Planning Wedding

Wedding planning was never said to be easy. Making the reception a disaster with a list of wedding songs completely overdone, unsuitable for small children or the older generations can be avoided. Do not fall into the realm of cheesy, bad taste songs at your wedding. Just because your cousin had the “Electric Slide” played at hers, does not make it a family tradition that needs to be followed.

For many years now, the list of wedding songs selected by the bride and groom have included some of the most outlandish, ill-fitting, and simply awful songs to ever grace the radio waves. Wedding professionals must see these selections and cringe inwardly while at the same time giving an uneasy smile. Several songs come to mind whenever a wedding takes place because they usually make the list of wedding songs given over to the band or DJ.

There has to be an unwritten rule that certain songs must make the list of wedding songs played by a DJ or band. The “Chicken Dance” and “Macarena” immediately come to mind. Yes, the upside is that they are easy songs to get anyone dancing and there is absolutely no skill involved. But is it really necessary to do these? Break from the trend and just say “No” to line dancing or any dance that requires wriggling a butt like a piece of poultry.

Most couples pay attention to details during wedding planning. But the list of wedding songs seems to escape their attention. They like the overall tune but must not pay attention to the words or at worst, simply not understanding what the song is about. “Every Breath You Take” by the Police is a prime example of this inattentiveness. On the surface it seems like a love song until you pay attention to the words. Now if the wedding were for two stalkers…the song is a perfect one. But as it stands, a song about someone obsessed does not seem to have a place on that special day.

Many couples want the first song they danced to be played at their wedding. This is a very romantic idea in theory. A list of wedding songs should be personal but a little common sense has to be included. Grandma might not appreciate the humor of the first dance being to “Baby Got Back” and seeing her grandchild out on the floor in formal wear and performing motions better left to the honeymoon night.

Somewhere there has to be a class in wedding planner training on how to deal with horrible songs wanted at the reception. Let the planner be a voice of reason when making the list of wedding songs to give to the DJ or band. What might seem funny and unique now may be a source of embarrassment later.