Many couples planning their wedding have numerous details to consider, and often, the dinner hour playlist becomes an afterthought. A quick search on Spotify yields dozens of solid playlist options within your favorite genre—whether it’s Motown, alt-rock, Rat Pack, jazz, country, or pop. It’s tempting to believe that technology has resolved this aspect.
However, sometimes the plethora of options can be overwhelming, and consulting an experienced DJ who understands which genres thrive under various circumstances may be beneficial.
It’s crucial to remember that not all streaming platforms provide a perfect solution for dinner music, even if they are labeled as such. For instance, I’ve encountered Spotify-curated playlists that combine “dinner hour” tracks from the same genre, but the energy levels and recording styles vary significantly between songs.
Therefore, before signing a performance agreement with your DJ, ensure they are willing to tailor a playlist and fine-tune it for your special day. While you can certainly provide a playlist of your favorite songs, this alone won’t suffice to create a playlist that fulfills the subtle purpose of dinner music.
Consider the following when collaborating with your DJ to customize the ideal dinner hour playlist:
- Dinner hour playlists should begin subtly but gradually increase in energy. This is particularly important if your guests are older or if the meal was substantial. A key, yet often overlooked, objective of dinner music is to ease guests from dining to dancing. Achieving this can be challenging towards the end of dinner if, for example, Dean Martin’s melancholic love songs are still playing. Nearly every genre has more energetic selections suitable for the moment post-speeches and dessert.
- Adhering strictly to one genre for over an hour can cause listener fatigue. Rat Pack music exudes class but can become monotonous after 20-30 songs. It can serve as an excellent transition into other genres like Motown, classic rock, or a diverse pop mix.
- If you’re providing the tracklist, have your DJ review it for any unexpected elements. It’s unwise to rely solely on a popular streaming service’s playlist, even if curated by their staff, without verification. Descriptions mentioning “wedding” don’t guarantee a cohesive flow or consistent energy. If feasible, ask your DJ to rearrange the tracks so the energy aligns with the event’s timeline.
- Dinner music should be unobtrusive. Distinguishing between songs for listening and those for dancing is essential. If uncertain, your DJ should be adept at selecting strong pieces from your dinner playlist for the dance floor (and vice versa). Additionally, inquire about speaker availability, placement, and volume levels during dinner. Exceptional musical choices might inadvertently inject excessive energy. Sometimes this is desirable, but not always. The DJ’s subtle adjustments to volume and bass are crucial to ensure the music supports, rather than overshadows, the dinner atmosphere.
- There’s also a way to not overthink this. When in doubt, stick to downtempo and mid-tempo songs that lots of people love and recognize. Leave the EDM and hip hop for later. You got this!
Below I offer a multi-genre playlist that violates all the above rules in minor ways but still manages to add just the right level of energy and levity to dinner. Feel free to take what you need!
