This would be perfect for a mother son dance song.  It’s loosely about a relationship between a mother and son, though the lyrics are a bit cryptic.  It’s definitely NOT traditional.  But it’s unbelievably lovely and it gives me chills.

“Flume” performed by Peter Gabriel

This is actually a cover of a Bon Iver song.  If you like that indie-folk acoustic feel, you might perfer Bon Iver’s version.

“Flume” performed by Bon Iver

I think this song choice illustrates an important point…

You do not have to pick a traditional parent dance song unless you want to.  The most important thing is that it fits you.  It can be sentimental, bittersweet, funny, quirky or even weird.

If you think back over those moments in life with your mom and dad, a song may come to you.  It may very well be traditional, but it’s really okay if the perfect song isn’t “typical.”  As long as you and your parents get it, it will still be perfect.

Check out my previous posts on Parent Dance Wedding Songs for more ideas.  And if you’ve got a special song picked out, feel free to leave a comment and your choice!

One of our emo, alternative-loving couples asked us to dig up something wedding appropriate by Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance or Coheed and Cambria to play for the last song of the night.

Good thing I’m up for a challenge! I think they might settle for “Stolen” by Dashboard Confessional. I LOVE this song! We even used it for a ceremony processional last year…

The point is that you can pick pretty much whatever you. Have your entertainer announce the last song and it can easily turn into the great send off. Give it a little thought and will be the unbelievable grand finale to your wedding day.

Two Recommended Tricks for Picking the Perfect Last Song

1) Go Romantic and Sentimental.

Choose a love song that’s extra special to you. Maybe the runner up to your first dance or classic slow song everyone will enjoy. You’ll see all the couples swaying and sighing in happiness around you on the dance floor. If you love chick flicks and securing waterproof mascara was your number one makeup concern, this might be the way to go.

2) Stage a Sing Along Send Off.

If you’d rather end your evening on a fun note, choose a group sing along. Something along the lines of “Friends In Low Places” or “Don’t Stop Believin” is perfect. However, you can stretch outside the box if you know your group. Think back to the closing song at your favorite college bar; if your friends are there, it will be a sing and sway send off to remember.

I advise against picking a song that is too upbeat. Wind them up, up, up for the last song and you might have a riot on your hands when the lights turn on. Of course, if you’re aiming for an after party, that’s another story…

Get creative, have fun and find a last song that ends your night on a fitting note. Maybe a little Marvin Gaye, “Let’s get it on…”

There will always be a place for Al Martino crooning, “Daddy’s Little Girl” and for Boyz II Men’s “A Song For Mama,” but when you’re looking for something different for that father daughter dance or a mother son song that fits your personality…where do you look?

A few thoughts that may knock some ideas loose…

1. You don’t have to choose a song specifically written for a parent and child.  There are plenty of beautiful, quirky or sentimental songs that work perfectly as a parent dance.
2. Search your memories for songs that remind you of mom or dad.  Did your father sing you a song when you were little?  A particular artist your mom played over and over?  Your childhood memories often suggest a song that fits your relationship.
3. Use a story to make a non-traditional song the perfect fit.  If the song that comes to mind is a little weird, have your entertainer give a little explanation so your guests understand.  One of our grooms chose “Your Song” by Elton John for the dance with his mother.  Technically, it’s a love song, but his mom played it for him on the piano and it always made him think of her.
4. Have fun with it.  Choose a light-hearted or even silly song for your parent dance.  You’ll both be smiling…and so will your guests.

Here are 9 outside the box parent dances courtesy of our creative Hudson Valley couples..

A Little Bit o’ Country

• “Mama Tried” – Merle Haggard

• “For Baby” – John Denver

Lightening It Up

• “The Wind” – Cat Stevens

• “Do You Believe In Magic” – Lovin’ Spoonful

• “Days Like This” – Van Morrison

Soulful

• “Mother Father” – Musiq Soul Child

Alternative

• “Blue Does” – Blue October

Sweet & Sentimental

• “The One Who Knows” – Dar Williams

• “Edelweiss” – The Sound of Music

Of course, these aren’t one size fit all choices.  But that’s the point.

Have you already found the perfect parent dance song for your wedding?  Leave a comment here and share the knowledge!

Even though Jeff and I have been at this for over 10 years, our couples never cease to amaze and inspire us.  From crazy surprise dances to eclectic song requests, there is always something new.

So I thought I’d share how our 2009 couples stack up again the most requested wedding songs compiled from nearly 2 million requests and reported by DJ Intelligence.

Check out the DJ Intelligence Most Requested Wedding Songs list here.

I always love the classic first dance songs: Frank Sinatra, Etta James, Billie Holiday; and the new classics by Norah Jones and Michael Buble.  But many of our Hudson Valley couples tend to think outside the box.

Here are a few of my favorite not-so traditional first dance songs of 2009.

• “Everything” by Alanis Morissette *edited version

Krystal and Dylan were rebels at heart, but that didn’t stop them for showing off their love.  Krystal was a huge Alanis fan and the passionate, unrestrained yet heartfelt love of this song was perfect for them.

• “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson

Not every couple would have the guts to dance to a first dance song that mentions Rogaine, but Megan and Kevin were up to the challenge.  This song is sentimental, sweet and humorous.

• “Njosnavelin” by Sigur Ros

I have no idea how to pronounce the (Icelandic) title of this song, but it’s one of the most beautiful melodies I’ve ever heard.  Sara and Craig’s movie themed wedding included haunting songs by this soundtrack artist from Vanilla Sky, like this one.

• “Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do Now”  by Joss Stone

Oooh, I can still see Jess and Clint working the dance floor with this one!  It was sexy, romantic and fun wrapped in one amazing R&B package.  Hot stuff!

• “Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day” by Morcheeba

Romantic and love dovey just didn’t fit Catherine and Scott.  They wanted to have fun with their first dance song.  Enter this delightful electronica piece by Morcheeba.  (Don’t blame me if you go psychedelic after listening to it.)

• “Love You Till the End” by The Pogues

The Pogues are better known as rowdy Irish rebels, not as love song artists.  But this song fit Stephanie and Josh exactly, with its earnest, unpolished declaration of love.

What’s the message from our 2009 Hudson Valley couples?

When it comes to your wedding first dance song…do what you want.  Anything goes, as long as you approve.

As 2010 progresses, Jeff and I hope to continue to be inspired by your individuality, quirks and eccentricities.  Bring it on, Hudson Valley-ites!

Kevin Dooley

Ah, dinner music.

The dinner music at your wedding is one of the most overlooked opportunities to make your wedding totally you…especially if you’re a music lover.

Why?

Because pretty much anything goes.  You can share your favorite artists and the songs that have been the soundtrack for your love story as you met, dated and got engaged.

You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to play those songs that cause you to stop and say, “This really feels like my wedding day.  This is totally US!”

Some ideas for great Hudson Valley wedding music:

• American Songbook and Jazz Standards – Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, etc.
• Acoustic Guitar – Jack Johnson, The Beatles, John Mayer, Allman Brothers, etc.
• Contemporary “Easy Listening” – David Gray, Coldplay, Norah Jones, etc.
• Bluegrass & Folk – Dixie Chicks, Nickelcreek, Nick Drake, Sufjan Stevens, etc.

Basically, you can play pretty much whatever you want.  Just make sure it’s not too overbearing for dinner conversation…and you might consider your guests so you don’t freak out grandma and grandpa.

If left to our own devices, Jeff and I like to mix in a blend of jazz and American songbook standards with soft contemporary hits, along with any of the “non-dancey” songs our couple has selected.

A few of our new faves:

Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

Coldplay

Ingrid Michaelson

What are you favorite dinner-friendly tunes?

There I was innocently consulting Yahoo Weather to check the outside temperature before deciding whether or not to take the ghetto dogs for their morning run, and…WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM.  “Find out why millions of people are watching this woman sleepwalk without leaving her bed.”

Sleep walk in bed?  Millions watching? I don’t usually follow these tantalizing, distracting bits of news, but…This better be good.

I had no idea I’d be viewing one of the most creative music videos I’ve seen in years.

And the soundtrack, Oren Lavie’s “Her Morning Elegance,” is like taking a dreamy, mid-morning nap, a spirited stroll through the secret existence where each of us dwells alone, enveloped in the otherworld of Sleep.  A voyeuristic guilty pleasure, a reminder of our separateness and the beauty of watching it from a distance.

I don’t have any experience with sleep walking, but sleep talking is another matter…

Jeff often wakes in the middle of the night, jabbering in half-sleep.  Sometimes he yells, “Ah!” awakening from a nightmare.  I am startled from sleep, heart thumping in my chest.  “Spiders,” he’ll mumble, pointing to the darkened corner of the ceiling.  Sometimes I think I see them, too.

Last week he woke up and shook me.  “Steph, there are spiders.  Can I climb out of your side of the bed, just in case there are spiders over here?”

Shaking the sleep from my eyes, I nodded my head…until his words registered.  I laughed softly.  “There are no spiders, honey.  You can get out on your side.”

I was right, this time.  But it’s spooky to realize how different things are inside someone else’s skull.  Even sleeping side by side, you’re in totally different worlds.

Enough philosophizing!  Is this video cool, or what?

Forever Moments Photography

If you’re like me, music is really important to you.  REALLY important.

And the last things I wanted at my Hudson Valley wedding were the same old, cheesy dance songs you hear at every wedding.  You know the ones.

“Celebration,” “The Electric Slide,” “Old Time Rock and Roll…” shall I go on?

You think you’re sick of them?  Heck, I’m a Hudson Valley wedding DJ.  I hear them all the time.

Jeff and I work with a lot of couples who are determined NOT to be cheesy.  And oftentimes they present us with a very extensive playlist, and an equally impressive DO NOT play list.

How do we handle it?

Well, it’s your day.  We get the privilege of partying with you on one of the most important days of your life…and we get paid for it!  Bottom line: you get to hear what you want…and nothing you don’t.

But if we have to play every song on a very long list, it will probably impact the dancing at some point.  Meaning, you won’t have as much dancing.

Even if you have a great list of songs, it’s tough to make your crowd bend to a list.  Songs have to be mixed and a momentum has to be established.  Otherwise, it creates an awkwardness that could clear the dance floor.

It’s a balancing act that works best: avoid all the songs you don’t want to hear, play all your Must Plays and as many of your other requests as possible WHILE keeping the dance floor packed at the same time.

It takes trust.  You’ve got to know that we “get” you.  That takes time and some dialogue.  But we’re committed to making your music a true expression of your personalities…totally “you.”

Before I skidaddle, a quick story…

I planned a surprise birthday party for Jeff’s 40th birthday.  (He doesn’t look that OLD, does he?  That’s my sweetie.)  Anyhow, I hired a belly dancer to embarrass him.  (You should have seen him blush!)

She told me she’d do a Middle-Eastern belly dance, then play a few standard party songs for everyone to dance.  I asked the belly dancer to please, please NOT play ANY songs, “like the Chicken Dance, YMCA or Celebration.”  I figured she’d know what I meant.

Unfortunately, I forgot to ask her NOT to play the Electric Slide.

That’s how I ended up doing the Electric Slide in my living room.

Lesson #1: BE SPECIFIC about what you mean by “cheesy” songs.

Lesson #2: If you end up forgetting to list one of those “cheesy” songs and you end up cutting a rug with a belly dancer in your living room, it’s not that bad.  Really.  You’ll even laugh at the photos…after many years have passed.

Got a question about your playlist?  Shoot me an email or leave a comment.