I wanted to offer a peak into what our weddings look like. I would love to hear which you like best. Wedding Brides through the eyes of a professional Wedding DJ.
Nogc
Renae
Yomi
Sara
Melissa
Sung Hee
Benedicte
Aren’t they all amazing!
Tag Archives: Multicultural Wedding DJ
What Makes An Awesome Sweet Sixteen DJ?
Simple: Great Music and Sixteen Candles Celebration Ceremony! Today, most Sweet Sixteens have very creative themes: from Harry Potter to Dark Carnivals to Pretty In Pink. The girls find really interesting outfits that match their themes, and often their closest friends are similarly dressed to suit the occasion. They may even ask thier Sweet Sixteen DJ to dress accordingly.
But it still seems like it comes down to the music,Sweet Sixteen DJ and Sixteen Candles Ceremony.
I love the Sixteen Candles Ceremony. It may be my favorite tradition of the various parties and events I DJ & MC. I think it presents an intimate, personal and fun portrait of a young lady’s family, friends and extended family, unparalleled by any other tradition. It is inevitable that there will be tears, smiles and laughter as she shares her appreciation and love of those most important in her life. I wish we had this kind of sharing in more events, although I am not sure anybody else can pull it off the way a sixteen-year-old girl can.
Before and after the Sixteen Candles Ceremony, the professional Sweet Sixteen DJ & MC entertain and provide the spark that ignites all the kids and adults to get up and get moving. Just like there is nobody that can make a candle lighting as dramatic an event as a sixteen-year-old girl, a group of sixteen-year-old girls can transition from dinner to a full-blown fete in a matter of one perfectly chosen song!
I know many Sweet Sixteen DJs and entertainers do not appreciate the energy, enthusiasm and passion of a Sweet Sixteen. I think that is too bad because they are really so much fun. How can you not enjoy creating a playlist for a bunch of teens about to burst if they don’t get to party and play? I also find they are the most passionate about requesting songs; there will never be an empty request list at a New Jersey or New York Sweet Sixteen, and they will hold you to it! I know events with teens are not for everyone; I assume if I didn’t have nearly twenty years of professional experience as a counselor and social worker engaging with teens, I too might be intimidated by working with them as an entertainer. Fortunately for them, and me, I actually look forward to these parties! This is why I enjoy being a Sweet Sixteen DJ so much.
A Live Wedding StoryBook
Last Sunday I was hired as professional Entertainer and Wedding DJ by a really nice Korean couple. We spoke several times before meeting in person. Since I had recently spent a year teaching in South Korea and was still missing my time there, I was really excited to work with them and help plan their wedding day.
We had agreed in advance to turn their unique love story into The StoryBook, which I would present at the reception during the dinner. It was fun hearing each of them share the individual stories that documented their lives before meeting each other. First we let James tell his story and then Sung Hee told hers. Then the real fun began – hearing how they met, what their first date was like and their shared experiences as a couple leading up to their impending marriage.
I spent the next few nights putting together The StoryBook in written form. The next step was brainstorming what music and songs would perfectly compliment The StoryBook live. After getting the selections exactly right, my assistant and I discussed choreographed the timing and impact of each musical clip. Now we were ready!
I wasn’t sure how many of their guests would be proficient enough in English to fully understand The StoryBook,but it turned out that almost everyone got it! The applause, laughter, and collective ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ were the perfect final ingredient. James and Sung Hee laughed and smiled right along with their guests, as this was also their first time hearing The StoryBook live and with accompanying music. . After I finished, I bowed and thanked everybody for their time, and then we were ready to raise the volume and fill the dance floor.
They say a picture can tell a thousand words. When I looked at Sung Hee’s face and saw her holding back tears of joy, I knew we had successfully presented The StoryBook, just as she had hoped, and more. This Wedding DJ was very happy.
A Sweet Sixteen Storybook
When Elle and her family first hired me as her Sweet Sixteen DJ, there was no plan on including The Storybook as part of their package. However, as we got to know each other in the initial planning stages, it seemed like a perfect fit for her Sweet Sixteen. We decided to go ahead and create her personalized Storybook together. I am so glad we did because it was a great success that everybody loved!
Her Storybook started right with her birth, and included special moments from her childhood and teen years. I worked with my Sweet Sixteen DJ Assistant to come up with some great musical selections to add flavor and extra energy to the narrative. Everyone agreed – it came out amazing!
Her friends and family could not stop laughing, cheering, aahing, and clapping throughout the whole presentation. Elle was all smiles, except for a tear or two along the way when talking about her grandmother and the time she proposed to Daniel Radcliffe. We added pieces about her family and her two best friends, who were also in tears a few times and ran up to give me a big hug afterwards. We are still editing the video, but hope to post it soon to show off our collaborative project.
Of course, the rest of the night was a blast with the kids wanting to dance right through dinner. The caterers made several requests to have me ask them to sit down and eat before the food got cold! Elle’s Sixteen Candle Ceremony was touching, and she inspired all of us with her warmth and love for friends and family. It really was a great night, one I am sure she and her family will remember forever.
Wedding: A Celebration of Love Through The Lens of Nuno Duarte
I was searching for some outstanding images of dance and weddings last spring and came across Nuno Duarte’s work through Creative Commons . I was immediately blown away by the force and energy of the images. I thought it would be interesting to display his work with weddings. I look forward to reading your comments to see if they move you the way they do me. As a professional Wedding DJ in NJ & NY, I see a lot of weddings and wedding photos. These move me.
This is the one that I initially viewed. I still find it absolutely stunning!
The Request
The Moment!
The Intrigue!
The Dance!
The Bride!
The Preparation!
The Footstep!
The Journey!
Which image tickles your fancy the most?
Your Story Told For You By The Professional DJ
I am very excited to be offering my new service for the first time this weekend to two clients at their events. I have been working on this project for a while and can’t wait to be able to show it off for the first time Saturday night! We are a culture that shares our stories as a form of strengthening our families and communities. I wanted to offer a service for my clients that presented their story at special events like Weddings, Sweet Sixteens, Birthdays and Anniversaries, and other important dates in our lives.
What we do is interview beforehand the individual or individuals that are celebrating their event. They share with me their story or collective stories. We continue our conversation until we all feel there is enough material to showcase the unique and essential parts of your lives leading up to this moment. In the case of a Wedding, both the Bride and Groom share stories of your lives before you met, how you met and while you were dating. Finally, why you are choosing to get married and what you love about each other. If it is a Sweet Sixteen like Saturday night, I meet with the girl and her family and together we weave together the special moments in her life that have brought her to this day.
I take all this information and go home to create your “fairy tale” , your unique story. Of course, it is not completely non-fiction – I add in some spice to make it even more fun. While creating your story, I include the songs that have bookmarked some of your essential experiences and make them part of The StoryBook.
At your wedding or event, I share your story with your friends and family for all to celebrate your life with you. While telling your story live, my DJ Assistant will be playing the perfect songs from your past and present to enhance the experience for everyone!
A live StoryBook for friends and family to celebrate together!
On Saturday night, I am presenting this at the Sweet Sixteen of a fabulous young lady who is jumping out of her skin with anticipation. On Sunday afternoon, a loving couple will get the chance to invite their friends and family to share their journey with them on this special day.
At first, I was a little anxious about offering this professional service. Then I remembered that my beginnings as a DJ were in radio. After almost twenty years as a teen and family counselor, I certainly have experience interviewing and supporting families and skills to encourage them to share and reflect on how amazingness of our lives. The writing is probably the part I am enjoying the most. I am a budding writer and appreciate any opportunity to put on my writer’s cap and create something beautiful out of real life through words and music. Tomorrow night, I get my first chance to share my new service for the first time!
DJ At A Punk-Jazz-Rock-Motown-Sinatra Wedding
I am aware many professional Wedding DJs like to play just one or maybe two genres at events. It makes sense and certainly is less of a challenge. I mean, you know what will work and have little or no risk involved. I get it, I really do, not every Wedding DJ wants to put in the extra time and effort to maintain such a diverse musical library.
For me, being a New Jersey or Boston DJ is not about taking the easier or safer route. Like all performers and entertainers, professional Wedding Disc Jockeys have to determine if the risk worth the reward?
I vote yes!
Saturday night was another fun wedding with a great couple. It was held at a nice venue, The Metuchen Inn in Metuchen, New Jersey. They had very varied tastes and wanted to make certain that their parents, family and friends all had music they would enjoy listening and dancing to. We carefully put together a basic playlist to meet the needs of everybody, not losing sight of the fact that it is their New Jersey wedding and what they want counts greatest.
So, we ended up with music all over the map from Dizzie Gillespie and Miles Davis during Cocktail Hour. More Jazz, Eddie Spaghetti and Soul was enjoyed with dinner. When we turned up the volume and tempo, it was Motown (The Temptations), Punk (The Clash), Beyonce, Rock (Def Leopard) and more Frank Sinatra. What an incredibly fun night!
I am totally fine with playing music from one genre but when given the opportunity to make some great segues and mixes, I jump at the chance. Thanks Joey and Melissa for letting me be part of your wedding and your wedding DJ!
100 Top Songs From Films For Professional DJs
Sunday I have an event where the couple being honored for their 50th wedding anniversary happen to appreciate film and Broadway songs. While creating the playlist I thought it might be interesting to see what the American Film Industry (AFI) determined to be the 100 years and 100 songs. As a professional NJ & NY DJ, it is important for me to be informed of all genres of music. In other areas of the country, a professional DJ does not have to be as mindful as we do here in the NJ & NY region. Our diversity is our strength and motivates any good professional DJ to learn and stay current on various forms of music, show tunes are o exception.
| # | SONG | MOVIE | YEAR |
| 1 | Over the Rainbow PERFORMER Judy Garland MUSIC/LYRICS Harold Arlen/E. Y. Harburg |
WIZARD OF OZ, THE | 1939 |
| 2 | As Time Goes By PERFORMER Dooley Wilson MUSIC/LYRICS Herman Hupfeld |
CASABLANCA | 1942 |
| 3 | Singin’ in the Rain PERFORMER Gene Kelly MUSIC/LYRICS Nacio Herb Brown/Arthur Freed |
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN | 1952 |
| 4 | Moon River PERFORMER Audrey Hepburn MUSIC/LYRICS Henry Mancini/Johnny Mercer |
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S | 1961 |
| 5 | White Christmas PERFORMER Bing Crosby MUSIC/LYRICS Irving Berlin |
HOLIDAY INN | 1942 |
| 6 | Mrs. Robinson PERFORMERS Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel MUSIC/LYRICS Paul Simon |
GRADUATE, THE | 1967 |
| 7 | When You Wish Upon A Star PERFORMER Cliff Edwards MUSIC/LYRICS Leigh Harline/Ned Washington |
PINOCCHIO | 1940 |
| 8 | Way We Were, The PERFORMER Barbra Streisand MUSIC/LYRICS Marvin Hamlisch/Alan and Marilyn Bergman |
THE WAY WE WERE | 1973 |
| 9 | Stayin’ Alive PERFORMER The Bee Gees MUSIC/LYRICS Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb |
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER | 1977 |
| 10 | Sound of Music, The PERFORMER Julie Andrews MUSIC/LYRICS Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II |
SOUND OF MUSIC, THE | 1965 |
| 11 | Man That Got Away, The PERFORMER Judy Garland MUSIC/LYRICS Harold Arlen/Ira Gershwin |
STAR IS BORN, A | 1954 |
| 12 | Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend PERFORMER Marilyn Monroe MUSIC/LYRICS Jule Styne/Leo Robin |
GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES | 1953 |
| 13 | People PERFORMER Barbra Streisand MUSIC/LYRICS Jule Styne/Bob Merrill |
FUNNY GIRL | 1968 |
| 14 | My Heart Will Go On PERFORMER Céline Dion MUSIC/LYRICS James Horner/Will Jennings |
TITANIC | 1997 |
| 15 | Cheek to Cheek PERFORMERS Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers MUSIC/LYRICS Irving Berlin |
TOP HAT | 1935 |
| 16 | Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star is Born) PERFORMER Barbra Streisand MUSIC/LYRICS Barbra Streisand/Paul Williams |
STAR IS BORN, A | 1976 |
| 17 | I Could Have Danced All Night PERFORMER Audrey Hepburn (voiced by Marni Nixon) MUSIC/LYRICS Frederick Loewe/Alan Jay Lerner |
MY FAIR LADY | 1964 |
| 18 | Cabaret PERFORMER Liza Minnelli MUSIC/LYRICS John Kander/Fred Ebb |
CABARET | 1972 |
| 19 | Some Day My Prince Will Come PERFORMER Adriana Caselotti MUSIC/LYRICS Frank Churchill/Larry Morey |
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS | 1937 |
| 20 | Somewhere PERFORMERS Natalie Wood (voiced by Marni Nixon), Richard Beymer (voiced by Jimmy Bryant) MUSIC/LYRICS Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim |
WEST SIDE STORY | 1961 |
| 21 | Jailhouse Rock PERFORMER Elvis Presley MUSIC/LYRICS Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller |
JAILHOUSE ROCK | 1957 |
| 22 | Everybody’s Talkin’ PERFORMER Harry Nilsson MUSIC/LYRICS Fred Neil |
MIDNIGHT COWBOY | 1969 |
| 23 | Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head PERFORMER B. J. Thomas MUSIC/LYRICS Burt Bacharach/Hal David |
BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID | 1969 |
| 24 | Ol’ Man River PERFORMER Paul Robeson MUSIC/LYRICS Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II |
SHOW BOAT | 1936 |
| 25 | High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin) PERFORMER Tex Ritter MUSIC/LYRICS Dimitri Tiomkin/Ned Washington |
HIGH NOON | 1952 |
| 26 | Trolley Song, The PERFORMER Judy Garland MUSIC/LYRICS Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane |
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS | 1944 |
| 27 | Unchained Melody PERFORMER The Righteous Brothers MUSIC/LYRICS Alex North, Hy Zaret |
GHOST | 1990 |
| 28 | Some Enchanted Evening PERFORMER Rossano Brazzi (voiced by Giorgio Tozzi) MUSIC/LYRICS Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II |
SOUTH PACIFIC | 1958 |
| 29 | Born To Be Wild PERFORMER Steppenwolf MUSIC/LYRICS Mars Bonfire |
EASY RIDER | 1969 |
| 30 |
My mother was a Judy Garland fan, so she being on top does not surprise me. Having Easy Rider at #29 makes me smile, as does The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” comeback in 1990.
What songs did you think needed to be on the list and what does not belong?
Motown Fifty-One Years Later and Still Rockin’: A DJ’s Musical Journey
As a professional full-time DJ, I rarely perform at a NJ or NY wedding or event these days that does not at some point include music from Motown Records. For me this is not a problem since I have loved The Motown Sound since I listened on my little red Panasonic battery-operated portable radio as a kid. It did not matter to me if it was The Supremes, The Jackson 5 or Stevie Wonder; I was always a Motown fan and still am today as a professional full-time DJ.
What does surprise me as a professional DJ, is who listens to Motown today. It would not catch me off-guard if it were just the folks who listen to modern R&B and Soul or even Hip Hop. That makes sense to me as a professional DJ. I could even make the connection if it was individuals who enjoy Classic Rock since they both kind of ‘grew-up’ together. What makes me stare with astonishment is when a punk-rocker or staunch Country fan requests Motown.
I wonder what music from our current generation will be the stuff that in twenty years is played to give ‘the old people’ something to dance and relate to at parties and weddings for professional DJs? Will it be Usher and Beyonce? Or Train and Maroon 5? What about Pitbull and Enrique Igleisius? Who are the stars of today that will be the dance classics of future professional DJs?
Until then we have Motown. It is fun, soulful, danceable and a bridge from the past to the present and maybe even the future. This Saturday’s wedding will again have Motown as a primary genre to mix in with the other genres they appreciate like Punk, Rock, Oldies and Classic Soul. I feel fortunate as a professional DJ that I am hired by such interesting and creative couples for weddings and planners for parties. I know it is easier to just play the top hits all the time without any imagination or creativity but I get psyched at the alternative and unique choices that people choose for their weddings and special events and am grateful I can participate and contribute, especially when I can cue-up some Motown classics like “Superstition”, “Let’s Get It On” or “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”.
Which are your Motown favorites?
This Weeks Billboard Top 200 Albums Featuring Pink Floyd? A Curious DJ
As a professional full-time DJ, I like to scan the Billboard Charts weekly to keep up on what is new, fading and different trends. Today I was viewing the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts and saw something that had me tilting my head in confusion; Pink Floyd has FOUR albums in the current Top 200! What?
The professional DJ wonders, “Can that really be true?”
It turns out it is true. For reasons I do not understand, Pink Floyd albums are still selling at a very high rate. Not that I think their albums are not worthy of sales, but all the albums that are on the charts are over twenty-five years old! The highest is Dark Side Of The Moon, which remained on the charts for 741 weeks from 1973-1988 consecutively; the longest in history, but that was almost thirty years ago. I actually had both an 8-track and vinyl version of the album but again, that was twenty-eight years ago.
Also charting this week in order of appearance on the charts are The Wall, Wish You Were Here and Animals. It is peculiar to see Pink Floyd albums surrounded by Maroon 5, LMFAO, Blake Shelton and Taylor swift, again, not judging any of the artists, just peculiar. It certainly demonstrates how different the American music industry is today. Any genre from Pop, Dance, R&B, Rap, Hip Hop, Rock, Country even Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra can produce a strong-selling album and professional DJs will play them at Weddings and events. The Singles Chart has always allowed for diversity since it is just a song and not an entire album. By the way, Adele currently has two albums in the top ten, 21 and 19, with “Someone Like You” #1 on The Top 100 Singles, her second #1 following the success of “Rolling in The Deep”.
