The Ultimate Wedding Music & DJ Glossary
Master the language of your wedding day with the industry’s definitive guide to music terminology. Whether you are a couple coordinating your “Must-Plays” or a beginner DJ perfecting your “Crossfades,” this glossary clarifies the technical and creative terms needed to orchestrate a seamless celebration.
1. Processional
The musical sequence is played while the wedding party (family, attendants, and the couple) enters the ceremony space and walks down the aisle. It sets the formal tone for the entire event.
- Related Terms: Bridal March, Recessional, Seating of the Mothers.
2. Recessional
The upbeat, high-energy music played immediately following the “I do’s” and the kiss, as the couple and wedding party exit the ceremony area.
- Related Terms: Postlude, Grand Exit, Processional.
3. Sound Check
A technical rehearsal before guests arrive, where the musician or DJ tests the acoustics of the venue, adjusts microphone levels, and ensures the balance between vocals and instruments is crisp.
- Related Terms: Feedback, Gain, EQ (Equalization).
4. First Dance Edit
A custom-trimmed version of a song. Often, couples want a specific track but find the original 5-minute version too long or the intro too slow; an “edit” ensures the song fits their choreography perfectly.
- Related Terms: Radio Edit, Fade-out, Custom Mix.
5. Floor Filler
A high-energy, universally recognizable track specifically chosen by the DJ to entice guests to leave their tables and move to the dance floor.
- Related Terms: Banger, Transition, Setlist.
6. BPM (Beats Per Minute)
The technical measure of a song’s tempo. In wedding planning, this is crucial for matching the “vibe”, slow songs for dinner (60–80 BPM) versus high-energy dance tracks (120+ BPM).
- Related Terms: Tempo, Rhythm, Metronome.
7. Direct Box (DI Box)
A piece of gear used by live musicians to plug instruments (like an acoustic guitar or keyboard) directly into the DJ’s or venue’s sound system to ensure a clean, buzz-free signal.
- Related Terms: XLR Cable, Patch In, Line Level.
8. Prelude Music
The background music played for 20–30 minutes while guests were being seated before the ceremony officially began. It builds anticipation and masks the sound of foot traffic.
- Related Terms: Ambience, Interlude, Soft Seating.
9. Stinger
A very short, impactful musical cue (often 5–10 seconds) used to punctuate a specific moment, such as the end of a toast or the introduction of the bridal party into the reception.
- Related Terms: Fanfare, Transition, Outro.
10. Master of Ceremonies (MC)
While often the DJ, the MC is the “voice” of the music program, who uses the microphone to direct the flow of the evening, announce songs, and keep the timeline on track.
- Related Terms: Vamping, Announcements, Run of Show.
11. Crossfade
The technique of fading out one song while simultaneously fading in the next. For couples, this means there are no awkward silences between songs; for beginner DJs, it’s the fundamental skill of seamless transition.
- Related Terms: Seamless Transition, Beatmatching, Dead Air.
12. “Must-Play” vs. “Do-Not-Play” List
A curated document provided by the couple to the DJ. The “Must-Play” contains non-negotiable favorites, while the “Do-Not-Play” list acts as a safety net to ensure songs with negative memories or “cheesy” vibes stay off the speakers.
- Related Terms: Request List, Blacklist, Floor Filler.
13. Sound Reinforcement
The use of additional speakers and amplifiers ensures that the music is heard clearly in every corner of a large or outdoor venue. This prevents the music from being too loud near the DJ and too quiet at the back.
- Related Terms: Satellite Speakers, Decibel (dB), Throw.
14. Cocktail Hour Set
A specific musical curation (usually mid-tempo and instrumental or “crooner” style) played between the ceremony and dinner. It’s designed to allow for easy conversation while maintaining an upbeat energy.
- Related Terms: Background Music, Lounge Vibes, Mid-Tempo.
15. Grand Entrance
The high-energy moment when the DJ formally introduces the newly married couple and their wedding party into the reception room. This usually requires a high-impact “hype” song.
- Related Terms: MC Intro, Hype Song, Stinger.
16. Reading the Room
An essential DJ skill (and a couple’s peace of mind) involving the observation of guests’ body language. If the dance floor thins out, the DJ “pivots” to a different genre or tempo to bring people back.
- Related Terms: Crowd Control, Selection, Vibe Check.
17. Dinner Music
Low-volume, unobtrusive music is played while guests eat. The goal is to provide a “blanket of sound” that fills gaps in conversation without forcing guests to shout over their plates.
- Related Terms: Ambient, Low-Fi, Acoustic Covers.
18. Wireless Handheld
A microphone that operates via radio frequency rather than a cable. Crucial for wedding toasts, as it allows the speaker to stand anywhere in the room without tripping over wires.
- Related Terms: UHF/VHF, Interference, Clipping.
19. Fade-Out
A controlled reduction in volume at the end of a song. DJs use this when a track is too long or when a couple of signals they are finished with their “special dance” earlier than the song’s natural end.
- Related Terms: Outro, Attenuation, Signal Cut.
20. Last Dance
The final song of the night, chosen to either end on a high-energy “bang” or a sentimental, slow-dance “sweet note.” It signals to the guests that the event has officially concluded.
- Related Terms: Send-off Song, Finale, Closing Track.
21. B-Side (or Deep Cut)
A song that is less mainstream or wasn’t a “radio hit.” Couples often use these for dinner or cocktail hour to show off their unique musical taste without losing the energy of the dance floor later.
- Related Terms: Indie Selection, Hidden Gem, Personalized Playlist.
22. Sound Delay
The slight time difference between when a sound is made and when it reaches the listener’s ears in large spaces. DJs and live bands use “delay speakers” in massive venues to ensure the audio is synchronized for guests in the back.
- Related Terms: Latency, Echo, Signal Alignment.
23. The “Money” Note
The climactic moment of a song (usually a high note or a dramatic beat drop). In weddings, these are the moments where the DJ encourages guests to sing along or where a photographer captures a “dip” during the first dance.
- Related Terms: Crescendo, Bridge, Peak Moment.
24. Performance Rider
A technical document provided by a live band or high-end DJ that outlines their requirements, such as stage size, specific power outlets, or even “hospitality” needs like water and a meal.
- Related Terms: Tech Specs, Stage Plot, Load-in.
25. BPM Transition
A technique where a DJ moves from a slow song (low BPM) to a fast song (high BPM) without it feeling jarring. This is key for transitioning from a “slow dance” set into a high-energy party set.
- Related Terms: Tempo Shift, Energy Building, Beatmatching.