What’s on your playlist?

One of the most popular questions I get asked is, “How do you pick songs to play during dancing?” and that’s typically followed by, “Do you have a set playlist?” or “How do requests work?”

Photo Credit: Ashley Rae Studio

The short answer is that I play songs curated to your vision, based on your preferences/requests. I can easily DJ a dance party based on a list of 15-20 must play songs or, more simply, from a conversation about general genres/eras/artists you really love!

I rarely have a 100% set playlist for any event because this allows me the flexibility to read the room, playing songs at the right moments to take the party to the next level!

But why is this flexibility so important? In my experience, there are 2 things that heavily influence what songs will work for your dance party and when - (1) Who’s dancing & when and (2) Lighting. Let’s break it down deeper.

Photo Credit: Yvonne Goll Photography

1) Who’s Dancing & When

Picture this: you just returned from sunset photos to a packed dance floor. Your best friends see you and excitedly grab your hands, pulling you out to dance! Noticing this, I mix into your favorite song, announcing, “This song goes out to our newlyweds!!”, and everyone goes crazy! Minutes later, your parents are dancing with you, dancing to some throwbacks you love!

Those are the kinds of moments we just can’t plan! Maybe it’s your parents who pull you out to party. Or maybe you’re the party starters gathering everyone around you!

Photo Credit: Staci & Michael Wedding Photography + Videography

That’s why flexibility is so important. By not choosing an exact list or exact order of songs to play, I can read the room. This allows me to play for everyone already dancing, get more people dancing, and adapt if you take a break for the Photo Booth/bar/etc.

2) Lighting

Even if the music is amazing, lighting will set the tone and bring the party atmosphere together! Think of lighting like a guide for your guests - it’ll show your guests where to be and what to do. For example, if your dinner space was filled with dynamic, color changing, flashing light, that would be pretty weird right? But for dancing, that could be perfect!

Pro Tip: Even during dinner/formalities, you can completely transform your space by adding uplighting/wash lighting and/or partnering with a rental/draping company for bistro/candle lights! Some venues even have amazing lighting available or permanently installed!

Photo Credit: SLOtography

During dinner and formalities (including your First Dance and any special dances), I recommend all lighting be set with a fixed color and intensity. Ambers and warm/soft whites can create a more cozy or intimate feeling. Adding pops of color can enhance/match your color palette or create a more energetic/party-like feeling!

Then as we start dancing, your space can be transformed again! Dynamic, color changing lighting that covers the dance floor will make it the center of attention and add excitement! If we also dim the lights away from the dance floor, your guests will naturally move to join/watch the fun! As the night progresses, even the most shy dancers/guests will be found busting a move!

As a bonus, when you book uplighting, the uplights near/around the dance floor can be matched with my primary lights and the music! This creates the best immersive experience where lighting, ambiance, and sound are all in sync.

(Photo Credit: Ashley Rae Studio)

Add some light up foam sticks, LED rings, sunglasses, etc. and your guests will want to stay through the very end!