First Wedding - Tips?

[sobi]

So I'm going to be DJ'ing my first wedding (big news, i know ) on sept. 10th. The thing though, is that it's a second wedding for the both of them meaning that the music they like is pretty old in my book and I've never DJ'd seriously that type of music.

I'm not worried so much about the food music and other BKG type of music, but when the first dance comes along along with the three or four hours of dancing, how would you guys go about mixing/do any of you have good mixtapes of that type of music so i can listen and learn how to mix older music (like 70's and 80's pop, some 90's).

Thanks everyone!

Oh, and any other tips would be great too.

I've said this before on this topic, and I'll say it again... If you have no experience in weddings, and admittedly don't feel you have the know-how to do ANY particular part of it, GTFO of the situation ASAP, and let the people get someone who knows what they are doing. You are putting yourself at risk of a lawsuit (Wedding DJ disasters regularly end up in litigation). Put yourself in their shoes too. If this were your wedding, would you want someone who has no wedding experience DJing one of the most important days of your life? This is a huge day for the couple, and you could potentially put a huge mar on it. If they are friends who wanted you for what you do, ignore everything I've said. That's a complete different story. If they however are asking you to DJ simply because they know you have equipment and "know you're a DJ", you could seriously burn a bridge. If you feel you really want/have to go through with this, try to get a partner who knows what they are doing.
Don't possibly ruin one of the most memorable days of a couples lives by using it as a trial run/test gig/easy money grab.

[keeb]

Having just attended my sister's wedding, I'll say this:

She asked me for a list of songs to give to the DJ. I gave her a bunch of more accessible top40/house/electro house remixes that I thought should have some decent appeal for the mainly 30s to 40s crowd I expected. The DJ played none of them. He played pretty much what I would expect for the 50s-60s crowd: Mustang Sally, a fair amount of disco, and various classics of a similar vein. This had all the drunken aunts and uncles dancing, though it left most of the younger segment off the floor. He kept those who were dancing dancing, and in that respect he succeeded. I would not be surprised to hear that this is par for the course for weddings, and considering the lighting (soft mood lighting instead of _any_ actual club oriented lighting) I think it was appropriate. He didn't take risks and played it safe. It was mediocre with basically no mixing, just volume fades at the ends of songs.

Really to me it seems like song selection is more key than mixing at weddings, and know your audience. Club bangers will get the 20s-30s crowd dancing, but you'll probably leave out the older crowd if you throw them in. So feel out your room and play what you think will work - but most importantly had a backup plan. If you only have EDM and EDM falls flat with your crowd, you will be hosed.

[sobi]

Really to me it seems like song selection is more key than mixing at weddings, and know your audience.

+1

Also, make sure you know your cues/spots for the MC and crowd work. If I felt comfortable about where, when, and how to do it, I would probably do weddings. Mic work is a huge part of it. Knowing when and how to do intros and then interacting with the crowd during dinner and during the dancing is crucial, as is knowing how to keep it at a reasonable amount.

[tokenasianguy]

If you think mixing is a big part of why wedding DJ's deserve to get the usual fee of upwards of $1000, you don't really understand their job fully.

That's not at all what I said.

That's some nice conclusion jumping though. Too bad you can't get paid upwards of $1000 for that.

[tokenasianguy]

+1

Also, make sure you know your cues/spots for the MC and crowd work. If I felt comfortable about where, when, and how to do it, I would probably do weddings. Mic work is a huge part of it. Knowing when and how to do intros and then interacting with the crowd during dinner and during the dancing is crucial, as is knowing how to keep it at a reasonable amount.

A lot of people think mic-work is ridiculous and should be reserved for the strip-clubs or for wedding DJ's that think people actually like the Macarena.

MC'ing and making intros is one thing, but having a guy yap on the mic about how you're going to dance around the world while he plays different styles of ethnic music is for DJ's that can't let the music talk for them.

IMO at least.

[lethal_pizzle]

this again - check out some of the previous threads on this

[sobi]

A lot of people think mic-work is ridiculous and should be reserved for the strip-clubs or for wedding DJ's that think people actually like the Macarena.

MC'ing and making intros is one thing, but having a guy yap on the mic about how you're going to dance around the world while he plays different styles of ethnic music is for DJ's that can't let the music talk for them.

IMO at least.

I have to admit that I used to subscribe to that 100%. Then I got married, and saw how our DJ interacted with the crowd through mic work throughout the whole reception. He did it all night, but only in certain spots, with tastefulness, and didn't overstep his bounds. It really opened my eyes to what a wedding DJ SHOULD do on the Mic. Honestly, everyone was very impressed, and it added to the event more than you can imagine.

[michaeldunne109]

Personally i have done enough weddings to last me a life time. Heres what i have learned.

- No one at a wedding (usually) cares about mixing.

- You will almost have to use a microphone. But over use of a micro phone can lead to a train wreck.

- Try and suit everybody in the crowd, That means playing everything from Elvis to top40.

- Take requests.

- Cheessey Music will most likely have to be played.

- Do not let your own musical taste get in the way. If the bride or groom ask for a song and you have it you should play it and play it with a smile on your face. It is their day and they are paying you.

Couple of songs that never fail for me. (I wont post vids)

- Sweet Caroline - Neil diamond

- The twist - Chubby Chequre

- Megamix - Jive Bunny

- Don't Stop Believing - Journey

- Shout- Lulu

-Footloose - Kenny Loggins

-Twist and shout - The Beetles

- 80's music.

- 90's dance.

Personally i don' enjoy doing weddings much but they pay my college bills. I have also gotten many other types of gigs out of weddings such as night clubs ect.

Also if its available to you try and go and watch a dj doing a wedding first and see how they do it. Most weddings are the SAME i.e music selection.

[tokenasianguy]

I have to admit that I used to subscribe to that 100%. Then I got married, and saw how our DJ interacted with the crowd through mic work throughout the whole reception. He did it all night, but only in certain spots, with tastefulness, and didn't overstep his bounds. It really opened my eyes to what a wedding DJ SHOULD do on the Mic. Honestly, everyone was very impressed, and it added to the event more than you can imagine.

I can see that, but I guess it depends on the crowd.

Even when I used to listen to my funkmaster flex mixes, I used to get annoyed with the fact that he would talk all the time. When I listened to jungle, it was kind of hit or miss whether I wanted to hear the MC jibber jabber...But you're right, sometimes it helps.

[bigbeatzz]

@ tokenasianguy: Great post on page 1 - WIN