How to change the mood of your wedding with lights.

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When you think of your wedding you may picture the color of your flowers and the color of your napkins, but did you look at the color of the lights?  Lights have a huge effect on a space.  You can wash a color over a boring wall, bring notice to the cake table, or light up you head table so all eyes go straight to you.  There are also studies that prove different colors illicit different emotions.  Greens and Blues offer a calming effect where reds and yellow are higher energy.  Using this is your advantage can help relax people during dinner and get them moving when it’s time to start the dancing.

You can see below how the use of a few up lights can make a big difference to the way a room looks.  Even the dullest rooms will come to life with the right color wash.

wedding with blue up lighting

Dance floor lighting can also have a big effect on your crowd.  When it’s time to start dancing most guests need to break out of their shell just a bit.  The most important thing is a good DJ that can read the crowd, but after that comes sound and atmosphere.  Professional DJs will have the sound covered with professional equipment, but we can do so much more by adding lights.  Lasers, LEDs and colored washes can also add a lot to a dance floor.  You can even have them move with the beat of the music.  There is a noticeable difference to the room once the dance floor comes to life.

Most weddings will benefit from lights in some way.  The key is to work with your DJ to pick the right lights for your room and dance floor.  Whether you like subtle accents or aggressive strobes, lighting can help show that side of you to your guests.

Please consider Black Tie DJ Phx for your Phoenix Wedding DJ

How to book a Disc Jockey

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Recently I was asked to answer a few questions for a friend doing research on Phoenix DJs.  This was the list he presented me.

  1. How far in advance should a couple book their DJ?
  2. Are all DJs required to have insurance?  What type of insurance should couples check to make sure their DJs have?
  3. How far in advance of the event should the DJ arrive at the event?
  4. Are there any setup or breakdown fees that the couple is required to pay?
  5. Can couples typically request specific songs they’d like the DJ to play?
  6. If the answer to this is yes, how and when should these requests be made by the couple?
  7. Do Disc Jockeys usually play requests made by the guests?  If yes, how is this typically done?
  8. Can couples request specific songs that they don’t want played at their wedding?  If yes, how is this handled?
  9. What are some extra services that a couple can add on to their wedding packages?
  10. How can a couple see a DJ “in action” at an event, prior to deciding whether or not to hire them?
  11. What if the DJ’s equipment breaks during the wedding?
  12. How does it work with deposits?  Specifically, how much should a couple place down for a deposit and when is the balance due?
  13. If the event needs to be cancelled or re-scheduled, when is the latest that the couple should notify the DJ?
  14. What should a couple pay attention to when interviewing DJs for their big day?
  15. Is it extra for the DJ to also act as the MC/Master of Ceremonies?
  16. How does a couple let the “Master of Ceremonies” know what needs to be said at their wedding?

1. How far in advance should a couple book their DJ?

This can change depending on where you live.  When I was in Los Angeles I usually booked events 9-12 months  ahead of time, but in Phoenix that’s seems to be cut in half.  Ultimately it depends on how important it is to get a specific DJ.  If you are getting referrals from friends and you know that the DJ is good, then book them as soon as you know the date of your wedding.   If you wait too long and they aren’t available then you have to start all over again.  When planning a wedding you don’t want to add extra work to you already full plate.

2. Are all DJs required to have insurance?  What type of insurance should couples check to make sure their DJs have?

DJs are not required to have insurance.  However, professional djs that earn their living as entertainers will always have insurance.  If you interview a DJ and he/she doesn’t have insurance specifically designed for DJs then keep shopping.  Typical insurance policies for DJs are $1m to $2m of liability coverage.  Most venues also need DJs to add the venue to the policy for the night of your event, so confirm that the DJ can do this.

The fact is the unexpected can happen.  Your guests may trip over a speaker stand, equipment can short out and cause fires, or something else you can’t anticipate.  When your DJs livelihood is dependent on being a DJ then not only will they protect themself with insurance, but they will also work harder to exceed your expectations.  We are a referral business so use clues like having insurance to determine how badly your DJ needs you to refer them

3. How far in advance of the event should the DJ arrive at the event?

This is going to be different for each DJ you talk to.  It will also vary for the package that you get.  If you are having a huge lighting package with club level dance floor effects, then expect your DJ to show up 2 or 3 hours ahead of time.  Most DJs don’t charge for setup time, but be prepared to pay more if they need extra people to help with setup.  Or if you need them setup and out of the way an hour or so before the contracted start time.

4. Are there any setup or breakdown fees that the couple is required to pay?

As stated above “most” DJs don’t charge for setup and tare down.  There are some that do and special circumstantial that come up that extra cost will be involved.  Make sure you have all of that information before booking your DJ.  I think all pricing should be upfront and easy to understand.  If you don’t get that feeling from your DJ then start asking the questions like; What is the total I will have to pay?

5. 6. Can couples typically request specific songs they’d like the DJ to play? If so, then how and when should these requests be made by the couple?

The bride and groom’s song selections are key to any wedding.  Not only can they use this time to personalize the feel of the night, but it also gives the DJ a push in the right direction on programming the rest of the night.  In addition to the main dances (first dance, father daughter, etc…) I always ask for a few favorite bands and songs from the couple weeks before the wedding.  I also take request the day of.  That’s the beauty of playing music from my laptop; I have a lot of music to pull from.

All of the requests before the wedding are done through a wedding questionnaire that I give to the couple at the time they book my services.  If there are requests the day of, it will come down to availability of the song.  My collection is huge, but I can’t bring every song.

7. Do Disc Jockeys usually play requests made by the guests?  If yes, how is this typically done?

I don’t know many wedding DJs that won’t take requests.  You may get a club DJ or two that only plays pre-worked out mixes, but wedding DJs have to program the night on the fly.  Requests are a great way to help feel out the crowd quickly, and I even bring “most requested” song lists to help with requests.

A typical wedding crowd is very diverse, so DJs are constantly feeling out the crowd and adjusting our song selection.  When the crowd give us a few selections it gives us a starting point to work from.  That in mind, I don’t play every song requested.  Some people request music they like but not necessarily music you can dance to.  This is always a judgement call, and part of where the experience of the DJ comes in.

8. Can couples request specific songs that they don’t want played at their wedding?  If yes, how is this handled?

Many couples are starting to get away from the “corny” wedding songs.  They no longer want to hear “YMCA” or “Shout”.  Some just have a few songs or genres that they absolutely hate.  I want to know that a head of time.  Most DJs feel the same way.  On the flip side, if you limit too many songs some DJs will use that as a suggested do not play.  We want you and your guests to have an amazing time, and tying our hands by having a huge list of “do not play”s can make that hard.  Limit the do not play list to 10 songs at the most, but more realistically 5.

9. What are some extra services that a couple can add on to their wedding packages?

Your DJ may not have everything you see here, or they may have additional add-ons.  The best idea is to ask full a list of the services your DJ offers.

Some of the typical options are dance floor lights, up lighting, spot lights, larger sound system, second system setup for ceremony, dancers (to get the crowd on their feet), custom lighted monogram on walls and dance floor, recorded vows played over first dance song,  fog machine (or hazer), bubble machine, karaoke, ceiling lighting effects, and  wedding games.

Some of these may come standard or part of a package, so talk with your wedding professionals to find out what’s right for your wedding.

10. How can a couple see a DJ “in action” at an event, prior to deciding whether or not to hire them?

Some DJs let you crash one of their events.  I don’t.  I don’t feel any bride should have to worry about unknown people walking in to see the DJ.   I think DJs that allow their attention to be taken away from the current job to book another are doing a disservice to brides.  When I DJ I want 100% of my attention to be on the event I’m at.  True professionals are always keeping an eye on every aspect of a wedding and distractions can lead to mistakes.

There is an exception to this.  If the bride okays the potential client intrusion.  If this is the case, then DJs should have an assistant that can mix music for dancing or walk the potential client around the room.  Also you should always ask the potential client to look presentable.  I’m not saying they need to come in a cocktail dress or suit, but slacks can go a long way to not standing out.

Ultimately you need to understand that if your DJ let you crash someones party, then chances are that someone will be crashing yours.

DJs don’t need to bring you to an event.  They can film events and show you the quality of their service that way.

11. What if the DJ’s equipment breaks during the wedding?

This is a fear for all DJs.  I always bring back a back up amp and mixer.  Equipment is my responsibility so I do what is needed to make sure it works.  On the rare occasion that it doesn’t, it’s up to me to have a plan B.

12. How does it work with deposits?  Specifically, how much should a couple place down for a deposit and when is the balance due?

 This is different for each DJ.  Over the years, I’ve always taken half now and the remainder when I arrive on location.  Some DJs want the whole payment at least two weeks before the event and some take only $100 to save the date.  Regardless of what the policy of deposits may be, it has never seamed to affect whether someone books with me or not.

13. If the event needs to be cancelled or re-scheduled, when is the latest that the couple should notify the DJ?

My contract states no return of the deposit, but I feel if I haven’t turned down another event then I will give the deposit back.  I’ve only had two events in over 10 years need to cancel and one asked for the deposit back.  I did return it no questions asked.  If there is a possibility that you will need to cancel or change your date then negotiate the deposit amount and understand that many DJs will not refund the deposit.  Read the contract or ask for their policy on returns before signing anything.

14. What should a couple pay attention to when interviewing DJs for their big day?

I’ve answered this in another blog post some time back so I’ll put the link below.

How to Interview a Wedding DJ

Essentially booking a DJ comes down to three things; 1)  Do you like their personality? 2) Do they have experience in your type of event? 3) Can you afford their rate?

There are many other factors that should be considered but start with the above so you can narrow down how many DJs you interview.  Once you’re comfortable with the above questions then start delving into insurance, equipment, referrals, etc…

15. Is it extra for the DJ to also act as the MC/Master of Ceremonies?

Again every DJ is different on how they price their services and you will need to ask each of them for an accurate quote.  If I’m quoting a wedding then I assume that I’ll be acting as an MC.  I also sit down with the Bride and Groom to confirm that they are looking for an MC and DJ not just music.  Typically a wedding will cost more than a party for a couple of reasons and being an MC is one of them.  it takes a lot more time and effort to prepare for a wedding and training to be an MC is an expensive and time consuming endevour.  If your DJ doesn’t value his skills as an MC then you should wonder why.  Great MCs will always charge more.

16. How does a couple let the “Master of Ceremonies” know what needs to be said at their wedding?

I have put together a wedding questionnaire over the years.  It goes over those details.  My job is to not only preform as your MC and DJ but also to understand what you expect and need at your wedding.  Part of that is making announcements and guiding the events of the evening.  I do everything I can to be prepared for your wedding and in turn this allows you to relax and enjoy the night.  Why should you have to work when you are there to celebrate.

I hope this has been helpful and if you are interested in a Phoenix DJ for your wedding then consider Black Tie DJ Phx.

Thank You Tony Moore!

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Recently Tony Moore accompanied me to a Phoenix wedding.  I was setting up my new DJ lighting package and he was gracious enough to bring along his camera and snap a few pictures for my site.  In addition to the pictures, he stood in as my “DJ Assistant”.  I am thrilled with the shots he provided and I’m posting a few here for others to enjoy.

Professional DJ headphones

Hercules Hdp Dj-pro M1001DJ

Phoenix DJ Equipment

Equipment collage

Phoenix DJ and Bridal Party Collage

DJ and Bridal Party Dancing Collage

Copyright Heather Moore

Erica and Stephen Ramirez Dancing with Maid of Honor

Bridal Party getting Down

Davin getting down at the Ramirez wedding

Phoenix DJ at the controls

Phoenix DJ Budd Moyer

If you would like more information on Tony Moore or on Phoenix DJ Budd Moyer, then visit www.blacktiedjphx.com or call 602-688-2009.

Gold Canyon Golf Resort DJ Log

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Sunday was a beautiful day here in Arizona and better yet I was the Phoenix dj able to be a part of an amazing couples wedding.  Stephen Ramirez and Erica Diaz got married at 4:30 pm Sunday March 4th, 2012.  The wedding was beautiful and the location was breathtaking.  We setup at the “Flat Iron” ceremony site, which is lush green with a back drop of mountains at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort.  Quite a few guests pulled out their cameras to take a picture of the ceremony location before the ceremony even started.

Gold Canyon Golf Resort Weddings

Flat Iron Ceremony Site at Gold Canyon Golf Resort

The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Ken Schroth and was fun and upbeat.  The bride even threw in a few comical moment.  After the guests assisted in a “bubble recessional”, it was off to the “Town Hall Marque” reception hall.

Gold Canyon Golf Resort Weddings

Towne Hall Marquee reception site at Gold Canyon Golf Resort

The guests enjoyed a cocktail hour just outside the hall but soon headed in for the grand entrance.  The wedding party was all about fun as they danced their way in to Chris Brown – “Forever”.  The bride and groom moved right into the First dance which got the room going.  They danced to “The time of our life”(from dirty dancing) and gave Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey a run for their money.  It was a great start to a great evening.

Erica and Stephen both had great friends celebrating with them, and their families were very supportive of the newly weds.  Erica danced with her grandfather and her dad;  Stephen with his mother.  The best part of the night came after cake when Stephen’s mother gave a short speech about Stephen as a child, and how she always thought of him as a little monkey.  At the end of her speech she had me play “Monkey Feet” by P.Y.R.A.C.I.  She put on a monkey mask and proceeded to dance the entire song while the crowd went wild.

Through out the night I had the opportunity of playing music from hip hop to latin to disco.  It was an honor to be apart of Erica and Stephen’s celebration and I wish them the best.

If you are looking for a Phoenix wedding DJ for your magical night, then look no further.  Contact DJ Budd at www.blacktiedjphx.com.

 

ADJA helps with Phoenix DJ’s training – never stop learning

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In the mobile entertainment world you can classify DJ’s into two groups; professionals and hobbyists.  They both can look similar from the outside.  Both have websites, dj equipment, business cards and will charge for their services, but they are not the same.

Don’t get me wrong, being a hobbiest is nothing to be ashamed of.  Hobbyist normally have a love for music and being a part time dj is their way of sharing their passion.  Some hobbyist may even be a good choice for your wedding, but you need to understand their limitations.  I recommend reading this post to help discover what those may be, and to learn what questions you should ask a dj.

When I became a DJ in 2001 I had no idea about this division.  I used to look at DJs as the guy who plays the music (the hobbyist).  To some respects I was right, but I was missing the bigger picture.  Actually I was missing the crucial part of the bigger picture.  I was grouping all DJs into that hobbyist group and didn’t even know it.

My awakening came very quickly though.  Before my first solo event I started my training.  I worked under a veteran DJ named Tim Chisam.  Hi showed me what I was missing, and why we had to go beyond the music in order to call ourselves professionals.  He also made it clear that we always need to strive to be better or we are doomed to fall back into being a hobbyist.

I’ve taken that to heart over the years, and even after I struck out on my own I continued to look for ways to become better.  I’ve gone to conferences, I’ve watched countless videos, and most recently I’ve joined the American Disc Jockey Association.  Not only has this group of djs treated me warmly and with open arms, but they’ve also begun to help me understand how I can be better.

This group can quickly be the easiest way to determine what kind of DJ you’re interviewing.  Everyone of the DJs I’ve met through the association has a passion for being an entertainer and strives to learn more.  We’re actively seeking ways to improve what we do and exceed the expectations of our clients.

If you don’t have the time to research a ton of djs and interview each one, then start your search at adja.org first.  You’ll be happy you did.

Thank you for reading, and please visit my site below to learn more about Black Tie DJ Phx.

Phoenix DJ.

phoenix dj adja.org

 

Winning big at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards

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Winning a Grammy is a huge deal for artists and producers.  Winning 5 in one night is epic and the Foo Fighters did just that.  Winning 6 in a night is beyond epic and before last night Beyonce was the only woman to have done it.  Adele tied that record and for good reason.

Adele has launched into the American music scene in a big way.  Her album “21″ is an amazing look at her emotional roller coaster, and I’m sure something that most of us can relate to.  She shows how vulnerable she can be and at the same time demonstrates her strength and compassion.  Her voice is powerful and takes you on a journey that touches your soul.  Tender in one moment and overwhelming in the next.  Winning at the Grammys seemed inevitable.

Adele won for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Short Form Music Video, and Best Pop Solo Performance.  ”Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone like you” were the two songs from her Album “21″ that stood out for the night.  She Performed “Rolling in the Deep” live, which was the first live performance since her vocal cord surgery.

The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

 

Foo Fighters performed their hit “Walk” which they won Best Rock Performance for.  They also took home Grammys for Best Rock Album (Wasting Time) and 3 others.  Dave Grohl (Frontman) pointed out that the “human element of making music is what’s most important, (it’s) not about sounding perfect, but what goes on in here,” pointing to his heart.

Kanye West also took home four, and Skrillet three.

Over all it was an amazing night for Adele and so many other artists.  I’m sure I’ll be bumping a lot more requests for these artists in the near future.

Thank you for reading this Phoenix DJ‘s blog.

 

Remembering Whitney Houston and her Music

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Being a Phoenix DJ, I have the distinct opportunity to hear requests every weekend.  One thing is certain, Whitney gets her fair share of them.  Her music can be fun or serious and Whitney had the talent (and the voice) to make you believe every performance was coming from her heart.

Here are a few of the songs that show us why Whitney will never be forgotten.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody

This song is a great dance song.  It even has dance in it’s name; how could it not be great?  I’ve played this at more singles dances and parties then I can remember.  It just sends such an up-beat outlook on why we dance. Don’t forget the big hair in the video.

 

Greatest Love of All
This song was a big part of my early childhood.  My sisters and I used to sit in our play room and listen to certain songs.  We would belt them out as loud as possible, and we didn’t care if we sounded good or in my case not so good.  This was one of those that we went for broke with.  I think of that time in my life every time I here it, and I’m reminded of how important music is for all of us.

 

It’s Not Right but it’s Okay
Whitney was still relevant until the end.  In the last few years she was releasing great music.   This one was back in 2007 and she had another album with great music in 2009.  She never quit doing what she loved, and I’m thankful of that.

 

I Will Always Love You
This may be one of the most remembered songs of her career.  She belted this out will the power and grace that only Whitney can produce.  Even Jennifer Hudson singing “I will Always Love You” at the Grammys was only a shadow of how Whitney shined.  Dolly Parton may have written this but Whitney made it a legend.

 

We will miss Whitney, but her voice will live on through our speakers.

Thank you Whitney for everything you gave us.

Cortina School Jog-a-Thon

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Last November I was the disc jockey at an amazing back yard wedding for Kim Betancourt,  which was a lot of fun.  When she called me to DJ an event for her son’s school, I was thrilled.

Cortina Tigers Banner

Cortina Elementary School was putting on their annual jog-a-thon.  Cortina has over 1,200 kids K-8, so I had my work cut out for me.  Six hours of kids rushing the DJ booth can be all lot to take, but the students at Cortina were great.  They were there to have a fun time and treated me (and my equipment) with respect.  Clearly the Cortina teachers are having a positive effect on these kids.

Phoenix DJ at Cortina Jog-a-Thon

Phoenix DJ Budd at Cortina Jog-a-Thon

Watching them compete in this fund raiser was extremely entertaining.  The kindergardners were very cute as their little legs took them around and around the field.  Even the older kids were having a good time.

Through out the day kids were swarming my booth but Ricky Drinkwater(PTO president’s husband) was there quizzing each kid before they could make a song request or shout out.  As a new parent I really appreciated the focus on learning.  Ricky also stepped in to cheer on the kids as they continued their laps.  It was nice to see the teachers and school staff getting into the spirit of the event.  Even the assistant principal put in six miles worth of laps.

Cortina Principal and Assistant Principal with Kim

Cortina Principal and Assistant Principal with Kim

Overall the day was a huge success and I plan on being a big part of events to come.  The kids in this school are incredible and I enjoyed every minute of the jog-a-thon.

Cortina is having a carnival on April 20th of this year which should also be fun.  You will see me there bumping the music and hanging out with the kids.  Feel free to come by and say hi.

As always, thank you for reading and if you’re looking for a Phoenix DJ please check out Black Tie DJ PHX.

How to Interview a Wedding DJ

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Why you should be asking the questions

DJs are in a service profession where the first contact comes in the form of sales. They have to sell their ability (or their company’s ability) to you. This means they put their best foot forward and omit any facts that might tarnish their pitch. Don’t get me wrong, this is the same for any service provider, and the majority are good people that will bend over backwards to make your wedding special. This doesn’t change that fact that it’s your job to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting when booking your DJ. This is also your time to weed out any inexperienced DJ that should be practicing their trade under a veteran, and not at your wedding. For this reason I want to give you the tools that will help you find the great DJs in the sea of amateurs.

Qualification Questions

  1. Are you available for my wedding?
  2. What is your starting price and what does it include?
  3. Am I guaranteed to have the DJ I meet with?
  4. What insurance do you carry?

 

Detailed Questions

  1. Tell me about your training/experience. (Where did they learn to DJ?, what got them started?, how long have they been a DJ?, What types of events do they DJ the most?)
  2. Tell me about a typical wedding reception for you.
  3. When was the last wedding you preformed at? Can I call them as a reference?
  4. Do you bring back-up equipment? (This is a must. Equipment fails from time to time)
  5. Is your music “radio edit’?
  6. Do you take requests?
  7. How early do you arrive on site?
  8. Will you have an assistant? (this doesn’t mean an assistant makes a better DJ, but you will want to know if you are feeding the DJ(s))
  9. What is your standard attire? (if the standard attire doesn’t fit your theme ask if they can wear something more appropriate. i.e. cowboy wear instead of a tux)

 

Additional info about the questions

Professionals are happy to answer any question you think of. It gives us a chance to reassure you that you are making the right choice, so ask away.

Most of these questions have a straight forward answer to them. Always ask for guarantees in writing and make sure the contract mirrors what was agreed upon. This includes what equipment they are bringing (you don’t need the exact brand, just the general terms i.e wireless handheld mic, lighting setup).

Insurance is a question that should always be looked into. Many amateur “DJs” I’ve met say they’re insured, but all they have is a home or auto policy that covers there equipment from theft or damage. True event insurance will allow for the venue to be covered for your event date. Make sure that the DJ you choose can add that venue to his policy for your wedding day. This is standard practice and a professional will not mind.

The detailed questions will help you feel out how comfortable the DJ is with preforming at a wedding. The more experienced they are the easier the answers will come. There isn’t an exact answer you should hear but you should feel comfortable after the Q&A is done. Some questions will be less important to you, but this will help get you thinking about what type of DJ you want.

I purposely omitted “Can I attend an upcoming wedding to see you DJ?”. As a DJ I do not think it’s professional to invite future brides to a wedding I’m DJing. If I’m working then I want 100% of my focus on the event I’m at, and I can’t do that if I’m trying to coordinate with a new bride at the same time. In addition to that, would you want a stranger at your wedding? This is not the feeling of every DJ so you’ll have to use your own judgement on this.

Closing thoughts and self promotion

I hope this helps with your search for a DJ. There are a lot of great people out there that want to make your wedding as special as it can be. DJs play a big part in letting your guests have a memorable time. If you ever need a Phoenix DJ I would love for you to ask me these questions.

Thanks for reading and congratulations.

How to choose music for your wedding

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Why music is important

Music is such a huge part of a wedding. It can say a lot about the bride and groom, and it can make a huge impact on whether your guests have fun or not.

I’ve been a DJ for over 10 years and I’ve been a music lover for far longer. Music has a way of instilling emotion into a person. It takes them on a ride and can bring a crowd running to the dance floor, or leave them misty in their chairs. So choosing music for your wedding can be a daunting task. Luckily I’ve given some advice to help get you on your way.

Background music

At different times through out the wedding and reception the music won’t be the main entertainment. Whether it’s during the cocktail hour or while guests are sitting down to dinner you’ll need to set the mood with some great music. Of course all of this will depend on your personal tastes, but your DJ will be able to assist in picking the perfect mix of the genres you select.

pre-ceremony
The pre-ceremony music is usually very relaxed and light. Nothing with to much bass or too fast a tempo. The idea is to keep your guests in a calm mood.

classical (strings are usually better than piano here)
covers done by a string quartet (some great stuff here)
love songs (can stretch across genres but most will be slower/calming)

Cocktail hour/Dinner
For the cocktail hour and dinner you have a lot of room to play with. You can mix in different tempos and themes and it won’t throw off the crowd much. Stay away from heavy bass or long quite intros and you should be set. There are some genres that work better than others.

jazz (a mixture of true Jazz like Miles Davis and some Sinatra style standards)
classic rock
contemporary jazz (Norah Jones, Michael Buble, Diana Krall)
Adult Contemporary (again stay away from big bass or extremely fast tempo)

Cake cutting
This is not a place that you sit back for an hour and let music play but a few well chosen songs are nice here. You can get creative here is you like.

Motown (Sugar Sugar, Chapel of love, build me up buttercup, How sweet it is)
Rock (pour some sugar on me, sweet emotion)
Disco (cut the cake)
Love songs

Special Dances

There are a number of special dances that you can choose to do at your wedding and reception. Your personal likes will play the biggest part for these songs.

Processional
If you’re not going with the traditional then something like “Only Time” – Enya is great. You can always go extreme and have the Bridal party dance their way down the isle. If that’s not your style then just make sure it’s a song you can walk to, and isn’t too fast of a beat.

Recessional
I like to have fun with a recessional. It can set the tone for the rest of the night. Songs like James Brown – “I feel good” or U2 – “Beautiful Day” are a lot of fun


Grand Entrance
This is another place that you can have a lot of fun with. “let’s get it started” – Black Eyed Peas, “Sexy Back” – Justin Timberlake, or going old school with “Celebration” – Kool and the gang are fun upbeat songs you can use. Alternatively you can keep it classy (L.O.V.E – Nat King Cole) or corky (Slow motion running while “Chariots of Fire” plays). You can use your imagination and just have fun.

First Dance
Most first dances are slower songs that you can sway back and forth to. If this is your style then pick a song you really enjoy or one that has special meaning for the two of you. For the more adventurous couples you may try ball room dances or even start with a slow dance and switch it up half way through to a fast and fun song. You can find a lot of video on YouTube showing just that.

Father Daughter Dance
This falls in line with the first dance. Just think of a song that works for you and your dad. The one addition that I add here is, If you are looking to cut the time down for these dances you can combine the father/daughter and mother/son dance. Usually this is done by starting with just he bride and her father and about 30 seconds in the Groom will invite his mother on to the floor. You can take it one step further and 30 seconds after that invite everyone onto the floor, starting off open dancing.

Mother Son Dance
Same as for the Father/Daughter dance, but if you give the bride’d dad a full song then give the groom’s mom a full song too. If you let your DJ know ahead of time you can always have these songs cut short, so don’t worry if you picked a song that’s 6 minutes long.

Bridal party dance
In resent years fewer brides are having a bridal party dance. Most are have a few songs that they know the bridesmaids will dance to, and want the DJ to dedicate it to them at some point in the night. If you are doing a bridal party dance then songs like “Lean on Me” are great. You can keep it just the bridal party or you can let them bring their sposes and segnificant others out too. The DJ will normally let the other guests come out on the floor half way into the song, so it’s a great way to start open dancing.

Anniversary Dance
The anniversary dance gives you an opportunity to recognize the people that have been married the longest. There are two ways that this can work. The first starts with all of the married couples on the floor. You start asking the couples to leave if they have been married a day or less, then a year, and so on until there’s only one couple left. The second way has you start with the bride and groom on the floor then ask for people to join in on the dance floor if they’ve been married for a year or less, then two years then five years, and so on. The second way is great if you have elderly couples that can’t dance for very long, or if you know who the winning couple will be and they can’t dance at all. In this case you can have the DJ announce who they are at the end of the dance. Good songs for this are “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole, or “Unchained Melody” – The Righteous Brothers. If you know the oldest couple and what their first dance was then using that can be extremely special to them.

Money Dance
The money dance is also not done as often as it used to be. If you have a lot of people at your wedding and won’t have time to go around and talk to everyone then use this dance to let them come to you. The DJ will direct your guests on what to do during this dance. They’ll also keep the people moving through the line. If you have 300 guests and they all want to dance with you, then the DJ will only allow about 10 seconds per guest so the crowd doesn’t get bored and so people in line don’t wait too long. Frank Sinatra style jazz works great here. Songs like “The way you Look Tonight” are perfect here. You may want to through in some slower songs too, but nothing that is too fast. The DJ should have a good play list for this, so either have them play what they want or give them suggestions of what you like.

The DJ will most likely have their own spin on any or all of these dance. Whether it’s roses given to the longest couple, or adding a voice over of your vows to the first dance, listen to the advice they give you. They have seen a lot of weddings and can be a great resource for you.

Dance Music

This is where the fun can begin. You know what you like to dance to and the DJ will want as many suggestions as he can get so he has a starting point for feeling out the crowd. Every crowd is different and some will dance to anything. Other crowds have to be pulled kicking and screaming in order to break the ice. Depending on which one you have will determine how hard your DJ will work to fill that dance floor.

Most weddings will have a wide rang of ages so it’s important to cater to all of them. I like to start the night of by playing some of the older well known songs that everyone can enjoy. This can include some disco, classic rock, Motown, and a few hits from the 50s through 90s. As the night progresses and the older crowd retires to the back of the room I start mixing in the newer music that the younger crowd will go crazy for. This is not perfect for every crowd so I find that I adapt and change throughout every event to find whats right for that crowd. This is why its important for brides and grooms to give there input prior to the reception.

DJs also have group dances at their disposal. Things like the cha cha slide and the cupid shuffle are a easy way to load up the dance floor. Make sure you let the DJ know if you don’t want a specific dance at your wedding. If you hate the chicken dance then put it on the do not play list. Your DJ should already be asking these questions. If they don’t then do the proactive thing and tell them.

Closing thoughts and shameless plug

As a DJ I welcome any suggestions or requests for your wedding. I wouldn’t enjoy being a DJ as much if every event was the same so working closely with a bride and groom to make theirs unique is part of what allows me to have fun too. I can only imagine other DJs feel the same, so don’t hold back your letting us know exactly what you want for your big day.

If you’re in the Phoenix area and looking for a Phoenix DJ for your next event please keep Black Tie DJ PHX in mind.

Thanks for reading.