Wedding DJ Tips

Positioning your DJ's table in a tent can make a big difference as to whether the DJ can see the information or music on his or her laptop. The sun can make it virtually impossible to see the laptop's content. Try positioning the DJ's table at the east end of the tent if possible.

When to cut the cake? In my opinion, right after the meal is done!! Most wedding coordinators and planners tend to delay the cutting of the cake (for no good reason I've ever heard)! To stop a full-blown party in it's tracks, to cut the cake, makes no sense to me at all. Once your party music kicks in, it should run non-stop!!!

Having what's called "Line Of Sight" is very important when it comes to making wireless microphones work at their best. A clear, unobstructed view from the wireless microphones antenna to the wireless microphones receiver is an absolute. I insist on it. I want every guest to hear every word!!!!

One of the true legends of the wedding DJ business is DJ Dan Giroux! Dan was born in Waterville, graduated from Winslow High School and joined the Navy in 1969. In 1974 he did his first wedding as a DJ and got his 3rd class radiotelephone license, working on WRDO, WSKS and WTOS. He has also a musician in the bands The Imposters and Good & Plenty. Dan has done over 2000 weddings and will be doing h...

Island weddings off the coast of Portland, Maine have logistical challenges that are better dealt with by an experienced Wedding vendor, especially so for wedding DJs. Peaks Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island and Chebeague Island are all beautiful. Each has its own set of logistical difficulties that face every wedding vendor.

Here's the way I think a typical wedding reception should flow: Introductions, followed by the first dance, then transition into the toasts/speeches after the bride and groom have been seated. Once the meal is done, immediately cut the cake. Next, the parent dances followed by the dance music, party time, uninterrupted!

One of the things I felt compelled to do this year was to get the Covid-19 vaccination. The wedding business here in Maine was destroyed in 2020. I wore a mask in public and always maintained a 6 foot distance. When the opportunity to get vaccinated in March of 2021, I jumped at the chance.

It's a logistical thing I always insist on, a pre-ceremony wireless microphone check for the officiant and readers. I want everything to work and sound great once the ceremony is underway and this small precaution is worth the time it takes to do.

Be sure to submit your online forms early and completely filled-in. Avoid the blank non-answers and terms like "TBD". It'll minimize errors if the forms are submitted once and in-full. Be sure to communicate directly with your day-of DJ too. All vendors need to be on the same page.

Your key wedding vendors will be away from home for an average of 12 hours on your wedding day. Traditionally, wedding vendors are fed. The timing of that meal is what this podcast is centered around. The Red Barn in South Berwick is the best example of how a venue and coordinator should approach feeding vendors.

I turned 64 this year, in the month of May. I remember hearing the song "When I'm 64" on a tv show recently and it got me thinking about my attained age. I still feel the same, I don't feel old at all. I still love music, being a wedding DJ, sunny mornings, holding hands with my wife!! Will you still love me when I'm 64, YES!!!

One of the greatest wedding venues in Maine was Point Lookout! The beautiful buildings, the tremendous view of the ocean and the employees who made it all click!! This venue had it all, cabins on-sight to stay overnight, a bowling alley and more!! But, it's history now.

It's worth mentioning the importance of your wedding DJ being aware of the weather. It can affect the ceremony and cocktail hour set-up locations and perhaps the equipment your DJ arrives with. Wind, rain, humidity, cold, heat all can make a big difference on where and how your DJ sets-up!!

The last couple of years has seen a reduction in the number of couples who opt for the traditional Grand Entrance Intro! I always recommend that couples who do have intros choose 3 songs or less. Choosing 7, 8, 9 or more different songs means each song will play for 10 seconds or less!! It's hectic for the DJ.

If all you car about is the price, that's all you'll end up with. Remember, you get what you pay for, especially as it pertains to your wedding DJ, a key component to you day's success (or failure). Ask about experience, personality, music knowledge, etc..... Ask about price too but don't make it a determining issue.

Be sure that your Wedding DJ and Wedding Videographer touch base in advance of your wedding. Your DJ should be able to supply the videographer with a nice, clean audio signal of both the ceremony and reception. They'll also want to make sure they're using separate frequencies if they're both using wireless microphones!!!

It's a great feeling as the DJ/MC of a wedding when everything goes smoothly! Getting a 5 star review or testimonial is priceless. When the bride comes up to you at the end of the reception to thank you and give you a hug, that translates into a very good feeling.

This is a "comfort" call, intended to reassure the bride and groom that we're on the same page. Timeline, music, names, etc.... It's a great opportunity to make sure nothing has changed and if it has, I know about and make whatever adjustments are needed.

New CDC guidelines are helping the wedding industry here in Maine come back to life! I wish the guidelines were more clear and concise but at least things are improving, vaccinations are adding up, capacity indoors and outdoors are increasing and there finally is light at the end of the tunnel

Compared to a few decades ago, today's wedding DJ needs to arrive at a typical wedding ready to set-up multiple systems. Ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing speaker set-ups. It's worth it, it allows for a nice, seamless transition from one part of the wedding to the next. No dead air.

The best and easiest way to relay your favorite songs to me is by emailing me your Spotify URL's. You can also use iTunes if you prefer. Spotify has made it so easy to acquire your entire playlist and/or multiple playlists. Choose your favorite songs for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing and send them my way!!!

My wife is a wedding photographer, she often tells me about how many DJs have an "awkward silence" issue during the intros, first dance, toasts, cake cutting, etc... In radio, we refer to this as the dreaded "DEAD AIR". Not acceptable. All the DJ has to do is be prepared, alert and ready to chime in and start up music.

Lod music can have a negative impact on your hearing. I'm a classic example of a person with Tinnitus (ringing in the ears). From wearing really loud headphones during my radio career to attending extremely low concerts (Queen, Boston, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper.....) as well as all those loud dancing portions of weddings!!! Let me know if you want me to lower the volume!

It's pretty tough to enjoy the wedding day and night if you drank too much the night before and you have a hangover! My tip, wait to party until the ceremony is over, perhaps start at the cocktail hour. I've seen it dozens of times over the years, members of the wedding party struggling to make it through the day and night.

One of those "little" details, the timing of the cutting of the cake. I recommend right after meal service. It makes sense and guests are typically ready for their dose of sugar. Check with your caterer, wedding planner or venue, see when they have it planned on their timeline.