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DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ
Tag Archives: Fun Professional Wedding DJ
Every Wedding is Unique For The Professional Wedding DJ
I keep thinking that one day I am going to show-up for a wedding and it will be like the others. It seems like the odds are in favor of at least two weddings to be the same as a Professional Wedding DJ, right?
Wrong.
No matter how similar they seem in the planning and coordination, each wedding is a unique and singular event. I guess that is the way it is supposed to be since it is such an important event. I guess weddings for this Professional Wedding DJ are like people; no two will ever be exactly the same.
On the outside, if you attend one or two a year they may seem to be similar since the basic components appear alike; Bridal Party Introductions, First Dance, Mother-Son Dance, Father-Daughter dance, Cake Cutting, Bouquet Toss and often a Garter Removal and Toss as well. There are typically friends and family and a shared meal. There is usually dancing and celebration, which can be dictated by family, religious and cultural traditions. These pieces may feel the same on the surface but they are not for any Professional Wedding DJ worth their salt. We work together to create something that expresses The Bride and Groom uniquely. Again, it may appear the same but is not for this Professional Wedding DJ.
An example last summer I think illustrates this perfectly. I had two weddings in a row where the Bridal Party was being introduced to Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” and The Bouquet Toss was highlighted by Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”. The Brides had chosen these songs independently of each other but as often is the case, the songs were the same but believe me they had little else in common.
At the first wedding, The Bridal Party came out with the Groomsmen carrying the Bridesmaids in their arms as if crossing the threshold with new Brides themselves. The second wedding had them dancing as pairs that was choreographed earlier that day. Same song but completely different experiences for the Professional Wedding DJ.
First wedding had close to twenty-five women ranging in age from late teens to late thirties vying for the Bouquet aggressively with almost a fight between two ladies in peach colored gowns. The second wedding was twelve young women all different shapes, sizes and colors respectfully allowing the oldest one to catch the bouquet and feel good about herself. They all hugged and kissed her as she held it high in the air beaming.
What was also the same at both of these amazing weddings was the simple, elegant and fun energy of the venue and event. That is what is my job – to make sure the wedding is simple, elegant and fun. As a professional Wedding DJ, I am responsible for creating a fantastic space for the Bride, Groom, friends and family. That is my job.
What was unique at yesterday’s wedding, as all of my weddings, are how the elegance, simplicity and fun manifest. It is not always what I define as fun or elegant, it is the Bride and Groom that are in charge and they decide what they want and I make certain it happens. Last night that meant the Groom’s parents, who are in their late sixties, specifically asked for the music to be soft enough to allow regular conversation. The Bride and Groom had already had their ‘fun’ wedding in Florida where they live in May and his parents wanted them to celebrate with their friends and family here in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania together. It was a simple, elegant and fun affair but not the way one typically thinks of when they plan their wedding. Everybody had great time, especially Michael and Maureen. I don’t think I saw her smile leave her face once during the whole day! That is what I took with me on my drive north on The Garden State Parkway leaving Manahawkin, next to Long Beach Island.
Like people, no two weddings are the same for this Professional Wedding DJ.
Professional DJs Can Have Fun Too!
As a professional DJ, I typically enjoy every gig I perform, some more than others. When I am hired for a wedding or event, I am focused on making sure I meet needs of the host, and all the guests are having a great time. That is what I am hired to do and my primary focus.
When I am offering my services for somewhere like The Barefoot Boogie, I can relax and enjoy myself even more. Last Saturday night was one of those nights. It was a night when I was really feeling the crowd and aligning with their rhythm and flow. I was able to sense when they needed the music to slow and become more lyrical and lush, and when they needed me to pick it up and reach 135 beats per minute. For me, that is fun since I appreciate when good dancers go deeper into music and embody the vibration and energy.
At professional functions I do not dance when performing as professional DJ and MC. I have to control myself sometimes since I like to dance and want to get out and move, but that is not what I am hired to do. At events like Barefoot Boogie I can jump out on the dance floor and join the group in movement.
We had an exceptional time collectively last Saturday night. I came home tired, sore and glowing. It could be worse…
3 Steps To Hiring An Excellent DJ
3 Steps To Hiring An Excellent DJ
1) Do your homework.
Check out their website first, it will fill in the blanks on who and what you are cosniderig for your wedding or event DJ. Do they feel like someone you would invite as a guest? Will they make your guests feel welcomed by their requests and suggestions?
Read their reviews on their site and reviews left on other sites like Yelp, Wedding Wire and Thumbtack, etc. Do they sound genuine or written by friends and family of the DJ? Do the speak to your concerns and wishes for your wedding or event?
Ask for former client references and actually take the time to call or write them and ask the questions that matter to you most about your professional DJ. Did they listen and honor your needs and requests? Did they make your guests feel welcome to request songs and offer suggestions? Was the music sensational? Was the professional DJ fun and interactive with your guests?
2) Get to know your Professional DJ before signing a contract.
Are they someone you will enjoy working with? Are they personable but not over-the-top? Are they interested in your input and concerns? Will you have fun creating a playlist with them or will you feel left out of planning your own wedding or event? Will your guests enjoy their presence at your wedding or event? Are they taking the time to listen and not just talk and sell themselves? Are you confident in their experience, professionalism and skills to make an outstanding wedding or event? Are they another cookie-cutter DJ service or will they individualize what they do for you? Can you feel that they actually care about you and your wedding or event? Will they be fun?
3) Trust your instincts! You know what you want. You know how you want to make it happen. You know who can do it with you and make you feel respected and appreciated. Listen to yourself and do not let a salesperson convince you otherwise. Trust yourself and your ‘gut’ feeling. Make sure that everything you want is covered till you feel comfortable with the plan before you sign the contract. And maybe most important, be comfortable with the contract and the professional DJ’s back-up plan if there is an unexpected situation. Are they mature and experienced enough to change gears on-the-fly if needed? Do you trust them to honor what you have agreed to in the contract?
Do they have a guarantee?
What Wedding DJs Should NOT Do
On Saturday night I was an actual guest at a wedding. One of my cousin’s got married to his high school sweetheart and it was a great time to see family that I do not typically get to spend time with. They are a good couple and glad they are finally getting married.
It was also an opportunity to listen to how my family members would respond to the professional DJ without asking questions, a data collection mission of sorts. The comments were somewhat surprising but more importantly, they mirrored what I was experiencing as well unfortunately. I am not one of those people that likes to criticize my peers. Here are a list of lessons I learned, again, about the honor of being a professional DJ and MC at a wedding:
1) Never let your microhone be louder than the typical volume of the music. It jars guests and is hard to hear what is being said.
2) Pay attention to the crowd. They will ‘tell’ you what to play and what not to play.
3) Don’t force the issue. If you want to move towards a genre or era of music, let it happen naturally and don’t make the guests switch gears without a proper segue.
4) Remember all the guests! As a Wedding DJ it is easy to fall in love with what is working and forget the rest of the room. Diversity is the key.
5) Keep your eyes on the people not dancing as well as those on the dance floor. Often the secret to an excellent event can be seen in the eyes, expressions and energy of those that are not participating. If they look bored or disinterested it is revealing of something. If they are having fun and full of energy and excitement, the fact that they are not dancing does not mean that you are not being successful.
6) Cheesy DJ/MCs are rarely appreciated.
7) Invite guests to make requests and honor them. The may think think you do not accept them if there is no offer.
8) Enjoy yourself! Who wants a Wedding DJ that looks miserable?
The reinforcement of the basic challenge of a professional Wedding DJ was clear to me in the reality of trying to meet the needs of The Bride and Groom and their guests. It only takes a bit of communication for this to be resolved and a great wedding is the result.
Wedding DJs Changing Genre At A Wedding
Preparing earlier today for tomorrow’s wedding on Long Beach Island, NJ, I noticed that each component of the wedding has its own genre. This was the playlist created together with The Bride, like all good Wedding DJs do. She wanted ‘chill music’ for the Cocktail Hour with Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison and Norah Jones, amongst others; all great stuff. The dinner music for the Reception includes artists like Josh Kelley, The Cure, Jason Mraz, Del Amitri and Red Hot Chili Peppers with other sprinkled in. Then party time with Taio Cruz, Pitbull, Rihanna, David Guetta and some older favorites like Bel Biv Devoe and Montell Jordan.
I continue to be impressed with the diversity of music that Brides and Grooms are requesting for their weddings lately. It is not like it used to be with folks only wanting one genre and nothing else. Should be a great wedding with fun people. The Bride was very careful in planning every detail to her liking along the way including the music. As a professional Wedding DJ, I appreciate knowing what The Bride and Groom want to hear. It is even better when we have had enough communication to know what directions we can take it to meet the needs of her friends and family.
Rain Takes A Break, Wedding DJ Doesn’t – Magical Wedding On!
Yesterday was one of the days this week with lots of rain in the forecast. We have experienced rain on a continual basis lately and were worried the outdoor wedding may not be able to take place. We discussed potential back-up plans but none would compare to the original. I left my home for the two hour drive to Long Beach Island knowing that all could be for nothing. The reception was being held outdoors at The Gables in Beach Haven, NJ.
It was a slight mist while setting up my professional DJ gear for the gig. If you have not been to the The Gables, their back patio is covered in beautiful hanging plants and vines with lush green everywhere. One of the vines needed to be moved to fit my head in the space for the ‘Wedding DJ station’. Here is a blog post with great photos of The Garden Brunch @ The Gables. The ‘ Wedding DJ Station’ was under the spiral staircase:)
By the time the guests arrived, the rain had disappeared and we even had some patches of sun through the afternoon. Everybody had so much fun dancing and singing to the music and it was an extra special event due to the lack of rain. Funny how it started to rain when I left for my next gig off the island later that night.
Believe It Or Not, Aesthetically Attractive DJ Equipment
I continue to get such a kick out of the confused stares I receive from folks as they gawk at the BOSE L1 System with B1 professional DJ equipment trying to figure out how that ‘Little thing makes such a big, beautiful sound?”
At almost every professional DJ gig there is some guy standing with his hands on his hips wondering how it works. They approach me hesitantly to ask where ‘the other speakers’ are?
I smile and gently share with him there are no other speakers. Someone has finally engineered a professional DJ system that is attractive, compact and loud enough for up to 500 people. It has the juice to move a crowd but still looks like something you might place in the corner of your living room.
I have been doing this long enough that I do not have to prove myself as a professional DJ by lugging all the big, heavy gear with me from gig to gig. I now work smarter and actually have better sound than the old style of big, heavy, UGLY things that ruin every wedding photo.
Can’t wait for my obligatory stares tomorrow at the wedding in the afternoon and the double anniversary party at night!
What Kind of Professional DJ Are You Michael?
Folks ask me all the time, “Michael, what kind of professional DJ are you?”
“The kind of professional DJ that plays music and makes fun.”
“No. I mean what kind of music do you play?”
“The fun kind.”
“No. Really. What kind of music do you play as a professional DJ?”
“It depends on my client. I play what they want. I am not a kid and do not need to hide behind one genre or a certain style. I am here for my couple’s and families that hire me. I have a diverse library of professional DJ music and appreciate new opportunities to learn about music and cultures through our conversations and preparations.”
“Yeah that’s great but what kind of music do you play.”
“You want me to list the genres?”
“Yeah. But I want to know what kind of professional DJ you are.”
“I am the kind of professional DJ that has fun and creates fun for others. As far as styles of music; I am very comfortable with Top 40, Dance, Rock, Hip Hop, Oldies, 70’s & 80’s, R&B, Soul, Motown, Disco and am even getting competent with Country these days too. I continue to grow my collections of World/Global Music including Reggae, Reggaeton, Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and smaller collections of African, Indian and Middle Eastern Music. I enjoy getting the opportunity to use my different Lounge and Mood Music collections of Buddha Bar, Café Del Mar, Hotel Costas and New Age for environments and events that this is what is best suited. I like music and my library grows weekly. Does that answer your question?”
“Well yes and no. Now I know how diverse your library is but still have no clue what kind of professional DJ you are.”
At this point I give up and smile. Not everybody understands that it is 2011 and being a professional DJ that plays only one genre or style is out-dated due to the advances in technology and the variety of music that folks enjoy today.
Accepting New Challenges As A Professional DJ
I was recently approached with an offer to professional DJ at a club that is under new management. It is really a sports bar with a club upstairs; a great place to eat and party. They already have a Resident DJ but he is not willing to play music for theme nights they are planning over the next few months. He does not want to do Country, Latin or a Ladies Night. He will only do what he does and nothing else. Why are so many professional DJs like this?
I look forward to accepting new challenges and expanding my repertoire as a professional DJ. How can this be a bad thing?
Even when I was new at this way back when many years ago, I wanted to try new things, learn and gain experience and confidence in as many genres and styles as possible. As a professional DJ, it increases my value and marketability. As a performer, I add to my pallet of music in my library that I can provide to clients. Country and Latin Music are two of the hottest dance trends these days and why would a professional DJ not want to be a part of the fun and excitement?
I wonder if this is just a matter of ego and maturity? If you have any ideas on why so many professional DJs are afraid to venture beyond one or two genre, I would be most grateful for your thoughts.
