Save Money Monday: The Playlist

Having trouble deciding between a DJ and a band for your wedding reception? Both can cost a pretty penny and there is no guarantee that the resulting wedding reception music will be what you had in mind. Enter the iPod. I have been at a few weddings now where the bride and groom opted to create their own playlist - not only does this ensures that the music you want to hear will be played, but it can also save you a bundle! Here is how to implement:

- Check with your wedding reception site to verify that you will be able to tap into their sound system, either by bringing your own laptop, or plugging an iPod into an on-site computer.

- Recruit a friend or relative (preferably with a DJ-esque voice) to play the master of ceremonies - they will be in charge of announcing the bridal party, cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc. In addition they will announce the couples first dance and queue up the appropriate song.
- You can create two playlists - one to play throughout cocktail hour and dinner, and one to get the dancing started. The songs on this list can either be pre-ordered or set to shuffle.

Need some song ideas to get you started? According to discjockys.com here are the top twenty songs to play at wedding receptions in the past year (for the complete list of top 200 songs visit www.discjockys.com/top_200.php):

1. Ac/Dc - You Shook Me All Night Long
2. Justin Timberlake - Sexyback
3. B-52's - Love Shack
4. Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
5. Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar on Me
6. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama
7. Abba - Dancing Queen
8. Sister Sledge - We are Family
9. Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer
10. Kool and the Gang - Celebration
11. Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
12. Commodores - Brick House
13. Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
14. Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back
15. The Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive
16. Etta James - At Last
17. Village People - Y.M.C.A.
18. The Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup
19. The Beatles - Twist and Shout
20. Wild Cherry - Play that Funky Music

Bonus: You'll have a copy of your wedding reception playlist to listen to whenever you like!

~Karin