Your Wedding DJ: To Take Requests or Not Take Requests?

By DJ Justin Warwick from DJ Enterprises Mobile Disc Jockey & Photo Booth

One of the most important elements of a successful wedding reception is the music. Hiring a professional wedding DJ is a great way to ensure that your guests have a great time and the dance floor stays packed all night long. But when it comes to taking requests from your wedding guests, should your wedding DJ be open to them or not? Let’s explore the pros and cons.

Pros of Taking Requests:

– Keeps guests engaged: Allowing your guests to make requests can help them feel more involved in the party and engaged with the music. It gives them a sense of ownership over the playlist and can create a fun, interactive atmosphere.

– Keeps the party going: Sometimes, guests will have requests that the DJ wouldn’t have thought to play on their own, an “inside” song from collage for example. These unexpected requests can lead to some great dance floor moments and keep the energy level high.

– Shows flexibility: Allowing requests shows that your DJ is flexible and willing to adapt to the crowd’s preferences. This can help build a rapport with your guests and create a positive, inclusive vibe.

Cons of Taking Requests:

– Can lead to awkward moments: Unfortunately, not all guest requests will be appropriate or well-timed. Sometimes guests may request songs that are not appropriate for the occasion or that would clear the dance floor. This can lead to awkward moments or a loss of momentum on the dance floor.

– Can disrupt the DJ’s flow: Taking requests can sometimes disrupt the DJ’s carefully crafted flow of music. They may have a specific order or set of songs planned out that they feel works best to keep the party going. Disrupting this flow can sometimes lead to a disjointed or uneven party experience.

– Can lead to dissatisfaction: If a DJ takes too many requests, it can lead to some guests feeling left out if their request isn’t played. Additionally, if the DJ isn’t able to fulfill requests due to not having, or wanting it in their music library or technical issues. Like someone wanting to plug their phone into the DJs sound system. It can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction among guests.

So, what’s the verdict? Ultimately, it’s up to you and your preferences. Some couples may feel strongly that their DJ should be open to requests. While others may prefer a more controlled playlist. If you do decide to allow it, be sure to communicate your expectations and limitations clearly to your DJ. Let them know which songs are off-limits or which genres you’d prefer to avoid. By striking a balance between openness to requests and maintaining control over the music, you can create a wedding reception that’s both enjoyable and memorable for all of your guests.