Thanks for bringing us on to be a part of your wedding! You and your guests are going to have a blast. In our experience, the couples who followed these tips had the best time. If you have any questions, or want to chat about any of these, just reach out.
The best way to get your guests on the dance floor is for you to be on the dance floor! Your guests want to be with you. So if you are outside all night, they will be too. But if you are dancing, they will join you.
When picking songs for your event, take into account not only your taste, but your guests' taste as well.
PLEASE consider hiring a planner or day-of coordinator. You will enjoy your wedding more. Your planning will be easier. You will have peace of mind. If you are getting married at a venue that offers coordination, at least get someone for day-of. The coordinators at country club-style venues sometimes don't make you the priority and are more like catering managers (however, some are great). Many couples who, for instance, have worked in theatre or corporate events have had their friends act as planners. We have seen this produce a less than positive result.
If there are older guests, try not to seat them close to or right in front of the speakers.
Please consider an "unplugged ceremony." Your photos will look better without showing 10 people holding their phone up for a photo. And have your officiant mention it at the beginning of the ceremony because the signs don't work.
"RSVP Card requests": Please only ask your guests to suggest a song when they RSVP if you are easy going, and not picky, about what gets played. When people are asked to suggest a song for a wedding, they usually suggest a wedding song. And when they are asked, they often assume it will get played. If hearing an overplayed wedding song at your wedding sounds like a nightmare, please consider not doing this.
Please don't put the DJ in an obscure location or corner. We should be easily visible and near the dance floor so We can get a feel for the crowd.
If you get a photo booth, please put it in the main room where the DJ is. You want to keep people near the dance floor. This goes for a bar too.
If you have dance floor lighting, keep in mind that darker is better. If dimming overhead lights/sconces is possible, you will get a better effect from the lights.
Many of our couples are music lovers and know exactly what to put on their music worksheet. But while others don't have strong opinions about music, they still think they have to write something - they don't. It's fine to leave it blank and we'll choose songs that will have your guests dancing all night.
On that note, some couples like to ask their friend or family member to make a playlist for them. That may work, but remember, making playlists is our full time job! We are happy to help you with that (and we will make sure every song matches your taste).
In our experience, no more than four 5-minute toasts during dinner work great.
We recommend the first dance is done right after the introduction (if you have one) and that the parent dances are shortened.
If you plan on "bustling" your dress before dancing, get a video of how to do it from your dress shop or person. Brides have missed the first 20 minutes of dancing trying to bustle.
Some couples choose songs to be played at their ceremony or reception that are only available on YouTube. The sound quality of songs downloaded from YouTube often is below-average or poor.
If you are having an outdoor ceremony Ben suggests using a wired mic. Wireless mics are on the same frequency as many other things so interference is common outside. We can set up a mic stand (which most officiants prefer), so no one will see the wire. Ask your DJ about this.
On your wedding day, if anything seems off, or if there is anything you would like to change, tell us!! There is nothing we want more at that moment than for you and your guests to have a good time. And besides, happy clients are good for business. Let's do this!!