There’s one thing that can really make or break a party or event, and it’s music. It affects the whole vibe more than almost anything else you plan. So where do you even start?
Here are a few tips I like to share when it comes to planning music for an event.
1. Choose Your Music Method Early
Before anything else, think about what type of event you’re planning. Does it call for a live band? A DJ? A carefully built Spotify playlist? Whatever direction you go, have a plan and set it up well in advance instead of scrambling the week of.
If you go the playlist route, and it’s a great option, especially if you’re working with a budget, make sure someone is designated to handle the setup. Speakers, technology, keeping the music going, shuffling things up, and troubleshooting any hiccups all need a person in charge, not just a phone left plugged into a speaker and forgotten.
2. Mix Up the Genres
Even if 80s disco isn’t personally your thing, mixing genres and styles keeps more of your guests actually enjoying themselves. If it’s a high-energy event, consider dropping in a slower song every five upbeat ones for a little variety. Nobody wants to dance at full speed the entire night, and a mix keeps the energy from feeling flat or overwhelming in either direction.
3. Match the Music to Each Part of the Event
Different parts of an event usually call for different music. At a wedding, the ceremony calls for something completely different than the reception dance floor later that night. The same goes for something like a summer party, where the early afternoon vibe is going to feel different than the music once the sun goes down and the energy shifts.
Planning your music in stages, rather than one long single playlist, makes the whole event feel more intentional and helps guide the mood exactly where you want it at each point in the day.
4. Give the Music Something to Pair With
Music sets the tone, but pairing it with something interactive tends to keep the energy going even longer. A photo booth is one of my favorite additions for this. I bring a fully restored 1968 camper trailer set up as a photo booth to events around Salt Lake, Davis, and Utah County, and it works well no matter what kind of music or vibe you’ve built the party around, upbeat and lively or slow and relaxed.
What are your thoughts on music at parties? Message us with your favorite tips or go-to playlists.
Planning an event and want a photo booth there, too? Contact us to check availability.