A Wedding for My Friends

Ian and Lauren had me as their wedding DJ at La Valencia Hotel. Lauren is close friends with my cousin’s wife, who was a bride’s maid. I love doing weddings for friends and family.

What really got me pumped to do this wedding was that they were huge fans of 80’s music. All the wedding music was to be 80’s themed, so I was game. I have done many 80’s private parties and also had hosted 80’s nights at bars and clubs. They gave me a hand full of songs they liked and had me run the music from there.

80’s Love Ballads

Seating music sets the tone for the ceremony so it is very important to be aware of the flow of songs. I like to make sure that each track is the same energy level through out the seating music playlist to create a steady vibe. With the emphasis being on 80’s music, I hand picked some of my favorite 80’s love ballads, here are a couple tracks I chose:

Chicago – You’re the Inspiration
Paul Young – Over Time You Go Away
Air Supply – Lost In Love
Berlin – Take My Breath Away

I always recommend that the Cocktail Reception be fun and upbeat, therefore I chose a variety of happy 80’s songs like these:

Rupert Holmes – Escape (The Pina Colada Song)
Kenny Loggins – I’m Alright
Daryl Hall & John Oates – You Make My Dreams
Blue Swede – Hooked on a Feeling

Dinner Yacht Rock

With dinner music, the volume of the music needs to be low so people can talk but you don’t want to put people to sleep. I usually start off with a mellow vibe for the first 30 minutes and then slowly start moving the energy level up with each track to lead into the toasts or open dancing. Here are a few tracks that show the progression of the energy:

Ambrosia – How Much I Feel
Robbie Dupree – Steal Away
Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere
Orleans – Still The One

80’s soft rock is also referred to as “Yacht Rock.” I loved this dinner playlist and anytime I get a chance, I play it. John Hughes movie soundtracks are at the core of my passion for music. 80’s pop mega stars like Madonna, MJ and Prince light up a dance floor.

At the end of the night, everyone hugged it out. Several high fives were handed out as everyone walked up to the bar at the La Valencia Hotel. I quickly packed up my things and loaded it all up. I valeted my van and headed to the bar with my friends and family.