Tag Archives: Wedding DJ

What Wedding DJs Should NOT Do

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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.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Wedding DJs Changing Genre At A Wedding

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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.

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Rain Takes A Break, Wedding DJ Doesn’t – Magical Wedding On!

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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.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Believe It Or Not, Aesthetically Attractive DJ Equipment

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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!

 

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

What Kind of Professional DJ Are You Michael?

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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.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

The DJ Plays A Great Last Song!

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It was a really fun wedding to DJ. Everybody had a good time and the smiles and high-energy on the dance floor let me know it was going great. I wanted a great last song. I approached The Bride and Groom to let them we had about a half hour left and wanted to see if there were any songs they definitely needed to hear before we shut-down. They both looked at each other, laughed and in a chorus, “No”, and she continued “Everybody is having so much fun!” and pointed to the dance floor, which was still packed with happy guests at 11:30.

 

We had not set in advance a last song since they wanted to see how it would go. They thought none of their friends and family would dance as she said in our meeting, “We’re not real dancing people but I hope at least some people will dance.”  They did, all night.

 

“What would you like me to close with?”

 

They looked at each other again, “Whatever you think will be best is fine with us. You’re the professional Wedding DJ”

 

“OK” And I walked back to my DJ station for the last bunch of tunes.

 

I glanced over the list of songs we had created together to see what was not played yet that would be a perfect closing song.  Typically we close a wedding with a few slow songs to bring everybody down and leave it with a nice happy, romantic feeling. Then I saw it near the bottom of the list: Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, “Havin’ A Party”. Perfect!

 

 

I knew it was going against the tradition of ending with slow songs but this was a fun group and they didn’t follow many of the typical wedding trends; why should the closing be any different?  My assistant DJ looked at me skeptically but I stuck to my guns and cued it up. Two minutes later I cranked the volume and all the guests that were left including The Bride and Groom rushed to the dance floor singing and clapping to the song with joy pouring out of their smiles! It worked. When the song was completed they were all standing there hugging each other and sharing ‘High Fives’.  The red cheeks and bright eyes told the story and gave me all the confirmation I needed. This was the right song for this wedding and guests.  A true celebratory group needed a celebratory conclusion.

 

This may be my new closing song for the right wedding or party…

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJs Need To Support Our Military and Our Local Police & Firefighters

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For reasons I have not completely figured out, when I first started my journey as a professional DJ, I was booked on a regular basis by local police and firefighters for parties. Many of these parties were reunions and local chapters of P.A.L. and other fraternal organizations. These events were all good times and primarily the music was Oldies centered, which typically make fun parties.

 

Today I still get to do some of these kinds of events but what has manifested recently is the opportunity to serve our troops by offering discounts to our military service men and women at their weddings. Last night I met with a young couple. The Groom is home in between deployments for his wedding.  After spending time with both of them, I felt good about the decision I made a while back to offer professional DJ discounts to our troops.

 

The wedding should be fun.  I look forward to being able to support them and be a apart of their day.  We set-up the music and coordinated the events of the cocktail hour and reception.  All systems go for a beautiful August wedding.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Popular Bouquet Toss Songs

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Here are some Great Rock and Pop Songs followed by a list of the most popular bouquet toss songs nationally.

Uptown Girl        Billy Joel

Foxy Lady          Jimi Hendrix

American Woman The Guess Who or Lenny Kravitz

Just A Girl          No Doubt

Pour Some Sugar On Me Def Leopard

She’s A Beauty The Tubes

Stray Cat Strut The Stray Cats

All I want To Do Sheryl Crow

Maneater          Hall & Oates

Oh Yeah           Yello

Walk This Way Aerosmith or Aerosmith & Run-DMC

Another one bites the dust
Bad boys
Da Ya think I’m sexy
Do you wanna touch me
Fever
Girls just want to have fun
Girls girls girls
Guys do it all the time
I’m too sexy
It’s raining men
James Bond theme
Jeopardy clock
Kiss
Ladies night
Legs
Let’s get it on
Macho man
Mission impossible theme
Oh! pretty woman
Peter gunn theme
Shameless
Sharp dressed man
She’s a bad mama jama
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)
The distance
The stripper
Theme from star trek
U can’t touch this
Whip it
Wild thing
Wild thing
Why don’t we do it in the road
You can leave your hat on
You sexy thing		 Queen
Inner Circle
Rod Stewart
Joan Jett
Peggy Lee
Cyndi Lauper
Motley Crue
Mindy McCready
Right Said Fred
Weather Girls
TV Theme
TV Theme
Prince
Kool & The Gang
ZZ Top
Marvin Gaye
Village People
Larry Mullen
Roy Orbison
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Garth Brooks
ZZ Top
Carl Carlton
Beyonce
Cake
David Rose
TV Theme
M. C. Hammer
Devo
The Troggs
Tone Loc
The Beatles
Tom Jones
Hot Chocolate

Popular Bouquet Toss Songs - Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Here are other posts that may be helpful to you Top 50 DJ Wedding Last Dance Songs, How To Hire The Best Wedding DJ,  Popular Garter Toss Songs, Wedding DJ Father-Daughter Dance Songs, Wedding DJ Mother Son Dance Songs, Top 50 Wedding Cake Cutting Songs, Popular Bridal Party Introduction Songs for Wedding DJs and Popular Bouquet Toss Songs.

 

What are your favorite Bouquet Toss Songs?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

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Two Worlds Connect Through Wedding DJ Music

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I always get excited when hired to DJ and MC a wedding from a Bride and Groom of different cultures, which seems to be my specialty these days. The challenge and opportunity to blend styles of Wedding DJ music and genres during such an important celebration is fun and inspiring. In advance, I am often a bit concerned that it will not work. What if the family from The Groom’s culture will not appreciate the music from The Bride’s culture? Or the reverse?  What if it is too much of a stretch for them to connect? Is it realistic for everybody to just be placed in the same room and find a way to have fun and enjoy the magic of the wedding?

 

The answer is NO! It is not a stretch or a problem for an experienced Wedding DJ.

It is not something to fear or be concerned about. A good professional Wedding DJ with experience blending and balancing music will not have a problem making your wedding a fantastic success! Make sure you sit down with your professional Wedding DJ and take time planning your musical selections and playlists together. Listen to their experience and be clear what it is you want; it is your wedding. Listening to Brides and Event Planners, as well as that of your guests are some of the most critical skills of an outstanding Wedding DJ.

It is 2011 and we do not have to settle for Prima Donna DJs that are not interested in listening or respecting the needs of Brides, Grooms or Event Planners. Today’s professional Wedding DJs need to be able and interested in quality communication and direction, while being able to follow their own intuitive talents in meeting the needs of diverse groups and populations. This is not 1980 anymore where the Wedding DJ was in charge and everybody had to put-up with whatever they did because we didn’t know any better or were not able to find anoutstanding Wedding DJ.

Today there are many outstanding Wedding DJs. Take your time in hiring the right one for your unique wedding or event. The professional Wedding DJ is not the place to compromise. Know what you want and do not be afraid to ask for it and expect it be honored. It is your wedding or event.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

How Do You DJ So Many Weddings?

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Last week I was meeting with a couple whose wedding I will DJ this later month. I like them as I do most folks I get to work with on their events. The Groom asked me with genuine curiosity, “How do you DJ so many weddings and not get bored? Aren’t they all basically the same?”

 

“No. They are never the same. Every wedding and every couple are different. There are many similarities in style and music but the wedding itself is always unique. I get fired-up before each wedding. I think they are fun and they mean something. They actually mean something. Brides and Grooms only plan on doing this once. Most other celebrations you hope to do many times – graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  Weddings the hope is that it is a one-shot deal and makes it so much more intense. As a professional Wedding DJ, I connect to this”

 

“I agree! That is why we are getting married and chose you to be our Wedding DJ, but I still think it must be hard to get up for every one.”

 

“I think they are exciting. And I get to part of such an important part of a couple’s life. They know that they have the fun part covered when they hire me. They take care of everything leading up to the day and I will take care of the fun for their guests. How can I not get-up for something like that?”

 

“I hear it in your voice and know that you are telling the truth since we found you through a friend whose wedding you were Wedding DJ  last year and he had such good things to say about you. That is why we picked you after meeting with you first during the winter. You seemed genuinely excited about every aspect of the planning. I would think as a Wedding DJ this part would be boring for you.”

 

“Not at all! I love it. Sometimes I have more fun helping plan the wedding with the couple more than the wedding itself. I have a lot of experience and most couples don’t have much experience planning a wedding. I can offer them ideas and things to think about, then they come up with what works best for them. It’s your wedding, not mine. You get to choose. It’s fun for me as a professional Wedding DJ.”

 

As usual, I am busy getting the music together for their wedding. They have a nice mix of Pop, Dance, Salsa, Rock, Merengue, Hip Hop, Bachata, Oldies and Cumbia. Should make for a great event!

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ