Music sets the mood for your wedding — from the moment guests arrive to the very last song of the night. But with so many genres, requests, and opinions in the mix, it can be hard to know where to start.
At VanBuren Entertainment, we help couples across Upstate NY design playlists that tell their story and keep their guests moving. Here’s how to build a playlist that flows seamlessly through every part of your wedding day.
The Takeaway
The perfect wedding playlist balances your personal style with guest energy. Start by defining your vibe, work with your DJ on key moments, and let them adapt throughout the night to keep the party alive. An exceptional DJ works best when there are less restrictions and more time to read the room. Trust the process!
Step-by-Step: Building Your Wedding Playlist
Local Insights — The Upstate NY Vibe
Weddings in the Capital Region tend to feature a mix of rustic charm and modern celebration.
Here’s what we’ve noticed working with couples around Saratoga, Albany, and the Adirondacks:
At The Barn at Liberty Farms near Ghent, acoustic sets and indie folk work beautifully during outdoor ceremonies.
At Loft 433 in Troy, couples lean toward sleek, modern playlists that blend classics with current Top 40.
For Lake George venues like The Inn at Erlowest, timeless jazz and elegant instrumentals pair well with waterfront ceremonies.
Local weather and venue style often influence the soundtrack — summer weddings bring upbeat pop and funk, while fall weddings lean toward soulful, warm tones. This is just one of many ways to look at planning your playlists, but ultimately the experience is up to you. You can always book a free discovery call with us to talk in more detail about this and any other details about your special day!
Tips For A Smooth Planning Process
- Create your playlist on Spotify or Apple Music and share it with your DJ early.
- Have a short “Do Not Play” list for songs you dislike.
- Ask for a guest request limit if you prefer to control the tone.
- Trust your DJ’s transitions — blending genres is their superpower.
We use VIBODJ for all of our entertainment planning and organization, making it super easy to communicate your music needs, allow guests to add their own requests, and plan every important musical moment all from your smartphone or tablet. You can learn more about our planning process and how to use VIBODJ on our Planning Page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Playlists
Here's what we get asked the most on our planning calls when it comes to building the perfect wedding playlist.
Begin 3–6 months before your wedding, especially if you’re curating specific songs/ cues for key moments. Always make sure to let your DJ know as many specific details as possible when making adjustments, especially if it is a formal song (like first dance, grand entrance, and the bridal processional).
No — just focus on the key songs and your vibe. A great DJ will fill in the gaps based on your must play selection, your crowds energy and reactions, and any other information they may have gathered during your planning call(s).
Yes, but communicate boundaries early. Your DJ can take requests that match your style and filter out what doesn’t. We've done everything from "all requests should be played" to "only the bride and groom can make requests," and we'll be tactful so you don't have guests running to you and complaining.
Crowd favorites like “Shout”, “September”, “Uptown Funk”, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”, and “24K Magic” are typically guaranteed wins, however this really depends on the vibe you're going for and who is attending your wedding. We allow a "guest link" with our VIBODJ planner where you can allow guests to create their own logins and pre-select songs for requests. From there, we can plan what gets played and what doesn't, and use that to further enhance the vibe.
Share these details with your DJ in advance — we’ll make sure transitions feel natural and inclusive. We have some of the best "Open Format" DJ's, meaning they are well equipped to handle any genre thrown at them.
Traditionally yes. You would keep ceremony music intimate, and let the reception be a reflection of celebration and personality. However, this is your special day, and we've seen plenty of off-tradition weddings that are still beautiful and filled with love and appreciation. Ultimately, you should make the day about you, and your playlists should reflect that too!
Over-curating. Give your DJ flexibility to adjust — that’s how dance floors stay full all night. We know how important it is to get the music right, and we do everything we can to make sure your entertainment is nothing less than exceptional. Let the DJ cook!
Wrap Up
Your playlist is the heartbeat of your wedding day — it should feel like you.
Work closely with your DJ to build moments, manage flow, and keep guests connected from start to finish. If you're wondering more about timeline of planning with your DJ, then check out our blog "When Should You Book Your Wedding DJ" for a comprehensive breakdown.
🎧 Book your Discovery Call today and let VanBuren Entertainment help you build your perfect soundtrack.
🎙️ Tune in to our podcast “The Wedding Playbook” for more music tips and real Upstate NY wedding stories.
