The Motor City HDJ Podcast

Every couple dreams of planning a wedding filled with personal details, unique touches, and unforgettable moments. To achieve this, many are moving away from tradition, replacing conventional—or outdated—elements with their own creative spin on everything from floral arrangements to food service. Over the past decade, weddings have seen a clear shift from the traditional to the unconventional, wit...

Wedding vendors are a very special group of people that are the backbone of every celebration. We have the awesome responsibility of transforming a couple’s vision into an unforgettable reality. From planners and photographers to florists, caterers, DJs, and beyond, we are the talented professionals who are called on to bring our expertise, creativity, and dedication to create a day filled with lo...

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, and creating the guest list is one of the most challenging aspects. Not only is it tough deciding who to invite, but figuring out who gets a plus-one can make things even more complicated. As a couple, you’re trying to balance your guests’ feelings with your own preferences, while considering practical limitations like your budget and venue size. And, if thi...

One of the most time-consuming parts of wedding planning is creating your seating chart. Carefully pairing guests while keeping tables balanced may feel tedious, but it’s worth it. A well-planned chart ensures a seamless, luxurious experience where guests feel considered. It also prevents last-minute chaos as people find their seats. However, without a clear strategy, this process can quickly beco...

2024 was an incredible year for Motor City HDJ. I met new faces, played in new places, and had countless hours of good times all across Michigan! Last year was also one of broadening my horizons and the scope of the services I offer. And I was even reunited with several familiar faces that have become amazing friends to me and Motor City HDJ over the last 25 years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

The holiday season is often called the most joyful time of the year—and it’s also one of the most popular for engagements. While this time is traditionally about spending time with family, celebrating traditions, and enjoying festive activities, it’s also widely known as engagement season. Are you thinking of proposing this holiday season? Before you drop a knee, you’ll want to avoid these common...

Whether you’re hosting a wedding or attending a wedding, alcohol often plays a key role in the celebration. From welcome drinks before the ceremony to signature cocktails and Champagne toasts, a carefully chosen drink menu can help create a joyful, social atmosphere that celebrates the couple. However, with so many drink options—especially at weddings with open bars—it can be easy to overindulge....

In today’s episode, we’ll hopefully cut through the confusion and explore some of the key points to help you navigate tipping, which can be a very tricky aspect of wedding planning. The goal is to give you more confidence in finding balance and clarity in a world where tipping can feel out of control. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’ll break down what you can and can’t expect from your wedding party, offering guidance on how to navigate the often tricky territory of wedding planning etiquette, all while keeping your friendships intact. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is a very special, very super-sized episode with my friends Lauren + Jon. And they were here to talk about the DIY wedding because it is growing in popularity these days. It allows couples more control over the whole wedding experience, but it can come with frustrations and obstacles. However, most people that plan DIY weddings say they wouldn't change a thing. So I had my friends over. They ar...

The wedding planning process is a chore. Unless you personally know each vendor you’ve chosen for your big day, there can be warning signs that tell you the person you found on Google may not be right for you. No matter what kind of party you’re throwing, finding vendors you can vibe with is super important during wedding planning. Today, we’re going to look at some of the warning signs that the v...

It’s no secret that planning a wedding can be stressful. But managing that stress isn’t the easiest thing to do. It’s completely natural to feel the pressure of planning one of the biggest moments of a person’s life. Today, I’m going to talk about eight ways you can deal with the anxiety of wedding planning and maybe even help bring you back down to a more calm frame of mind. This episode is spons...

The 2023-2024 NFL season is finally over and we’ve got a winner. Spoiler alert: it isn’t the Detroit Lions. With the Super Bowl in our rearview mirror, I wanted to use my platform to gush for a little bit about our team and give you my thoughts on last season, but really, look ahead to 2024 and talk about this team that got us excited about football in Detroit again. This episode is sponsored by E...

How many new (to me) venues did I play in 2023? How many miles did I travel last year? What percentage of my business was weddings? Find out all this and more on the first episode of 2024! Also, I rant a little bit about the Detroit Lions and their current playoff run. Let's get it! This episode is sponsored by E2iDesign. Visit them at their website here or follow them on social media @e2idesign....

For wedding industry professionals, it's engagement season. 'Tis the season for the giving and recieving of engagement rings. But why? And what brought them about? Today's episode dives deeper in to their origins, their evolution, and their cost. This episode is sponsored by E2iDesign. Use this link to visit their website or add them on social media @e2idesign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Not every couple will have an "Old Fashioned" wedding. And the "Destination: Wedding" doesn't make sense for most people. On today's episode, I want to offer up a few different ideas of wedding vibes I've experienced in an effort to help you discover yours. If you're planning your wedding, this episode is for you. If you're just a casual listener, thanks for being here! This episode is sponsored b...

After four months of being on the go, I finally have a minute to tell you what's been going on with me and Motor City HDJ. This episode is all about my summer and the clients that made it awesome. From Ludington, MI to Hendersonville, NC, Summer 2023 was one for the books! --- This episode is sponsored by E2iDesign. Visit them at their website here or follow them on social media @e2idesign. --- Al...

This is a very special episode of the Motor City HDJ podcast. Today’s episode pays tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. It is on this day that we gather together to commemorate a day of remembrance and gratitude: Memorial Day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why can't we just have a good time without worrying about being too loud? It's every couple's nightmare to have their wedding shut down because of noise ordinance violations. I'm here to help prevent disaster! Today, I give you advice on how to avoid the cops pulling the plug and offer my thoughts on why good DJs be on top of things in the first place. E2iDesign sponsors this episode. Find them on...

Of all the wedding vendors I know, I've known Cayna the longest. Our families have been friends for over 30 years, and I FINALLY got to sit down with her and talk about her passion for floral design and coordination. You'll hear her tips for maximizing your floral budget and what she sees as the standard for a good centerpiece, and she'll tell you that it's okay to talk about your ideas. Connect w...

Today's episode is a conversation in the "let's get you on the podcast" category for a while now. My pal Lindsey Dardas of Hollyhock Design is an event planner/coordinator/design guru, and I'm thrilled she joined me on the podcast. You'll hear the origins of our vendor relationship, she'll talk about her process, and you'll hear all about how she keeps a cool head when the fires start. Find her on...

Have you ever wondered where we get the phase "something borrowed, something blue" from? Do you even know why brides wear white dresses? And why do we propose with diamond rings with a bended knee? Today, I take you through some of the origins of the most common wedding traditions we've just gone along with. The next time it comes in conversation, you'll have the context to impress your friends. O...

I took a dive into the dumpster fire that is Reddit to see if we could find some r/weddingdrama. It didn't take long, so I decided to pull a few stories and offer my take on these cringey wedding scenarios. This episode is sponsored by E2iDesign. Find them on their website or on social media @e2idesign. Join me in the fight to find a world without Alzheimer's Disease. Start or join a walk team TOD...

HAPPY NEW YEAR, MOTOR CITY! It's the first episode of 2023, the first episode of Season 3, and it's a look back at the biggest year for weddings and events in recent history! Listen as I discuss new venues I played, new places I've traveled, familiar faces I've worked with, and trends that took over the year. This episode is sponsored by E2iDesign. Find them on their website or on social media @e2...

Do you think you can tackle the wedding experience without a budget? Are you just winging it without a backup plan? Is it impossible for you to make decisions? I got you covered! Today's episode is all about confronting your fears in order to avoid disaster. This episode is sponsored by E2iDesign. Find them on their website or on social media @e2idesign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...