Why Explicit Lyrics Don’t Belong at Your Wedding Reception
By DJ Justin Warwick from DJ Enterprises Mobile Disc Jockey & Photo Booth
As a wedding DJ, it’s important for me to create an atmosphere that is fun, energetic, and appropriate for all ages. While music is a key element in setting the mood for your reception. It’s also important to be mindful of the lyrics in the songs you choose to have played. Explicit lyrics, no matter how popular or catchy, simply don’t belong at your wedding reception. Here’s why:
Offending Your Guests: Your wedding day is a celebration of love and unity. You want to create an environment where all of your guests feel welcome and included. Playing music with explicit lyrics can offend some of your guests, particularly older relatives, children, or those with conservative values. The last thing you want is for someone to feel uncomfortable or offended on your big day.
Not Family-Friendly: Your wedding reception is a family-friendly event. It’s important to keep that in mind when choosing your music. Songs with explicit lyrics are not appropriate for children or even some adults who may be uncomfortable with the content. It’s important to create an environment that is enjoyable for all ages, and music with explicit lyrics can make that difficult.
Sending the Wrong Message: The music you play at your wedding reception can send a message to your guests about your values and what you want your wedding to represent. Playing music with explicit lyrics can send the wrong message and may not align with the message of love and unity you want to convey. Choosing appropriate music can help reinforce the values you want to share with your guests on your special day.
Risking Your Reputation: Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event. You want to make sure it’s a memorable one for all the right reasons. Playing music with explicit lyrics can put your reputation at risk, particularly if your guests are offended or uncomfortable. It’s important to choose music that reflects your style and values while also being appropriate for the occasion. I do occasionally have clients however that want the last half-hour of the reception, after the family elders and children have gone home to be crasser, and club-like. If that’s your wish, it’s your day, “To The Windows, To The Walls” …
Professionalism: As a wedding DJ, it’s important to maintain a professional image and provide quality entertainment for my clients. Playing music with explicit lyrics can be seen as unprofessional and may tarnish my hard earned reputation. It’s important to be mindful of the music I play and ensure it aligns with my clients’ wishes and the overall vibe of the event. The clean edits I play are the radio versions of popular songs that don’t just drop out the offensive lyric. They are studio cut by the artist, so they sound like they were meant to be that way.
In conclusion, explicit lyrics simply don’t belong at your wedding reception. As a wedding DJ, it’s my job to create an atmosphere that is inclusive, family-friendly, and aligned with the values you want to share with your guests. Choosing appropriate music can help ensure that your wedding day is a memorable and enjoyable event for all.