Must-Play and Do-Not-Play Lists That Actually Help

Your song lists are one of the most useful things you can give your DJ. But a list of 200 must-plays can actually hurt the dance floor. Here's how to get the balance right.

Keep your must-play list short. Ten to twenty songs is the sweet spot. That leaves room for your DJ to read the crowd and play what keeps people dancing.

Mark the songs that truly can't be missed. If there's one song your friend group will riot without, put a star next to it.

Use a do-not-play list for anything you can't stand. Line dances you hate, songs tied to an ex, or tracks with lyrics that would make grandma blush all belong here. Your DJ will steer around them, even if a guest requests one.

Tell us about your crowd. Big Polish family? Lots of college friends? A crowd that loves country? That context helps more than any single song.

Decide how to handle requests. Some couples want guest requests welcomed. Others prefer the DJ check them against your lists first. Either is fine; just let us know.

Send your final lists two weeks out. That gives us time to prepare clean edits and plan the flow of the night.