Get Down With Your Bad Self! Best Music Recommendations Straight From an Expert

By Christa Leupen

The vows are recited, the food is devoured and now it’s time for a little entertainment. Not sure what to play that will please Grandma and your bridal party? Check out these suggestions from DJ Joe Bunn:

What are your most commonly played songs?
 

Top 10:
1. AC/DC – “You Shook Me All Night Long”
2. Journey – “Don't Stop Believin’”
3. Lady Gaga featuring Colby O’Donis – “Just Dance”
4. Bon Jovi – “Livin’ On A Prayer”
5. Beyoncé – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”
6. Def Leppard – “Pour Some Sugar on Me”
7. Van Morrison – “Brown Eyed Girl”
8. B-52s – “Love Shack”
9. Justin Timberlake – “SexyBack”
10. Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Sweet Home Alabama”

What’s a unique first dance song?
“I love ‘You Are the Best Thing’ by Ray Lamontagne. It’s genius!”

What songs frequent the do-not-play list?
“A lot of the line dances have moved into this category like Electric Slide, Macarena and YMCA. However, the very next weekend, they may show up on the must-play list; you never know! Each wedding we do is customized for the bride and groom’s tastes!

Any suggestions for easy ways to please a diverse crowd?
“The younger brides tend to want to really move toward Top 40 by the latter part of the reception, once the older guests have either left or gravitated toward talking instead of dancing.”

Bunn also offers these helpful words of wisdom:

• Whatever the bride and groom do, the guests are going to do. If the hosts are outside talking for the majority of the reception, most of the guests are going to be out there too. If they are on the dance floor, that’s where you’ll find the guests.
• Do not seat your older guests in front of your DJ’s speakers. The farther away from the DJ, the more enjoyment they will have.
• Darker is better than lighter for dancing. No one wants anyone to see them dance. A well-lit dance floor is always less filled than one that is dimmed and romantic.
• The bars should always be in the main reception room. If possible, the bars should be near the dance floor, but not in a way that the lines at the bar interfere with the dance floor. The same goes for dessert stations.
• A party should end when it shouldn’t end… not when it has to. Ending a party just before it dies down leaves your guests wanting more, and they will always remember a packed dance floor.
• If you have to cut corners, don’t compromise on the entertainment. Your DJ affects everyone in the room and can make or break the evening.
• When picking your music, don’t overdo it. Pick 20 or so songs that you really want to hear and some that you really don’t, and then leave the rest up to the pros. We can fill in the blanks.

And a final word of wisdom: Brides, pack a comfortable pair of shoes to change into before you hit the dance floor. Your feet will thank you!