Should DJ’s Decline Requests?

Yes, they should. And here’s why.

Only the DJ knows what songs are on the “do not play” list. Bruno Mars and line dances commonly show up because they’re overplayed. Maybe a song is tied to a bad memory. Either way, the DJ should make the final decision.

It’s not a simple decision. Who is making the request? Someone in the bridal party carries more weight than an uncle who hasn’t touched the dance floor; they usually request an obscure rock song or something for their lady. Parents and grandparents get VIP treatment; i’ll go above and beyond to make sure their songs are played (if not on the “do not play” list).

It’s important to listen to the guests. Often, they’ll request a song that makes the dance floor go nuts. Sometimes a guest knows what their family and friends like.

There are a couple ways to make sure requests don’t clear the dance floor. One is to mix it in with other songs of the same genre. If I’m playing Hip Hop and someone requests Salsa, I can’t immediately jump to Salsa. I need to slowly transition, maybe play a Pitbull song first. Second, if the dance floor doesn’t doesn’t respond well to a request, I can switch to another song quickly by being prepared.

One final important point, I do my best to ensure guests don’t bother the Bride and Groom. Sometimes, an inpatient guest complains to the Bride and Groom their song wasn’t played. You don’t want to deal with this on your wedding day. A little tact from the DJ goes a long way, especially when someone requests “Confessions by the Dashboard lights” by Meatloaf.