Wedding DJ Brief: Must-Plays, No-Plays & Vibe List
Wedding DJ Brief: Must-Plays, No-Plays & Vibe List
The fastest route to a packed dancefloor is a brief your DJ can actually use mid-mix. This guide gives you a clean system: must-plays (kept tight), do-not-plays (clear boundaries), and the vibe list (what you mean in human language) — plus requests policy, key moments, crowd mix and pacing for UK-wide weddings.
Quick answer
A great DJ brief is small enough to hold in one brain and clear enough to follow under pressure. Give your DJ: (1) 10–20 must-plays (with 2–3 true non-negotiables), (2) a do-not-play list (specific songs + any hard “no” genres), (3) a vibe list (artists/eras/energy words), (4) key moments + timings, and (5) a requests policy.
- Must-plays (the sane limit)
- Do-not-plays (no drama)
- Vibe list template
- Requests policy options
- Timeline + pacing
- Crowd mix notes
Must-plays: choose anchors, not an encyclopedia
Must-plays are your “if this doesn’t happen, I’ll be devastated” tracks — not your entire Spotify history. Think of them as anchors your DJ can build around while still reacting to the room.
What works
- 10–20 total must-plays (2–3 true non-negotiables).
- Tag the timing: “warm-up”, “post-first dance”, “last 20 mins”.
- Tag the energy: groove / singalong / big peak.
- Add 3 bridge tracks that multiple age groups will enjoy.
What breaks pacing
- 50+ “must-plays” that force a rigid set.
- Only niche songs that don’t connect with guests.
- No indication of where the big singalongs should land.
- Major changes on the night without warning.
Tiny hack: if you “like it” but don’t “need it”, move it to the vibe list. Your DJ gets the direction without losing freedom.
Do-not-plays: boundaries that save the night
The do-not-play list is your anti-ambush shield. It stops “play this for Dave!” moments (and yes, Dave is always real). Keep it short, specific, and absolute.
- 5–25 songs max
- Exact tracks (not vague vibes)
- Add “no remixes of…” if needed
- Flag sensitive songs clearly
- Confirm it applies to requests
- Optional: “no mic hype”
For sensitive songs, one line is enough: “Please don’t play — personal reason.” A pro DJ won’t interrogate it. They’ll respect it.
The vibe list: the secret weapon
The vibe list is how you get “our wedding, our sound” without micromanaging. It gives your DJ reference points (artists, eras, energy words) so they can blend smoothly and keep a coherent journey.
| Section | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Core vibe | 3–6 words describing the feel | “Disco-funk, classy singalongs, feel-good pop” |
| Artists we love | 10–25 artists (not songs) | Chic, ABBA, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Jamiroquai |
| Era mix | Pick 2–4 eras to lean into | “80s + 00s + current” |
| Energy curve | How you want it to build | “Warm → build → peak → big finish” |
| Hard no zones | Genres/moods to avoid | “No hard EDM, no novelty cheese” |
| Guest flavour | Any cultural/music priorities | “Afrobeats set, 20 mins; Motown early” |
DJ mind-reading isn’t psychic — it’s clear references + freedom to adapt. The vibe list creates that combo.
Requests policy: pick one and stick to it
Requests aren’t automatically bad — they’re just unmanaged. Choose a policy, tell your DJ, and tell the people who think they’re “helping”.
Option A: Open requests (DJ filters)
- Guests can request.
- DJ plays it only if it fits vibe + timing.
- Do-not-plays always win.
Option B: Curated requests (best balance)
- Requests go via one person (best man/maid of honour).
- DJ filters aggressively.
- Stops the dancefloor getting hijacked.
Option C: No requests
- Perfect for vibe-led weddings.
- Less admin and fewer awkward moments.
- Tell guests early so it’s not a surprise.
Option D: Requests early only
- Requests welcome during warm-up.
- Peak-time = DJ-driven momentum.
- Keeps the energy curve intact.
Timeline moments + pacing: the difference between “fine” and “insane”
A DJ can pace like a pro only if they know what’s coming. Give them your key moments and a rough schedule so transitions feel intentional. This is especially important with UK venue timings (late license, bar close, speeches running long, etc.).
- First dance (song + time)
- Cake cut (yes/no + time)
- Parent dances (if any)
- Any surprise performance
- Last song (optional)
- Finish time (hard stop)
| Part of the night | Music direction | DJ objective |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up (30–45 mins) | Groove / disco / feel-good | Invite people in gently |
| Build | Recognisable classics + singalongs | Confidence + momentum |
| Peak | Big choruses + hands-in-the-air | Keep them there |
| Breathers | Short resets (not vibe killers) | Prevent burnout |
| Finale | 2–3 guaranteed crowd-enders | Finish legendary |
One strong pacing note beats ten weak ones: don’t use all the biggest songs in hour one. Save the fireworks for later.
Crowd mix: bridging generations without whiplash
Your DJ doesn’t need a guest spreadsheet — just a few clues. This is how you avoid a night that’s accidentally “for one table only”.
Tell your DJ
- Age spread (e.g., “20s–60s, lots of 30s”).
- Any cultural sets or priorities (Bhangra, Afrobeats, Motown, etc.).
- What you hate (cheese, clubland, hardcore, etc.).
- 3 songs that always work on your friends.
Let them handle
- Transitions and tempo changes.
- Reading the dancefloor (who’s leaving and why).
- When to switch genre to regain momentum.
- Recovering after a “miss” (it happens).
Micro-detail to add (optional): “We want singalongs early” vs “We want groove early”. That single sentence changes everything.
Want a DJ who follows the brief and still reads the room?
We plan properly, pace the night, and protect your vibe (must-plays honoured, do-not-plays respected, requests handled like adults). Share your date and venue and we’ll confirm availability UK-wide.
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FAQs
How many must-play songs should I give my wedding DJ?
10–20 is ideal. Keep 2–3 as true non-negotiables and move everything else into your vibe list so the DJ can still pace and read the room.
What’s the best way to write a do-not-play list?
List exact tracks (and any hard “no” genres). If a song is sensitive, add “personal reason” so it’s never played as a remix or joke request.
Should my DJ take guest requests?
Yes, with a policy. A strong default is: requests are welcome, but only played if they fit the vibe and timing — and your do-not-plays override all requests.
What’s a vibe list in plain English?
It’s a set of artists, eras and “energy words” that tells your DJ what you mean, without locking them into a rigid set list.
When should I send my DJ brief?
Send it 2–4 weeks before your wedding, then confirm final timings and key-song updates (first dance, last song) in the final week.
Need a DJ who can blend your vibe properly?
Send your date, venue and a rough vibe list. We’ll recommend a plan that covers must-plays, do-not-plays, requests policy, and a pacing curve that keeps the floor moving. UK-wide support.
Planning tip: lock in venue timings early — pacing is 50% playlist and 50% schedule.
AO Events wedding DJs · UK-wide DJ planning · must-plays & no-plays · vibe list · requests policy · timeline pacing · crowd mix.
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