We all know that joyous moment when a song starts piping over the speakers, heads turn, and a rush of bodies descends onto the dance floor. On the contrary, there’s also a familiar feeling when you’re dancing the night away, the soundtrack changes, and you (and the crowd) promptly groan and beeline for the bar. There’s no denying that music can make or break a party—so when you’re curating the selection for an event as major as your wedding reception, creating the perfect mix of songs is a must.
DJ Ross One knows a thing or two about how to do just that. The maverick DJ is a Jay-Z favorite, spotted on the decks everywhere from Paris Fashion Week to Grammys after-parties; he even curated a trio of his favorite DJs to soundtrack his wedding to Harley Viera-Newton in 2017. Ross One notes, first and foremost, that it’s important to share a thorough playlist in advance to help the vendor properly prepare their setlist for the night. “A good DJ can get a strong sense of a couple’s musical taste from just a few songs on a playlist, but I always ask couples to send as many songs as possible,” he shares. “Even if the list has songs that don’t necessarily make sense for a wedding, they help me to choose other songs that will work for everyone.”
Equally important in the early stages, he notes, is to ask if there are any songs that specific friends or family members might want to hear. “A sentimental tune for a father or grandma can go a long way,” he says. “But you never know if the song that makes that special moment will be by Bruce Springsteen or the Spice Girls—so the inside info can be really helpful.”
Alongside a list of songs you know you love, it’s important to curate a list of those you would rather not hear. “For me, the ‘do not play’ list is even more important than the ‘do play’ list,” says Ross One. “I always ask if there are any songs or artists the bride and groom dislike, or just don’t want to hear. Mom hates Hall & Oates? Let me know! Often, people don’t want to hear some of the more generic wedding songs (which I typically don’t play), but it’s always good to know in advance.”
As you begin that curation process, it’s important to reflect on who your guests are on your big night. “I often get playlists from couples of their favorite songs—and they are likely all great songs—but maybe not perfect for a dance party with an age range from 12 to 82,” notes Ross One. “A good DJ will find a way to mix in some of those personal favorites with more crowd pleasers while keeping the energy high.” He also explains it’s good to share the general demographics of your guests with a DJ or band, so they can play hits from certain eras. “I like to get a sense of the crowd in advance. Will it be mostly people under 30 or 40? Does the couple’s friend group love any specific style of music?
It’s key to consider timing, too. Certain bangers could provoke dancing your parents might not want to see, so consider delegating those songs to your after-party playlist. You also should think about what music will be played when guests aren’t on the dance floor. “Just like any great party, a wedding should build through the night,” explains Ross One. “Dinner and cocktails are usually feel-good songs and you can get more eclectic with the song selection—anything from Motown to Frank Sinatra to Fleetwood Mac. During dinner, I want guests saying, ‘Wow I haven’t heard this in forever. What a great song.’ You want the night to peak when everyone is on the dance floor, so I plan accordingly and save the hits for after dessert.”
Of course, don’t forget to inform your DJ and band of any special musical moments throughout the night. A first dance with your new spouse? A waltz with your parents? A raucous moment to dance the hora? All of these details should be on your musical team’s agenda. “I’m always of the opinion that the more info, the better,” Ross One concludes.
