DJ KISS has lent her musical talents to some of the most chic events around the world, having spun for the likes of Prince, Naomi Campbell, Alexander Wang, and more. This means that she definitely knows how to get the party started (and what more memorable party will you have in your life than your wedding reception?). We tapped KISS for her best tips on how to make your reception the party of the year.
1. Choose an upbeat entrance song to start your reception off on the right foot.
Your entrance song should be a reflection of you and your spouse and is completely a matter of preference. With that being said, DJ KISS adds: “Your wedding day is one of the happiest days of your life, so it’s great to come out to a happy or joyous tune to set the tone for the reception and most importantly your marriage!”
2. Don’t be afraid to dive into unusual sources of inspiration when searching for a first dance song.
For your first dance, you should select a song that holds some kind of meaning to you and your relationship. “It could be anything from a song you heard on the radio during your first date, to your mutual favorite song from your favorite artist, or even a song with heartfelt lyrics that match how the bride and groom feel about each other”, says DJ KISS.
3. You’ll most likely only wear your wedding dress once in your lifetime, so party in it all night long.
Changing into something shorter and more comfortable is a big trend these days, but DJ KISS is a fan of keeping the gown on all through the reception. “I think your wedding dress just looks much more significant in the photos—even a white cocktail dress almost looks like you’re just a guest”, she says. “Also, you’ve probably spent a ton of money on your wedding dress and it’s the only time in your life you’ll ever wear it, so why not get your money’s worth?”
4. Keep your heel height low, so you can dance and mingle in comfort.
“All brands can be comfortable, but I would advise keeping the heel between 3 and 4 inches if you plan on wearing the same pair of shoes all night,” says DJ KISS. You won’t need to worry about sporting a pair of 5 inch stilettos due to the fact that your wedding dress will mostly cover your shoes.
5. Hear your DJ play before you sign a contract.
DJ KISS suggests getting an idea of your prospective DJ’s specialties and style by listening to his/her Soundcloud page, or (better yet) by going to hear the DJ play at a live gig. Whether you want your music to be modern or a traditional wedding mix of 70’s and 80’s tunes, you must make sure to let the DJ know exactly what kind of vibe you are going for.
6. Make a list of songs the DJ must and must not play.
A list of “must play” and “do not play” tunes should be provided to the DJ by the couple. “Music is so personal that someone might love a song that you kind of hate, so it’s best to let it be known since it’s your big day”, says DJ KISS.
7. And, of course: be sure to give the deejay direction on taking requests!
“After guests have a few drinks, they sometimes start to want to hijack the musical direction. Let the DJ know in advance that they can either be open to requests or that they should inform guests that the bride and groom prefer you to not take them.”
Useful links:
Wedding Music Italy
Wedding Bands Italy