Category: Wedding Song Ideas

ALBANY NY WEDDING DJ WORKSHEET IS A MUST – TOP 4 REASONS

Whenever planning an big event with many people in charge of different aspects, you really should map everything out on paper so expectations are clearly understood. When hiring a wedding professional DJ, photographer, or caterer, always ask for their own custom worksheet. This will help, overall, in the communication department, and lead to the planning of your successful event.

Though there are many disc jockey and photographer planning forms out there on the internet, most wedding professionals provide their own custom document to help you prepared for wedding day activities and at the same time, get organized for themselves. Using a wedding professional’s own worksheet will help you better understand how they see a traditional wedding (and many non-traditional ones) will unfold. It also helps you communicate to the DJ what they need to know in a simple recognizable format, collecting everything onto a few familiar pages for the vendor.

Albany, NY Wedding DJ Kenny Casanova’s worksheet helps you get prepared for your wedding day activities. Our wedding DJ worksheet, as well as a photographer worksheet, will help you make sure that you do not forget anything on the hectic, special day when you get married. There are FOUR aspects that you will want to keep in mind when filling out your worksheet:

1) ATMOSPHERE – Some people want classy and elegant. Others are hoping to have an all out party celebration. Some people want somewhere in between. Checking off on the sheet and key songs/activities, plus the overall tone you are looking for will help us to better understand what you are looking for.

2) MUSIC PLAYLIST – Anything goes as far as options are concerned, so getting some ideas out onto paper will help customize the feel you are looking for. It is your special day so you decide how you want to plan the music for it. You can either create an involved hands-on playlist, or leave it up to us. While you do not need to write every song down that you would like to hear, writing down 10-20 might give the DJ a better idea of what you are looking for.

3) DO NOT PLAY LIST – Make sure to write down the songs you absolutely do not wish to hear, so that there are no surprises. We hate playing The Chicken Dance, for example, and would not play it, unless you asked. However, some DJ’s love it! If you didn’t put this song down on your plan sheet as a “DO NOT PLAY,” you may end up thinking your DJ clucked everything up, watching grandma flapping her wings. You can control this! 🙂

4) ACTIVITY OPTIONS – There are so many activities that you can engage in. Our worksheet has many of them listed and you can simply cross off or circle the ones you like.

If you would like to check out our latest worksheet draft, email me a request at ken@theDJservice.com and we will send it right over!

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With so many old first dance songs out there, it is easy to grab up one people have heard before and seen used at a wedding somewhere. Therefore, if you really want to stand out, you really should consider it important to choose a first dance song that is both important and different.

I’m don’t know you’ve heard this one yet, but there’s a super new track option out there that you may want to look at. As a Wedding song option, and an alternative ceremony song, some people are starting to look at this new tune that is climbing the charts.

Runner Runner‘s new song, “I Can’t Hardly Wait,” is about a groom who is anxious to finally get married to his bride. The lead singer, Ryan Ogren, has explained in interviews and on stage before performing this song live that he wrote this song for his own fiancé, and their wedding.

Runner Runner, a punk band from California, is finding great success from this ballad, an unusually different sound for their norm. The band’s name originated from their love of poker. The card term ‘runner runner’ means to beat the odds and pull a winning hand in the very last possible moment.

My wife and I took a gamble and chose to wait and see what was out there before we selected this unfamiliar song for our first dance. We picked it only a week after it hit the charts. From the reaction, it looks like by holding out until the last possible minute, we too picked a winner.

Here are the lyrics for “I Can’t Wait” Lyrics, by Ryan Ogren

The way you curse while we are in traffic, A million flavors of your chapstick,
The way you keep my heart captive… The Journey concert in A.Z., Do you remember we sang faithfully?
I’ve still got that old hotel room key… This is the way I feel.

Cause I can’t wait for you, to be my wife, To live this life, together.
And I won’t let you go, I need you to know, that you are my heart, forever.

And on, and on, and on…

The way you like to sing my songs,
you always know when something’s wrong.
The way you say you miss me when I’m gone.
The things you do that show you care,
you are always down for truth or dare.
Freeze this moment, let me stop and stare.

Nothing before was real. This is the way I feel

And I can’t wait for you, to be my wife, to live this life together.
And I won’t let you go, I need you to know, that you are my heart, forever.

And on and on and on… And we’ll go on and on and on

For better or for worse, no matter how it hurts
You’ve got me to hold you hand.
I promise you the world, in your wedding dress
We’ll dance till no one’s left.

Don’t wanna blink my eyes. I Don’t wanna miss a thing

I can’t wait for you, to be my wife.
To live this life together.
And I won’t let you go, and I need you to know
That you are my heart, forever.

And on and on and on… And we’ll go on and on and on.

NEW WEDDING SONG INTRO MUSIC LIST FOR YOUR BRIDAL PARTY ENTRANCE

There are a lot of “Wedding Introduction Music Song Lists” out there that look like they were written in the early 80’s. The 80’s had some great music, don’t get me wrong, but in my opinion, the majority of people getting married today did not grow up in this era, so most of these songs are no longer relevant.

One reason these old cheesy introduction lists are probably still floating around is because of Google and the overall imortal power of the ominous internet. The other reason, perhaps, is that their are a number of cheesy old wedding DJ’s with brady bunch tuxedos and gray santa beards who do not want to let go of their tired shtick.

The grumpy grandpa wedding dj’s who look look like Doctor Demento love cheezy theme songs like “Axl F” from Beverly Hills Cop, “Power of Love” by Huey Lewis, and Dirty Dancing’s “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.” However, I would argue half of my bride & grooms today have never even seen the movies related to these lame songs.

Do you want an introduction party song that picks up the crowd? Since the trend in wedding receptions has moved from classy slow songs to more of a party atmosphere, most couples are now looking to set this intended tone with their grand introduction, so you are not alone. This list, then, should be perfect for you.

MODERN INTRO SONG LIST

While I have added some of classics to this modern song list, you will find far more songs from the past 10-15 years, and far more that will hype your crowd. “Drum roll please…” (Uggh.) Anyhow, here it is:

Forever – Chris Brown
I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Viva La Vida – Coldplay
Justin Timberlake – Sexyback
The Way I are – T.I.
Crazy In Love – Beyonce Feat. Jay-Z
Bitter Sweet Symphony – Verve
Bring ‘Em Out – T.I. Feat. Jay-Z
Walking On Sunshine – Katrina And The Waves
The Time – Black Eyed Peas
Yeah – Usher Feat. Ludacris & Lil’ Jon
Low (Apple bottom Jeans) – Flo Rider
Pump It – Black Eyed Peas
Fire Burning – Sean Kingston
Party Up – DMX (Instrumental)
Firework – Katy Perry
Love And Marriage – Frank Sinatra
Sandstorm – Darube
Gettin Jiggy With It – Will Smith
I’m A Believer Smash Mouth
Hot & Cold – Katy Perry
Say Hey (I Love You) – Franti, Michael & Spearhead
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
I like It – Enrique Iglesias
Now That We Found Love Heavy D. & The Boyz
Pour Some Sugar – On Me Def Leppard

Hot In Herre – Nelly
Inner Circle – Bad Boys (Theme From Cops)
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
Big Pimpin’ – Jay-Z Feat. Ugk
Milkshake – Kelis
Kiss – Prince
Super Freak – Rick James / MC Hammer (Combo)
Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Barry White
Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) – Big & Rich
Jump Around – House Of Pain
Womanizer – Britney Spears,
Pony – Ginuwine
Intergalactic – Beastie Boys
Imperial Death March – Star Wars
Thunderstruck – AC/DC
Lets Get Ready To Rumble – Jock Jams
Walkin’ On Sunshine – Katrina And The Waves
Ch-Check It Out – Beastie Boys
Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z
Party in The USA – Miley Cyrus
Everybody – Backstreet Boys

The Final Countdown – Europe
Another One Bites The Dust – Queen
Down – Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne
Calle Ocho – Pitbull
Thriller or Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
I Like to Move It, Move It – Reel 2 Reel
Whip My Hair – Willow Smith
Jump – Van Halen
Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
Get Ready For This – 2 Unlimited
Shake Your Booty – KC and The Sunshine Band
Rocky Theme Song / Eye of The Tiger – Survivor (Combo)
Tubthumping – Chumbawamba
Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N’ Roses
Lets’ Get Loud – Jennifer Lopez
Here For Party – Gretchen Wilson
Enur – Calabria
The Power of Love – Huey Lewis & The News
Here Comes the Hotstepper – Ini Kamoze
Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
Let’s Get It Started – Black Eyed Peas
Celebration – Kool & the Gang
Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C. featuring Aerosmith
Party Like A Rock Star – Shop Boyz
Right Here, Right Now – Fatboy Slim

Here are my Top 10 Ways to Avoid Wedding Disasters, in music form. “Huh? How does that work?”  Well, just think of these ten songs while planning your special day and you will have a safe and fun time for everyone. Each tip from this “playlist” (written by DJ Kenny Casanova) has a song that represents a potential “disaster-in-the-making” when you do not plan against it. HerAnd now for your Wedding Disaster playlist:

10. “Just The Two of Us” – Will Smith
Make sure your wedding is a reflection of both of you; the bride and groom. Sometimes we forget to put in the personal likes and dislikes that make the event special. In the end, everyone should have some of the traditional wedding to make them happy, but also a mixed in balance of things that are important to the newlyweds.

 9. Be careful not to waste… “Money” – The O’Jays
“Do we really need that extra decoration in the bathroom?”… “Do we really need a violinist in the hallway?”… The Wedding Industry is a big money maker. It is often easy to get caught up in all the options and wish for the very best of everything. This can get very costly, if you don’t pay attention to the little costs.

 8.  Plan out the ceremony and… “Have The Time of Your Life” – Greenday
The Ceremony is the most important thing. After all, the reception is actually the celebration of having had the ceremony. Spend a little time putting things together to make it memorable.

 7. “I need Somebody to, HELP, not just anybody.” – The Beatles
Know who is running the show. This means if you hire a boring officiant for the ceremony, your ceremony will be boring. Also, if you hire a bad band, people will not enjoy themselves, or on the inverse, hire a lame DJ and get tons of hokey stuff like chicken dances and The Macarena.

6. “Singing in The Rain” – Gene Kelly
Make sure to have a back up plan for everything that could go wrong. People often think, it could never happen to me, but they are the same ones who end up with ketchup all over the bride’s wedding dress. If you don’t keep this in mind, all your people could be stuck out in a rainstorm.

5. “More Money, More Problems” – Biggie Smalls
Stay to your budget. If you let them, the wedding professionals, caterers, and even your guests can end up costing you a fortune. Figure out what you want to spend and stick to it!

 4. “I’m Here For The Party” – Gretchen Wilson
It is not a good practice to get plastered the night before. Do you really want to be hung over on perhaps the biggest day of your life? If a bachelor / bachelorette party is set up for the night before, be careful you don’t spoil things for the day after.

3. Be a good host and think of…  “Everybody” – Backstreet Boys
While it is your “day,” the reception will only be fun for everyone if you include everyone. That means perhaps playing some music you may not particularly like, or allowing something to happen for the good of the whole that you may not be particularly fond of.

2. “It Takes Two to Make a Thing Go Right” – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
Quite often, the bride takes over. Ladies, if you want the groom to enjoy himself, let him have a little fun in the planning as well. And if you have a groom that shows little interest in the planning element, give him total control of something. SOmetimes a theme wedding is a great way to get the groom in on the fun.

1. “Lose My Mind” – DMX
Don’t get stressed out and sweat the little things. If something doesn’t go exactly as planned, take a deep breath and move on. No one will care. We are all human!

Interactive DJ Action Makes Your Wedding More Fun

Have you been to a wedding lately? Was it good or bad? If you answered “good,” there is a good chance that the DJ had a good part of helping you come to this answer. Audience interaction is the key to success.

It is funny how a lot of weddings have so many similarities, but can still be good or bad. There are many traditional activities that happen at most all receptions. The first dance, the bouquet toss, father & bride dance, mother & groom dance, toasts and the cake cutting… we have seen these all time and time again. But these activities alone do not make the wedding reception a night to remember. If you really want people to have fun, your guests need the option to interact.

Dancing Activities are important to many of you guests.

Some will argue that group dances are hokey and there are a number of them that really, really are. One example is the dreaded “Chicken Dance”. I personally, hate that song! However, there are some that are very modern and can do wonders for getting people out of their seats.

Even if you as the bride and groom absolutely hate dance activities, these are great ice breakers. If you can sacrifice a couple of songs to the majority of your group and and moving, it may be worth it in the big picture. If you get the people up and dancing with The Cha Cha or Electric slide, they may very well stay up there for the rest of the night.

There are many activities you have at your disposal as options. Others include The Cupid Shuffle, The Apache, The Mississippi Mudslide, The Conga, Souljaboy and The YMCA. Also, there are dollar dances, the freeze dance, The Limbo, the twist, and anniversary dances – where the DJ calls out numbers of years married to leave the dance floor, until the couple that had been together the longest remains.

So… Umm… When do we cut the wedding cake?

The activity of celebrating the wedding cake has been an important part of the wedding reception since the days of Ancient Rome. During that time period, things were a little different. There was no stacking and there was no crazy decorating. There was, however, a simple wheat cake crumbled over the bride’s head and into her hair. Sound odd? There was a reason. Wheat at this time to this culture was a symbol that represented bounty, so this messy tradition was carried out to ensure her fertility.

Today, many things have changed at the wedding reception. While we may seem more civilized to pour crumbs over the head of the new bride, we do carry on a twist to the old cake tradition. Instead, now the bride and groom hold a knife together and cut the cake together. In some cases, the groom lovingly smashes the cake in the glowing bride’s face; Not a far cry from the old tradition after all. This new tradition continues with the top of the layered cake is now saved for the bride and groom to eat, one year later on their first anniversary.

The first wedding I ever DJ’ed at where there was no cake cutting happened last week. Do you have to cut the cake? Technically no. However, cutting the cake gives your guests and your photographer a great photo opportunity and lets them all celebrate your marriage with you, and your creativity of cake choice.

I have heard that there seems to be a constant battle, of late, between the DJ and/or wedding planners and the wedding hall/ caterers on when the best time it is to cut the cake at your wedding reception. Well, what is the answer?

Traditionally, the cake should be cut towards the end of the evening. Think about it. After eating a big meal, dessert isn’t always right on the guests’ minds, but could be after an hour or two of dancing. Some also choose to do the cutting right after the dinner so that everyone can dance the night away without any interruptions, but again, the cake often isn’t eaten then, if at all, until later.

One thing to keep in mind… If you do notice that during your reception, the hall is seeming to nag you for the cake to be cut and eaten right away, they probably have a hidden agenda. Sometimes they truly just want to get it out of the way. Other times, however, having the cake cutting activity done early is often a cost-cutting factor for the hall; the hall can send home their extra staff when the serving is done and then save extra money on payroll!

Whatever you chose to do, do what feels right for you! Here are some song ideas to play while the cake is being cut:

Destiny – Jim Brickman
Can You Feel The Love Tonight? – Elton John
Recipe For Making Love – Harry Connick, Jr.
I Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
Thank You – Led Zeppelin
The Sweetest Thing – U2
Sugar, Sugar – The Archies
Wedding Song – Bob Dylan
Unbroken – Tim McGraw
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor
It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head – Dean Martin
Chapel Of Love – Dixie Cups
Love You Madly – Cake
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
When I’m Sixty-Four – The Beatles
Love And Marriage – Frank Sinatra
That’s Amore – Dean Martin
Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
Eat it – Weird Al Yankovic
After All Is Said And Done – Beyoncé Knowles & Marc Nelson
1, 2, 3, 4 – Plain White T’s
‘Cause I love You – Lenny Williams
Whatever It is – Zac Brown Band
One Love – Bob Marley
Here and Now – Luther Vandross
I Do (Cherish You) – 98 Degrees
Cut The Cake – Average White Band
All My Life – K-Ci & JoJo
Yummy Yummy Yummy – Ohio Express
Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops