How to Handle Music Requests from Guests During Your Wedding
How to Handle Music Requests from Guests During Your Wedding
Your wedding reception is all about celebrating with the people you love, and music plays a huge role in creating the vibe. But when it comes to handling guest song requests, things can get a little tricky. While you want everyone to have a great time, you also want to keep the music in line with your vision for the night. So, how do you balance guest requests while still keeping the party exactly how you imagined it?
Here’s how to handle music requests before and during your wedding—without turning your reception into an unpredictable jukebox.
1. Set the Tone in Advance
Before your wedding day, think about the kind of music you do and don’t want. Do you envision a classy, romantic evening? A high-energy dance party? A mix of both? Communicating your musical preferences with your DJ ahead of time will make it easier to handle guest requests that don’t quite fit the vibe.
A great way to do this is by creating a "Must-Play" and "Do-Not-Play" List for your DJ. If there are songs or artists you absolutely love (or ones you’d rather not hear at your wedding), make that clear upfront.
👉 Example: Love fun, upbeat classics? Add “Dancing Queen” by ABBA to the must-play list! Can’t stand the “Cha Cha Slide”? Make sure it lands on the do-not-play list.
2. Use Technology to Collect Requests in Advance
To avoid being bombarded with random song requests on the dance floor, consider using music planning apps to gather requests ahead of time. Check with your DJ to see if they have an app in place that allows you to create a customized playlist where guests can submit song suggestions before the big day. Here at Party People Montana we use an app called Vibo.
🎵 How it works:
You and your DJ set up a Vibo account.
Guests get a link to submit song requests in advance.
You have full control—approve the songs you like and filter out the ones you don’t.
This ensures your guests feel included while keeping the playlist within your vision. Plus, it gives your DJ time to prepare and mix everything seamlessly.
3. Give Your DJ Control (and a Little Freedom)
A professional DJ knows how to read the crowd and keep the dance floor full. While guest requests can be fun, they don’t always fit the flow of the night. Let your DJ know they have the final say on whether a request makes the cut.
📌 Pro Tip: Instead of saying yes to every guest request, your DJ can gauge whether the song fits the energy of the moment. That way, your party stays exciting without any unexpected mood-killers.
4. Have a Request Policy for the Reception
If you’re open to guest requests during the reception, decide in advance how you want to handle them:
✅ A Request List at the DJ Booth – Guests can write down their requests, but the DJ still has control over what gets played.
✅ Text-to-Request Apps – Some DJs offer text-based request systems where guests can send in suggestions. Again, your DJ will only play what fits.
✅ No Requests Allowed – If you’d rather keep things simple, let your guests know in a polite way that the music is pre-planned.
5. Keep It Fun, But Keep It You
At the end of the day, your wedding music should reflect you and your partner. While it’s great to include songs your guests will enjoy, don’t feel pressured to accept every request—especially if it’s not your style.
If Uncle Bob is begging for a heavy metal song in the middle of your romantic wedding vibe? Your DJ can kindly steer the playlist in a different direction. If your best friend wants to relive their college days with a nostalgic throwback? That might be a fun one to slip in at the right time!
Final Thoughts
Handling music requests doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right planning, tech tools like Vibo, and a trusted DJ from Party People Montana, you can keep your guests happy while making sure your wedding playlist stays exactly how you envisioned it.
