When I hear Music, it makes me dance

I swear I am losing brain cells planning this wedding.

Did anyone ask for the play list from the band or Dj?
Or did you just give them a list of DO NOT PLAY?
Or did you give them a list of MUST PLAYS?
Did you threaten to withhold payment if they did not listen to you?

Essentially I want to know how do you make sure that the band plays the music that I like. We hired a band that plays Irish music, but I only want 20 minutes MAX played. I know FI’s family is going to keep requesting Irish music all night.
FI says that the band does weddings every weekend, so they know what to do to keep the crowd dancing.
While I want people to dance and have fun, I don’t want to hear songs that I dislike or hear more Irish music than I need to hear.
I am speaking to my band leader tomorrow and I want to be prepared.
Thanks ladies!

Re: When I hear Music, it makes me dance

I have a list of songs I want to hear and songs that I don't hear that I will be very upset if the DJ doesn't abide by. If you want to be sure that they will only play 20 minutes of Irish music, put it in the contract! That is the nice, legal way to threaten not to pay if they don't do what you want. I'm sure if you talk to your band leader and express your concerns to him about the Irish music taking over the party, he will make sure to keep the set down to the length you want it, after all, his job is to do what you want him to!

Re: When I hear Music, it makes me dance

We meet w/ our dj sometime during the month before. At that time we bring the list of music we want played and what we don't want played. He also talks w/ us about what the crowd is like (old vs. young people) and what types of music we are interested in and what types of music we want played at our wedding. From my understanding, we dictate the 'feel' of the reception. I would tell the guy time and again that you only want 20 mins. of Irish music. Oh, and I also think it's a good idea that your band/dj knows how to pronounce your name! I've been to too many weddings when they announced the bride and groom and got the name wrong - I've even been to a wedding when they called the groom john instead of josh! No good.

Re: When I hear Music, it makes me dance

Some bands have their play list on their website.

I'm giving a long 'do not play' list, a 'must play' list and an 'it would be nice if you played this' list. I don't think that I'd go as far as to withhold payment for hearing a bad song, but I'll make sure that my DOC is on it in case they do (so that it doesn't happen again).

Re: When I hear Music, it makes me dance

My DJ doesn't have a list of his music collection, but with over 20,000 CD's I understand. So, I am compiling a list of must play, and do not play songs. On my do not play list - anything from any American Idol, anything from Ricky Martin, anything from Madonna. On my must play list, a salsa for my mother, and a whole bunch of other songs that I keep writing down each and every time I hear one on the radio that I like. He told me at the time I met with him he will honor all do and do not play lists, as well as my decision on whether or not to take requests.

Re: When I hear Music, it makes me dance

we gave our band

A must play list
A do not play list

And then told them the other genres of music we wanted. They're professionals and do this all the time.

Re: When I hear Music, it makes me dance

Thanks for your advice!

Re: When I hear Music, it makes me dance

Most bands request a list of songs you would like to hear and Do Not Play songs. Most require payment either the day of the wedding or earlier, so you cant really withhold payment if they dont abide by your wishes.