Photo Credit Michelle Brooks Photography
A few months ago, I had the pleasure of working with Greenville wedding DJ Justin Reid (pictured above). I was so impressed by his professionalism and level of service that I asked him to partner with me for this post. You can read more about his company, Uptown Entertainment, on their website, but in this post I wanted him to:
1) let you know a little more about himself and
2) tell you what, in his opinion, couples need to consider when planning for DJ services at their wedding
Justin is able to offer a unique perspective because he is a newlywed (he married the love of his life back in October), and he’s been doing weddings for over eleven years! Since his wedding was in NC, he actually had to go through the process of hiring a DJ, just like every other couple out there (although he definitely had a better idea of what questions to ask and what to expect!).
So, without any further adieu, here are his great answers to the questions that I posed!
What do you view as the biggest hurdle that couple has to get over when planning their wedding music?
At Uptown Entertainment, we work with many different people and each couple has their own vision of what they want their wedding to be. That said, the music we play at one particular wedding may not fit the theme or vision of another. One of the key reasons to hire a professional DJ is for their knowledge, experience and their ability to read a crowd. A good DJ shouldn’t be treated like an iPod, and here is where some couples struggle. You should have a certain level of comfort and a relationship of communication and trust with the entertainer you’ve hired for your wedding. You should know that they will combine your wishes and requests with their experience to make the most successful event possible. These are very important things to consider when hiring your wedding entertainment.
Out of all of the First Dance songs that you have played for couples, what is your current favorite?
I have to choose two. The first song is “First Dance” by Corey Smith. Even though it was written as a song specifically for the first dance, it is still a unique song to many people. The second is a beautiful new song by John Legend called “All of Me” that I believe will become very popular in 2014.
*For the curious ones out there, he and his wife shared their first dance to “God Gave Me You” by Dave Barnes.
What are some things that couples need to consider when planning for music at their wedding that they may not think about?
Most people have never participated in planning a wedding before. That said, when beginning the planning process most couples have no idea how many small details they will have to make decisions about. This is where hiring professionals who work in the wedding industry is extremely helpful. When it comes to considerations when planning your wedding entertainment there are a few things to keep in mind. The location of the entertainment in relation to your guests is very important. When planning your seating chart, do keep in mind that the DJ/Band will be louder the closer your guests are seated to them. That said, it is always a good idea to seat the older guests further from where you entertainers’ speakers are.
Another thing to consider is that your guests may range in age from the twenty-somethings all the way up to the seventy-somethings. The music is always up to our clients, but our clients typically tell us that they want ALL of their guests to have a good time. A good entertainer will do their best to incorporate music from many genres to satisfy all of your guests throughout the event.
Lastly, a professional entertainer may have had some experience creating a special moment. That’s what a wedding is all about, right? From customizing the wedding party introduction, to incorporating surprise messages in the first dance, and even recognizing the longest married couple in attendance are just a few ways to add memorable moments to your big day.
What are your recommendations for how to decide whether or not the officiant and/or couple should have a microphone during the ceremony?
With all of the ceremonies we are a part of, I typically recommend a lapel microphone for the officiant so the guests are able to hear. We don’t usually “mic up” the bride or groom for two main reasons. One, nobody wants to see wires or a microphone in their wedding pictures, and two, the officiant’s lapel microphone typically picks up the “I do’s” well enough for the guests to hear.
As of right now, what are the Top 5 Most Requested Songs at wedding receptions?
The top 5 most requested songs are:
1. Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin”
2. Cupid – “Cupid Shuffle”
3. Macklemore – “Thrift Shop ft. Ryan Lewis”
4. VIC – “Wobble”
5. Van Morrison – “Brown Eyed Girl”
What are some duties that a wedding DJ takes on that a couple may or may not realize are important?
One of the many reasons to hire a DJ is for their emcee abilities. At Uptown Entertainment, we provide a two-man team (a DJ and a MC) for every reception we are a part of. This allows us the freedom and ability to provide a more comprehensive service to our clients. Your emcee will undoubtedly take on several tasks you may never see. When coordinating with the venue, caterer, photographer, planner, and videographer during your reception, a professional, experienced MC should keep everyone in the loop and on the same page so everything is seamless and smooth. Also, a good MC always thinks several steps ahead so there are no mishaps. Another job a MC is responsible for is communicating to your guests the direction of the event, and keeping the energy and flow of your reception smooth and continuous, which results in your guests feeling comfortable and enjoying themselves.
Well, there you go! That’s some good DJ advice there. Pay special attention to that emcee part, it makes such a huge difference in how a reception will flow!
Happy Wedding (Music) Planning!
Justin and his team are amazing. It was seamless when we worked together on a wedding. They are very professional and know their music!