I DJ’ed Kadyn and Josh’s wedding at the Preserve at Canyon Lake yesterday. This was my last wedding of the spring 2025 season, and it was probably the most energetic dance party of the entire season. Part of that is no doubt due to the Preserve itself, as it has a large indoor, air conditioned ballroom. That makes a massive difference when you’re DJ’ing a wedding in Texas in June! It was more than just the comfortable atmosphere however, that made for such pandemonium on the dance floor. I’m sure it was in part what I played, listed below as always, but mostly it was the 250 or so guests, every one of whom seemingly came prepared to party.
From the moment the anniversary dance ended, when we heard some advice from a couple who have been married more than 56 years, and I played a Billy Currington record, the dance floor was full, and it stayed that way through the final strains of Shake Russell’s “Deep in the West.” It was wild. There was screaming and shouting, jumping and bouncing, hands in the air, and people in the air, too, being surfed over the crowd. It really felt like every guest of every age danced the entire time. I love that energy!!
I’ll definitely share more video footage on my Instagram soon, so keep on eye on the ‘gram. In the meantime, here’s a recap of the music I played during the wedding.
Pre-Ceremony Music
Kadyn and Josh provided me with a short list of songs they wanted played before their ceremony began, and I happily obliged.
Springtime – Chris Renzema
Lay It All Down – Will Reagan
Fishes and Loaves – Josiah Queen
Adonai – Chris Renzema
Forever Amen – Stefafny Gretzinger
How to Be Yours [String Version] – Chris Renzema
Not In a Hurry – Will Reagan
Abba – John Mark Pantana
Open Space – Housefires
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us [Live] – REVERE
Ceremony Music
Bridal Party Processional: Love Is a Wild Thing [acoustic] – Megan Nicole
Bride’s Processional: Goodness of God [instrumental] – Remi Collins
Couple’s Processional: You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
There was one additional musical element to the ceremony. I set up a microphone for a singer, and ran his guitar through my board to amplify it, so he could sing a song. I’ve heard some DJs complain about “doing extra work,” but I enjoy moments like that. It was nice to get to know the singer a bit, and I even got a thumbs up from him later, during dinner, when I played a song he’d mentioned that he’d liked while we were sound-checking.
Cocktail Music
After the ceremony, everyone moved outdoors to a patio, where a bar was set up, and food was passed. I provided an additional sound system outside so the guests had music to mingle by.
Beautiful – Bazzi
Isn’t It Romantic – Tony Bennett
Bittersweet – Louis the Child
Backyard Boy – Claire Rosinkranz
Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not – Thompson Square
The Joker – Steve Miller Band
Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) – Kid Cudi, MGMT, Ratatat
The Best Is Yet to Come – Frank Sinatra
La Vie en Rose – Louis Armstrong
Good Directions – Billy Currington
Dinner Music
After cocktails, the guests moved back inside, into the main ballroom, where dinner was served and dances were danced. I typically play some upbeat, fun, party music as guests make their way inside and find their seats. I want to make sure they know they’re at a party, and start building some energy that can be unleashed later, on the dance floor.
Wanna’ Be Starting Something – Michael Jackson
Move Your Feet – Junior Senior
Power of Love – Huey Lewis & The News
Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag, Pts. 1, 2 & 3 – James Brown and His Famous Flames
Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms) – The Detroit Emeralds
This Magic Moment – The Drifters
Better Together – Jack Johnson
Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer
I Miss You – Blink-182
Archie, Marry Me – Always (This is the song Beckett, the ceremony singer, mentioned to me.)
At this point, Kadyn and Josh were ready to rejoin the party, and of course I had to bring them into the room in my energetic, and I’d say inimitable, style. The came into a song of their choice.
Couple’s Introduction: Signed, Sealed & Delivered – Stevie Wonder
After that energetic moment, I settled things down a bit, and played music that is still upbeat, but more conducive to dining.
Butterflies – Kacy Musgraves
Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs
Greatest Love Story – LANCO
Burn, Burn, Burn – Zach Bryan
More Than My Hometown – Morgan Wallen
Talkin’ Tennessee – Morgan Wallen
The Architect – Kacey Musgraves
Dive – Luke Combs
7 Summers – Morgan Wallen
Smile – Uncle Kracker
Sun to Me – Zach Bryan
One Man Band – Old Dominion
You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton
All Your’n – Tyler Childers
Diamond In My Pocket – Cody Johnson
Dance Music
First Dance: Space and Time – Tyler Childers
Father Daughter Dance: When She Grows Up – Craig Campbell
Mother Son Dance: Deeper Than the Holler – Randy Travis
Anniversary Dance: Angel Eyes – The Jeff Healey Band
And now it’s time to get the party started! And boy did it start, and keep going. This really was one of the liveliest, dancing-est groups I’ve played for in some time. It seemed that the dance floor was not only full, but loud and energetic, for the duration of the party. This group really got down, and here’s what they got down to.
Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right – Billy Currington
Amarillo By Morning – George Strait
Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain
Don’t Stop the Music – Rihanna
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA
Fireball [feat. John Ryan] – Pitbull
I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
Low [feat. T-Pain] – Flo Rida
Pursuit of Happiness [Steve Aoki Remix] – Kid Cudi
I Was Made For Lovin’ You – Kiss
It’s Tricky – Run-D.M.C.
We Found Love [feat. Calvin Harris] – Rihanna
You Spin Me ‘Round (Like a Record) – Dead Or Alive
Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
September – Earth Wind & Fire
Timber [feat. Kesha] – Pitbull
Teach Me How To Dougie – Cali Swag District
Gold Digger [feat. Jamie Foxx] – Kanye West
Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus
…Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
Wobble Baby – V.I.C.
Dancing Queen – ABBA
Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
Neon Moon – Brooks & Dunn
Blurred Lines [feat. T.I. & Pharrell] – Thicke
Nokia [clean] – Drake
Hotel Room Service – Pitbull
Fergalicious – Fergie
I Just Want To Dance With You – George Strait
Uptown Funk [feat. Bruno Mars] – Mark Ronson
Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
We Are Young [feat. Janelle Monae] – Fun.
Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi
Found/Tonight – Ben Platt
Bouquet Toss: Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) – Beyoncé
Love Story – Taylor Swift
I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston
Forever – Chris Brown
Like a Prayer – Madonna
Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
Tennessee Whiskey – Chris Stapleton
Crank That (Soulja Boy) – Soulja Boy
Humble – Kendrick Lamar
No Hands [feat. Roscoe Dash and Wale] – Waka Flocka Flame
Hit the Quan – iLoveMemphis
Footloose – Kenny Loggins
Mr. Brightside – The Killers
Texas Fight – The University of Texas Longhorn Band
The Fightin’ Texas Aggie War Hymn – The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band
Last Dance: Deep in the West – Shake Russell
Guests: Walking Out: Closing Time – Semisonic
Private Last Dance: I Don’t Wanna’ Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
Sparkler Exit: Light My Love – Greta Van Fleet
And with that, the wedding was over, and it was time to pack up all the sound and lighting gear and head home. I can’t wait for my next visit to The Preserve at Canyon Lake!