Curtis Allen

Planning the perfect wedding reception is no small feat, especially when it comes to ensuring that the dance floor stays packed all night. As a wedding DJ with years of experience, I’ve learned that even the best-laid plans can be tested by unexpected challenges. However, with a bit of flexibility, careful song selection, and a good understanding of the crowd, any night can turn into an unforgettable celebration. Here are some essential wedding DJ tips, drawn from the wedding I DJed last Saturday evening; the second of two this weekend! (I turned 41 as I drove home from this wedding – my birthday was the day after the wedding!)

Handling a Slow Start at The Firs, Hanbury

At Joel and Alice’s wedding this Saturday, hosted at the beautiful The Firs in Hanbury, I faced a set of challenges that I think any wedding DJ will be familiar with. The setting was a stunning three-hat teepee on the venue’s picturesque farm, surrounded by lush countryside. The gorgeous weather and lovely outdoor setting naturally tempted guests to spend time outside, making it tricky to draw them to the dance floor early on. Additionally, the couple had opted not to have a traditional first dance, which often serves as a clear signal for guests to join the dance floor.

From our initial consultation, I knew that Joel and Alice wanted their wedding music to reflect their eclectic tastes, with a strong focus on indie, rock, and soul, while also being fun and inclusive for their guests. They both adore The Stone Roses and Joel has a soft spot for Madonna. They were keen on ensuring that the music appealed to all ages, from the older generation who love Motown and classic rock, to their friends who enjoy more contemporary indie and alternative tracks.

To honor their preferences while trying combat the slower start, I leaned on older, universally loved tracks to try and coax people to the dance floor. But to reassure guests that the night wouldn’t just be about classic tunes, I threw in some early indie favorites like Uniform by Bloc Party and In the Morning by Razorlight. This mix aimed to signal that the evening would have something for everyone, from the timeless classics to more modern hits.

Despite this, it was mostly children who danced early on, with adults more inclined to chat and enjoy the venue’s beautiful surroundings, including the nearby bar set in a charming barn.

Engaging the Couple’s Son with Tailored Selections

One moment that stands out from the evening was playing We Will Rock You by Queen followed by I’m Still Standing by Elton John, back-to-back for the couple’s son, Bobby. During our consultation, I learned that these were his favorite tracks, so I made sure to include them in the setlist specifically for him. Bobby’s joy was infectious, and seeing him enjoy the music helped encourage others to join in, creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere.

The Power of Collaboration and Knowing the Crowd

The turning point came thanks to a suggestion from the best man, who knew the couple well. He recommended playing It’s Tricky by Run-DMC, a track that held special significance for the groom. He promised to get the groom on the dance floor to perform a favorite move—the worm—which, paired with Waterfall by The Stone Roses (a song beloved by both the bride and groom), would draw everyone in and give guests the nudge they needed to start dancing.

His advice was spot on. As soon as the groom hit the dance floor, the atmosphere shifted, and the energy surged. From that moment on, the dance floor stayed busy, proving that sometimes the best way to get a crowd moving is through personal connections and shared traditions.

Tuning Into the Crowd’s Preferences

Throughout the night, certain genres and tracks resonated particularly well with the guests. The Libertines, Jamie T, Happy Mondays, and other Madchester and indie bands consistently brought people back to the dance floor. Recognizing this, I kept returning to these styles, ensuring the energy remained high and the vibe aligned with what the crowd clearly enjoyed.

One of the highlights of the evening was playing American Pie by Don McLean. I faced a bit of a dilemma—should I save it for the end as a grand finale, or play it earlier when the dance floor was already buzzing? I opted for the latter, and it turned out to be the right choice. The song filled the dance floor and created a unifying moment where everyone joined in, singing along to every word. Moments like these are why it’s important to read the crowd and trust your instincts on when to play certain songs.

The Final Song…

To close out the night, I chose to finish with I Wanna Be Adored by The Stone Roses, a band that Joel and Alice had mentioned as one of their all-time favorites during our consultation. Earlier in the evening, I had played a few other Stone Roses tracks that were well-received by the guests, so it felt fitting to end on a note that was both personally meaningful to the couple and popular with the crowd.

Navigating Venue Constraints with Care

Another challenge at The Firs was the venue’s sound limiter, which required me to keep the volume below 85dB. This can be tricky when you’re trying to maintain energy on the dance floor, especially when crowd noise and singing are factored into the ambient sound levels. I understand that venues have noise restrictions placed on them by councils respecting nearby residents so it is usaully out of the venue’s hands if they want to keep their license. Despite requests from guests to turn up the volume, I had to carefully balance the need to keep the music impactful while staying within the venue’s restrictions.

This situation highlighted the importance of communication—both with the couple during the planning stages and with the guests on the night. Explaining the situation to guests in a friendly and informative way helped manage expectations and kept the night running smoothly.

The venue’s owner did tell me later that they are hoping to soundproof their barn to be able to have louder weddings in there in the future.

A special mention goes to Natalie, the venue manager at The Firs, who was an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the evening. From helping me get everything set up to keeping me refreshed with drinks during the night, her support was invaluable. Natalie’s friendly and professional approach made the event run smoothly, and it was great to connect with someone who shares a passion for music—especially when we discovered our mutual love for metal!

Lessons Learned: Flexibility is Key

Reflecting on Joel and Alice’s wedding last weekend, it’s clear that adaptability and a deep understanding of the couple’s musical preferences were key to making the night a success. The initial challenges were overcome by staying flexible, engaging with key figures like the best man, and being willing to adjust the plan as needed.

Final Thoughts

Every wedding is unique, and as a DJ, it’s my job to ensure that the music reflects the couple’s personality and creates the best possible experience for everyone involved. Whether it’s navigating a slow start, dealing with sound restrictions, or finding the perfect moment to play a crowd favorite, I’m committed to making sure that every wedding I DJ becomes a night to remember.

If you’re planning your wedding at The Firs, Hanbury, or any other venue, and want a DJ who can handle whatever the night throws at them, get in touch —I’d love to help make your special day unforgettable.

Wedding Setlist from the Night:

1. Luck Be A Lady Tonight – Frank Sinatra
2. Hey Bulldog – The Beatles
3. Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
4. In The Morning – Razorlight
5. Uniform – Bloc Party
6. Stoned Love – The Supremes
7. Harlem Shuffle – Bob & Earl
8. The Snake – Al Wilson
9. Soul a Go Go – Soul Messin’ Allstars feat. Josh Teskey
10. Let’s Dance – David Bowie
11. Psycho Killer (2003 Remaster) – Talking Heads
12. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (2017 Master) – The Smiths
13. Fluorescent Adolescent – Arctic Monkeys
14. Naïve – The Kooks
15. Feel Good Inc – Gorillaz
16. Stronger – Kanye West
17. Romeo – Basement Jaxx
18. My Favourite Game – The Cardigans
19. Save Tonight – Eagle-Eye Cherry
20. Brimful of Asha – Cornershop
21. Charmless Man – Blur
22. Antmusic – Adam & The Ants
23. I Was Made For Lovin’ You – Kiss
24. Separate Ways – Journey
25. Edge of Seventeen (2016 Remaster) – Stevie Nicks
26. Running up That Hill (A Deal With God) – Kate Bush
27. Ain’t Nobody – Chaka Khan and Rufus
28. Nothing But A Heartache – The Flirtations
29. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – The Four Tops
30. Superstition – Stevie Wonder
31. Uptown Funk! (Radio Edit) – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
32. CAN’T STOP THE FEELING! – Justin Timberlake
33. Shut Up And Dance – Walk The Moon
34. Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus
35. Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
36. I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor – Arctic Monkeys
37. It’s Tricky – Run DMC
38. Waterfall – The Stone Roses
39. Step On – Happy Mondays
40. There’s No Other Way – Blur
41. Can’t Stand Me Now – The Libertines
42. Zombie – Jamie T
43. A Town Called Malice – The Jam
44. Rock the Casbah (Remastered) – The Clash
45. Lip Up Fatty – Bad Manners
46. Red Light Spells Danger – Billy Ocean
47. I’m Still Standing – Elton John
48. We Will Rock You – Queen
49. 20th Century Boy – T. Rex
50. Sweet Dreams – Eurythmics
51. Hung Up – Madonna
52. Insomnia – Faithless
53. Where’s Your Head At – Basement Jaxx
54. DARE feat. Shaun Ryder & Rosie Wilson – Gorillaz
55. Green Green Grass – George Ezra
56. Dog Days Are Over – Florence And The Machine
57. American Pie (Full Length Version) – Don McLean
58. Tutti Frutti – Little Richard
59. Everybody Needs Somebody To Love – The Blues Brothers
60. Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash
61. All Day And All Of The Night – The Kinks
62. Hanging On The Telephone – Blondie
63. I Am The Resurrection – The Stone Roses
64. Blue Monday – New Order
65. Freed From Desire – Gala
66. Set You Free – N-Trance
67. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
68. Common People – Pulp
69. When The Sun Goes Down – Arctic Monkeys
70. Some Might Say – Oasis
71. Valerie – The Zutons
72. The Next Episode – Dr. Dre
73. Candy – Cameo
74. I Wanna Be Adored – The Stone Roses