Planning your wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right music. While hiring a DJ or a live band is a popular choice, creating your own wedding music playlist can be a cost-effective and personalized alternative. Here’s your comprehensive guide to going DJ-free and curating the perfect soundtrack for your special day.
━━━━━➤ And, before you go, chances are you’re planning a DIY wedding if you’re considering a wedding music playlist. Make sure you don’t forget a single detail by downloading my DIY Wedding Checklist!
Why Go with a Wedding Music Playlist Over a DJ or Band?
Opting for a wedding music playlist instead of a DJ or band offers several benefits. Firstly, it allows for complete control over your music selection, ensuring that every song played resonates with your personal taste and wedding theme.
“I’m not going for a dancing vibe as most of our guests are older and we are not much into dancing or the party vibe, we are using a playlist for background music – people can socialize, hang out outside, play lawn games.”
– WeddingWire Contributor
Additionally, creating your own playlist can save you a significant amount of money, which can be allocated to other important aspects of your wedding. For my sister-in-law’s Rochester microwedding, a wedding music playlist just made sense for the laid back, intimate vibe she was going for and saved her a ton – she only spent $13 to upgrade to a premium subscription!
By curating your own playlist, you can also avoid the potential disappointment of a DJ not playing your favorite songs or misreading the crowd’s mood.
How Much Will You Save with a Wedding Music Playlist?
The financial savings from opting for a wedding music playlist can be substantial. According to The Knot, the average cost of hiring a wedding DJ is around $1,700, with prices varying based on location and services.
“The average amount couples spent on a wedding DJ last year was $1,700. In comparison, a live band costs around $4,300.”
– The Knot
In contrast, creating your own playlist using a streaming service like Spotify requires only a premium subscription, which is a fraction of the cost (if not free!) In writing this article, Spotify offers one month free, and then it’s only $11.99 per month after that.
Not only do you save on hiring fees, but you also avoid additional costs for equipment and setup. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re planning a more intimate microwedding or a budget-friendly wedding.
What Are the Cons of a Not Hiring a DJ or Band?
While there are many advantages to a DIY wedding music playlist, it’s important to consider some potential drawbacks. One major con is the lack of a professional emcee to guide the event and make announcements.
“If you intend on doing more elaborate wedding transitions like the first dance, cutting cake, etc., a DJ would make sense to help guide the timeline and evening along.”
weddingwire contributor
DJs also have the expertise to read the crowd and adjust the music accordingly, keeping the energy high and the dance floor full.
Moreover, a live band or DJ can provide a more interactive and memorable experience for your guests, something a playlist might not fully replicate.
“DJs will blend songs together to avoid lulls in the party and typically know what songs keep the dancing going. They also act as the emcee and adjust for the crowd.”
WeddingWire Contributor
10 Tips for Creating a Wedding Music Playlist
To ensure your wedding music playlist is a hit, follow these best practices:
1. Splurge for a Premium Music Subscription
Avoid ads interrupting your special moments by subscribing to a premium service.
2. Create Separate Playlists
Design individual playlists for each part of the day – ceremony (processional vs. recessional), cocktail hour, dinner, and reception (including unique playlists for each wedding dance).
3. Download All Your Playlists
Ensure all playlists are available offline to prevent any disruptions due to connectivity issues.
4. Test Your Playlists
Conduct a dry run to see how the playlists flow and make necessary adjustments. My sister in law mentioned she would play her playlists in the car, or while on runs. She’d make adjustments as needed as she listened to them all the way through.
5. Check Sound System Compatibility
Ensure your venue has a sound system that can connect to your device via Bluetooth. Bring backup speakers just in case – always better to be over prepared than sorry!
6. Get Song Suggestions
Having trouble creating a long enough playlist for your reception? Ask friends and family for song recommendations to fill out your playlists. You can incorporate a question right into your RSVPs!
7. Enable the Crossfade Feature
Use the crossfade feature to smooth transitions between songs. This will make the playlists feel more elevated and ensure no awkward lulls.
8. Assign a Playlist Manager
Designate someone to manage the playlists throughout the day and provide them with a detailed timeline of when to use each playlist (including any time stamps you want them to cut your first dances! No one wants to be dancing to a 5 minute track… trust me!)
9. Plan for an Emcee
Appoint someone to play coordinator and make announcements for key moments in the day, such as gathering everyone to the dance floor for first dances, or announcing the cake cutting. That way, it won’t be on YOU to keep the schedule on track.
10. Incorporate a Dance Floor Draw
This is totally optional, but if you do want to see a packed dance floor at your wedding, consider incorporating an irresistible dance floor draw, like those giant glow sticks you see everywhere these days. Your guests won’t be able to resist grabbing one and heading out to the dance floor.
“To make sure the music was perfectly coordinated throughout the celebration, Cate designated a friend to manage the playlists, complete with detailed instructions for timing and fading out of each of the traditional dances. ”
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Wedding Music Playlist Ideas
Looking for inspiration? Here are some resources with pre-existing wedding music playlists to help you get started:
- Wedding Songs by Wedsites: This site offers ideas for every part of your wedding day, including getting ready, with links to Spotify playlists.
- Spotify Playlists by Meggy Weggy Photography: Provides playlists for various wedding events, including an engagement photo playlist.
- The Ultimate Wedding Playlist on Spotify: A comprehensive playlist to keep your celebration lively and fun.
By following these tips and utilizing these resources, you can create a wedding music playlist that perfectly complements your special day, ensuring a memorable and personalized experience for you and your guests.
Creating your own wedding music playlist is a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your wedding while also saving money. With careful planning and the right tools, you can ensure that your wedding soundtrack is everything you’ve dreamed of and more.
And, should you have technical issues on the day of, take a breather and use your resources. Find your tech-savvy uncle, or ask your venue for support. Little blips in your wedding day end up being the funny anecdotes you tell later – so don’t stress!
What are you planning to add to your wedding playlist? Leave a comment below and share inspiration with other couples planning their wedding!
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Happy planning!