Hampshire Event DJs are the busiest DJs in the South.
We see more dance floors and manage more requests than anyone else.
So let’s take a moment to talk about how to get the best results with guest requests on RSVPs.
We’re not sure when this trend started but we’re confident we know why.
Before we start we should make clear we LOVE requests from clients.
In 2024 Hampshire Event DJs received over 12,000 requests in advance of our 367 parties.
They provide us with a unique insight into the tastes of our clients, their guests and most importantly allow us to keep on top of trends.
Whilst we don’t have a crystal ball to predict all the songs which will fill the floor at your party, we have a lot of experience of knowing which songs will compliment your tastes and get guests on their feet.
When Did Wedding Guest Requests Become “A Thing”?
Most people do not throw big parties as often as they attend other peoples.
We regularly hear feedback from perspective clients about other events they attended:
“Nobody danced“
“The DJ played rubbish music“
“The DJ didn’t play any of the requests we provided in advance“
If you’ve been to one of those parties and do not want an empty floor at yours, asking guests for suggestions is a sensible place to start.
It’s logical to assume if you play songs people like they will dance.
However often this will not lead you to the outcome you want.
You’ve asked 80-100 people their opinions on something very subjective and personal.
In reality around 20% will enjoy the task while others will feel under pressure to pick something good.
There will also be mischievous types suggesting songs which are completely inappropriate and this is also a great reason why you should never just cut and paste requests into a list without filtering them first.
How To Get The Music You Want
Many couples decide not to trust a DJ and book a band instead.
Whilst ore expensive, bands provide a repertoire of songs which gives you control of the music.
Something else to consider is agencies often have acts with floating line-ups and assemble the band depending on the musicians available at the time.
This can even extend to a different lead singer from the one you might have seen fronting a band before.
Our advice is to always look for a band who have a reputation to protect, preferably managed by one of the musicians.
We can recommend local bands and we are always happy to work alongside one to deliver a great night for our client.
Why Wedding Guest Requests Are Important
We’ve talked before about how people have emotional connections to music.
Many of these are formed between your mid-teens and late 20s.
In music psychology its called a “nostalgia bounce”.
Hearing a familiar song will release Dopamine in your brain which gives you a happy feeling.
It might be the bride and her friends created new connections to a song on the hen weekend.
We are always aware tracks we might not be familiar with are often on the request list for this reason.
How Many Requests Is Too Many?
It depends entirely on what you want the end result to be.
If you want the DJ to just play the songs you and your guests have requested then give them a list of 100 songs.
This will be more than enough music to fill a 5 hour evening.
But what the DJ won’t have is the flexibility to create smooth transitions and flow between the genres and styles you have selected.
If your outcome is a brilliant party your guests will talk about for days afterwards, trust your DJ the freedom to work around your tastes.
Why Some DJs Won’t Play Wedding Guest Requests
It should be quite simple.
You’ve provided a list of songs you like in advance but on the night the DJ doesn’t play them.
One DJ told us recently they don’t trust people to know what music will fill the dance floor.
Often the DJ is reluctant to leave their comfort zone and change the way they work.
As DJs get older their clients become younger so the age gap between them grows.
Their knowledge and familiarity with the requested songs becomes weaker.
Part of the skill of being a DJ is knowing which tracks work well with others.
Faced with a list of unfamiliar music some DJs just don’t know how to play it and don’t take the time to prep in advance.
The Secret To Better Wedding Guest Requests
We recommend when you send out RSVPs you chose your language carefully if soliciting for requests.
Instead of asking guests to “pick song for the DJ to play” instead ask them if they would like to “suggest a song the DJ might play“.
This way if they pick a song you don’t like it doesn’t have to be played.
Perhaps even better is to ask them to “pick a song which makes them feel good”
Even if it’s not suitable for the dance floor we could still play it at the beginning of the night and create a subconscious reaction.
Our team use research to support our instincts when it comes to selecting great music for your party.
We look at current radio airplay, Shazam and Spotify to identify current trends for familiar songs.
We also provide our couples with a “Tinder” style tool to help couples personalise their music and fill their dance floor.
If you read our reviews you will see it has been very well received by our clients.
We use this data for the ratings of songs within our platform so you can make informed choices of what you might like to hear.
Here’s what some of our recent clients have said about using our platform:
“Curating our perfect party vibe in the app helped keep the dance floor full all night long.
Our guests are still raving about an unforgettable night!”
Sam, Master Builders House September 25
“You absolutely nailed it with the song selection and keeping the energy up.
All of Katie’s friends and family loved it and keep raving about it, and everyone commented on how amazing it was!”
Alex, Clock Barn August 25
“In the weeks leading up to the wedding we found their online portal very easy to use which helped us to add songs we definitely wanted playing, as well as songs we definitely didn’t!
Everyone loved the DJing and Hampshire Event DJs helped give us some of the best memories of our best day!”
Conor, Barnett Hill Hotel July 25
“From the first song to the very last dance, the energy was electric and the dance floor was packed the entire evening.
Everyone couldn’t stop raving about the music – we’re still getting compliments weeks later!“
Alison, Tournerbury Woods May 25
See what everyone is getting excited about for yourself.
Ask for an online consultation and we’ll show you our client portal plus examples of previous party playlists so you can get a feel for what we do (and most importantly don’t) play.
Click on the orange button below and we’ll show you how easy it is to make your wedding the best arty you’ve been to!
Pic Credits Tom Langford