by Stephanie Padovani
The DJ Solution
One of the biggest challenges facing our brides when it comes to planning the wedding entertainment is: “How do I have a fun wedding reception…that ISN’T cheesy?” When Jeff and I got married, I just wanted all my guests to have fun. I wanted a great party with my closest family and friends that really felt like me. But I was deathly afraid of being “cheesy.” In fact, I was so afraid that I decided to do the music myself! That idea didn’t work out so well, but it did inspire us to become wedding DJs. So how can it be done? I’ve learned a few things about “cheese” in my eight plus years as a wedding DJ. Just follow these guidelines for fun wedding entertainment that keeps your guests dancing all night—without the cheese.
Steph’s Rules of Cheese
Rule #1 – Cheese (the non-dairy kind) is relative.
What is “cheesy” to you might be fun for the next bride. I meet with brides all the time who say they don’t want anything cheesy at their wedding, then five minutes later tell me they must play the Chicken Dance for their grandmother. It’s important to define what “cheesy” means to you. Talk to your entertainer about it. Don’t assume that he or she knows what you mean by “cheesy.” Be specific about the songs, artists, dances and attire that meet your cheesy criteria. Once you and your entertainer know what you mean by “cheesy,” it’s easy to avoid dipping into Velveeta at your wedding reception.
Rule #2 – Even something fun can become cheesy when it is forced.
Let me give you a real life example. At a recent wedding, one of our couples asked us to play “Mr. Roboto” by Styx as they were introduced. The groom danced his way in doing the robot. It was hysterical, guests holding their sides with laughter. Now, if Jeff and I decided to play “Mr. Roboto” out of the blue at your wedding and tried to lead everyone in the robot, would that be FUN? Most likely your guests would head for the hills…or stay and laugh at the clueless DJ couple stuck in an 80’s time warp. If your guests are forced to do something, it can quickly become cheesy. However, if it’s natural for them and your group, even the silly is just plain fun. Talk to you entertainer about how they go about leading activities and events. Entertainment styles range from highly interactive to low key. Make sure you find a match that fits in with your cheese-free event.
Rule #3 – Cheese is always worse in your imagination.
Just like any other worry about your wedding, your imagination can run away with you. You start imagining your big, cheesy smile as you feed your husband a bite of cake. Or that your uncle is going strip down to his skivvies like he did at your cousin’s wedding. It’s always worse in your imagination. When weddings unfold in a natural, fun way and your guests feel comfortable, everything is fun. Even when it’s a little goofy, too. If you’re concerned about how your entertainer will avoid the cheese, ask about it. What will he do to “get the crowd going?” What if that doesn’t work? What will he do if your guests request a song on your Cheesy Do Not Play
List? You CAN have a fun wedding reception where your guests dance all night and you don’t have to die from embarrassment. Yes, the classic cheesy songs work to get people out of their seats, but there are lots of other great songs that work, too. The key to non-cheesy, fun wedding entertainment is to find an entertainer who understands what you want—and don’t want—at your wedding reception, and whose style fits yours. That makes a fun, dance-filled wedding inevitable.
