sure you want to know the name of this song that can make a DJ cry! It was “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle. This song still gives me that lump-in-the-throat feeling!
Cake cutting song
Here is another cheesy DJ moment, and the cheesiest song I ever played was “The Bride Cuts the Cake!” I wish I could find the song on Youtube for you to hear!!! I love this funny song because of how it has everyone singing along as the couple cut’s the cake!
I would never play it now! That song is more of a secret (not anymore) favorite song of mine!
I was going to pick one song from the last 15 years, it would be “How Sweet It Is” by Jimmy Needham! The classic big band sound with the lyrics everyone knows! This song will make the couple dance as they cut the cake!
Bouquet toss songs!
All the single ladies. My life might be perfect if I never hear that song and the Electric Slide again.
There are so many other great songs to use! But one song is a favorite of mine. This song makes me excited to play! I know we will get a laugh and the OMG scream!
“Move” by Ludacris (clean edit, of course)
When I give this song as an idea to my brides, both the groom and bride give me that “Oh YES! We have to use this song!” reply!
Finally, the last song on my list.
With that said, I am not giving you a last dance song. But a classic song that couple of all ages and nationalities love. When I play this song, I personally am transformed to a happy place. When the couple dances, and you see the pure joy on their face, you know as a DJ that you hit the right cord!
This song is Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight”. It’s perfect for both styles of dancing… fast and slow. An older couple can sway to the song and another couple can swing dance! Not too many songs can make you dance one way or the other. And this song is my all-time favorite as a DJ!
I hope you enjoyed my list of songs that I love to play at a wedding. Don’t get me wrong! I like playing any style of music to make people dance. Do you have a song you love to hear or need to be played at your next event? Give me a call! I am sure your song will give me a memory that might match my all-time songs! See you on the dance floor!
