This article on The Top 10 Wedding Music Mishaps and Wedding Music Mistakes is from a post on The Knot. I like the fact that it is not taken from just one Wedding DJ or Wedding Band, because he or she may state what reflects their particular strengths and hides their weaknesses. This kind of a cross-section of Wedding DJs and Bands creates a more honest and balanced approach and source of information for you.

Wedding Music: The Top 10 Wedding Music Mishaps

We got wedding bands and DJs across the country to let us in on the biggest mistakes couples make at their weddings. Here’s what they said.

The Top 10 Wedding Music Mishaps

Mistake 1: Forgetting to check sound ordinance laws.

“Brides need to check for sound ordinances in the town that their reception will be held or restrictions on noise levels at their venues. Some venues have a restricted sound level and end-time policies. You don’t want your reception to end early unexpectedly.”

-Johnna Dionne, Wavelength Band

Mistake 2: Not meeting the Wedding DJ until the day of their wedding.

“A face-to-face meeting is the best way to determine if the Wedding DJ is qualified and will give you what YOU want. Also, you can determine if you have a personality match with the Wedding DJ and if he or she is someone who will deliver a fun day.”

-Brian S. Graham, ADJA Knoxville Chapter

Mistake 3: Having too small of a dance floor.

“If there is nowhere to maneuver, then congestion on the dance floor can be a nightmare because people get bumped into, glasses break, and drinks can be spilled. Having more room will encourage your guests to get on the dance floor.”

-Jeremy Gerba, Lethal DJ Services

Mistake 4: Playing only one type of music.

“Too much of a good thing is a bad thing in Wedding music. Weddings will always have a wide range of age groups, so you need to switch things up to keep the Wedding music fresh!”

-DJ Pat, Sound Prodigy

Mistake 5: Forgetting to make a do-not-play list.

“The last thing a bride wants to hear at her reception is a band she hates or maybe a song that reminds her of her husband’s ex! Recently I had a bride who vetoed any Michael Jackson for that specific reason, so throughout the reception, when I got a request for Michael, I had to pretend that I forgot to bring any. The Wedding DJ always has to remember that it’s the bride and groom’s wedding — not theirs — and our job is to make it the celebration that they really want!”

-Richard Blade, RichardBlade.com

Mistake 6: Requesting too many songs.

“Keep in mind that a Wedding DJ plays approximately 12 to 15 songs per hour, so for the average four-hour reception, that’s only around 60 songs. A good rule of thumb is to keep your request list to about 25 songs or so. That way you get to hear all of your songs, plus you give your Wedding DJ freedom to take requests from your guests.”

– Russ Knight, Knight Flight Professional DJs

Mistake 7: Choosing long special dance songs.

“It can get boring for your guests. Of course this is your day, and these dances are special, however, when choosing those special songs, consider shortening the mother-son songs and father-daughter songs. These dances are great, and you should spend this special moment with your parent(s), but once the congratulations, I’ll miss you, and thank-yous are done, end the dance.”

-Jeremy Jones, Entertainment Solutions

Mistake 8: Not paying attention to the flow of the events.

“To create energy for an active dance floor, make sure the wedding flow of events moves along nicely,” says Tim Benter, DJs To Go Inc.. “If you have a 90-minute cocktail hour and two hours of dinner your guests will be looking for a nap, not a dance floor. Keep your cocktail hour to “an hour” and then move into a well served dinner service process.”

Another flow-of-events mistake has to do with the way you configure the room — “A very common mistake is having the bar in a different room than where the dancing is supposed to happen,” says DJ Nahchey, Dash Entertainment. “When couples do this, it splits the event into drinkers and dancers, and the party doesn’t really come together.”

Mistake 9: Picking too many obscure songs.

“As music professionals, we certainly appreciate all kinds of music, however, the guests may not. They go to a wedding expecting to hear music they know and can dance to,” says Gina Diegnan of In the Mix DJ Service. Daniel Blevins of CSC Special Events & Creative Services agrees with this tip: “A simple rule for music selection is 90% of the Wedding music played should be known by 90% of the guests.”

Mistake 10: Not verifying your DJ.

“Make sure the Wedding DJ you are talking with will be the actual Wedding DJ performing at your reception. Many Wedding DJ companies book multiple events on the same night and may subcontract to other companies using DJs with varying levels of skill. Be careful of ‘bait and switch tactics’ by making sure you evaluate the individual DJ and not just the DJ Company.”

-Troy Michael, Troy Michael DJ

— Justine Lorelle Blanchard

via The Top 10 Wedding Music Mishaps – Wedding Music Mistakes – Wedding Music Ideas.

Many great suggestions. I believe two essential Wedding Music Mistakes are omitted from the list.

1. Not hiring a Wedding DJ that offers a guarantee.

2. Hiring a Wedding DJ that is not a Multicultural Wedding DJ, if you want your Wedding Music to reflect and honor all of your family and guests.

Which Wedding Music Mishap or Wedding mMusic Mistake do you think is most important? Have you experienced any of these at your Wedding?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147