The Wedding DJ Blog

Steve And Jane Get Lucky At Pala

2011-12-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

When Steve walked into a small Long Beach store a few years ago, he had no idea that the love of his life would be waiting inside. He spotted Jane behind the counter, discovered she that was single and wasted no time asking her out. Their courtship culminated in a December, 2012 wedding at The Pala Resort!

At the conclusion of their ceremony, "Get Ready" by The Temptations rang out as the guests applauded the Newlyweds.

The reception room was nicely appointed complete with chocolate fountain desert table (which we pin spotted to make it stand out) and a large gobo on the wall we had custom made to our Bride and Groom's specifications.

Also, our cake pinspot prominently featured the sweet pastry, separating it from the background.

Guests partied to a variety of music including Al Green's "Let's Stay Together", LMFAO's "Sexy And I Know It" and "Satisfaction" by The Stones.

When the reception was over, the casino awaited for Steve and Jane to try and continue their lucky streak!

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Swing's The Thing For Jillian And Stephen

2011-10-08T16:06:00.000-07:00

These two lovebirds chose the timeless charm of The Balboa Pavilion for their October reception. The hardwood floor and open water view was perfect for their 1930s and 40s themed reception. Each guest table even had it's own famous name from the era.

I created a special playlist so that during the meal Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Louis Prima, Ella Fitzgerald and others entertained, as only THEY could.

After a romantic first dance it was "boogie woogie" time! Turns out Swing wasn't the only music this couple was into. Their eclectic playlist included Goldfrapp, The Ting Tings, Foster The People and Adele. Music from The Killers, Muse, LMFAO, The Beatles and New Order also kept the dance floor hopping.

Special Wedding DJ thanks go out to Jillian And Stephen's pooch, Prezzie The Wonder Dog, for being an integral part of this celebration. And here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Dana Point Wedding Under The Stars

2011-09-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Nicole and Ross chose the Laguna Cliffs Marriott for their September ceremony and reception in Dana Point. With such a great ocean view who could blame them?

This Bride and Groom's musical tastes were quite eclectic. The ceremony, including processional music, was all Beatles instrumentals. The vows concluded with Vitamin String Quartet's version of "All You Need Is Love".

Background music for the cocktail hour included Keane, Van Morrison, Broken Bells, U2, Sting and The Dirty Heads. I told you it was eclectic! Nicole and Ross had their first dance to 70's FM radio staple, "Right Down The Line" by Gerry Rafferty. Another surprise musical twist.

After a wonderful meal, the dance floor was open. Guests boogied down to a variety of songs including "Give Me Everything" by Pitbull, "Firework" by Katy Perry, "Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid and "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond. After a great party, the reception concluded with "Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root. This was a song not many were familiar with but the crowd loved it all the same. Guests were then invited inside to the Catalina Room for the after party.

Here's to another great beginning!

For the ceremony and adjacent reception we provided a two speaker JBL set up, Pioneer MEP 7000 DJ system with Crown amplifier and Apple Macbook Pro running Serato. Ceremony officiant was provided our Shure wireless lapel mic.

Special thanks to coordinator Kerri Hatter and photographer Jack Randall.

Dana Point Wedding

The Wedding DJ

A Summer Wedding At Maggiano's

2011-08-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

Carlos and Victoria (who originally began corresponding on Match.com) chose the old school, "Rat Pack" ambiance of Maggiano's in LA for their Summer 2011 wedding.

After making an exhilarating Grand Entrance to Abba's "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do" the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a wonderful meal. Then we got down to business.

"La Gloria Eres Tu" by Luis Miguel rang out as the couple enjoyed their first dance. Other party favorites included "Party Rock Anthem by Lmfao, "Mambo Italiano" by Latino Beats and "The Time (Dirty Bit)" by Black Eyed Peas.

By the time the night had finished, the dance floor had gotten a serious workout!

As an added touch, guests were invited to sign this magnum bottle of wine as a keepsake for the Bride and Groom in lieu of a traditional guestbook.

Special thanks to the staff at Maggiano's for being on top of every detail throughout the reception.

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Amanda & Jayson's June Wedding

2011-06-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Amanda and Jayson held their June, 2011 ceremony and reception at an estate in the scenic hills of Riverside. With a little encouragement from The Wedding DJ, they chose some unique musical pieces, adding the final touches to their celebration.

For the ceremony processional they walked out to keyboard master Yuri Sazonoff's interpretation of "My Heart Will Go On"- a fantastic instrumental version and without the bombast of the original. The end of the ceremony recessional was another cover. The Misfit's fun punk remake of "This Magic Moment"! We provided a wireless lapel mic for the clergy so all guest could hear the vows.

First Dance- "Then" by Brad Paisley. A tearful Father/Daughter dance ("Butterfly Kisses") was followed by Mother/Son Dance to "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney.

The small but enthusiastic crowd kept the dance floor full all night long to party favorites such as "You're The First, The Last, My Everything"- Barry White, "The Time" (Dirty Bit)- Black Eyed Peas and "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses.

Even had a rare request for rock ballad, "Count On Me" by Jefferson Starship. Didn't have this in the library so quickly downloaded it to my phone (Thanks Amazon!) and played it shortly thereafter.

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Greg & Michelle Find Love Under The Pines

2011-05-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

Greg and Michelle chose the scenic Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point for their May ceremony and reception. They also gave The Wedding DJ some unique music choices for their nuptials.

John Williams' classical "Welcome To Jurassic Park" rang out as the Bridesmaids entered the ceremony. A special acoustic guitar version of the Bridal March was chosen for The Bride. And for the finale, Jason Mraz and Colby Caillat sang "Lucky" as Greg and Michelle made their triumphant exit!

We used a single Renkus Heinz speaker, DJ system and provided a wireless mic for the clergy so the guests could hear music and vows clearly.

For the adjacent reception, a second sound system was in place so music was already playing as guests entered. We introduced the newlyweds to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".

The Bride and Groom had their First Dance, "I'm Yours- Jason Mraz", Father/Daughter Dance, What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong and Mother/Son Dance, "I Will" by The Beatles.

Guests enjoyed a variety of music, mingling and a wonderful meal. After dancing and the traditional cake cutting, Michelle and Greg made their Grand Exit to the "Raiders Of The Lost Ark Theme".

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Kyle And Michael's San Pedro Love Nest

2011-04-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

These two lovebirds got hitched and invited 100 or so of their closest friends and family to join them for a reception featuring a Pacific Ocean view.

Cocktail music was a unique mix of music from artists like Michael Buble, Adelle, John Legend and Sade. After a few toasts and a wonderful, appetizer style meal, it was time to get down.

First Dance, "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele.

The enthusiastic crowd danced to everything from Van Morrison to The Black Eyed Peas to Rick Springfield. Special requests included "Faithfully"- the Glee version, "Amarillo By Morning" by country crooner George Strait and crowd pleaser "The Cha Cha Slide".

Kyle and Michael had special personalized wine glasses made as keepsakes for their guests!

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Let's Talk About Uplighting!

2011-03-06T10:32:00.000-08:00

Violet LED Uplighting

As Hollywood movie makers have known for years, lighting creates drama and visual impact. Lighting can completely change the look of a person, an object such as a centerpiece or an entire room. Uplighting for weddings has become a huge trend in the past several years.

So, what exactly is an "uplight"? It is a specialized light that is placed against a wall and pointed towards the ceiling. Several lights around a room create a unique look as the colored beams define the area and become an eye catching backdrop for any special event.

White And Blue Par 56 Cans

There are several types of uplights and it is important to know which one you need. It gets a bit complicated but I'll try to make it simple:

Par cans- or "cans" as they are called, are fixtures that use bulbs (incandescent lights). Kind of like an old school filament light bulb, only bigger and brighter. They use more power and get hotter than LED based lights.

Cans come in a variety of sizes- Par 38, Par 56 and so on. They also come in a variety of power consumptions from 125 watts to 500 watts. Colored "gels" or filters are used, sometimes in combination, to create the desired color. Important disclaimer: Any fixture near 300 watts or more will get hot enough to burn fingers.

300 Watt Par 56 Cans With Blue Gels

LED stands for "light emitting diode". Most LED lights are about the same circumference and also have a power range, generally from 10 to 50 watts each. The diodes emit a lot of light using much less power than traditional cans.

Color "mixing" may be more difficult for LEDs than for cans. Primary colors will look fine but mixed colors like Amber (red and yellow) may be splotchy or streaky. Pastel colors can be a challenge unless the lights are the newest, upgraded RGBA or single diode lights. Big advantage: LEDs stay cool, even after extended use and are safe to touch.

Both Par cans and LED uplights can vary in their "beam angle". The light beam they produce can be very tight- 10% or more of a wide flood- 30% or more. This will affect how the light looks on the wall. For example, a tighter beam will give you a more intense, deep color but a narrower beam.

Both lights have variations in their ability to "throw", that is, how far the beam will travel. If you have high ceilings or lots of ambient light in the room, you may want a more powerful uplight with a longer throw.

Matching Color Pink LEDs

Each light has it's pros and cons depending on the application but it seems LEDs are becoming more and more popular. Probably because of the safety factor and because they require much less power.

Bottom line: Before you make a decision, go see the lights you are considering with your own eyes prior to purchasing or renting them. It is the only way to truly determine how they look and if they will give you the ultimate results you want.

See More Wedding Uplighting Here

All pictures on this page are property of The Wedding DJ/DJCraig.Net and are not to be used or reproduced without permission.

Trang And Russell Reach The Summit!

2011-01-19T08:44:00.000-08:00

The Wedding DJ started the year at a January, 2011 ceremony and reception at the beautiful Summit House in Fullerton.

The nuptials included a Buddhist ceremony as well as traditional vows performed by a minister. We provided a 2 speaker Renkus Heinz digital sound system and wireless mic. Trang chose music from the soundtrack of "The Brothers Bloom" for the processional.

Purple/Violet Uplighting
For the reception, we set up a 2 speaker digital JBL sound system, 10 uplights, 8 pin spots for the head table, two pin spots for the cake, one custom gobo and sound active dance floor lighting. The result was a great sounding and visually stunning reception for 200 invited guests.

Cake Highlighted With Pin Spots

The Bride and Groom made their reception entrance to "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap. The First Dance song was "What Can I Do (But Love You)" by Joy Williams.

Head Table With Pin Spotting

Party favorites included "You're My First, My Last, My Everything" by Barry White, "I Get Around" by Tupac, "Yeah" by Usher and "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole.

Special thanks go to Carmen Kaiser and her wonderful staff at The Summit House for helping make this reception special!

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

2010

2011-01-08T12:42:00.000-08:00

The end of the year was a busy time for The Wedding DJ. Lots of lighting and corporate parties, pretty much everything but weddings. But that's usually what December is all about!

Intertek Holiday party at The Ritz Carlton in Monarch Beach. Custom gobo, uplighting and a JBL digital sound system.

The view from outside- Catalina in December. Look closely, those little black dots in the water are surfers!

Partying down at Asher's Bar Mitzvah at The Cantina in Fullerton.

Corporate gobo we created for the opening of Hallie Berry's new movie, "Frankie and Johnny" at The Egyptian in Hollywood.

Santa made an appearance at The Beckstram Cancer Fund Raiser Teddy Bear Ball in Lake Forest. These kids know how to have fun and they danced up a storm all night!

Annual Prospect Mortgage Holiday Party in Newport Beach.

On New Year's Eve we celebrated at a private party at the historic Room 5 in Los Angeles.

Happy New Year! Here's to a great beginning for 2011!

The Wedding DJ

Love At The Sunset Tower

2010-11-07T13:56:00.001-08:00

Then...
Jim and Mark chose the historic Sunset Tower Hotel in Hollywood for their commitment ceremony on Nov. 6. This storied venue is elegantly retro and upscale, having been meticulously restored to it's former glory as Hollywood's tres chic place to stay.

And now...

During the ceremony, guests enjoyed a view of the couple with the hotel pool in the background and the LA skyline on the horizon.

Mark and Jim's ceremony included a custom The Wedding DJ hadn't experienced before. To the delight of their guests, a non traditional "sipping of the martini" was included as part of the vows. The use of vodka rather than wine as a sacrament may set a new precedent for future ceremonies to come!

After a wonderful meal and several heartfelt toasts from friends and family, it was time to hit the dance floor. Dancers enjoyed a variety of music including Lady Gaga, Blondie, The Ting Tings, Iggy Pop, Madonna and many others.

We used blue uplighting to create a fun ambiance around the dance floor, which the enthusiastic crowd kept full all night long.

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Wedding DJ Sound And Lighting

2010-10-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

This last month has been a blur for The Wedding DJ- lots of events to keep up with! Here is a brief review in pictures:

Wedding Uplighting and gobo at The Montage Dana Point:

Wedding DJ for Shohreh and Farzad at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach:

We did lighting for this reception as well:

Check out the custom gobo:

Custom gobo and cake pin spotting for a reception in Dana Point Harbor:

Wedding DJ for Tracy and Matt's reception in San Clemente:

Wedding DJ for Liz and Josh's reception at The Madison in Long Beach:

DJ for Jayson & Neelia's Wedding at The Surf And Sand in Laguna:

Gobo lighting for a reception in La Mirada:

Pink Uplighting for a Pico Rivera reception:

Here's to more great beginnings!

The Wedding DJ

Uplighting, Custom Gobo and Pinspots

2010-09-21T17:51:00.000-07:00

Being a Los Angeles DJ isn't always just about music. Here is some uplighting I did for a July wedding at The Hyatt Regency in Long Beach.

The bride wanted a soft pink to match her chosen motif. My challenge was to light two different color surfaces and make them match and provide a vivid, custom gobo projection on the dance floor. And of course, I pinspotted the cake! You can be the judge on how well I did by watching the following video provided by my clients, Joel and Shirley. The lighting part of the video starts at 3:49:

Joel | Shirley from Garner Films on Vimeo.

On three walls I programmed the lights to get the desired color. On the whiter surface behind the head table this was looking too bright so I compensated by programming the lights slightly differently to make them match. Thanks for watching and here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

A Diehard Wedding Ceremony

2010-08-29T12:07:00.001-07:00

Kate and Aaron had their hearts set on a Summer beach wedding. They chose August, 2010 as the month and Orange County's Salt Creek Beach as the place to make their dreams come true. But it almost didn't turn out the way they'd imagined.

Picture this: You're at the beach setting up sound for a ceremony with 250 guests invited. The nearest power is 200 feet away and due to a snafu the Park authorities failed to unlock the door to the only outlet available.

The guests have arrived and are now sitting in the sunlight, listening to the roar of the ocean and the occasional gull flyby as they anticipate the start of the nuptials. Park Reps are unresponsive to calls- still no power.

As the minutes tick by the wedding party is assembled and is ready to walk down the aisle. Reception is scheduled to immediately follow the ceremony. It's crunch time, what's a Wedding DJ to do?

With no AC and no generator available, I remembered that I keep a power inverter in my truck for drastic emergencies. We started the engine, attached the inverter to the battery and plugged in the power.

Suddenly the music began and every guest could now hear the lapel mic we already placed on the minister. The two Yamaha 15 inch two-way speakers we had set up reached all the way to the back row. We started the processional music and the vows went off without a hitch.

That's right. We ran the entire ceremony off of a car battery!

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Mandy & David Find Love In San Clemente

2010-08-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

Ole Hanson served as mayor of Seattle from 1918 to 1919.

Why do I mention this? Because lucky for us he got the heck out of that dreary, rain laden spot and headed to sunny southern California. In 1925 Ole founded the city of San Clemente which continues to a prominent vacation and wedding hot spot.

Love Under The Palms

The rustic Beach Club bearing the name of the city's founder, was the perfect choice for Mandy and David's August wedding. The hardwood floors, alabaster walls and huge rotunda give it a timeless appeal. And the outside open air deck doesn't hurt!

Our newlyweds made their grand entrance while Chris Brown sang "Forever". The couple then immediately started in on their first dance, "So Into You" by Tamia Washington.

After a few toasts and a wonderful meal provided by Creative Cuisine, it was party time! "OMG" by Usher, "Mustang Sally" by The Commitments and "Ladies Night" by Kool & The Gang proved to be crowd favorites.

Hugging It Out!

Sound Active Dance Floor Lighting

Old Ole may have missed the coffee from up north but I think he would be proud to know he has played such an important part in so many happy celebrations here.

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Kellie & Rodd's Laguna Hideaway

2010-07-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

Kellie and Rodd chose the historic Hotel Laguna for their July, 2010 wedding in Laguna Beach, CA. This venue features a courtyard for ceremonies and a beach front banquet room with plenty of windows overlooking the surf and sand.

Taking the vows- can you spot the mic?

They needed a Wedding DJ that could play for the ceremony as well as the reception. For the ceremony we used a second sound system complete with wireless lapel mic for the clergy. The reception system was already set up, ready for the guests to
arrive.

Kellie and Rodd chose the classic rock staple, "Keep Your Hands To Yourself" for their Reception entrance.

First Dance, "Only You Can Love Me This Way" by Keith Urban

"Rescue Me"!

Almost too pretty to cut!

After some heartfelt toasts and a wonderful meal, the guests enjoyed a great mix of Rock, Dance music and a few Oldies. Special requests included, "Say Hey I Love You" by Michael Franti, "The Cha Cha Slide" and 80's Flashback "Push It" by Salt & Peppa.

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Megan & Alex Tie The Knot

2010-07-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

Just when you think you've seen it all, the unexpected happens.

Unexpected as in having Guns N' Roses rock anthem, "Sweet Child O' Mine" for a wedding ceremony exit. Or a surprise Elvis impersonator performance in the middle of a reception dinner. Or the Groom and his closest buddies taking the stage for an impromptu group karaoke performance of "Wanted Dead Or Alive" by Bon Jovi.

What all these things have in common is that they all happened at the SAME wedding. When Megan and Alex began planning their June 2010 wedding in San Pedro, they had no way of knowing it would turn out to be one of the most memorable days for themselves AND their guests.

Certainly those in attendance (myself included) have never seen a wedding quite like it.

The Bride and Groom made their triumphant entrance to the hard rocking "Ring Of Fire" by Social Distortion, followed immediately by their first dance, "Love Me Tender" by Elvis.

Here's the wedding cake without pin spot lighting... and WITH our pin spot. We like #2 better.

Special thanks go out to James Kruk (www.kingkruk.com) for performing a spot on Elvis tribute.

The venue before and after we added purple LED uplighting:

Boogie Shoes!

Git Down Wit Yo Bad Self

"Ooh we're halfway there... livin on a prayer!"

Party favorites included "OMG" by Usher, "Rock And Roll All Night" by KISS and the last song of the evening, "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Vanessa And Jared's Huntington Beach Wedding

2010-06-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

This couple chose the The Hyatt Regency Resort for their ceremony and reception. The hotel is like a small city with shops, restaurants, numerous banquet rooms, fountains, massive courtyards and great views of The Pacific Ocean.

The Newlyweds even had custom cake toppers made in their likeness.

First Dance: "I'm Yours"- Jason Mraz

We used a 2 speaker Yamaha digital system to get the party moving.

Music choices included a great variety of songs and many guest requests including "Boy From Ipanema" and the guilty pleasures of "Rhythm Of The Night" by Debarge and "The Warrior" by 80s Rocker Patty Smyth.

Gettin' On The Good Foot

Tunnel Of Love

Guests won't soon forget the fun they had at this spectacular Huntington Beach Wedding. Here's To Another Great Beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Surf And Sand Wedding For Akemi & Nathan

2010-05-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

Akemi and Nathan chose the backdrop of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean for their wedding vows on May 23, 2010.

Laguna Beach's Surf And Sand Hotel offers a stunning view of the California coastline from their Catalina Deck. The Bride decided on a beautiful Ennio Morricone song- "Love Affair", for the processional.

The reception in The Pelican Room was highlighted by a personalized custom gobo we had designed and then carefully positioned to be displayed across the dance floor. We also set up 2 sound active lighting fixtures for when the dancing got going.

Song choices included music by Muse, The Rolling Stones and the guilty pleasure of Rick Astley's 80s anthem, "Never Gonna Give You Up". Since the Bride and Groom were about to embark on an Australian honeymoon, we couldn't resist throwing in Colin Hay's (Men At Work) acoustic rendition of "Down Under".

The guests partied into the night and made this a Laguna Beach wedding to remember!

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

World's Worst Wedding DJs

2010-05-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

There are the "Lounge Lizards", the "Show Stealers" and the "Kings Of Cornball". The common link amongst these creatures is that they will make your wedding day memorable for all the wrong reasons!

Whether it's lame attempts at comedy, the "forced spontaneity" of Chicken Dances and conga lines or the dreaded "Announcer Guy Voice Syndrome" (AGVS), these "performers" lurk among the general DJ population waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting.

These insidious predators have not yet been eradicated and may cross your path in real life. If so, don't panic. Tell them you have other DJs to check out and will get back to them. Then screen your calls!

So that you can better recognize them, here are some of the World's Worst Wedding DJs we compiled from Youtube:

Marvin Gaye he aint. I am guessing the green sparkle party hats were handed out by the DJ as part of his "Party Props" package.

He's not JUST a DJ, he's a DANCER! Dude needs to button that vest.

Um... NO!

At least SOMEONE'S dancing! Love all the loose wires hanging down. They told him it was a black and white affair and he complied with a snappy black T-shirt w/ white pants combo.

Wonder how many times this mullet wearing DJ practiced this routine in his garage before launching it on the world.

This guy IS the party! I'd like to blame the bad audio on the camera mic but I can't help wondering if this guy has marbles in his mouth.

Part of the blame for the continued propagation of this dangerous species is people who are "trying to save a few bucks" continuing to hire them. Your wedding will only happen once. Get a good DJ.

Los Angeles DJ

How To Have A Unique Wedding

2010-02-25T15:47:00.000-08:00

Chances are that your guests have been to many wedding receptions in the past. Here are some easy ways to make yours stand out without resorting to gimmicks, hackneyed displays or cliched ideas.

Pick An Unusual Entrance Song-

Check out your personal music collection and write down the first ten songs that appeal to you. Then decide which one of those would be best for you to walk into at your reception. Chances are you will come up with an Entrance Song nobody else has thought of. One rule of thumb is- the higher the energy of the song, the better. This applies whether it's Classical, Rock, Hip Hop, Swing, etc.

Don't Just Enter, MAKE An Entrance-

The difference can be subtle or more pronounced but it is important that you, in some way, visually acknowledge your guests as part of your Grand Entrance. This can be done by simply pausing to let them get a good look at you while they snap a picture, waving back at them or perhaps taking a bow or giving high fives. Now you have included your guests in the joy of the moment by making them PART of your entrance!

Change The Order-

Often the First Dance comes after the meal. But there's no rule that says you can't do it right after your entrance. The Best Man's toast can be at the beginning of the meal... or later, towards the end of it. Just because you throw your bouquet doesn't mean you have to do the whole garter removal and throwing thing. If you want, you can the pass on the removal and just have a garter toss or you can dispense with the entire formality and let the party continue uninterrupted.

That Sounds Different-

You have an opportunity to create a unique experience for your guests from the time they first step foot in your reception. It is important that your reception have it's own "sound". Preferable a unique mix of songs that people don't usually come in contact with at the office, the mall or while listening to the car radio.

You can turn your room into a romantic Spanish villa with flamenco fusion latin guitar. Or create a swinging, "Rat Pack" atmosphere with classic big band music. You could even transport your guests to a sunny, tropical seashore with the right mix of beach music.

We had one couple who got engaged in Italy and chose artists like Dean Martin, Andrea Bocelli and Louis Prima for their dinner music. The choice of sounds that sets the tone for your reception is limited only by your imagination. The goal is to give your guests something they haven't experienced at any other wedding they've been to.

Saying "Thank You"-

A simple "thank you" to your guests over the mic can mean so much. Publicly expressing your appreciation for their participation at your wedding is one of the classiest and most heartfelt things you can do. And in case you should miss anyone during your mingling time, you have already acknowledged your gratitude to them.

Choreograph Your First Dance-

A choreographed First Dance is always a special treat for you and your guests. We've seen waltzes, swing dances and even a tango or two. A bit of work is involved here as you may need to take some lessons and rehearse prior to your "performance". The pay off is creating an unforgettable moment for you and your guests. A moment that never fails to get a great response from all in attendance.

Use Creative Lighting-

The right lighting can add color and depth to any room. Colored beams of uplighting on the walls, a pinspot to highlight the cake and dynamic projection dance floor club lighting are some ways to create a special atmosphere. Well planned lighting has a dramatic effect on the look and feel of your reception.

Avoid Musical Cliches-

There is a place for some of those old party standbys like "Love Shack", "Mony Mony", "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and "I Will Survive". But your music list should also include more inventive choices. Jettison some of those played out tunes in favor of newer songs that have wide appeal include "Smooth" by Santana, "Hey Ya!" by Outkast, "Get The Party Started" by Pink, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet and "Yeah" by Usher. Generally, the music can get more cutting edge as the night goes on.

Promo, Promo, Promo

Have you ever been to a wedding where you felt like you didn't know what was going on? Your MC should let your guests know what they have to look forward to later. Attendees will be less likely to leave early if they know that the cake cutting is coming up shortly. Or that if they go now they will miss the first dance. Get an MC who understands the power of the promotional announcement!

Simple but effective ideas like these can make a huge impact. Have a unique wedding by being creative and going with your instincts.

The Wedding DJ

Putting Your Name In Lights- The Wedding Gobo

2010-01-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

Brides and grooms are putting their names in lights!

Once reserved for events with high production budgets, personalized gobos are an now affordable, eye catching trend.

What Is A Gobo?

A "gobo" is short for "go between", as in a pattern that goes between the lamp and lense of a high powered light projector. These specialized lights have a focus knob that allows the image to be sharp and clear, even when projected over a long distance. Gobos can be projected on walls, ceilings or even dance floors.

Custom wedding gobos can be names, monograms, initials, images or any text or pattern.

For an added twist, consider using a colored gel or glass to highlight your message. Or add an image gobo as a background to your main gobo. Here we did mulit-colored hearts beneath the main message:

Here is a double image- two gobos with the same pattern. One colored and slightly bigger than the other:

Professional Results

For best results, the gobo projector should be a high powered, professional unit with superior optics. It may need to be safely mounted on a tripod, truss or other structure in such a way that shadows are not cast on the gobo pattern by guests or other foot traffic.

Here is a recent personalized monogram we did for a wedding at The Mission Inn in Riverside (apologies for the bad camera phone quality):

Here is another double gobo, white snowflakes over blue:

There is no right or wrong way to do a custom wedding gobo. A little creativity can make yours stand out. For best results consult a pro lighting designer. For more info. on custom wedding gobos go to Wedding Gobo

-The Wedding DJ

Here Comes The Bride

2009-10-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

"Here Comes The Bride", aka "The Bridal Chorus", aka "The Bridal March".

I have often had mixed feelings about this choice for the Bride's walk down the aisle. It comes from having to play the pompous, grandiose, stuffy versions that were available in years past. They sound ancient and decrepit and many of them are! I used to say that in all my years of searching, I'd yet to hear a "good" version of it!

Another problem is the cadence of The Bridal Chorus. It is NOT conducive to a slow, measured walk. It was, after all, written for a play in which a wedding takes place- not for an actual wedding!

It may be "traditional" but so what? There are so many other songs that can be played that not only allow you to put your personal touch on the ceremony but also give your guests a unique experience as well.

Perspective Change

I was swayed recently when a client brought something to my attention. Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist from Journey, released a solo album that actually includes a really good version of "The Bridal March"! Cain embellishes and adds to the original, slowing the tempo and using ethereal keyboards to update the song. The drawback is that the album was released a few years ago and is currently out of print.

You can get a preowned copy from Amazon.com but it is a bit pricey. Apparently, these are somewhat of a collector's item.

Check it out here:

Another version that I like, although not quite as much, is The O'Neill Brothers "Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride)".

Sample it here: O'Neill Brothers "Bridal Chorus (Here Comes The Bride)"

This one is available as a download for only 99 cents!

Speaking of The O'Neill Bros., Amazon.com is offering this entire album of their wedding music as a FREE promotional download!

The O'Neill Brothers Wedding Music Sampler

Click here: O'Neill Brothers Wedding Music Sampler

Features popular ceremony songs like "Canon in D", "Ave Maria", "Ode To Joy" and more.

May be available for a limited time.

And remember if you decide to use a more progressive choice of music, as many current Brides do, there are tons of options available! Here are a few musical ideas to get you started (click here): Wedding Ceremony Music

Happy Hunting!

The Alternative Wedding

2009-09-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

Helen and Zack wanted something different for their wedding at a Temecula winery. They discarded traditional ideas about music and went with their intuition. Their eclectic playlist included alternative stalwarts like Joy Division, The Smiths, Talking Heads and The Cure. And that was just for the ceremony prelude!

This slideshow is from Helen and Zack's Temecula wedding- Sept. 09.

The Bride walked down the aisle to "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens and the couple made their triumphant reception entrance to "You Really Got Me" by iconic garage rockers The Kinks. The first dance, another unusual choice, was Bob Marley's "All Day All Night".

Throughout the reception songs from the likes of The Ramones, David Bowie, Queen, Devo, The Replacements, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello and The B-52s created an atmosphere quite unlike most formal gatherings. This refreshing change of pace was appreciated by the guests who kept the dance floor filled until the final note.

Although I do plenty of events where Top 40 and "hit" music is requested, I cherish the opportunity to play alternative wedding DJ. Whether it's The Beatles or The Buzzcocks, good rock and roll comes from the soul and can't be rated by any chart.

2009 Highlights

2009-08-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

So far, 2009 has been a busy year!

I've traveled to San Diego, Temecula, LA, various parts of the OC and places in between. All in the name of providing great sound and lighting to incredible events!

Here is a slideshow of some 2009, DJ Craig highlights:

They don't call it "Mobile DJ" for nothing. Looking forward to the rest of 2009 and beyond!

The Wedding DJ

Wedding Uplighting Slideshow

2009-07-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of wedding uplighting that I recently uploaded to Youtube. These are various fixtures and colors.

Great lighting can create a striking look for your reception!

More wedding up lighting pics here: Wedding Uplighting

-The Wedding DJ

MOLAA For Erin and Khaled

2009-06-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

Erin and Khaled chose Long Beach's Museum Of Latin American Art (MOLAA) for their May nuptials. Their wedding sets a great example of the power of creative sound and lighting.

It turns out that The expansive MOLAA courtyard, filled with unique sculptures and plants, is a great place for a ceremony!

Can you spot the speakers?

We found the perfect spot where they would both sound good and be unobtrusive.

Before... and after!

For this beautiful square wedding cake, we lit it from 2 angles to make it stand out.

On the candy table we used a small flood light . It must have worked because the candy disappeared quickly!

For the reception room we lit the walls with amber LED uplighting to create a unique atmosphere.

During dancing the guests enjoyed our digital Yamaha sound system and hot music mixes.

Here's to another great beginning!

-The Wedding DJ

A Royal Wedding With "The Queen"

2009-05-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

For Lenora and Michael's May reception, they chose the Queen Mary's elegant Veranda room. The Veranda features polished wood throughout, lavish tapestries and a wonderful view of the Long Beach shoreline.

The Newlyweds made their Grand entrance to AC/DC's "You Shook Me" and then segued right into "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison. The sunken dance floor was highlighted by our mirror ball as the couple wowed their guests with choreographed dance steps.

After the toasts and dinner service, the dancing kicked off again with the traditional Father/Daughter dance to "I Hope You Dance"- Lee Ann Womack. Then all guests were invited to join in.

Music highlights included Sinatra, Rascal Flatts and an old school electric slide (by request).

We used a 2 speaker Yamaha digital sound system and a 16 inch mirror ball highlighted by 2 LED pin spots.

Here's to another great beginning!

The Wedding DJ

Party On The Hill!

2009-05-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

Amanda and David went all out for their April wedding at Orange Hill Restaurant.

For the ceremony, their guests enjoyed a hilltop view of Orange County. Their reception in the adjacent room featured special up lighting in their chosen colors.

Instead of a traditional guest book, these newlyweds had their partygoers sign two giant bottles of champagne!

When it came time for the party, a mix of old and new music had the guests moving and shaking!

Artists ranged from The Beatles to Blink 182 to Flo Rida to rave fave Benny Benassi.

For the ceremony we used a two speaker Renkus digital system with wireless lapel mic. For dancing, a two speaker Yamaha digital system, 9 led up lights, 2 pinspots and 2 intelligent dance floor lights.

Here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig

Carrie And Mike's Dana Point Devotional

2009-04-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

Carrie and Mike LOVE music. THis was reflected in some fantastic song choices for their wedding.

"Something" by The Beatles started off the processional. For Carrie's walk down the aisle, "Into The Mystic" by Van Morrison was an inspired choice. "Gimme Some Lovin'" by The Spencer Davis Group provided an instantly recognizable, energetic anthem for the newlyweds to exit the ceremony.

After the toasts, meal and cake cutting, Mike surprised everyone by grabbing the mic and singing an impromptu version of Eric Clapton's "I've Got A Rock N' Roll Heart" and devoting it to Carrie.

The first dance was "You Got It" by Roy Orbison followed by "Sunrise Sunset" for Carrie and her father Bill.

For open dancing, the guests enjoyed a variety of music from Sinatra to The Rolling Stones to the traditional "Havah Nagila". Rock and Oldies proved quite popular but after a while, artists like Justin Timberlake and Flo Rida were added to the mix to the delight of the crowd.

Ken and his staff at The Chart House took extra special care of Carrie, Mike and the guests- they always do!

For the ceremony we used a Sure wireless mic and an outside satellite speaker. Inside we used a two speaker digital Yamaha system and and extra speaker for the dining room.

Here to another great beginning!

DJ Craig

Ceremony Music Ideas

2009-03-31T11:06:00.000-07:00

Many people have trouble picking ceremony music because they don't have a lot of experience doing it. Here are 10 suggested songs you can sample and listen to below to get your imagination flowing.

In the past, clients have chosen everything from Faith Hill to Vivaldi for their processional music. As always, personal preference/ what sounds good to you, is key.

The player below contains music you can actually listen to. It works just like an iPod, click on a song to hear it.

(May work best with Safari or Mozilla browsers)

1. "Por Amor"- Andrea Bocelli. You may recognize Andrea Bocelli from his duet with Celine Dion on "The Prayer". On "Por Amor", Bocelli's operatic voice may give you goose bumps. Although it is sung in Italian, the emotion expressed is universal!

2. "Cavatina" is a classical, beautiful, acoustic guitar piece that has been a traditional favorite for generations.

3. "Whisper of a Thrill" was the captivating theme song from the award winning soundtrack of "Meet Joe Black".

4. Vangelis is the master of the epic soundscape. On "Hymne" he uses synthesizers to create a wave of sweeping emotion.

5. "Storybook Love" from the soundtrack of "The Princess Bride" has a classic feel and the perfect cadence for a walk down the aisle.

6. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World"- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. "Brother Iz" sings with understated emotion on this popular favorite.

7. George Winston's take on classical anthem, "Ode To Joy", is a delight. No stuffy pretense here, just great solo piano!

8. "No Holly for Miss Quinn"- Enya. Enya's music is both ethereal and spiritual- perfect for a ceremony processional.

9. "Stairway To Heaven" by London Philharmonic Orchestra is not everyone's cup of tea but it demonstrates the power of classical reinterpretation. A full orchestra playing a unique arrangement of a popular song can add a new dimension.

10. "Wonderful Tonight"- Amber Rose Guitar Duo. This guitar instrumental of Eric Clapton's classic love song will have you humming along.

Happy Listening,

DJ Craig

Strawberry Fields Forever For Christina & Craig

2009-03-05T17:24:00.000-08:00

Feb. 28, 2009

Christine and Craig weren't satisfied with planning just another reception. They turned their wedding day at Strawberry Farms in Irvine into an event to remember!

They made their Grand Entrance to the dramatic strains of Eminem's "Lose Yourself", then launched right into the First Dance- "Better Together" by Jack Johnson.

After several toasts and a wonderful meal, dancing began again with the traditional Father/Daughter Dance. "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman rang out as Christine and her father, Fred, took the floor.

Then a surprise performance took the stage when the Bride, Groom and several bridesmaids performed a dance and lip sync to Abba's "Dancing Queen".

Open dancing began as the energized guests packed the floor. Highlights included 80s flashback "867-5309/Jenny", "In The Ayer" by Flo Rida and "It Takes Two" by Rob Base.

We finally closed the evening out with Christine and Craig's requested last song, "Anyone Else But You" by The Moldy Peaches.

Special thanks to Heather and her staff at Strawberry Farms for helping the reception to unfold without a hitch!

Our set up included a two speaker Yamaha digital sound system, two sound active, intelligent dance floor lights and a classic mirror ball.

Here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig

Joy And Randy's New Year's Nuptials

2009-02-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

Joy and Randy chose the new year to start their new life together.

Their January '09 nuptials took place near the water in Lake Forest. The Bride chose "Easy For Me To Say" by Clint Black and Lisa Hartman for her walk down the aisle. After a tearful ceremony, the reception started with the jubilant newlyweds making making their entrance to "Everything" by Michael Buble.

"Everlasting Love" was played as a specially choreographed "family dance" entertained the guests. After more partying and dancing, Joy and Randy departed from their afternoon reception by boat. Guests blew bubbles as the honeymooners walked though and boarded their vessel of love.

We used a two speaker Yamaha sound system, dance floor scanners and several pin spots to highlight the wedding cake and wedding banner.

Bon Voyage!

Two Dads

2009-01-26T18:11:00.000-08:00

A bride-to-be recently asked what how best to handle the father/daughter dance when there is both a step-dad and a biological father.

This can be a sticky situation. Here is my answer:

In the past, I've had brides in this situation decide to pick an appropriate song and dance with each Dad for half of it.

You could also prearrange for one or both of them to take turns "automatically" cutting in with you once your first dance is over, as part of open dancing time. This is kind of stealthy, placing a bit less attention on all involved but it may not work for everyone.

Another alternative is to start the dancing with Dad #1, after a minute change the song and have your first dance with the groom. Then dance with Dad #2 for a minute or so.

Each of these ideas has its upside and advantages. Hope one of them works for you!

A Holiday Celebration

2009-01-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

Dec. 28, 2008

Between Christmas and New Year's Day, Susie and Luis celebrated their nuptials on the water at the Lake Forest Sun and Sail Club.

Ceremony highlights included the Bride walking down the aisle to Beyonce's "Ave Maria". The newly wedded couple's exit song was Barry White's "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe".

At the reception the guests enjoyed a diverse mix of music. They especially liked "The Cha Cha Slide". The Righteous Brothers classic, "Unchained Melody", was the First Dance.

For the ceremony, we provided an auxiliary sound system including a wireless lapel mic for the clergy. The reception system was a 2 speaker Yamaha digital.

Here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig

MORE Love Songs!

2008-12-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

Here are even more ideas for unique love songs. Use the player below and scroll through the suggestions as you would any other MP3 device. Push the PLAY arrow to get started and happy listening!

1. "Someone Like You"- Van Morrison

Van Morrison is Rock And Roll's spiritual godfather. His music ranges from gritty rock to the spiritually profound. "Someone Like You" is a love song with no pretense. The message is simple-

"Ive been searching a long time
For someone exactly like you
Ive been travelling all around the world
Waiting for you to come through..."

2. "Body And Soul"- Anita Baker

Anita Baker hit it big in the 80s with a string of soulful ballads. Then she all but disappeared. In 1994, she reemerged with a new album, "Rhythm Of Love", featuring the song "Body And Soul". The romantic song may not have received the attention of her earlier hits but Anita's voice has never sounded better.

3. "Your Song (live)"- Elton John

Elton John's "Your Song" is a classic 70s, soft rock anthem. In 1987, Elton performed it live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and captured the magic on tape. The new arrangement featured luscious keyboards, swirling violins, harps, horns and flutes- all complimenting an already great song and actually eclipsing the original version!

4. "I Could Not Ask For More"- Sara Evans

Sara Evans takes Edwin McCain's "I Could Not Ask For More" and makes it her own. Sara's sexy, earthy voice is complimented by a lush violin arrangement and a sweet slide guitar.

5. "Fly Me To The Moon"- Bobby Darin

Bobby Darin turns Sinatra's signature, "Fly Me To The Moon", from a bouncy foxtrot into a devotional ballad. Darin's knack for rearranging songs is uncanny. Listening to his version of "Fly Me..." is like hearing the song for the first time.

6. "Blue Moon"- Elvis Presley

In July of 1954, at Sun Studios in Memphis, a truck driver named Elvis Presley plugged in his guitar and changed the world. A byproduct of the original explosion of Rock and Roll, was a little noticed version of "Blue Moon". It was a B side to the hit, "That's All Right" and never got the exposure of Elvis' monster hits. Hearing "Blue Moon" is like finding a lost gem. It is stripped down- just Elvis, a guitar, percussion and some echo. The result is haunting and even a bit spooky but none the less captivating.

7. "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire"- Ink Spots

This throwback to the golden era of vocals is heartfelt and innocent, which makes it a novelty in today's world of salacious, disposable pop love songs. Like a classic Model T, they just don't make 'em like this anymore!

8. "True Love Ways"- Buddy Holly

This ballad finds rocker, Buddy Holly, in a studio with an orchestra that includes a heavenly saxophone. Holly's arrangement and singing are worlds away from the Rockabilly sound he helped pioneer. He croons along with sweet violins, making a delicate love song that has stood the test of time.

9. "Anyone Else But You"- The Moldy Peaches

This quirky duet was originally featured on the soundtrack to the Academy Award winning movie, "Juno". It's offbeat lyrics are matched only by it's sincere promise to accept a lover simply for who and what they are. Sample: "Here is the church and here is the steeple, we sure are cute for two ugly people!"

10. "All I Want Is You"- U2

These Irish rockers again prove that they have the range to rumble loudly as well as introspect gently. On the live at Sloan Castle version, Bono dedicates the song to his wife and the crowd gleefully sings along.

The iPod Wedding Challenge

2008-11-16T14:29:00.000-08:00

The idea of having an iPod wedding is a growing trend. Save tons of money on a traditional DJ by plugging in an preprogrammed MP3 player and let the magic of technology take over. Sounds great but the reality of mechanized music programming has its drawbacks. At the bottom of this article is a short test to see if you have what it takes to be a Master iPod Wizard!

A good DJ has an educated idea of what will work to get people dancing. He does well when he can suspend his own musical prejudices and play for "the crowd". The iPod and the guests are at the mercy of the taste of its programmer. The person in charge of the iPod knows what THEY like but may be inexperienced at playing for a mixed group.

On the other hand, the "jukebox" aspect of the iPod is interesting. It allows for eclectic, random musical changes and songs that might not necessarily go together. If you've ever been to a bar where the jukebox plays Metallica one minute, Sinatra the next, you may have noticed a quirky charm to the unorthodox mix. If you have the kind of group that will dance to anything or is quite musically evolved, the iPod may work out fine.

If it doesn't work out, you may have to bear some responsibility. Perhaps not the best way to start on the road to matrimonial bliss.

Here are some potential pitfalls:

Unless you want to edit each song, there will be gaps of silence between songs which can be a momentum killer.

Even with Apple's "Sound Check" technology, there are often quite significant differences in volume level for various songs. Someone will have to watch over the player all night to make volume adjustments.

You're going to need an amp and some decent speakers. If you need to rent them you will have to pick them up, deliver and set up the system. Then load it up and take it back after the party.

Timing is important. An iPod cannot build musical momentum on your dance floor, anticipate when to change tempo, musical style or throw in the unexpected zinger or "Guilty Pleasure". As a DJ, I know that HOW I play and mix songs together is just as important as WHAT I play.

The iPod does NOT take requests. And it is limited to the musical breadth of the person who owns it. A DJ is likely to have a library that appeals to a wide audience and crosses over generations and social strata.

If you still want to do it yourself, let's see what kind of music programmer you are! Take The iPod Wedding Quiz:

1. Can you name the TWO rock songs of the past 20 years that have proven to be MOST likely to get a response from a mixed age group?

2. If you had to pick ONE slow song that would have the widest appeal and get the best response, what would it be?

3. What 3 upbeat Motown songs work just about every time?

4. If you got a request to play Country, what song would appeal to even non-Country fans?

5. Name THE 70s Rock song that people seem to NEVER get tired of.

Answers Below...

Answers:

1. "Love Shack" by The B-52s and "Smooth" by Santana. No other Rock songs from the last two decades have as much dance floor appeal.

2. "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole is the hands down winner here.

3. "It's The Same Old Song" by The Four Tops, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" by The Temptations, "Come See About Me"- Diana Ross And The Supremes. Truth is, there are lots of Motown songs that work well. If you answered with at least one of these, give yourself a full point.

4. "Friends In Low Places"- Garth Brooks. You might try some Jimmy Buffet as well.

5. "Old Time Rock And Roll"- Bob Seger. People still love this song and rush to the dance floor when it is played. Did you say "You Shook Me" by AC/DC? Good guess but that was 1980. If you answered "My Sharona" deduct 2 points.

Scoring:

1-2 correct. Hire a professional to play music or risk the scorn of your loved ones and painful reception memories for years to come.

2-3 correct. You've got potential, you MAY be able to pull this off. If not, you'll have plenty to talk about on your honeymoon.

4-5 correct. OK Hotshot, you know your stuff. Do you have a back up sound system in case of emergency?

Diana and Doug's Marbella Matrimony

2008-11-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

Diana and Doug's plans for their November 2008 wedding seemed, at first, a bit ambitious. Plan an outdoor ceremony, a cocktail hour on the adjacent patio, dinner in the grand hall and dancing in yet another room.

The Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano offers these options but the logistics of providing sound for all of this could be a DJs nightmare. With the help of 2 sound systems, 4 speakers, several hundred feet of speaker cord and a bit of legwork, we pulled it off!

The ceremony was perfect as Diana and Doug used our Shure wireless mic to pledge their vows. We had another mic pinned to the lapel of the clergy. After the ceremony, we invited the guests to join the Newlyweds for a group photo. The ceremony system was then repositioned to cover the cocktail patio area.

The dining area sound coverage was provided by two satellite speakers. After the grand entrance to the reception and five toasts, it was cake cutting time. Since the cake was located near the dance area, it was a great way to move the guests and have them in place to witness the First Dance.

"The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson rang out from our main sound system as the guests enjoyed watching Diana and Doug take the floor. As is the Chinese custom, Diana went through no less than FOUR wardrobe changes throughout the night, including the dazzling red dress shown below:

Then it was party time! Partygoers enjoyed a great mix including music from Sinatra, The Beatles, Lynyrd Skynyrd as well as newer music from Flo Rida, Rihanna and Chris Brown. The guests danced into the night requesting a healthy dose of 90s Old School like "Return of the Mack" by Mark Morrison and "Mo Money, Mo Problems" by Notorious B.I.G.

Special thanks to Sherri from Marbella for helping make this day turn out wonderfully. And here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig

Tara And Jason's Bel Air Nuptials

2008-10-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

This trend setting LA couple chose to have their October 2008 ceremony and reception on a beautiful private estate in Bel Air, California.

Music from the soundtrack of "Cinema Paradiso" played for prelude. Processional music from eclectic Icelanders, Sigur Ross, was used for the processional.

Tara and Jason chose "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey as their Reception entrance song. Once the toasts and meal and mingling were done, it was time to get down to business on the dance floor.

Sam Cooke's classic love song, "Cupid", served as the First Dance. As Tara's family had New Orleans roots, we quickly jumped into a "Second Line" song to get the dance floor moving. Second Line is a traditional southern term for what those who follow and dance behind the first line of parade floats are called.

Our Bride and Groom broke out colorful umbrellas and led the second line of guests, winding around the property and eventually back to the dance floor. Mardi Gras type beads were handed out and the guests seemed to really enjoy this unique tradition.

Next we played a traditional Hora to honor Jason's heritage and the guests wasted no time lifting the Newlyweds into the air!

The wedding cake was one of the most unusual and beautiful I have seen. The serve yourself candy bar table, adjacent to the cake, was a nice touch.

Back on the dance floor, Jason used "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Barry White as the garter removal song. The enthusiastic crowd then partied to everything from "We Are Family" to "Sexyback" to Brian Setzer's swing song, "Gettin' In The Mood".

We closed the night out with one of Tara's favorites, "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison.

We used a two speaker, digital Yamaha system, Raptor lighting for the dance floor and a wireless lapel for the clergy.

Here's to another great beginning!

Wedding DJ

"Forever"

2008-10-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

"Forever" by John Michael Montgomery is a new, heartfelt love song that could be the perfect First Dance. Right now, it's a free download at Amazon:

Click here for "Forever" free download

Sample lyrics:

baby i don’t want to be the one to face this life
all alone at the end of the day when the sun goes down
i want you right here in my arms…forever
every little smile every move you make
it’s like a dagger to my heart took my breath away
all i ask is that you be mine forever…forever

Happy Listening,

Wedding DJ

Where Fairy Tales Come True

2008-10-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

Who wouldn't want to get married in a magical, fairy tale setting? That's exactly what Jaime and Robert decided to do for their October 5, 2008 wedding at Rancho Las Lomas!

"Rancho" is part of a large ranch in Trabuco Canyon. It features exotic captive wildlife, including white lions, llamas and many tropical birds. But the first thing most people notice is the architecture. The alabaster towers, wooden bridges and surrounding lush foliage are right out of Medieval times. The only thing missing are dragons and unicorns!

For the ceremony, Jaime walked down the aisle to "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. The recessional song was the energetic "Walking On Sushine" by Katrina And The Waves. This is the first reception I've been at where, instead of a flower girl we actually had a "Flower BOY".

After appetizers and refreshments at the reflection pool, Jaime and Robert chose to make their official reception entrance to "Bad Case Of Loving You" by Robert Palmer. When the dancing started, musical highlights included, "Jump Jive An' Wail" by Brian Setzer, "She's Everything" by Brad Paisley and "You Shook Me" by AC/DC.

For the ceremony and reception we used a 2 speaker digital Yamaha system & wireless lapel mic for clergy. Upstairs at the cocktail area we used an additional Yamaha powered, Renkus Heinz speaker system.

Here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig
Wedding DJ

Father Daughter Dance Song Ideas

2008-10-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

The iPod player above (yes, it actually works!) has full length songs. You can play all or part of them and move back and forth through them just like any mp3 player.

Press the arrow in the center of the iPod or click on a song to get started.

Song Listing:

1. "I Loved Her First"- Heartland

2. "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life"- Stevie Wonder

3. "When You Wish Upon A Star"- Billy Joel

4. "My Little Girl"- Tim McGraw

5. "You're Gonna Miss This"- Trace Adkins

6. "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You"- James Taylor

7. "I Hope You Danced"- Lee Ann Womack

8. "You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You"- Dean Martin

9. "Landslide"- Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac

10. "Time To Say Goodbye"- Andrea Bocelli

11. "My Girl"- The Temptations

12. "Unforgettable"- Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole

13. "Father And Daughter"- Paul Simon

14. "Because You Loved Me"- Celine Dion

15. "Stand By Me"- Ben E. King

16. "The Way You Look Tonight"- Frank Sinatra

17. "Stand By Me"- Ben E. King

18. "That's My Job"- Conway Twitty

19. "Daughters"- John Mayer

20. "Lullabye"- Billy Joel

21. "The Long And Winding Road"- The Beatles

22. "Sunrise Sunset"- Fiddler On The Roof

Happy Listening,

DJ Craig

Wedding DJ

Christine And Kirk's Moroccan Paradise

2008-09-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

In the heart of downtown LA, hidden between the skyscrapers, is an exotic, Moroccan oasis known as Hotel Figueroa. This is the one-of-a-kind location that Christine and Kirk chose for their nuptials on Sept. 20, 2008. Their goal was to create an unforgettable and unique experience for their guests and by all accounts, they succeeded!

The ceremony and reception, being lit mostly by candle light, added to the ambiance of the well decorated surroundings. The officiant actually quoted Dr. Seuss as part of the vows. Another hint that this was not your typical wedding! Christine's choice for the end of the ceremony recessional song was Shirley Bassey's incredible cover of Pink's "Get The Party Started".

The owner of the Hotel, Uno, was actually on site, making sure every detail was taken care of. Uno is a man with an eye for detail. During set up, he even straightened out some of the reception tables that were slightly out of place. Now that's service!

Kudos also go out to Laura, from Rebel Belle Weddings, who was invaluable in coordinating and keeping the reception flowing.

In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, these newlyweds opted for a gourmet cupcake pyramid. Their first dance, another unusual choice, was Springsteen's "Drive All Night". Party music ranged from "Islands In The Stream", "It's Raining Men", "SexyBack" to an actual tango (by request).

I closed the evening out with another of Christine and Kirk's favorites, "To Make You Feel My Love" by Garth Brooks.

Here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig

Gina & Aaron's Reception At Coyote Hills

2008-09-21T21:00:00.000-07:00

Sept. 19, 2008

The newlyweds made their grand entrance to "Another One Bites The Dust" by Queen. Then, in a bit of a break from tradition, the bride and groom went immediately to the dance floor. "Lost In This Moment" by Big & Rich rang out while an adoring crowd of family and friends witnessed the first dance.

After the usual toasts, Gina and Aaron grabbed the mic to thank everybody. The bride took this opportunity to present her bouquet to her grandmother, who had been a lifelong inspiration to her.

Once the party got started, musical highlights included "Low" by Flo Rida, "Smooth" by Santana and the guilty pleasure of 80s flashback, "You Give Love A Bad Name" by Bon Jovi!

We used a 2 speaker digital Yamaha system for the dance floor and two satellite speakers to provide sound for guests in the dining area.

Here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig

Cliff Top Wedding In Dana Point

2008-09-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like looking out at the horizon and seeing the blue Pacific stretching out endlessly. Especially when you are about to say, "I do" to the one you love! This is what Marie and Chris choose to do for their September, 2008 wedding in Dana Point.

Adding to the visual appeal, The "Tall Ship" festival was going on this weekend. The harbor was seemingly filled with these ancient mariners, their masts reaching to the sky.

I addition to the spectacular views, The Chart House features about THE best reception buffet you'll find. Guests enjoy an incredible salad bar complete with capers, hearts of palm and, oh yes, even caviar! The salmon was tender and the roast beef was quite juicy.

Chris and Marie's playlist ranged from Santana to Phil Collins to Gloria Estefan and the guests enjoyed dancing to it all. Marie's father, "Red", cautioned me to keep the father/daughter dance short, as he wasn't much of a dancer. No problem. I invited the guests to join in after just a minute or so.

We used a four speaker system and two wireless mics so that guests could hear the nuptials and enjoy sound coverage throughout the reception areas.

A special thanks to Chart House manager, Ken Rosnagle and his experienced staff, who attendeded to every detail of the ceremony and reception.

Here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig

Unique Slow Songs

2008-09-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hint: Press the center button just below "menu" to start music.

Looking for an unusual, original slow song? You've come to the right place.

Here are some overlooked gems that aren't getting the attention they deserve. Use the iPod player above to sample and scroll through the suggested songs.

1. "You Give Me Something"- James Morrison

Never heard of him? Give it some time. Morrison is new to the music scene but his soulful voice will make you wonder why he isn't already a household name.

2. "You Take My Breath Away"- Queen

The band that brought operatic, Pomp Rock to it's pinnacle could also perform an inspired ballad. This song is stark and captivating in it's naked emotion.

3. "Falling Slowly"- Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

From the Academy award winning soundtrack of "Once". You may have missed this song if you didn't see the movie. In the film and in real life, Hansard and Irglova bring a refreshing innocence into a world of corporate, commercial muzak.

4. "The Way I Am"- Ingrid Michaelson

On this simple and straightforward song, Michaelson wants to "catch you" when you fall and "buy you Rogaine" when you start losing your hair. Now that's love.

5. "Breathe Me"- Sia

Sia's already making a mark for herself as a talented performer. The fact that her music ranges from percolating Pop to deep, reflective, Alternative Rock doesn't hurt. "Breathe Me" is simply arresting, Sia's voice crackles across it as if she's just had a good cry.

6. "The Golden State"- John Doe

You may remember John Doe as front man for the 80s Punk band X. His guitar still has a biting edge, as do his lyrics. He wants to be "the aching in your heart" even if you are "the hole in (his) head". Doe knows that love is not always easy but he is still willing to give it all he has.

7. "God Only Knows" (1967 Rehearsal)- The Beach Boys

This recently released "lost" track shows that even in rehearsal, Brian Wilson and company could create pure magic. No studio trickery here, just great harmonies.

8. "The Very Thought Of You"- Frank Sinatra

When is the last time you heard this? If you can't remember, that's a shame. When "The Chairman" sang about love, he meant it. It's still Frank's world, we just live in it.

9. "One"- Mary J Blige & U2

Mary revamps this classic 80s ballad and adds an R&B edge. Bono helps start the song and later gracefully steps out of the way to let Blige's power kick in.

10. "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair"- Nina Simone

Sang in nearly a cappella style, Simone bares her soul with a stunningly unabashed vulnerability. This is earthy, real and inescapable.

11. "We're All Alone"- Boz Scaggs

Boz starts off singing with a soft solo piano. By the time the orchestra crescendo hits full force, it's too late- you have been teleported into Romanceville with no return ticket.

12. "Stay Awhile"- Journey/ 13. "Patiently"- Journey

Choosing between these two is like deciding which twin to keep. Before Journey hit it big with their Arena Rock anthems, Steve Perry's voice rang out to the universe on these odes in search of divine love.

14. "What a Wonderful World"- Tony Bennett & k.d. lang

Tony and k.d. do Louis Armstrong proud on this classic duet. Bennett is smooth as silk and Lang simply sparkles.

15. "Never My Love"- The Fifth Dimension

Back in the Summer Of Love, The Association had a huge hit with this devotional anthem. The Fifth Dimension's subsequent cover may make you forget all about that. Marilyn McCoo's vocals soar over a soulful horn section, making you wish the song would go on and on.

Happy Listening,

DJ Craig

Reid and Victor's "Hairspray" Extravaganza!

2008-09-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

August 31, 2008

Reid and Victor, having been together 20 years, were planning a big celebration for their anniversary. Their idea was a "Hairspray" inspired, kitschy cocktail party.

After some consideration, they finally decided to take advantage of the recent changes in California law and officially tie the knot. "Having been together for 20 years, we know what it takes to be married", Victor said.

So the newly engaged couple incorporated the ideas for their party and had a "Hairspray" wedding, complete with giant aerosol can props and brightly colored turquoise and pink linens and decorations.

The gala was held at The Wyndham Hotel in Costa Mesa's South Coast Metro area. The couple took advantage of the scenic lakeside area as their ceremony location. Wyndham's coordinator, Marcy Hail, was incredibly nice and very accommodating.

I had the pleasure of introducing them into their reception as, "...celebrating their 20th anniversary, the newlyweds- Reid and Victor!", to a thundering ovation.

The party was a smash as guests enjoyed Victor and Reid's eclectic playlist which included such diverse choices as Diana Ross, Elvis Costello, The Monkees, The Go-Gos and the guilty pleasure of Quiet Riot's "Cum On Feel The Noise".

Before the party, I was able to track down a copy of Madonna's "Dress You Up" (Formal Mix), at Victor's request. This certainly brought the 80s aficionados onto the dance floor. And then there was young Dalton, our white jacketed ring bearer. He did his best to keep the party hip by requesting "Low", "Walk It Out" and "The Cha Cha Slide".

We used a two speaker, digital Yamaha system for sound and a couple of Martin Raptors to light up the dance area.

Here's to another great beginning!

DJ Craig