Wedding Music Checklist: Must-Play & Do-Not-Play Guide
Planning your wedding music should feel exciting — not overwhelming. One of the best ways to protect the atmosphere of your reception is by clearly defining what you want to hear and what you don’t.
This simple checklist helps couples feel confident that their wedding music reflects their style, their guests, and their comfort level.
✅ MUST-PLAY CHECKLIST
(Songs, styles, or moments you don’t want to miss)
Use this list to highlight the music that truly matters to you.
🎵 Must-Play Songs
☐ Our “favorite song”
☐ A song that represents our relationship
☐ A song important to our family
☐ A song we always dance to
☐ A song we want played early in the night
(Tip: 10–20 must-play songs is usually perfect)
🎶 Must-Play Genres or Styles
☐ Country
☐ Classic rock
☐ Motown / soul
☐ Disco / funk
☐ Pop
☐ 90s / 2000s throwbacks
☐ Line dances
☐ Clean radio edits only
💃 Must-Play Dance Floor Moments
☐ Big group dance songs
☐ Sing-along songs
☐ Slow dances mixed throughout the night
☐ High-energy party songs later in the evening
❤️ Must-Play Special Moments
☐ First dance
☐ Father–daughter dance
☐ Mother–son dance
☐ Anniversary dance
☐ Last dance of the night
🚫 DO-NOT-PLAY CHECKLIST
(Songs, styles, or vibes you want avoided)
This list helps prevent awkward moments and keeps your reception comfortable for all ages.
🎧 Do-Not-Play Songs or Artists
☐ Overplayed wedding songs we’re tired of
☐ Songs tied to past relationships
☐ Songs with uncomfortable memories
☐ Artists we strongly dislike
🔇 Do-Not-Play Genres or Styles
☐ Explicit or uncensored music
☐ Club / nightclub style music
☐ Heavy rap or hip-hop
☐ Hard rock
☐ EDM
☐ Line dances (if you prefer none)
👨👩👧👦 Guest Comfort Preferences
☐ Family-friendly lyrics only
☐ No songs with strong language
☐ No overly suggestive content
☐ No songs inappropriate for kids or grandparents
❌ Hard No’s
☐ Songs never to be played — even by request
☐ Artists or genres to be skipped entirely
(This helps your DJ quietly decline requests without awkward conversations)
🎙️ DJ PRO TIP
The goal isn’t to control every song — it’s to provide clear direction.
Strong guidance allows your DJ to read the room, keep energy high, and respect your preferences at the same time.
🌐 How My Online Music Planning Area Makes This Easy
Every couple I work with receives access to a private online music planning area through my website.
Inside, you can:
Build your Must-Play list
Create a clear Do-Not-Play list
Choose music for every special moment
Update your choices anytime — day or night
Keep everything organized in one place
No scattered emails. No last-minute stress. Everything is ready before wedding day.
🎉 Final Thought
Your wedding music should feel like you.
A thoughtful Must-Play and Do-Not-Play list helps create a celebration that’s fun, comfortable, and memorable for everyone.
👉 Every couple I work with gets access to my online music planning area. If you want a reception built around your preferences — I’d love to help.