Music has the power to make or break the success of any event or function, especially weddings. It is therefore essential to compile a wedding playlist for your wedding DJ to work with.

It takes a professional and experienced wedding DJ to help create an effective music program that will enable the guests to have a great time on the dance floor whilst at the same time highlighting the theme of the wedding.

Compiling the wedding playlist needs to be a "team effort", involving both the bridal couple and the DJ. To ensure that the style of music is suitable, the wedding DJ should be familiar with the details of the wedding such as the theme and type of wedding. Conventional, modern and religious weddings all require specific types of music. There are certain parts of the reception that warrant specific songs, such as the bride's procession, the father/ daughter dance, the mother/ son dance, bouquet tosses and cake cutting. It is essential that the DJ knows when these formalities will take place so that he or she can plan ahead.

If your wedding guests range in age from 5 years to 85 years it is best to ensure that the DJ playlist is well balanced with different genres of music. The main goal is to strike a balance between music the older and younger generations will both appreciate. You may browse the wedding DJ's music library to ensure that his collection will be able to meet the musical tastes of your guests. Give the wedding DJ a list of songs that are significant to the bride and groom and special to friends and family. Song choices for special parts of the reception will reflect on the couple's personalities. Some couples will also give the wedding DJ a list of "do not play" songs, but the DJ must be given some flexibility to do his job. A quality, well experienced DJ should be able to adapt to the crowd, and be flexible enough to work to their requirements or tastes.

One of the most important rules for building the DJ playlist especially dance music is to have only three songs played from the same category in a row. The average song is between three and four minutes long, so three songs are an ideal "dance companion". When the music changes, those who were dancing can rest up while those who like the new style can take to the dance floor. An experienced wedding DJ may be able to play up to six songs from the same genre provided he mixes out of each song quickly, about two minutes or so into the song. A well diversified playlist is a good one.