Song Requests From Guests

We are not having a song request option for our guest. Our DJ is pretty seasoned and he knows the type of music we’d like to hear. I know we’d have a few people with plenty of Beyoncé songs and although we’re Beyoncé fans, we wouldn’t want to hear that the entire night lol I think it’s easier on the DJ to do what he does best instead of having a bunch of request from guest.

View Quoted Comment I definitely see this perspective! I totally trust my DJ to read the room and know how to change up the music to get people on the dance floor all night, instead of playing random requests that may or may not be popular with everyone. However, I'm fine with the DJ taking some song requests from guests, since I'd also like for everyone to hear the music that they enjoy.

View Quoted Comment I get that. Do you have it on your wedding website for them to include a request in their RSVP?

View Quoted Comment The first time we sent out invites (in 2020, before we postponed due to COVID), we had it on our RSVP cards, and quite a few guests gave song requests, which we forwarded on to our DJ. Since we postponed, we decided to do online RSVPs this time, and did not include the song request question. Our DJ has a system that he uses for requests on the day of the event, but he may or may not play those requests, depending on whether he thinks people will dance to them. We are fine with whatever he chooses to do - play the requested songs, or ignore the requests and play what he feels is best.

View Quoted Comment That’s really nice though! I like that he has a system. I assume he must get request often, so he came up with his own way of doing it. Pretty smart idea.

View Quoted Comment I agree, the request system is a good idea. It seems like he's really evolved his DJ business over the past couple years!

Our DJ has a system where guests can essentially text in requests, but the DJ still has discretion to play them or not. They also had us fill out a massive questionnaire about what we wanted played, what not to play, etc., so I trust them to make sure it's a good mix of what we want played, what the DJ thinks will keep the party going, and what everyone else wants to hear.

View Quoted Comment It sounds like your DJ is very thorough in making sure that the music will be perfect for your wedding! The song request system is a good way for him to find out what guests want to hear, in addition to what you and your fiance want.

We did online RSVP so there was a section to make a song request

View Quoted Comment I like this idea! Did most of your guests leave a song request?

We allowed requests, but I don't know that anyone made any! LOL. We didn't have any major rules for submission. If you wanted a song played, you could just go up to the DJ. We did, however, give him a Do Not Play list, albeit a short one, just in case anyone requested something that we didn't want to hear.

We included a little cassette tap card (like the image you've posted!) in our invitation bundle for everybody to request a song.

We didn't want a DJ or live music so this seemed like a great option to get a variety of music and to ensure people can't complain about the music not being to their taste (as everyone would have had an input!).

They're all just including their song choices with their RSVP, or some are texting them to us a bit later.

One thing I will say though is that I think it has slowed down the RSVPs. People are taking a long time to choose that one perfect song and I think they feel that they have to send me the song at the same time as the RSVP when in reality I'm happy for them to send it any time before the wedding.

In hindsight I wish we'd been clear on the above point!

View Quoted Comment The DJ must have done a really outstanding job since no one submitted any song requests! How awesome!

View Quoted Comment Ooh, good point about guests potentially delaying their RSVP so they can think about their song requests! I love the idea of getting input from guests, and even better to have that input when you don't have a DJ or live band.

No we won’t be collecting requests. We are asking some of our closest friends/family what type of music they like and let the dj know which genres to play from that information. The dj will play whatever the crowd responds to. But guests are free to ask the dj if they have requests.


Plus, what we have read on the topic, it tends to backfire because guests get upset that what they picked isn’t played. Easier to avoid the disappointment by not doing that.

View Quoted Comment Good point about guests feeling disappointed if their requested songs aren't played!

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We included a song request line on our RSVP. But I also submitted my own Do NOT play request list to our DJ. Mostly because of language. It's a family event, not a club.

View Quoted Comment That totally makes sense! That's very considerate of you to take your guests into account when choosing the music.

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Yeah, he was great! Again, I can't say for certain that there were absolutely no requests. My attention was all over the place that day, so if someone had approached him, I probably didn't notice.

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Our DJ company had a portal where we could submit all of our music for both the ceremony and reception. We had a "Must Play" list with up to 40 songs (but we added a few more by emailing the DJ directly ), and then the portal already had a Do Not Play section! We could also check if we wanted any of the wedding standards: YMCA, Grease mix, chicken dance, etc. We didn't check off any of those!