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.

 Most of the weddings I do, we have a day of coordinator or I help with the planning of the events of the wedding. A lot of folks never really planned a wedding before so I give them suggestions and they listen too them and they choose what they like.  Sometimes we have a planner at weddings from the start so they are in the loop.

  I have the pleasure to work with a good wedding planner. Way in advance of the wedding she reached out and asked me if I needed anything for the wedding. She wanted to know if we had two lapels and if we needed special tables and linens. We already had everything so I thanked her for asking. I showed up the day before the wedding to check out venue layout and got to meet her in person. The next day before we set up I touched based with her with a few small music changes so she knew what was happening.

   We went over the procession of the ceremony so we had our cues in order.  There was a small change with dogs running in the ceremony so I was kept in the loop with that. Later in the reception she gathered the wedding party and it was my duty to announce them. Every time we hit an event on the timeline I checked in with the wedding planner to make sure dj and the other vendors were good to go. What was great was the good communication during the whole wedding.  I definitely recommend a wedding planner for weddings especially one that is very detailed and good with communication. Events by Nicki in case you want to find a planner who is on top of things. https://www.eventsbynicki.com

Real Life Weddings: Gilroy Wedding in a Venue like backyard (Bay Area Dj serving San Jose, Milpitas, San Martin, Morgan Hill and Gilroy)

 In 2016, I was hired to do a Halloween party in Gilroy. I do remember how much they decorated and it was a cool vibe. I was dressed like the 49er football coach Harbaugh. Then 8 years later I get a call that they want me to do their daughters wedding. I was impressed that dad remembered and appreciated how quickly I could mix out of songs. I said of course I will do the wedding.

 The house is beautiful and it has a nice swimming pool then in the back they have like a barnlike garage but its like for cars and very spacious.  The parents house could be a wedding venue and I was working with a wedding planner.  I went the day before to take a look at where the ceremony was going to take place. I was happy that we were in the shaded area.

Then we were shown our set up for the reception. There was a concern that we were right in the sun but I assured our host we will figure it out and not to worry about it.

 The following day we show up 2 hours before the ceremony and set up the ceremony system. Most ds use 1 speaker but we use two since it’s a better balance. We gave lapels to the minister and groom. I also had a back up wireless mic in the back just in case.

 After the ceremony they had a Frank Sinatra singer that sounded just like him.

 Our set up for the ceremony was we had our big boy speakers set up outside and connected some small speakers for the barn area. People were able to eat and listen to music and announcements. We did our first dance there and had dinner. It was a bit hot so we did everything outside.  We had our toasts and our special parent dances. Then it was party time. We were going with top hip hop from the 2015 to 2019. We go down with that music then we did a little old school from the 80s and 90s that the older folks appreciated.

Overall a fun time and a good vibe.

  I did a retail event for an Outlet store years ago a few times and then I got an email for a private birthday party from the same manager. Client really liked the old school and we like playing old school so we were the right fit. We were playing in front of the house for this party. They suggested maybe only playing one speaker but I like playing two since it has a better balance. I just would not play it as loud.

  They were really having a party. They had a taco guy in the front yard and everyone made sure they ate. They were also passing around jello shots and shots. I haven’t been at a party Iike this in a long time. Everyone was in good moods and we were playing the old school. A lot of freestyle and funk was being played. There was a group of 20 something year olds who stuck it out and they wanted some more current music. We throw on They are not like us by Kendrick Lamar which is probably the song of the summer and some bay area jams. I love the fact we can play old school then without missing a beat we can do a current hip hop set. Usually djs specialize in one type of music such as the most current music or the old school. But for us we love the old school but keep up to date with the latest music since we do a lot of proms and homecomings. Overall a fun party with great music.

Audio for Graduation in Gilroy and going to a Los Angeles Graduation (Bay Area Dj serving San Jose, Gilroy, and Morgan Hill) (Los Angeles Dj serving Hollywood, Glendale and Burbank)

 We love doing sound for graduations. We find out who our audience is and we prep the playlist. Of course we listen to the must plays and we do play them. Most often time we have free reign in what to play for the audience. Typically, we have an hour before the ceremony to set the mood. We have been doing a high school graduation in graduation for years. We did it before the pandemic then we took a few years off then it was back open for business. They have their function at Christmas Hill Park They have a built in stage so its an easy set up. The majority of the guests are Latinos. So we play Latino music. Most places try to stay safe and play English music. We are the opposite, since we want to create a memorable experience. We want to create a joyous experience for the celebration. We don’t want to play English music that the guests don’t typically listen to.

I was a guest at a nice venue in downtown Los Angeles. Just to rent the venue it runs about 20k. It is a really really nice venue where top musicians play. This was another graduation with 96 percent of the graduates being Latino. I was a guest and not the dj for this event. They played all English music and alternative music. I am pretty sure most of the folks have never heard the music before. The ceremony was a beautiful one but what was missing was music that moved the crowd before the ceremony and at the end. It is so important to have that for the audience. You have to really know the crowd. The crazy thing about the expensive venue was they were given the songs by us and they did not even play it. Expensive does not necessarily mean better in this case.

  We are up for anything. We had a last minute event (anything 2 weeks or less is considered a last minute event) and we had a dj available and what made it perfect was it was our latin dj so it was a latin party in Gilroy.  The weather has not been the greatest so we had to figure out if we needed a tent or if the party was going to be inside. We kept in communication with the client to see what the status was going to be.  The party was at a ranch with a lot of room but it was outside inside a tent. When the dj got there there was a mariachi playing and the dj was the dessert of the evening.  There was a lot of Ozuna and Maluma on the playlist. Definitely a lot of reggaeton. It was like 95 percent Spanish and 5 percent English.  It was a lot of   dance music that did a good job of covering the aspect that it was raining. It just proves that when enough planning you can still have an event or a plan B.

 They did have a piñata there too. The kids and adults had a shot at it! Even though there was rain it still was a happening party. It was so fun the police came to visit. So there was loud music going on with mariachi and early on the police did visit but they did not come again once we adjusted the volume. I did speak with the client and he was happy with the night. 

We are part of the Levi’s experience this past weekend and will be part of it next weekend. There will be a Black and White Affair dj Saturday and Sunday doing a marathon set. We will be providing the vibe while folks look at the fresh Levi Gear. On Saturday we will be doing a 12 to 8 set then Sunday we will be doing a 12 to 7 set. Last year Levi did a few stores with music then this year they had more stores do it. Levi’s posted it on their social media and people knew about it. There is always something special when a do is playing at a retail store. Usually when I go to stores the music is easy listening. I remember I went to a grocery store one time and the music was super funky and I’m like wow it makes a huge difference in the store experience.

   Music wise we go with the top 40 then we also include old school plus some mass songs. Old school would include 80s. 90s, and 00s.  Its crazy to believe that 2000s is considered old school. How time flies! But the good thing about music is the younger generations are appreciating the music that their parents listened to. I am noticing that more and more at teen events when they make their requests. There are so much  new music coming   out that  some of it falls through  the cracks but the old school classics still stick around and make  the  shopping  experience a bit more enjoyable. Please go visit Levis and say what’s up to the dj! Happy Holidays!

The sweet 16 event is a very important event in a young lady’s life. It is a coming of age party that many cultures around the world celebrate. In the U.S., the sweet 16 party is a very popular party that is celebrated with a very fancy party. 

There are many ways to celebrate a sweet 16 event. Folks can have a small gathering with close friends and family. Other folks can have a large party with many guest. No mater which route you take a sweet 16 party needs this:

!. Select a theme that shows off the birthday girls personality. Ideas are like a masquerade ball or a beach party.

2. Invitations that fall in the theme of the party. Make it eye catching.

3. Pick a venue that can fit your guests: banquet hall, ballroom, or backyard.

4. Decorate your venue with up lights, balloons and other decorations that fit your theme. Maybe consider getting a professional decorator.

5.  Consider doing appetizers and full meals. Be prepared since some folks cannot eat specific foods.

6. A birthday is not a birthday without the cake. Alternatives can be cake pops or cupcakes. The dessert can fall under the theme.

7. Entertainment: This should be number 1. This will make and break the celebration. Make sure you get a dj to provide the sound track of the memorable event.

8. Make sure your send out information on the dress code so your guests will follow the theme or dress formally.

9. Party favors so folks can take something memorable home such as candy bags or personalized items.

10. Have a guest book so guests can sign in and leave messages behind. It will be a good way to keep track of your guests so you can thank them for attending your event.

11. Photo booths can be added for fun pictures.

12. Set up a gift table so there is an area for the gifts.

13. Speeches: Allow time for family and friends to give speeches and share their wishes for the guest of honor.