Finalizing Your Playlist: What We Need From You & When !
Finalizing Your Playlist: What We Need From You & When
Finalizing Your Wedding Playlist
Finalizing your wedding playlist doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s everything you need to know to get your music ready for the big day, and make sure your reception is unforgettable.
Pre-Ceremony Gathering Music
Your DJ will play 30 minutes prior to your ceremony start time as your guests gather, which is approx 8-11 tracks
Set the mood before your ceremony begins:
- Find a style that matches your vibe
- Consider acoustic versions, or instrumental versions of your favorite songs.
- Keep the volume comfortable so conversations can flow.
For ideas, check our Pre-Ceremony/Gathering songs in our music hub to find the perfect vibe.
Ceremony Songs (Processional, Bride’s Entrance, Recessional)
Your ceremony music sets the tone for the entire wedding. Here’s how to get it right:
- Wedding Party Processional: Walk down the aisle to a song that reflects your style.
- Bride’s Entrance: Pick a track that gives your grand entrance the perfect vibe.
- Interlude/Filler Song: Are you pouring sand, lighting candles, tying a cord, brandishing wood? Find a filler song to avoid ackward silence.
- Recessional: Celebrate with upbeat, joyful music.
Check out our full list of Ceremony Song Ideas for every element of your wedding ceremony for inspiration.
First Dance & Parent Dances
The first dance and parent dances are iconic moments. Make them personal:
- First Dance: Choose a song that tells your love story.
- Parent Dances: Classic or contemporary—pick what feels right.
Need ideas? See our Unique First Dance & Parent Dance Song Ideas in our music hub.
Reception Entrances & Dance Floor Bangers
Get your party started with the perfect entrance and floor-fillers:
- Reception Entrance: Make your grand entrance unforgettable.
- Dance Floor Hits: Keep everyone dancing all night.
Browse our Best Reception Entrance & Dance Floor Starters in our music hub.
Your “Do Not Play” List
Got a song that gives you the ick? Let us know! Your “No Way” list is just as important as your “Heck Yes” list.
For a deep dive on how we handle your Do Not Playlist click here
Any Custom Edits or Mashups
Want a fade-out for your first dance? A surprise remix halfway through the parent dance?
We’ve got you. Just tell us early enough to make it happen. Let us know which songs, and the time stamps for where you want the edits, we'll take care of the magic, and send back a preview before your big day, so you can make sure it's perfect!
For a deep dive on creating custom edits or Mashups click here
When We Need It
We ask for your final playlist no later than 2 weeks before your wedding. This gives our team time to review, download, test edits, and get everything prepped to perfection. If you're working with a planner, they’ll often remind you of this deadline—but feel free to send it earlier!
Best Ways to Send Your Playlist:
We’ve made this easy. Use whatever method is most comfortable for you. You can choose as much or as little of the music as you would like. At a minimum, it's best to share with your assigned DJ at least 15-20 songs from different genres you like to give us an idea of your vibe and what you like.
1. Use Your Sound Sensations Planning Portal
Choose songs in the music section of the portal. It’s organized, secure, and helps us keep everything in one spot.
2. Share a Playlist Link
Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube—send us a direct link. Be sure to include any notes for specific versions or custom edits.
3. Old-School Style
Prefer a good ol’ Word doc or PDF? No problem—just email it to us!
How to Share Your Wedding Playlist with Your DJ for step-by-step instructions.
A Quick Note on Streaming
We never stream music live at your event. Every track is downloaded in advance to ensure there’s zero risk of buffering, Wi-Fi issues, or interruptions.
Final Checklist for You:
- Submit your “Must-Play” and “Do Not Play” songs
- Confirm any special edits or mashups with timestamps & song versions
- Share the playlist link or choose songs in the
portal
- Double-check your key moments (first dance, entrances, etc.)
- Get it to us at least 2 weeks before the big day
Let’s Make It Legendary
Music is the heartbeat of your celebration—and we’re here to make sure it pumps with your personality. Have questions? Want help picking songs?
Book a quick music consult with us here
Send your playlist directly through
the planning portal
Follow us on
Instagram for playlist ideas and real wedding inspo!
FAQ
Q: Can I change my playlist after I submit it?
A: Minor tweaks? Sure. But please try to finalize it no later than two weeks out.
Q: Do you need the exact version of every song?
A: If there's a remix, acoustic, or live version you love—definitely let us know.
Q: I have no idea what songs to choose. Can you help?
A: Absolutely. We’ve got planning tools, sample playlists, and killer ideas to share.
Ready to finalize your playlist? Schedule a consultation with our team and get expert guidance to make your day sound perfect
We Help Couples Create a Memorable, Fun & Engaging Experience!
Every Sound Sensations Entertainment DJs/MCs has at least 15 years of experience at more than 1500 events all over Northeast & Southeast Wisconsin. DJs Bob V, Nick C, Devon L, or Ed E would love to be a part of your day. Our DJ/MCs help couples create a memorable, fun & engaging celebration that keeps guests involved and engaged from the cocktail or social hour until the end.
Entertainment experiences are more than just a DJ showing up and pressing play. It’s also more than just knowing how to choose songs and mix them together. Being a Wisconsin DJ is about creating experiences and atmospheres for you and your guests. We don’t want to just provide the perfect music, we want to help you create a fun, engaging & memorable celebration that EVERYONE will REMEMBER. We want to create the perfect day with you.
What Do You Do Now?
Contact our amazing DJ team today to find out pricing and availability for your upcoming event. We offer wedding DJs, Event DJs, Photo Booth Rentals, Uplighting & Monograms, Slide Show Creation, Event Planning & Wedding Planning.
Let's schedule a quick Zoom chat & guide you through the planning process, share a few ideas about what's possible on your day including:
- Understanding Your Vision for your day & Your story
- Fun, Engaging Ideas for the cocktail/dinner hours
- A couple of fun introduction ideas
- How to keep the timing & flow of your celebration moving
- FUN ways to release guests to the buffet (if applicable)
- FUN Kissing Activities & FUN ways to Involve Kids (if applicable)
- We'll show you how to make sure the dance floor is packed from the beginning
- How to have a Memorable & FUN Celebration & MORE!
- We'll share all of this & more BEFORE signing a Contract/Agreement
Our service areas include NE Wisconsin including Appleton, WI, Oshkosh WI, Fond Du Lac WI, Green Bay WI, and everywhere in between.
We also travel to SE Wisconsin including Milwaukee, WI, Menominee Falls, WI, West Bend, WI, Richfield, WI, Pewaukee WI, Sussex WI, Hartland, WI and everywhere in between frequently.