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DJ Decision - This is Tough!

Britt0412Britt0412 member
100 Comments
in Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh
Like many people, I think one of the most memorable parts of a reception - from a guest's perspective, at least - is the DJ. So, I am putting a ton of time into researching DJs and meeting with them. It's been a little overwhelming! I've tried to narrow the list by getting recommendations from friends who've recently gotten married and were happy with their experience.

I think I've already eliminated the fog machine-esque DJs and have a pretty solid list of people I think would do a good job. A good MC who does a nice mix of music (not all Top 40) is important to us. Price is a slight consideration, but we're willing to pay more of a premium for a really good DJ. The below vendors range from $900-$1800.

Anyway, I would love to hear any additional stories that might sway me for or against one of my choices.

DJ Bill Bara - recommended by a friend, great website, very responsive so far. I haven't met with him yet, but my only concern is that he'll be too "night clubby." He is also the most expensive of those I've contacted. He has gotten great reviews. Has anyone worked with his associates?  They are a few hundred less than he is.

Mark Tishko - recommended by a friend who liked him but ultimately didn't use him. I'm meeting with him next week. Very nice and responsive so far.

Jodi at Accents Unlimited - no personal recommendation, but she's gotten stellar reviews. She is priced very competitively for the quality of service she provides.

Party Time Productions - recommended by a friend who used them (DJ Eric Harman) and loved them.

Les Holliday - again, no personal recommendations, but he is rated very highly on WW and TK.

Entertainment Unlimited - contacted them since they have a wide variety of DJs with different styles and price points.

Sorry, I hope this isn't too long and overwhelming. But I am stressing myself out about getting a great DJ. It's probably going to be my toughest vendor decision, I don't think anything else is going to stress me out as much. I would greatly appreciate any advice you can offer. Thanks so much!
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Re: DJ Decision - This is Tough!

  • PalcheskoPalchesko
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    David Kleba, MobileMix Entertainment! I booked him for June 23rd 2012 because he was so awesome when we met. He has a website where you AND your guests can request songs (you have final say over the songs). He doesn't have fog machines or crazy "cheesy" stuff like that. It's him and his brother and one other partner but they only do one wedding on a given evening. He brings an entire back up set of equpiment with him. He backs up your first dance song and runs 3 at a time so there can't possibly be an issue. Basically what I'm saying is, he's pretty much the most awesome DJ I've ever talked to.
    http://www.djmobilemix.com/
    ~1250, has uplighting options etc.
    Hope this helps!
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  • ljs283ljs283 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are going with 2nd II None productions! I think they are more towards to the top of your price range but I've known so many people who have used them and have had super fun weddings!! The DJ from there we are using is DJ Eric. They have 2 DJs come as part of their packages. They also have many different things to add like uplighting, photobooth, etc. if you want. I highly recommend them! Oh!- and almost forgot, they have you plan your wedding on their website like what you songs you want and don't want. Guests can even go on their with a password that you give them to request songs (and of course you can see what they are requesting and remove if you'd like).

    I have had a WONDERFUL experience so far!
    Everything happens for a reason; Don't regret anything you've done in the past because at some point it's what you wanted
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  • pantherRNpantherRN member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    From your list, the only one I am familiar with is Bill Bara. We are using his company for uplighting for our reception. He's awesome and I wish we could have used him for our DJ. Love him.
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  • aaashley314aaashley314
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm also using Dave Kleba.  He did my best friend's wedding last year.  He is super personable and he is a great DJ.  Besides what PP said, his equipment is non noticeable as well.  I would recommend him for sure as well!
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  • Dana526Dana526
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Britt - YGPM
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  • cgyvhucgyvhu member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I had great interactions with Jodi when we were looking at DJ's.  And I've heard great things about Bill Bara.
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  • tysongftysongf
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Check out Master Gee!
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  • erinpalkoerinpalko member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Check out J.L. Entertainment!
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  • bwk1023bwk1023 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are also using David Kleba from MobileMix Entertainment for our November wedding!  He was awesome when we met him in person and a friend from work had highly recommended him! 
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  • caitythcaityth
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are using Bill Bara and love him! Really responsive and a lot of fun.  Highly recommended. 
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  • Britt0412Britt0412 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thank you so much, everyone! I really appreciate your recommendations, and I'm definitely feeling a little calmer. It's easy to get overwhelmed with so many options, but I think I have a great "short list."
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  • ljs283ljs283 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If no one minds me asking, I'm curious as to how much Bill Bara charges? And if you got uplighting, what does he charge for that?

    Thanks!
    Everything happens for a reason; Don't regret anything you've done in the past because at some point it's what you wanted
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  • Britt0412Britt0412 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    ljs283 - sending you a private message in a minute.
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  • Patriot0107Patriot0107
    Third Anniversary 10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are going with Jodi from Accents Unlimited.  She has been very good to deal with so far :)  I also like that she offers wedding coordnation or can help ya out if needed!
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  • Dana526Dana526
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have Jodi for my DJ as well. Love her!
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  • yuengling58yuengling58 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Arron Howard - Nameless Entertainment. Very affordable (around $1k) and we still hear about how great our DJ was at our wedding almost a year later. He really knows how to work a room and is very good at playing the right music at the right time. Great professional and highly recommended!
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  • meagandptmeagandpt member
    10 Comments
    edited January 2012
    Like yourself, my husband and I thought there are really two aspects you want to spend money one that make or break your wedding / reception (for you and your guests).  Luckily for us these two factors were the easiest....photography and DJ.  We went with Dave Kleba from MobileMix for our wedding this past August.  (we were also guests at a wedding where he was the DJ) He really was one of the BEST decisions I made during the entire wedding process.  Frist off, he really listened to me and what my vision was for the reception.  I wanted some of today's music but I also wanted music that my older family members would enjoy and dance to.  He did it all!!!!!  To start the day he did our mics and ceremony music.  He made what was a stressful situation into something that ran completely smoothly and I thanked my lucky stars he was there.  In our reception not only did he DJ and MC but he did our lighting throughout the room and our monogram! (At our friend's wedding, he did a slideshow of the couple like I have never seen before!) It was beautiful and he treats each wedding as if it is his own, which really just put me as ease.  I have to be honest, my day had some hicups in it and Dave took care of everything to the point where I didn't know stuff went wrong!!!  WHAT MORE CAN A BRIDE ASK FOR?

    Lastly, he really catered to my requests and my guests.  The highlight of my reception was when he handed a mic to one of my bridesmaid to rap during the reception!!!!!!  It was PRICELESS and something I will never forget!   Our reception was suppose to end around 10:30pm and everyone was still up dancing so he kept playing!!  No one wanted to the night to end thanks to him!  

    I have to say, he was worth every penny and I would book him again in a heartbeat!
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  • meagandptmeagandpt member
    10 Comments
    Also, his equipment isn't like everyone else's with the big box-like speakers!  They are slender sticks!  You can sit beside the speaker and STILL be able to hear the people across the table talking to you!  (HUGE plus for guests!!!!)
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