Must-Play and Do-Not-Play Lists: How to Build Them for Your Wedding DJ

The short answer: a good must-play list is short and specific, and it is built around the moments when you want the whole room singing. A do-not-play list protects you from songs that carry bad memories or do not fit your crowd. At Fresh New Angle Events, couples add both lists to their online planning portal. Your DJ treats the must-plays as the map and builds the rest of the night around how your guests react.

How long should a must-play list be?

Think in moments, not hours. Pick the songs you would be upset not to hear, plus a few that you know your crowd will scream along to. Leave room for your DJ to read the floor. A list that tries to script every minute takes away the thing a good DJ does best.

Build a set, not just a list

Shannon and Steve's wedding at The Sheraton Eatontown is a good example. Their 90s punk set was the hit of the night: the room sang Mr. Brightside and All the Small Things. Because the couple told us their favorites, our DJ could plan the right moment for that set instead of scattering the songs through the night.

Bring both families to the floor

If your families come from different cultures, put songs from both sides on the list. At the Smithville Inn, our DJ blended Russian and American music, and the Hora was one of the biggest moments of the night. At The English Manor, our bilingual DJ and MC turned Mario and Idalia's reception into a party with almost entirely Latin music.

What belongs on a do-not-play list?

• Songs tied to an ex, a loss, or a hard memory.
• Group dances or line dances you never want to see at your wedding.
• Explicit versions, if you have kids or older relatives in the room.
• Genres that do not fit your crowd at all.

Your FNA DJ also checks with you before playing anything questionable that a guest requests.

Do not forget the last song

Pick the song that ends your night on purpose. Shannon and Steve chose Thunder Road for their love of Springsteen. It is the last thing your guests hear, so make it mean something.

Want to hear how FNA DJs mix? Listen to our Latin, highlight, hip hop, and punk rock mixes on the DJ & MC page, or read how to pick your first dance song.