The Ultimate Wedding DJ Checklist for Jacksonville, Florida

Feb 5
3 min read

Planning a wedding has a funny way of turning normal people into part-time project managers.

If you’re getting married in Jacksonville (or anywhere in North Florida), your DJ does far more than play songs. A great wedding DJ keeps the day flowing, makes announcements clearly, reads the room, and keeps the dance floor busy.

This wedding DJ checklist will help you plan the music, lock in the key moments, and avoid last-minute chaos.

Quick checklist (save this)

Confirm coverage: ceremony, cocktail hour, reception (or all three)
Choose your key songs (entrance, first dance, parent dances, last song)
Decide your DJ and MC style (high energy or minimal mic time)
Build a simple reception timeline
Share must-play and do-not-play lists
Confirm microphones, setup time, and vendor coordination
Decide how you want to handle requests
Consider a photo booth and where it fits into the night

Now let’s get into the good stuff.

1) Ceremony music checklist

Even if your ceremony is short, it needs clean audio and good timing.

Pre-ceremony music while guests arrive
Processional songs (and who walks to what)
Bride entrance song
Recessional song
Microphones for officiant, vows, readings (if needed)
Any outdoor setup requirements (wind and beaches love causing problems)

2) Cocktail hour music checklist

Cocktail hour sets the vibe, so it should not feel like an afterthought.

What’s the mood: classy, relaxed, upbeat, a mix?
Any genres you love?
Any artists you want avoided?
Requests allowed or DJ-approved only?

3) Reception music checklist

This is where you build momentum and keep the room engaged.

Dinner vibe (background, not club music)
Dance floor vibe (decades, genres, clean edits)
Must-play list (15 to 30 songs)
Do-not-play list (this list saves lives)
Any cultural music moments or traditions

4) Key songs checklist

These moments get filmed, remembered, and replayed forever.

Grand entrance song
First dance song
Father and daughter dance
Mother and son dance
Cake cutting song (optional)
Bouquet toss or alternative moment (optional)
Last song of the night
Private last dance (optional, and honestly brilliant)

5) DJ and MC announcements checklist

A DJ who can MC properly keeps the night smooth, not awkward.

Decide what you want announced:

Wedding party introductions
Couple introduction
Dinner instructions (especially for buffet)
Speeches and toasts
Cake cutting
Special dances
Last call or final song

Decide what you do not want:

Cheesy games
Forced participation
Cringe catchphrases every 90 seconds

6) Wedding reception timeline checklist

You do not need perfection. You need clarity.

Typical flow:

Grand entrance
First dance (either now or later)
Dinner
Speeches
Parent dances
Open dancing
Cake cutting
More dancing
Last song

Want an easy version you can follow? Read this

7) Vendor coordination checklist

A great DJ coordinates with your venue and photographer so everything hits at the right moment.

Confirm:

DJ setup location and power access
Venue rules (curfew, volume limits, load-in)
Who the main point of contact is on the day
Photographer cues for key moments (entrance, first dance, cake)
Microphone plan for speeches

8) Dance floor success checklist

If you want a packed dance floor, give your DJ a few helpful clues.

3 to 5 artists you love
3 to 5 artists you hate
Your crowd: mixed ages, party people, shy group, etc.
How you want requests handled:
- yes to all
- yes but DJ-approved
- couple-only requests