Hi Dave,

I know we have a while to go before we really need to start going over songs for my wedding, but I was just wondering: what’s a money dance? Thanks!
V.

My response:

Hi V!

Thanks for asking! The Money Dance is a controversial wedding tradition! Formerly called a “Dollar Dance“, it’s a very old (early 20th century) ethnic wedding custom whereby the bride and groom would briefly slow dance (about 30 sec. or so) with guests for $1.00. The DJ introduces the dance and plays several appropriate slow songs. Songs that have a “friend” theme are better than those with romantic lyrics. The maid of honor collects for the bride and the best man collects for the groom. In addition to collecting the cash for you, the maid of honor and best man should act as gatekeepers to ensure that the dance with each guest is kept brief.  Timing-wise, the money dance can be done any time after the cake cutting parent dances but prior to the end of the reception.  The Money Dance ends when everyone has had a turn dancing with the Bride & Groom.

It’s purpose is to raise some extra cash for the honeymoon and give your guests an opportunity for some “alone time”  with the Bride and/or Groom. Back in the 80′s and 90′s, the tradition gradually lost its popularity. But some ethnic groups and lower socio-economic classes still do it as tradition and to help the bride and groom financially. The name was changed from “dollar” to “money” because a dollar is worth practically nothing these days!

Advantages: you make some extra cash, you can dance and chat with many of your guests individually, and it’s a great photo opportunity.

Disadvantages: some people think it’s tacky or rude to ask guests for more money after they have already included a substantial sum with your card; and sometimes the dance goes on and on, creating a boring block of time for the other guests.

IMO the money dance is not very popular around here; I probably do one or two of these all year! But, it’s your choice! Ask your fiance, friends and family, especially the older ones, what they think. Then, if you want it, we can introduce it and play appropriate music for it.

Best regards,
Dave

Many of our Music In Motion clients often have no idea where to begin when it comes to their wedding ceremony music. Of course, the best way to go is classical music, but this is a music category that most people are not familiar with.  Here is a short list of the
” Classics “  of classical music…..

* Canon in D – Pachelbel

* Bridal Chorus ( Here Comes The Bride ) – Wagner

* Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke

* Air on the G String – Bach

* Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach

* Air from Water Music – Handel

* Ode To Joy ( Symphony # 9 ) Beethoven

* Wedding March from Midsummer Nights Dream  – Mendelssohn

* Trumpet Tune & Air – Purcell

* Hornpipe from Water Music – Handel

* Spring Allegro from Four Seasons Suite – Vivaldi

* Queen of Sheba – Handel

* Sheep May Safely Graze – Bach
Music In Motion Entertainment proudly features classical soloists, duos, trios, and quartets. To view a sample, visit our ” Live Music ” page.  http://musicinmotiondjent.com/live_music.htm

1. Sugar Sugar – The Archies

2. Ice Cream – Sara McLaughlin

3. How Sweet It Is ( To Be Loved By You ) –  James Taylor

4. Theme from Rocky – Bill Conte

5. I Wanna Grow Old With You – Adam Sadler

6. The Sweetest Thing – U2

7. Love & Marriage – Frank Sinatra

8. L.O.V.E. – Nat King Cole

9. The Recipe For Love – Harry Connick Jr.

10. I Love You – Bare Naked Ladies

Source : Mobile Beat Magazine

1. How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You – Marvin Gaye

2. My Girl – Temptations

3. You Send Me – Sam Cooke

4. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder

5. My Guy – Mary Wells

6. Wishin’ And Hopin’ – Dusty Springfield

7. Lean On Me – Bill Withers

8. Stand By Me – Ben E. King

9. I Second That Emotion – Smokey Robinson

10. Ain’t No Woman Like The One I Got – Four Tops

11. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green

12. Stay – Maurice Williams

13. Could It Be I’m Falling In Love – Spinners

14. Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding

15. This Magic Moment – Drifters

16. Baby I Love You – Aretha Franklin

17. Let’s Get Married – Al Green

18. Ribbon In The Sky – Stevie Wonder

19. Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing – Marvin Gaye / Tammy Terrell

20. Higher And Higher – Jackie Wilson

Well today, it is common for not only the bride and groom to have their own introduction music, but the entire bridal party. Here is a list of some of my favorite music to make that awesome impact and get the party off to a flying start! Remember to select music that reflects your personality.

* Enter Sandman – Metallica

* Welcome To The Jungle – Guns N Roses

* Beautiful Day – U2

* Jump Around  – House Of Pain

* Thunderstruck – AC/DC

* Sandstorm – Derude

* This Will Be ( An Everlasting Love ) – Natalie Cole

* Get This Party Started – Pink

* In The Mood – Glenn Miller

While planning a dinner event, the host thinks about a number of things: The food itself, decor, special needs/desires of guests, but probably one of the most important things is the atmosphere–fun, festive, enjoyable for all.  And one of the areas where you can make the atmosphere fun, festive and enjoyable for all is the type of music that is played.

As the dinner hosts at your event-your wedding reception (these ideas apply equally to any party or event where one plans to serve dinner as part of their event), the music is limited only to the Bride and Groom’s imagination and the following are suggestions to help you set a fun, festive and enjoyable time for all:

• Have a Variety of music to appeal to a variety of musical pallets. This is very true at wedding receptions.  One way to address this is play sets between dinner courses that appeal to as many individuals as possible.  One way I like to start a set during dinner is to have our happy couple come on the dance floor and joined by their guests to dance to Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. This sets a romantic mood and keeps things fun and interesting for all;
• Play songs during dinner that may get passed on during prime time dancing. Many people have a favorite song that they would like to hear, but it’s not exactly the perfect  “dance” song.  One piece that comes to mind is Billy Joel’s Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.  A great song, but not one I would play during prime time dancing.  I performed at a reception last year where the bride and groom expressed that they would love to hear a set of 80′s dance music from artists like New Order and Information Society during dinner time as a large number of their guests enjoyed music from that era.  It was a great success at that reception.  Again, the music is limited to your imagination only!! Be yourself and let your reception music reflect your individual taste and spirit.

While I have touched on two areas, dinner music may address other areas like special requests for guests (playing your parents’ wedding song for them) or music related to a themed event, like a tropical or holiday event.

Here is a small list of some of our favorite suggestions for great Dinner Music Program  Enjoy!!!

• What Is Hip – Tower Of Power
• That’s Amore’ – Dean Martin
• Ribbon In The Sky – Stevie Wonder
• I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Frank Sinatra
• By Your Side – Sade
• Moon Dance – Van Morrison
• Better Together – Jack Johnson
• Aja – Steely Dan
• L.O.V.E. – Nat King Cole
• Scene’s From An Italian Restaurant – Billy Joel
• Come Away With Me – Nora Jones
• Kissing A Fool – Michael Buble’
• I Love You – Bare Naked Ladies
• It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere – Jimmy Buffet & Alan Jackson
• Is This Love – Bob Marley
• Beyond The Sea – Bobby Darin
• Ribbon In The Sky – Stevie Wonder
• I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Frank Sinatra
• By Your Side – Sade
• Moon Dance – Van Morrison
• Better Together – Jack Johnson
• Aja – Steeley Dan
• L.O.V.E. – Nat King Cole
• Scene’s From An Italian Restaurant – Billy Joel
• Come Away With Me – Nora Jones
• Kissing A Fool – Michael Buble’
• I Love You – Bare Naked Ladies
• It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere – Jimmy Buffet & Alan Jackson
• Is This Love – Bob Marley

Most good DJ services will provide an extensive list of song selections which may or may not be right for your guests.  Overwhelmed by the hundreds (or even thousands) of songs to choose from, the bride & groom will choose some of their favorites or they’ll just leave it up to their DJ.  An excellent DJ will be able to quickly read the crowd and determine which songs to play and when to play them.  He or she will have some gems (secret weapons if you will) that will pack the dance floor and keep it packed all night.

Now, some critics might say, “Yes, I know…the same cheesy songs that are overplayed at every wedding reception in the country”.  And some brides & grooms demand that their DJ NOT play any of these songs and play their eclectic favorites instead.  Then, on their wedding day, they wonder why no one (including themselves) is dancing.  But there is a reason why these so-called “cheesey” songs are still played.  They are played because THEY WORK!!

Some songs are classic and work every time for every wedding because they appeal to all ages and are fun to dance to.  The key is having a DJ who can feel the vibe of the crowd and then give the right mix of classic and newer music to keep the dance floor crowded.  This takes a great deal of knowledge and experience in doing hundreds of weddings.  So to help you get started, here are some of my top wedding “gems” to keep your dance floor sizzling!

DJ DAVY JAY’S TOP 40 WEDDING PARTY SONGS
(in alphabetical order)

1. Ain’t Too Proud To Beg – Temptations
2. Dancing Queen – Abba
3. Brick House – Commodores
4. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
5. Build Me Up Buttercup – Foundations
6. Conga – Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine
7. Copacabana – Barry Manilow
8. Crazy In Love – Beyonce
9. December 1963 (Oh What a Night) – Frankie Valli & 4 Seasons
10. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
11. Do You Love Me – Contours
12. Funkytown – Lipps, Inc.
13. Get Down Tonight/That’s The Way/Shake Shake Shake – KC & Sunshine Band
14. Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C&C Music Factory
15. Grease Megamix – John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John
16. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops
17. Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
18. It’s Raining Men – Weather Girls
19. La Bamba – Los Lobos/Ritchie Valens
20. Love Shack – B52’s
21. Mony Mony – Tommy James & Shondells/Billy Idol
22. Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Meatloaf
23. Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
24. Pump Up The Jam – Technotronic
25. Push It – Salt ‘n’ Pepa
26. Respect – Aretha Franklin
27. Runaround Sue – Dion
28. September – Earth, Wind & Fire

29. Shout – Otis Day & The Nights

30. Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
31. Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
32. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynryd
33. Twist/Twist Again – Chubby Checker
34. Twist and Shout – Beatles
35. Yeah – Usher
36. Vogue – Madonna
37. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
38. What I Like About You – Romantics
39. YMCA – Village People
40. You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC

DJ Tony Wise

Far less couples are having the Garter / Bouquet tradition at their wedding receptions. Unfortunately, the elimination of this event leaves a hole in the reception that is not always filled by dancing alone.

1. Hit Me With Your Best Shot – Pat Benatar
2. Sugar Sugar – The Archies
3. How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You – James Taylor
4. Mission Impossible Theme – Original Theme
5. Theme From Rocky – Bill Conti
6. L.O.V.E. – Nat “King ” Cole
7. Cut The Cake – Average White Band
8. I Wanna Grow Old With You – Adam Sandler
9. Benny Hill Theme – Boots Randolf
10. When I’m 64 – The Beatles

There are many different approaches to take, the most popular being smooth jazz.  Artists like  Paul Hardcastle, The Sax Pack, Fourplay, Dave Koz and Richard Elliott to name a few are excellent selections. This instrumental style can be  combined  with vocal music from artists like Michael Buble’, Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Sade, and Diana Krall.  I like to set a romantic, but upbeat theme with the music during cocktail hour.

Of course, you may want more traditional songs for cocktail hour from artists like Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Etta James and Dean Martin or perhaps you have a ocean front  event, which would certainly benefit from a tropical/island theme with steel drum /calypso music.  Other clients have requested a 50′s ” Doo Wop ” program or even classical music.

What ever your taste and style, the key is to be unique and HAVE FUN! Remember that we are here to assist you with music planning. Feel free to discuss this with myself or any of our entertainers at Music In Motion as we are ready to make your event one to remember from start to finish!!