I've created this page to help all prospective brides, grooms, and even the casual party planner to think about some often overlooked details when setting up and planning an event.  I perform weekly in various places for different events, so I offer my perspective on how to create a great atmosphere for you and your guests on your special day!

 

Setting Up Your Event

1.  Try and set up your DJ as close to the dance floor as possible.

    It's always best to have your DJ as close to the dance floor as possible, and avoid putting tables or people between the speakers and the dance floor.  It's difficult for a DJ to provide music loud enough for an entire room with guests sitting directly in front of our speakers! 

2.  Try to set up your bar as close to the DJ as possible.

    People will generally gravitate and sometimes even hover around the bar area.  It's always best to keep this area close to the dance floor so people can still hear and experience the music while at your event!

3.   When creating your guest list try not to sit your older guests close to the speaker.

    I you have requested dinner music to be played at your reception please try not to sit your older guests close to the speakers. 9 times out of 10 if you do I will get the request that the dinner music is to load and to please turn it down. You or your guests sitting farther away from the speaker might not think dinner music is being played because of the volume level. 

4.   Ask your event contact to have a table and linen set up for your DJ (if possible).

    I like to ask our location to provide the linen and table to match the theme and decor of your event.  If the caterer or event locale charges my clients extra for these amenities, I'll deduct the cost from the final balance. 

5.   Try and make sure your DJ area has a power source nearby.

    I only need one regular outlet to supply power for our entire system, and it's always best to have that outlet within 5 - 10 feet of the DJ table.  I like the setup to be as clean and neat as possible, to avoid having to connect cords where your guests can see them.

 

Things To Think About....

1. SONGLISTS - When you are creating your music request form for your DJ, here are some things to consider...

•  A typical 4 Hour reception will allow 60 - 80 songs, depending on the number of events included (i.e. toasts, garter toss, etc;) 

•  I try and play a small amount of music from each genre to appease all of your guests.  It is very important to let your DJ know what kind of music you do and definitely DON'T want to hear.  It's just as awful for me to play a bad song as it is for you to hear it!  Just make sure you keep in mind that one song you might not like may be a great dancing song for all of your guests!  Try and be as objective as possible with all of your song choices.

•  When selecting your slow songs, make sure you let your DJ know which songs you'd like to dance to, so that they can make sure you are in the room when they play it!

•  For wedding couples, ask your parents and grandparents what their wedding songs were and let your DJ know so they can play it or dedicate it during your reception.

•  Some songs are great for dancing, and others are great for listening.  Just try to keep in mind that some songs you might want to hear might not be the right fit for a dancing atmosphere.  We can also do our best to fit those songs in during the transitional periods.

• If there is a certain song that has a special meaning to it or it's a dedication, please type that information in the notes field so I can be prepared ahead of time.

2.  REQUESTS - You can ask your guests for music requests AHEAD of time!

    A great way to find out what your guests will want to hear ahead of time is to put a link to the online guest request form on your invite. This can add excitement to your guests letting them know you and the DJ are interested in what they want to hear that evening and it also helps the DJ plan the evening of music based off your and your guests requests.

3.  TIMELINES - I have a typical timeline format that I use when scheduling the events for a wedding.  Here is a basic template for a wedding that I use most often to keep the wedding flowing, seamless, and fun!  This is a normal 5:00 pm - 12:00 am wedding template, but you can personalize it with your own events.  I just like to offer an insight into what order of events tend to flow the best for those who don't have help with planning!

Basic Wedding Reception Timeline

5:00 pm - Guests arrive, DJ plays low-key background music.

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm - Cocktail hour.

6:15pm - Wedding Party arrives. DJ lines up the wedding party for introductions

6:20 pm - Introduce wedding party

6:25 - 6:30 pm - Bride and Groom welcome guests and prayer.

6:30 pm - Dinner

7:15 pm - Toasts are announced. (If you are having a sit down dinner this is best done between dinner and desert. With a buffett dinner it's best to do one your guests have gone through the serving line.)

8:00 pm - Bride & Groom's First Dance

8:05 pm - Father/Daughter Dance (optional)

8:10 pm - Mother/Son Dance (optional) (or combine the two for a "Parent's Dance")

8:15 pm - DJ opens Dance Floor (Motown, Beach, Disco/Funk, 80's, etc)

9:00 pm - Bouquet Toss

9:10 pm - Garter Removal, Garter Toss

9:20 pm - Dancing! (This is the best time to play newer music, i.e. Hip-Hop & Rap)

11:55 pm - Last Dance

12:00 am - Farewell to Newlyweds! (Reception ends)

    This timeline can be edited and amended in any way to fit any kind of event. 

4.   GARTER AND BOUQUET TOSS ALTERNATIVES - Several of my past clients had very few single friends attending their events, so we have listed the following alternatives for giving away your garters and bouquets!

We hope this has been a helpful section of the website, and we invite your ideas or feedback to help us better inform future brides or party planners of things to think about when planning a wedding or event.  If you have any tips or advice, feel free to contact us. Thank you again for your interest in 2 The Maxx Entertainment and good luck with your event