DOs & DON'Ts Most Requested Songs Of All-Time WEDDINGS, by the numbers
 
Wedding Planning Do's & Don'ts
 
THE DON'Ts
Don't procrastinate in your planning - hire all of your wedding professionals as soon as the date is set. The best wedding vendors are scooped up 1-2 years in advance. Wedding
Don't hire your wedding professionals until you have a working budget. Know what you can afford and if you are pressed for money, budget more for the items that are going to matter the most and less for the non essential "frills".
Don't: hire professionals just because they're the cheapest - Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. Your wedding is one of the most important days in your lives, make sure that the memories you have will be good ones.
Don't: hire the first professional you meet - check out a minimum of 3 for a proper comparison.
Don't: be afraid to ask questions. If you are unsure of something "ask". A lot of times wedding professionals assume that because they know what to expect at a wedding, that the bride and groom know as well. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with any part of your wedding plans, don' t wait until it's too late to ask questions.
Don't: assume anything! - get everything in writing. CONTRACT - CONTRACT - CONTRACT.
Don't: make decisions without consulting your mate - it's his or her wedding too.
Don't: invite everyone you've ever known. - weddings are expensive.
Don't: worry about everyone else's advise - its YOUR wedding.
 
THE DOs
Do give yourself plenty of time to plan. Wedding
Do outline a realistic budget and timetable. These are mandatory to keep you on track.
Do organize all of the pieces of the wedding. A binder which includes separate tabs for wedding professionals, appointments, contracts, gown/dress swatches, etc. is a great investment.
Do prepare and follow a timetable of events, including appointments, deposits & payments, review contract terms, fittings, etc..
Do coordinate every aspect of the wedding day. To ensure your wedding day is truly "your special day" every item must be coordinated. Do not leave important decisions to someone else. This is your day and you are in control.
Do hire professionals that you are comfortable with. If you are not comfortable speaking with someone, or if it seems like your questions or inquiries are just brushed off, then it would probably be a good idea to seek out someone else.
Do take breaks during planning. If you begin to get stressed or irritated, take a break, step back and work on something else for a while. Often times decisions made under extreme stress are later regretted.
and finally,
Do enjoy yourself. This will be one of the most memorable times in your lives. Be sure to spend plenty of time with your friends, family and most importantly, your fiancé.
Mobile Beat Magazine's Top 200
Most Requested Songs Of All-Time
Mobile Beat − a DJ industry-related magazine has been compiling surveys since 1992 on the most popular songs people dance to at special events (i.e.: wedding receptions, corporate functions, etc.) by asking mobile DJs nationwide to submit the top 25 songs for which they get requests. The result was The Top 200 Most Requested Songs of All-time, published in 1992.
The following is the most recent Top 200, released in 2006.
Top 20 Background Music Top 25 Bridal Dance Songs Top 25 Ballads
Top 25 Party Songs Top 25 Country Top 25 Disco/Dance
Top 25 Classic Rock/Alternative Father/Daughter Dance Suggestions Mother/Son Dance Suggestions
Parents Dance Suggestions Bridal Party Dance Suggestions Bouquet Toss Song Suggestions<
Garter Toss Song Suggestions Last Dance Suggestions
Top 20 Background Music
  1. Kenny G.
  2. Harry Connick, Jr.
  3. Frank Sinatra
  4. David Sanborn
  5. Yanni
  6. Richard Clayderman
  7. George Benson
  8. George Winston
  9. Henry Mancini
  10. Tom Scott
  11. Lee Ritenour
  12. Star Getz
  13. Linda Ronstadt w/ Nelson Riddle
  14. Enya
  15. Earl Klugh
  16. David Benoit
  17. Grover Washington, Jr.
  18. Larry Carlton
  19. Luther Vandross
  20. Natalie Cole

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Top 25 Bridal Dance Songs
  1. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
  2. Amazed - Lonestar
  3. Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
  4. What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
  5. Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
  6. The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
  7. Breathe - Faith Hill
  8. Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
  9. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
  10. At Last - Etta James
  11. How Do I Live - Trisha Yearwood
  12. I Do (Cherish You) - 98 Degrees
  13. Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
  14. The Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
  15. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
  16. That's Amore - Dean Martin
  17. When A Man Loves A Woman - Percy Sledge
  18. Open Arms - Journey
  19. From This Moment On - Shania Twain & Bryan White
  20. Thank You - Dido
  21. In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel
  22. Hero - Enrique Iglesias
  23. You're The Inspiration - Chicago
  24. Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
  25. I Could Not Ask For More - Edwin McCain

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Top 25 Ballads
  1. Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
  2. Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
  3. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
  4. I Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
  5. Keeper Of The Stars - Tracy Byrd
  6. Crazy - Patsy Cline
  7. Everything I Do - Bryan Adams
  8. One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey
  9. I Swear - J. M. Montgomery
  10. I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men
  11. Nobody Knows - Tony Rich Project
  12. After The Loving - Engelbert Humperdinck
  13. Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
  14. Killing Me Softly - Fugees
  15. Always - Atlantic Starr
  16. Beautiful In My Eyes - Joshua Kadison
  17. End Of The Road - Boyz II Men
  18. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
  19. Lady In Red - Chris DeBurgh
  20. Sea Of Love - Honeydrippers
  21. Always and Forever - Heatwave
  22. Could I Have This Dance - Anne Murray
  23. Hero - Mariah Carey
  24. Power Of Love - Celine Dion
  25. Your Love Amazes Me - John Berry

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Top 25 Party Songs
  1. Macarena - Los Del Rio
  2. YMCA - Village People
  3. Old Time Rock & Roll - Bob Seger
  4. Shout - Otis Day & The Nights
  5. Hot Hot Hot - Buster Poindexter
  6. Shout - Otis Day & Nights
  7. Mony Mony - Billy Idol
  8. C'mon & Ride It (The Train) - Quad City DJs
  9. You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
  10. Chicken Dance - Various
  11. The Twist - Chubby Checker
  12. Hokey Pokey - Ray Anthony
  13. Love Shack - B-52's
  14. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
  15. Whoomp! There It Is - Tag Team
  16. This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan
  17. Tootsie Roll - 69 Boyz
  18. Swing The Mood - Jive Bunny & Mixmasters
  19. Twist and Shout - Beatles
  20. Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
  21. Strokin' - Clarence Carter
  22. Gonna Make You Sweat - C+C Music Factory
  23. La Bamba - Los Lobos
  24. Hip Hop Hooray - Naughty By Nature
  25. DA Butt - EU

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Top 25 Country
  1. Boot Scootin' Boogie - Brooks & Dunn
  2. Friends In Low Places - Garth Brooks
  3. Any Man Of Mine - Shania Twain
  4. Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus
  5. Baby Likes To Rock It - Tractors
  6. Chattahoochee - Alan Jackson
  7. I Swear - J.M. Montgomery
  8. Watermelon Crawl - Tracy Byrd
  9. Keeper Of The Stars - Tracy Byrd
  10. Crazy - Patsy Cline
  11. I Cross My Heart - George Strait
  12. Mountain Music - Alabama
  13. My Maria - Brooks & Dunn
  14. I Love The Way You Love Me - J. M. Montgomery
  15. Sold - J. M. Montgomery
  16. I Like It! I Love It! - Tim McGraw
  17. The Dance - Garth Brooks
  18. Blue - LeAnn Rimes
  19. Daddy's Money - Ricochet
  20. Down At The Twist and Shout - Mary Chapin Carpenter
  21. TROUBLE - Travis Tritt
  22. All My Rowdy Friends - Hank Williams, Jr.
  23. Born To Boogie - Hank Williams, Jr.
  24. Cotton Eyed Joe - Various
  25. Could I Have This Dance - Anne Murray

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Top 25 Disco/Dance
  1. YMCA - Village People
  2. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
  3. Celebration - Kool & the Gang
  4. Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
  5. Get Down Tonight - KC & Sunshine Band
  6. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
  7. We Are Family - Sister Sledge
  8. Macarena - Los Del Rio
  9. Funkytown - Lipps, Inc.
  10. That's The Way I Like It - KC & Sunshine Band
  11. Brick House - Commodores
  12. Gonna Make You Sweat - C+C Music Factory
  13. Electric Boogie - Marcia Griffiths
  14. Disco Inferno - Tramps
  15. Born To Be Alive - Patrick Hernandez
  16. Le Freak - Chic
  17. California Love - 2Pac
  18. Super Freak - Rick James
  19. Last Dance - Donna Summer
  20. Be My Lover - La Bouche
  21. Macho Man - Village People
  22. It's Raining Men - Weather Girls
  23. So Many Men - Miguel Brown
  24. December 1963 - Four Seasons
  25. Night Fever - Bee Gees
  26. Dancing Queen - ABBA

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Top 25 Classic Rock/Alternative
  1. Ironic - Alanis Morissette
  2. Lump - Presidents Of The U.S.A.
  3. I Melt With You - Modern English
  4. Come Out And Play - Offspring
  5. Love Shack - B-52's
  6. You Oughtta Know - Alanis Morissette
  7. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
  8. Bizarre Love Triangle - New Order
  9. Blister In The Sun - Violent Femmes
  10. What I Like About You - Romantics
  11. All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
  12. Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie & Blowfish
  13. Two Princes - Spin Doctors
  14. Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band
  15. You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
  16. When I Come Around - Green Day
  17. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
  18. 1979 - Smashing Pumpkins
  19. (It's The End of The World) I Feel Fine - R.E.M.
  20. Peaches - Presidents Of The USA
  21. Machine Head - Bush
  22. Closer - Nine Inch Nails
  23. Wonderwall - Oasis
  24. Mr. Jones - Counting Crows
  25. I'll Be There For You - Rembrandts

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Father/Daughter Dance Suggestions
  • Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
  • Blessed - Elton John
  • Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle
  • Daddy's Girl - Peter Cetera
  • Daddy's Hands - Holly Dunn
  • Daddy's Little Girl - Al Martino
  • Daddy's Little Girl - Mills Brothers
  • Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
  • Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
  • Hero - Mariah Carey
  • I Wish You Love - Natalie Cole
  • In My Life - The Beatles
  • In My Life - Bette Midler
  • Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
  • My Funny Valentine - Frank Sinatra
  • My Girl - The Temptations
  • She's Leaving Home - The Beatles
  • Sunrise Sunset - Fiddler On The Roof
  • Thank Heaven for Little Girls - Maurice Chevalier
  • Through the Years - Kenny Rogers
  • Times Of Your Life - Paul Anka
  • Turn Around - Harry Belafonte
  • Unforgettable - Natalie Cole
  • What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
  • Where Have All The Children Gone - John Anderson
  • Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
  • (You Are My) Special Angel - Bobby Helms
  • You Are The Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder

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Mother/Son Dance Suggestions
  • Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
  • Blessed - Elton John
  • Forever In Love - Kenny G
  • Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
  • I Get A Kick Out Of You - Frank Sinatra
  • I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
  • In My Life - The Beatles
  • Lean On Me - Bill Withers
  • Memory - Barbara Streisand
  • Sonny Boy - Al Jolson
  • Stand By Me - Ben E. King
  • Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra
  • Sunrise, Sunset - Fiddler On The Roof
  • Thanks Again - Ricky Scaggs
  • The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
  • Through The Years - Kenny Rogers
  • Times Of Your Life - Paul Anka
  • Unforgettable - Natalie Cole
  • What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
  • Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
  • You've Got A Friend - James Taylor

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Parents Dance Suggestions
  • Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
  • Blessed - Elton John
  • Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
  • I Am Your Child - Barry Manilow
  • I Wish You Love - Frank Sinatra
  • In My Life - The Beatles
  • Oh Mother - Jermaine Jackson
  • Sunrise, Sunset - Fiddler On The Roof
  • The Things We've Handed Down - Marc Cohn
  • Through The Years - Kenny Rogers
  • What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

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Bridal Party Dance Suggestions
  • Anytime You Need A Friend - Mariah Carey
  • Friends - Elton John
  • Friends In Low Places - Garth Brooks
  • Shower The People - James Taylor
  • That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick
  • We Are Family - Sister Sledge
  • Ya Gotta Have Friends - Bette Midler
  • You Got A Friend In Me - Randy Newman w/ Lyle Lovett
  • You Got A Friend In Me - Toy Story 2 (swing version)
  • You're My Best Friend - Queen
  • You've Got A Friend - James Taylor

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Bouquet Toss Song Suggestions
  • California Girls - David Lee Roth
  • Chapel Of Love - The Dixie Cups
  • Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
  • I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
  • Ladies Night - Kool & The Gang
  • Man! I Feel Like A Woman - Shania Twain
  • Respect - Aretha Franklin

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Garter Toss Song Suggestions
  • Another One Bites The Dust - Queen
  • Bad To The Bone - George Thorogood
  • Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins
  • ESPN Jock Jams ("Let's Get Ready To Rumble!")
  • Macho Man - Village People
  • Oh Yeah - Yello
  • The Stripper - David Rose Orchestra
  • Theme From 'Mission Impossible'

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Last Dance Suggestions
  • Goodnight My Love - Los Lobos
  • Goodnight Sweetheart - The Spaniels
  • It's The Last Dance - Frank Sinatra
  • (I've Had) Time Of My Life - Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley
  • Last Dance - Donna Summer
  • Love & Marriage - Frank Sinatra
  • Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam
  • So Long-Farewell-Goodbye - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
  • Thank You - Dido
  • Thank You - Natalie Merchant
  • Time To Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman

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WEDDINGS, by the numbers
$35,000 − average total investment on a wedding in the year 2005
$500-1000 − average cost of hiring a professional reception coordinator
$400 − average cost for just the RENTAL of professional DJ equipment (no DJ or music library included)
$500-1000 − average cost of hiring an experienced professional Master of Ceremonies by himself/herself (no music experience)
$175 − average cost to hire professional sound & lighting contractors to set up the equipment and make sure it works
80% − the average amount of responsibility that the entertainer has in making your reception successful
24 − average number of hours a full-time DJ/entertainer will work to research, prepare and perform at your event
18% − typical gratuity you will invest in on top of the price for the meal
$7.50 − average investment per person for just the veggie platter (broccoli sticks, carrots, cauliflower, Ranch dressing). At $7.50 per guest x 200 guests = $1500 you will invest on just the veggie platter, or 8% of the budget!
5 hours in a typical wedding reception, the number of hours you will have to create wonderful memories that last forever
2 people celebrating their special union of love in front of their family and friends
#1 fear in America is public speaking (I am not afraid!)
1 year or more usually taken to put together and plan your special day
After the Vows..
72% of all brides surveyed said they would have spent more time choosing their reception entertainment.
Almost 100% said they would have spent more of their budget on the entertainment.
During wedding planning, brides said their highest priority is their attire, followed by the reception site and caterer − reception entertainment is among the least of their priorities.
Yet, within one week after their reception, 78% said they would have made the entertainment their highest priority.
When asked, 81% of guests said what they remember most about a wedding is the entertainment.
65% of all couples that chose a band to entertain at their wedding said, if they had it to do over again, would have chosen a disc jockey.
Entertainment is 5% of your Wedding Budget, but TWICE as many guests will remember the entertainment more than anything else.
Amount Budgeted
 
Percentage Remembered
Reception Hall & Catering 37% Reception Hall & Catering 8%
Wedding Rings 23%
Flowers 16%
Bridal Attire 10%
Photo & Video 9%
Gown 6% Gown 18%
Entertainment 5% Entertainment 38%
"The entertainment you choose for your wedding is responsible for 80% of the event's success and the memories you will have for the rest of your life," writes Martha Stewart
"Don't just hire the cheapest companies! Insist on references and take the time to call other brides to learn from their experiences. Every year I get complaints from consumers angry over poor services after they hired the "cheapest" company," writes Ken Vander Meeden, reporter, Holland (MI) Sentinel
 
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