Originally posted by: trmiv
Well apparently you can go wrong with Motown, my fiance "doesn't like motown" and doesn't want it played. Stupid, I know. On top of that, she wants me to put some songs in there from when the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer sang in some episode. I'm thinking we should just ask the guests to leave right after the ceremony, and save everyone some time.
Run, man, just run.
Get out while you can.
I worked weddings for years, and nothing got the party going better than motown, or funk. It's ok for the bride and her friends to insert a few songs that they particularly like, but the reception is for your guests, not you. If the DJ is good, you can let him pick. They can be pretty good judges of crowds.
AVOID BOY BANDS!!!.
If you play too much top-40 or hip-hop, noone over 25 will be dancing. Except old-school stuff, that works for the under 35 crowd. If the crowd is mostly that young, funk and retro stuff is nice and popular. If you have a lot of middle aged people, nothing's better than motown. Young and old can get down to that, and that's the best sign of a successful reception. A little bit if Sinatra is neccessary, but not too much, or you can lose the crowd. It gives an opportunity for all the couples (of all ages) to dance, but it's not too smaltzy. This also gives all the single people a chance to buy each other drinks. This is a good sign too. One of the best receptions I've ever worked, we found three couples hidden away in various corners of the local Art Gallery.
Just remember, the reception is your thank you to every one for coming out, bringing gifts, and sitting through your self-indulgent vows and speeches.