How to Use Your Playlists

Once your playlists are organized, you don’t need to overthink it — just follow the natural order and let the music do its job.

When it’s time to open the dance floor, go big right away. Turn up the volume, turn off any buzz-kill house lights around the dance floor (plan ahead), hit the party lights, and play the hits that get everyone moving. A great way to start is with a big group photo on the dance floor — your photographer will catch those wild moments when generations come together and family meets friends.

Don’t wait too long to drop a slow song. Let the energy shift, give the single guests a breather, and let the older couples enjoy one last dance before heading out. People will naturally start leaving after dinner — it’s part of the flow — so this moment helps everyone feel included before the night rolls on.

From there, pick the energy back up quickly with more upbeat favorites. Think of the night like waves — moments of connection, moments of celebration. After that first slow song, if you’re into it, toss in a group dance track (Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, etc.). They’re perfect for more great photo moments. Pro tip: those songs have long intros and outros — don’t be afraid to skip ahead or fade out early. It’s better to keep the energy fresh and save something for the next dance.

By the end of the night, you’ll have hit every important scene: first dances, family moments, the big group shot, everyone singing along, slow dances under the lights, and the folks who stayed late laughing and dancing till the end. These playlists are built to make that happen naturally — easy for you to run, and fun for everyone to remember.

Song Edits

Sometimes a song just needs a little trimming to fit the moment. Whether it’s walking down the aisle, the first dance, or a parent dance, I can edit your songs so they start and end exactly where you want — no awkward fade-outs, long intros, or four-minute outros that drag on while everyone’s waiting for applause.

You’ll tell me what parts you want to keep (or cut), and I’ll handle the timing, levels, and flow so it feels natural in the room. If two songs are being combined for a dance, I’ll line them up cleanly so it plays as one smooth track.

Once finished, I’ll send the edited MP3s directly to your email — ready to play from any device or connect straight into your ceremony system. If there’s a spot that feels off after you listen, there’s a revision process included so we can make small timing adjustments before your big day.

Online Music Planning

All BeforeTheBeat projects include access to my online planning tool — the same system I use with my full-service wedding clients. It’s powered by Vibo DJ, a simple, browser-based platform that keeps every music detail organized in one place.

You can drag and drop sections, rename, delete, and color-code them, and add notes for key moments like your processional, first dance, or bouquet toss. You can also print a PDF copy of your plan and invite vendors or friends as hosts or guests to collaborate.

I’ll send you a private link to your Vibo DJ profile where you can log in anytime, make updates, or invite your partner to help. If things get messy or you’d like a fresh start, I can reset the profile or walk you through a quick cleanup. It’s all designed to make your planning process easy, visual, and stress-free.

If you’d like to see how it works, there’s a short video tour that walks through the main features — adding songs, organizing playlists, and exporting everything when it’s ready.