DJ/Music for Reception (HELP!!!)

SweetS930

I am getting bummed because I am on point with all my other
vendors but still haven't found the perfect DJ and I need to book one ASAP
before I go out of my mind...lol...

My biggest thing is MUSIC...
some of you girls know I am deep into music
(especially SOULFUL HOUSE DANCE MUSIC
I do not want KTU or radio music)
but finding a DJ that will play the music I love along with top 40 is hard.

I keep getting the sales pitch that they will do research and play the music
I want but I don't want to put that much work TEACHING someone my style...lol...
I might as well DJ...lol...(if I could I would)

So I am asking you girls to help me...

Who did you book for your current wedding and the cost?
Or if you had your wedding who did you use?

I need help...

This is the most stressful part of my planning...
I got my dress in less then 30minutes...lol...and its been taking me almost 6months to find the DJ and I am getting bummed out.

I did look at the The Knot list already and met with 2 DJ companies...
but wasn't impress with the others (yes I am picky)


Thanks everyone...
Sarah
Wedding: December 3, 2011 • in Hudson County, NJ

Laurms15

Is there a favorite club DJ you like? Not sure if they would do an outside event and it would likely be more costly but it might be worth a try.

SweetS930

My favorite is my ex boss: Tony Humphries
and my other: Louie Vega

They don't do weddings...and it cost me more because I would have to get the sound system myself...lol...

Reilly626

I recommend Vito from Dash of Class. I was highly impressed with his work, he played our style and for our audience.

http://dashofclass.com/

diamondx423

Have you tried Sound Connection Entertainment. They're in Belmar but all the DJs are very knowledgeable and most also work at various clubs and on the radio.

RamsKR01

I booked with Kris from Elite Entertainment (Eatontown).  My FI and I saw him at a coworker's wedding 2 years ago and liked his style and the flow of the evening.  I'll let you know how it goes with him at our wedding in a couple weeks.

Cost was $1900 for ceremony, cocktail hour and reception - that's for 2 people - him (does the talking) and the mixer (sets up music).

We met with him twice and I feel comfortable with him and he seemed to understand what we wanted and had good ideas for things we weren't sure about.

RamsKR01

PS - I don't blame you for taking your time finding a DJ you are comfortable with - I strongly believe they set the tone for the night.  I've seen crappy DJ's that have broguht down a wedding and amazing ones who got everyone dancing.

SweetS930

I know...I've seen and heard DJs just destroy the night...
people leave complaining...and thats the one thing I can not...
I refuse to have...I only have one night to make it perfect and
music really sets the tone...

I already going to have performers/artist singing at my wedding
but I want them to be the added plus not the focal point of the party...

I am a big music person...(me and my fiance)
we have eclectic style...we listen to VH-1 soul when we are home...lol...
(mind you we are Latin...him Mexican...me: EcuaRican)
and our crowd is from 6 to 75 & a mixture of all races...

The songs I am picking for intro music is 80s soulful classic to the closing/goodbye song is Latin song...

I don't want to hear top 40 all night long...if thats the case...
I just plug the radio and put it on 92.3...lol...or the typical wedding songs...

I know I am asking for A LOT...lol...but like I said...I need this portion to be perfect..

christin228

Here's my opinion... In the wedding dj industry, it will be extremely difficult to find someone who specializes, in soulful house... But it in the soulful house industry it will probably be easier to find someone who can also play top 40. Or they can possibly get a partner to work with who does weddings, that way they are familiar with the way weddings should go (entrances, first dance, cake cutting announcement, etc.) Or, if you want to really be in control, hire a wedding dj, but give him either a premixed cd, or a cd of exactly the songs you want played for the house part of the night. Lol

DoubleAS

I wonder if I know you... lol

Music/lighting was probably my 2nd biggest concern, after venue/food.  I knew exactly what I wanted... Packed dance floor all night BUT the music that is played is what will get the group moving yet what my fiance and I love.  I went with Elite Sound... I am paying a little more since I added in lighting (my uplights are free and I got a little more taken off for being aquaintances with my MC) and a photobooth.  I also believe you get what you pay for. 

After you book you also get a "personal website" where you get to build everything over the course of the engagement.  So by the time the final meetings come before the wedding, you have everything outlined.  I am sure a lot of DJ companies do this... Well, I hope so, it's an awesome perk. 

The more I see vids from recent weddings that my DJ is posting the more excited I am getting.... You have to have faith in who you book.  So keep interviewing and searching until you find the right people!

SweetS930

To Christin228: I've been asking all my DJ friends...lol...but they hate playing top 40 or some don't know it...also they don't have the equipment to do a mobile gig because they are use to bringing their CD & laptop case and just spin...but I will break them down...lol...and some of my friends that use to DJ weddings/parties...stop...(just my luck)...

My search continues...I found one entertainment company that knows what I like and want but they can't guarantee him...the MC I am guaranteed but not the DJ which is making me still look...

I was going to meet with this other company but the guy already lied to me saying he was one of the DJs for someone's wedding but I found out he wasn't...he doesn't know that I know the bridal party and the groom (and they didn't play house at his wedding at all...not one song...which my friends that was in the wedding found strange)...so with that lie I had to cut him off my list...

So my hunt is still on...

I am hoping to find someone that can WOW me and so far I haven't...
I know I won't find the perfect person...but someone close to it would be nice...lol
Music sells me...not Sale pitches...lol...which they all say the same thing...

lopezalonso

My FI and just booked Mario from A Touch of Class in Kearny. We met with him and felt really comfortable. He was very professional and has many years of experience being a DJ/Emcee and running his own business. His prices were also very reasonable which was a great plus. 

Mario explained how he chooses the music to play and how much control we have over that and I felt very comfortable. I would recommend that you at least give him a call. 

SweetS930

Thanks everyone...

I contact a close friend of mine who use to own a record shop in Elizabeth to see if he can push me in the right direction and he did...so he gave me a contact (plus I know the person but thought he stop dj which he did but he is back) 

So wish me luck...

Thanks for everyones advise..

I will let you know what happens

alykat216

I'm using JAM Music in East Rutherford.  We felt really comfortable with them when we met.  We told them what we wanted and they were on the same page with us.  If I remember correctly we are paying just under $2,000.  Might be worth looking into.  Good luck!

alidee06

Talk to the guys at Seward Park Tech.  They are fantastic, they will let you make your own playlist or make one for you.  They have this whole itinerary they send you to tellt hem what songs to play at which part of the nights and if you are not sure they will fill it in with their own ideas.  The DJ was an NYC nightclub DJ before he started doing weddings.  They are full of ideas, offer lots of different options for lighting, fog machines, slide shows, spotlighting, uplighting etc.  I would highly highly recommend looking into them!  (ps they only cost me $800!!! and thats with lighting,  a slideshow and a photo booth that prints out photo magnets!)