What type of music moves your soul? “Reading the room”

Will guests request songs at “your” event???

Yes, yes they will.

Guests will make requests, not because I am playing bad songs. They request songs because of personal taste.

Country vs Rock n Roll

Many times I meet with Wedding clients that may have 50 to 75% of the music they want played already picked out for the event.

The opposite has also happened at Wedding meetings. The client has no idea what they want played. The Wedding couple may have a first dance or bridal party song chosen, but not much else. They are open to reading the room and having guest request songs.

A sit down meeting is the place to iron out all the music details. The type of music you choose will influence the guests and family to be involved, or sit on the sidelines and socialize. Quite frankly doing both is fine with me. It is almost impossible to have 100% of the guests on the dance floor at the same time.

If I see over 50% of the guests dancing at any one time, it is a success.

Country music: Real country music, not country pop. I find that at a majority of Wedding guests know popular Country songs. Country slow songs will bring married and dating couples to the dance floor.

Will every one dance to country music? No.

Is Country music popular? Yes, yes it is.

Country music love songs and 2 step tracks are big movers at any Wedding event.

But no love them and leave them songs please.

Speaking of 2 steps songs. Cumbia tracks are normally a 2 step beat as well. Almost any 2/4 beat song is easy to dance to. It is very distinct and easy to follow.

Pop, top 40 dance & adult contemporary pop: This category covers decades of music genre. It is always best to be detailed about your needs. Each decade in this area of music has it’s own texture.

Electronic Dance: “EDM” Some people call it Tecno, others call it electronic and old schoolers may call it Disco or Clubbing. Any way you slice it up. It is danceable, is over 128 BPM and has lot’s of bass and Synthetic sounds. Drum beats are heavy and drive the track into your brain. “It makes you move”

Rock, rock n roll, glam rock and heavy metal: Depending on your guests this could be a hit or a wipe out. I have worked Weddings that could of been a scene at a Sturges biker bar. Gritty, hard rock and heavy, but still very fun. I do not care what I play, because I like all kinds of music. If your guest are into it, it’s fine with me.

Classics and Old School: I love this genre, it will get young and old out on the floor.

Novelty Dance Music: Line dances, slides and participation songs. A big one is the YMCA, others like the cha cha slide or the electric slide are still popular. I like to talk about novelties at the sit down meeting. I find that the right kind of novelty track can fill or clear a dance floor. Novelty songs are like salt is to cooking, you only need a pinch for taste.

I am sure you understand what I am saying.

The biggest concern for any Wedding event, is time. A Wedding reception may last from 4 to 6 hours on average and 40% of the music played is for Wedding themed activities. 10% for cocktails. 15% for dinner. the remainder of time is for dancing.

It is very important to talk about the best music to use and when to play it. It’s all about timing. Weddings have a time limit and it is best to focus on the best of the best to maintain momentum and keep guests and family engaged.

Yes I do take guests requests, unless you tell me not to.

Rainy days and Mondays alway get me down. Plan “B”

Having an event canceled due to weather is a total drag.

I have had regular events moved to new dates or canceled due to weather. If you are planning a Wedding for an out side event location, it’s best to have a plan “B” if Mother Nature does not want to cooperate with your plans.

A Wedding is never canceled for weather…

Rain, high heat and winds. Outside events can be effected by Mother Nature.

Plan “B” what is it and why it is so important.

Plan “B” Rain & Wind >> Does the event space have a large enough indoor area to use if you need to relocate everything indoors? Wet areas can be uncomfortable and slippery. No one want’s slips and falls injuring guests. Windy conditions can make decorations fall down or worse fall on guests. On site first aid or a visit to a hospital is never a great way to round out a failed event.

I had a wedding in March of 2009 that the winds pushed over the Wedding arch into the minister and he got a nasty cut on his arm from it.

The minister blocked the arch from hitting the bride.

Plan “B” Sun & Heat >> Does the event site have big shade coverings, umbrellas and cooling fans? Guests will have no fun if they are melting like a crayon in the heat. No one will stay and party in the sun, under high heat stress.

Phoenix Weddings can be hot, hot, hot!

Mid April to mid September afternoon temperatures can be uncomfortable. I advise clients during the high heat months to entertain the idea of a sunrise Wedding ceremony between 5 to 7am, with an afternoon indoor reception.

Another possibility is to have the Wedding in Sedona or a high country location to beat the heat. Did I mention I travel state wide to take care of Wedding clients.

Weddings need a backup area if things change suddenly. Sometimes you may have to make changes hours or minuets before it’s go time.

I have seen some events effected by Mother Nature. I have had to shut down power and cover up equipment due to sudden rains. I have redesigned my equipment road cases to deal with high heat stress events. I have portable shade stands, if I get stuck in a event location that has no shade. I have learned over the years to have options ready.

Luck will favor the prepared.