Music and romance have always gone together. From the moment you meet your significant other, you’re likely to take note of music in an entirely new way. You’ll have a favorite song or two together and start discovering that countless tunes make you think of your special someone. It makes sense that music is also an integral part of the wedding experience. While most couples wish it was as easy as playing their favorite songs all night, a bit more thought needs to go into picking your wedding music for it to be successful.

Use this guide to cover all the biggest choices related to the music for your big day. With a little preliminary research, you’ll have no trouble scoring your event. 

A DJ or a Band

Before you start picking your wedding music, you need to think about your entertainment as a whole. Couples can select a DJ or a live band for their events, but both come with pros and cons. With a DJ, you’ll have access to pretty much any tune you’d prefer. A live band can only play what they know how to play. A DJ pushes a button and the crowd does most of the work. A band rouses the guests to keep the energy up all night. A band is a bit more expensive, while a DJ gives you more for less.

There are many angles to think over before you make your pick, but you shouldn’t waste too much time in deliberation. Research some options, make your choice, and move on.

Focus on the Staples

Have you noticed how most weddings you have been to tend to feature a few familiar songs? “The Electric Slide” is a perfect example, as it seems to exist solely to be played at weddings. Before you start getting into specifics, work with your entertainer about the staples that should be played. They might not be your top choices, but songs that encourage the crowd to get out of their seats in order to dance and sing are the tunes you want to be sure to include. 

Both a DJ and a band should be able to cover the basics with wedding staples. In fact, the experienced professional you hire is likely going to be able to provide you with more in-depth information on which wedding favorites you should include and which to avoid.  

Mix in the Hits

Whether you’re someone who has always bopped along to the pop on the radio or you avoid mass-produced music like the plague, recognizably popular songs are a necessity at a wedding. As guests drink and loosen up, they’re more likely to stay on the dance floor when they know the songs that are playing. Unless your event is going to be attended entirely by people with the same niche tastes as you, it is absolutely important to include as many hits as you can.

Make It Personal

Finally, you can start to include those special songs that define you as a couple. Try to make these musical moments the score for important moments throughout the wedding. The song you walk down the aisle to, for example, can be the song playing on the night when you first met. Your first dance together can be scored by whatever tune has made itself prominent in your love story. Peppering in songs that are uniquely you will help to balance the night and make it feel like your event.

Though music is a crucial component in a successful wedding, you can’t assume that it is as easy as throwing together a playlist and keeping it bumping all night long. To see success, give yourself time to work with your DJ or live band. Together, you can forge a soundtrack that will keep you and your guests satisfied with each track.