Just Engaged? Here’s Your Missouri Wedding Music Planning Checklist

Congratulations — engagement season is here! If you’re planning a wedding in St. Louis, Kansas City, or Columbia, the music sets the tone for your entire day. After DJing 500+ weddings over 12 years, we put together the ultimate music checklist so you know exactly what to plan (and in what order).

Step 1 — Pick Your Ceremony Style

Do you want:

• Traditional

• Modern acoustic

• Instrumental pop covers

• Religious

• Classical string versions of your favorite songs

  
  

These determine your:

• Processional song

• Bride entrance

• Unity ceremony

• Recessional

Step 2 — Choose Cocktail Hour Vibes

Your choices might include:

• Jazzy winter classics

• Indie folk

• R&B slow jams

• Chill pop

• Country (very popular for mid-Missouri weddings)

• 
  

Cocktail hour is the most underrated part of your music planning — it sets the tone for the night.

Step 3 — Build Your Reception Playlist Structure

You don’t need to pick every song. Just decide:

• What genres you love

• What genres you hate

• Top 10 must-plays

• Do-not-play list

• Special moments (grand entrance, first dance, parent dances)

  
  

We build the rest of the playlist around your preferences.

Step 4 — Plan Key Transition Moments

This includes:

• Dinner atmosphere

• Toast timing

• Cake cutting

• Bouquet/garter toss (or alternatives)

• Anniversary dance

• Open dance set

A seamless DJ keeps these smooth and stress-free.

Step 5 — Let Your DJ Handle the Flow

Once you’ve provided the essentials, we create:

• A perfect-flow timeline

• Custom edits

• A dance floor arc that builds energy

• Smooth transitions between genres and generations

This is where 12 years of experience shines.

Want to learn more? Check out this blog post:

The Best Timeline for a Stress-Free Reception