Weddings are beautiful events to be shared with friends and loved ones. One of the most precious moments is the sharing of the vows. We make sure our bases are covered when it comes to microphones and weddings. We always do sound checks before the celebration. But at the same time when guests arrive the sound may not be perfect. With guests in between the receiver and the transmitter, the microphone and everyone having a cell phone can interfere with the signal. The other day we had a drone above the ceremony and we can hear the static coming through the speakers.  We had to improvise. We had the officiant plus the groom with lapels.  Lapels can be tricky at times. Best thing would to be the receiver as close as possible to the transmitter or have long antennas or even better   antenna fins so can have a further reach.  We had to turn off the lapels and used the wireless handheld which was right next to the officiant. It did sound so cleaner and louder. It is all about being prepared. But even before the ceremony even started I had around 50 feet of microphone cable on standby with a wired microphone for plan c. Its all about having back ups to your back ups to make sure the sound of the ceremony. Some say it is overkill but I do not believe so. During ceremonies most djs only use one speaker and I say not me. I believe in getting two speakers to  ensure  a more full balanced sound  and  we want guests to feel the  music  and the  powerful  words  of  the  offficiant.

 When you do a public event for a school you have to earn their trust. They want to make sure all the songs you play are appropriate and want to make sure your gear is top notch.  The dj before did play music but did not say much so that was in the back of my mind. I was able to get a playlist that was approved by the school and the instructions was to get a lot of engagement.

 It started with some folks speaking in the beginning then I was playing all the songs from their list and I included some songs that were also kid friendly but adults also liked. Then the folks hosted a pie eating contest then I would change the song after each contest. Once that was done then I was in charge of the mic. We started off with the hula hoop contest where we had the participant’s hula hoop this the hoop hit the floor. We really had some good hula hoopers. At one point two lasted the whole song so I got them both a prize. It was mostly girls who wanted to do the game but I also invited the boys to come try. One boy actually won one round. If you do this contest you have to do a few rounds since its popular.

 Musical chairs were also a big hit. I did a round of girls then a round of boys. We could have kept on doing that but we needed to finish with some line dancing to get the whole crowd going. Mission to get the crowd engaged and mission was accomplished.

 There is nothing like an old school party! It was a birthday party in West Los Angeles. Everyone was in the patio area and the dj was suggested to go to the opposite end of the back yard. Black and White Affair made it happen. We set up the booth away from everyone based on client suggestion. Best scenario is to be where the action is so we can see the action and read the crowd. It was a small patio so we had to be away from everyone. I was able top place two speakers in the patio area and be stationed far away. It was hard to see if the folks were grooving to the music while they were eating but tried to keep it an old school vibe for most of the night.  Song of the night was Sex Bomb!

  This was the first event where I saw a dog table. They had meatballs for the dogs and dog treats. That table was a hit with the dogs that the guest brought. One dog was smart enough to jump on the table and over indulged in the treats. Anyway the party had a planner plus a caterer with a waitress and bartender. It was truly a celebration in West Los Angeles. I did have a good time. A few weeks later they called for another event but I sent another dj to do it since I was already doing a Latin event on the same day. Seems like most events happen on Saturday so please book your ds early if you are having a Saturday event.

  Be the hip planner to incorporate a vinyl dj for the event. When a vinyl dj plays at a corporate event it gives is a vintage feel that can bring back memories and it can fit the theme and vibe of the event. Also just the sight of vinyl records is appealing and add to the atmosphere of the event. Just the visual of a dj switching records for each song can create a cool ambiance.

A lot of folks say that vinyl records do produce a different sound than of digital formats. One can say that vinyl can produce a warmer, rich sound compared to digital tracks thus giving a better listening experience. It does seem there are a lot of digital djs around and hiring a vinyl dj will bring a different experience that not too many folks have experienced and it would be one that truly stands out. I do have to say vinyl djs have the experience to solidify their skills since collecting records is an ongoing mission and djs take serious since it is expensive to maintain.

There is no such thing as a sync button (to have songs seamlessly mix) so these vinyl djs are more skilled to mix by ear. In a nutshell, vinyl djs at corporate events can create a unique feel to the event and make it memorable for all those that attend. Call Black and White Affair to bring the Vintage Dj experience for the corporate event.

  We need to set up at a field. No problem. We will have around 500 people. No problem. We need four speakers spread out in the field with power spread out also. No problem. Also we want music people can jive too. No problem.

 We had an honor roll celebration recently and I had to provide the sound. First and foremost,  I had to check the power sources to make sure they worked since it is a field. Made sure I ordered 4 50 foot extension cords and 50 foot speaker cables. Wanted to spread out the speakers to cover more ground and would not have to blast the volume so it would be too loud for those who are close to the speaker.

 I set up one wireless microphone with another on stand by with another wired microphone on backup. Parents had a full day of work and wanted to hear their child’s name loudly on the pa system.

 I made sure the playlist was as festive as can be. You need to know your audience.  The majority of the audience was latinos so we went with 90 percent latin music but I did include crossover music and some American classics. A lot of djs are afraid to play non American music because they want to be safe. But when you do play the cumbias or Mexican music people deeply appreciate it.

Outside events you have many factors to deal with but it has to be done by a professional sound guy to make sure it is done right. Contact Black and White Affair to make sure your graduation or outside event is done right.

Hey Party folks I got you covered when it comes to a latin playlist. We are going to get your toes wet into the latin music pool to get people moving to the latin beats. We are talking salsa, reggaeton, bachata, merengue, cumbia and more. Let’s break it down:

It is not about playing the same type of music the whole night. There are so many types of latin music that its good to hop  around to quench the latin music thirst. A dj would be beneficial since they can read the crowd and determine how many songs of one genre can be played. A phone on shuffle can not read the crowd and could kill the vibe when people are getting hyped up.

Marc Anthony  and Celia Cruz can get people to start to salsa dance with their jams.

Next you can  include reggaeton like Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Maluma and Ozuna.

If one wants to slow it down then they can play some bachata to add a romantic vibe to the party. Artis that deep dive into that are Romeo Santos, Prince Royce and Aventura.

Then it maybe time to sped it up and you can throw on some Merengue with an artist like Elvis Crespo.

Cumbias are what gets everyone moving. There are a lot of classics by Fito Olivares and Los Angeles Azules and Anciento Molina.

At last, do not forget the latin cross overs and pop songs from Shakira and Enrique Iglesias.

There is a cool spot to throw a party in Los Angeles. From the outside it looks like a car autoshop but when you get closer you see it is way different. The. front area is big enough to have 3 cars unload. We had a taco guy by the front and the photobooth guy was too my right. The client gave me a good playlist to work from. Everything ran smooth as possible. There was a lot of taco eating going on plus a lot of dancing going on to. The biggest artist for the young folks was Nicki Minaj.

Los Angeles is full of cool spots and the Hot Shot Muffler is a spot to have events. The staff is very helpful and they care. I was so impressed with them that I left them a review. I do like behind the wall behind. the. dj area is a place to lounge. They. have these little hoops so everyone can be a kid again.

One of the best ways to have a memorable wedding is to plan a destination wedding. It combines the joy of getting married with the chance of exploring a new destination across your country or even abroad! But, planning a destination wedding requires careful consideration and planning in the aspects of choosing a location, setting a sound budget, and making it easy for guests to travel and enjoy the event. In this article by BWADJ, we’ll explore the step-by-step process couples can take for planning a successful destination wedding.

Choose a Great Location

The whole point of a destination wedding is to host it at a great location. Hence, the first step will be to brainstorm the best locations and then rank them based on feasibility, cost, and preference.

• Weather: For those planning to host the ceremony outdoors, weather should be one of the first factors to consider. Research your destinations’ average weather patterns and temperature during your preferred dates. Additionally, it’s best to steer clear of locations that are prone to extreme weather conditions.

• Accessibility: Hosting a wedding on an island or mountain top are great ideas, however as the host, it’s important to ensure that all guests including seniors and those requiring health accommodations can attend your wedding. For this reason, it’s best to choose locations that are easily reachable by cars or public transportation.

• Preference: At the end of the day, it is your wedding and you have the freedom to choose the location that best meets your needs. Whether it be a place with which you have a personal connection or a destination inspired by your favorite movie, your preference should take priority while making a decision.

Set a Budget

Setting a clear budget is crucial for any wedding, but it becomes even more critical for a destination wedding, where expenses can quickly add up. As reported by Bankrate, the average cost of a wedding and reception as of 2022 stood at $30,000. Consider the following steps to establish a realistic budget:

• Research Local Costs: The cost of decorations, catering, and other wedding-related activities vary across locations. Conduct online research to ascertain how much you’ll be paying based on the location(s) you shortlist.

• Include Travel Expenses: Remember to account for the travel expenses of you and your immediate family, given that there is a high chance you will be traveling together. Additionally, flight and train fares constantly fluctuate, hence it’s best to book well in advance and take advantage of group discounts to keep costs low.

• Create an Emergency Fund: Unexpected costs and last-minute charges are more common than you think, as reported by Brides. Hence, it’s best to set aside an emergency fund of 10-20% of your total budget to safeguard yourself from surprise costs.

Save Money with DIY Invitations

While decorations, catering, and other big-ticket items are best left to the professionals, you can save a considerable amount of money by designing your own invitations. 

• Use Online Design Tools: There are various great online design tools using which you can create a great wedding invitation within a few clicks. You can also personalize it based on your theme, location, and other preferences. Click here to try one of the best tools for designing wedding invitations. 

• Share Invitations Digitally: Additionally, instead of spending hundreds of dollars on printing cards, consider sharing them via email or messaging apps. 

Help Guests With Accommodations & Travel Plans

Helping your guests with planning accommodations and travel will result in a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. 

• Negotiate Group Bookings: For close friends and family, consider getting buy-in from everyone to purchase a group package. This will result in considerable savings and an organized travel schedule. 

• Provide a Wedding Guide: Once your wedding plans have been finalized, consider creating a guide that encompasses all the information things guests should know, such as the date, ceremony schedule, best accommodation options, and more to keep everyone informed and on the same page.

When it comes to hosting a destination wedding, planning will be key. In addition to choosing a location, you'll need to create a sound budget and utilize the best ways to keep costs in check, by creating your own invitations and making group bookings.

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