Resources | Inspiration

How To Spotify Playlist

Music is such an essential part of weddings and lucky for you, we can be here to help manage it all! You might have Spotify playlists running for some of or for all of your wedding day and this blog is the guide you need.

We’ve broken down a typical run sheet into key sections with some thoughts on how to get your playlists together, some suggestions to help as starting point, as well as the best way to provide them to us so that we can cue like queens on the day.

You can count on us to make sure there’s always music on, always a fade in/fade out and no awkward silences — but it’s up to you to curate the tunes to suit your crowd!

July 18, 2024
Share this post
How To Spotify Playlist

How to Provide your Playlists:

  • Create a new Spotify playlist for each key section, even if it’s for one song. Please don’t send a link to an individual song unless its within a playlist you’ve made.
  • Title it clearly (eg. “Caitie & Charlie | Ceremony”) and ensure your playlist is on public.
  • Share by copying the link and sending it via email or adding it to your run sheet.
  • If you are sharing a collaborative playlist, please share the link with us within 7 days of your event so that it doesn’t expire.
  • Please let us know if each playlist should be played in order or on shuffle.
  • We will use our own device to manage the playlists, so there’s no need to supply one.
  • We are pros at using Spotify, sorry no Apple Music!
No items found.

Pre-Ceremony Playlist

This playlist sets the tone for the afternoon and will be playing as your guests are arriving into the garden area. Everyone’s excited to be here, the love buzz is high and the mingling begins!

Some ideas to get you started:

No items found.

Ceremony Playlist

First off, some definitions and key moments (that require music) during your ceremony

Processional:

This is the aisle moment — starting the ceremony with you and your tribe walking down the aisle.

Signing

This is the signing of the registry (the legal paperwork) that happens towards the end of your ceremony. Note that some celebrants choose to arrange the signing after your ceremony instead,

Recessional

This marks the end of the ceremony, the moment you newlyweds walk back up the aisle!

This playlist would typically include 1x processional song, 2x signing songs and 1x recessional song — please list your chosen songs in this order.

Some Ideas to get you started:

Here are some processional FAQs that may determine your song choices:
How long is the aisle?

The procession starts from behind the curtains in the reception area. It is approximately 25m from this point to the end of the aisle, which usually takes around 40 seconds at a slow walking pace.

How will I know when to walk down the aisle?

Don't stress! That's what we're here for. Your coordinator will be with you behind the curtain and our staff will be there to open and close the curtain, cueing each person walking down the aisle. More on timing in the Qs below!

What if I want to walk out at a specific time?

If there is a particular moment in a song that you would like to walk down the aisle, we suggest ensuring the song has a minimum of 45-60 seconds after that point, which will allow plenty of time for you to get to the end and get settled (without any awkward silence!). We will fade the music out once the celebrant is ready to commence.

If you are having flower girls/page boys/bridespeople/groomspeople walk down before you, we will space them out evenly and send them down in time to be waiting at the end of the aisle before your big reveal.

What if I don't have specific timing for the processional?

No problem! If you are having flower girls/page boys/bridespeople/groomspeople walk down the aisle before you, we will space them out naturally. We'll then wait til everyone has reached the end before sending you down the aisle for your big moment. We'll fade out the music once you're all settled down the end and the celebrant is ready to commence.

No items found.

Cocktail Hour Playlist

This playlist kicks off after your recessional song finishes. To set the scene, you’re probably busy doing post-ceremony hugs and congrats, the bar is open and we’re flipping the ceremony space to make room for cocktail hour. This background music will take us through to canapés (or a delish grazing spread), family photos and more mingling in the garden ‘til it’s reception time.

Some ideas to get you started:

No items found.

Reception Playlist

Dinner time! At this point we’ve opened up the curtains for the big reveal of the reception space and your guests are making their way to their seats. Set the mood for feasting, some speeches and good vibes in-between.

Some ideas to get you started:

IMPORTANT! There are often single-song moments throughout the day where you will need to make a playlist that only contains 1x song. It seems a little silly, but this is the smoothest way for us to be able to easily queue songs on the day. For example, you’ll make separate playlists for each of the below:

  • Reception entrance
  • Cake cutting
  • First dance
  • Sparkler exit
No items found.

Reception Entrance Playlist

But first, we’ve gotta welcome our couple of the hour into the reception! Whether it’s just you and your other half or your whole entourage as well, decide if you want to pick a banger to get the hype going or keep it chill for a warm grand entrance.

Some ideas to get you started: Reception Entrance Songs

No items found.

Cake Cutting Playlist

The pointy end of the formalities — pick a fun tune for us to pop on while you cut the cake.

Some ideas to get you started: Cake Cutting Songs

No items found.

First Dance Playlist

Often the most dreaded part of the night that actually ends up being a super sweet moment, trust us! Decide whether you’re opting for a cute awkward sway or going full-blown choreographed. Either way, doing a first dance as your last formality is the best way to get the d-floor going! This playlist might also include a song for a father-daughter/mother-son dance or a couple of slower songs before the beat drops.

Some ideas to get you started: First Dance Songs

No items found.

Party Playlist

The d-floor is officially open! Spend some time curating this playlist to suit your guests, there’s nothing worse than having people come up for requests or asking to skip songs…!

Some ideas to get you started:

No items found.

Sparkler Exit Playlist

Pick one last song for your sparkler send off — we can start playing this as guests are getting lined up and lit up, so a track that builds a little ways in works perfectly!

Some ideas to get you started: Sparkler Exit Songs

No items found.
Versatile and bespoke
We would love to meet with you to discuss your special day and show you through the space! Click below to get in touch with us and organise a viewing appointment.

FAQs

Find answers to common questions and gain confidence in your venue choice.

Can we book a ceremony only?

As we only host one event per day, unfortunately we only offer on-site ceremonies in conjunction with one of our reception packages.

Can we book a reception only?

Absolutely! Whether it’s a seated or cocktail-style, our reception packages include 5 hours venue hire.

Do you host micro-weddings/elopements?

Unfortunately we don’t offer specific packages for elopements as we only host one event per day at The Refinery. For our space, we recommend a minimum of 30 guests and upwards for a seated reception, and a minimum of 70 guests and upwards for a cocktail-style reception.

Can we BYO food and drink?

All food and drink is catered by our amazing in-house team! We do not allow external catering with the exception of wedding cakes, take-home guest favours and gelato carts.

We typically do not offer BYO alcohol, however, do contact us to discuss corkage charges if you would like to bring in something special for your day.

What time can we start/finish our weddings?

Ceremony & Reception Packages may be booked from 1pm onwards between March-October and from 4pm onwards between November-February.

Standalone Reception Packages may be booked from 12pm onwards between March-October and from 4pm onwards between November-February.

Friday-Saturday events must end by 11pm.
Sunday-Thursday events must end by 10pm.

At the agreed end time the bar will close, music concludes, lights are turned on and bump out commences. We allow a 30 minute grace period for guests to wrap up and head off premises.

What time can vendors bump in on the day?

Reception Package — from 11am on the day.
Ceremony & Reception Package — from 9am on the day.

We will liaise with all of your vendors in the lead up to the day to confirm a bump in/bump out time.

When do we have to bump out?

Any hired furniture, hired table settings, large styling pieces, aerial/floral installations and lighting must be bumped out upon the conclusion of the event.

While it is preferred that all belongings and gifts are collected at the end of the night, overnight storage can be arranged if required for pick up the next business day.

What furniture is included in the venue hire?

You can view our full inventory of the furniture and stationery/signage included, here.

Where can we go for portraits nearby?

Check out our resources to find some of the fun portrait locations nearby!

Are we allowed confetti?

We get it — every couple needs that confetti moment! We allow a maximum of 25x cones of confetti for the end of the ceremony, which incurs a $200 clean up fee. Confetti cannons are not permitted.

Are you pet-friendly?

Absolutely, we love all kinds of furry friends! We just ask that you have someone dedicated to looking after your pet so that they are taken care of at all times. Check out our recommended pet assistants!

Still have questions?

We've collated some amazing resources for you here. If you can't find what you're looking for, please reach out as we'd love to help!

Your Dream Wedding Awaits

From intimate dining settings to lavish celebrations. Together with our tight-knit team, we hustle tirelessly to host your event as though it were our own.

Image