This past weekend, I had the pleasure of working a beautiful wedding in Simi Valley, Southern California. The couple, Tony and Stephaney, chose a stunning venue for their intimate ceremony, surrounded by close friends and family. What made the ceremony extra special was their officiant—a longtime friend of the bride—who shared heartfelt and funny stories about the couple, making it truly personal and memorable.

As the audio tech, I came fully prepared. I set up three microphones: a lapel mic for the officiant, a wireless mic on the bench, and a wired mic as a backup. While the lapel mic provided clear audio, it occasionally picked up some wind, so having backups ensured everything went smoothly. I always like to have my bases covered, especially for outdoor ceremonies.

Tony and Stephaney are a fun-loving couple who wanted to keep things relaxed and joyful. They skipped some of the traditional formalities but made sure to include the essentials—like a sweet first dance and a group Cupid Shuffle that got everyone moving.

During cocktail hour, we kept the vibe upbeat with fun music. It was warm inside, so many guests opted to hang out outdoors. For the older crowd who stayed inside, I mixed in some classic old-school tracks to keep them entertained.

Once the sun went down and things cooled off, the dance floor filled up. From a touch of country to a lot of early 2000s dance hits, the night turned into a party that perfectly reflected the couple’s personality.

Weddings like this are a reminder of why I love what I do—great music, great people, and a celebration filled with genuine joy.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of performing at a fantastic bocce party in Santa Clara. The event was a perfect blend of great music, laughter, and community, making it a truly memorable night for everyone involved.

Pre-Event Planning for a Seamless Experience

A few days before the party, I met with the hosts—Mom and Dad—at the venue to go over the event details. They provided the agenda, and we reviewed everything to ensure a smooth flow. This preparation helped me tailor the music selection to match the different phases of the event.

Setting the Mood with Live Instrumental Covers

As guests arrived and enjoyed cocktail hour, I played instrumental covers to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The soft melodies set the perfect tone for mingling and socializing.

Dinner with Fun Pop Music & a Bocce Ceremony

During dinner, we transitioned into upbeat pop music, adding a fun energy to the meal. Then came the much-anticipated bocce ceremony, where the crowd gathered to celebrate the game and its winners.

Hosting the Shoe Game & Getting Everyone Dancing

One of the highlights of the night was the classic Shoe Game! I had the honor of playing game show host, keeping the energy high and the audience engaged with laughter and cheers. Once the game wrapped up, we got everyone—young and old—on the dance floor. The mix of music appealed to all age groups, ensuring a lively and unforgettable celebration.

Book Live Music for Your Next Event

If you're planning a bocce party or any special event in Santa Clara, live music can take it to the next level. Contact me to create the perfect atmosphere for your gathering!

 I was fortunate enough to be part of a very unique wedding in Saratoga Foothill Club.  Typically, I also do the ceremony then the reception but they had that base covered. They got married indoors and the ceremony was in the reception hall. The officiate did not need a microphone and the pianist only played one song twice. He was practicing before the ceremony and it was the song Mad World from Donnie Darko.

 I was on at 5 but I wanted to set up before the pianist.  I put my speakers on each side of the stage then I taped down my cabling. Once the ceremony was done we moved the piano to the back of the stage. Bill was the venue overseer  and he was very helpful. He turned down the  lights when we were doing different events at the wedding. We did cocktail at that time and it was a mix of jazz and yacht rock. the dance

The couple did not want a grand entrance. They wanted a quick one minute first dance and the bride and groom danced for a minute then they danced with their parents. Eventually we did the toasts Then we played dinner music which consisted of jazz and soft rock.

We just had a bouquet toss and a married couple dance to see who was married the longest. Then they share their secret to a long happy marriage.

During the dance portion of the night we did Korean and Persian songs. We are not familiar with the music but we got their suggestions and made sure we had those picked songs.

I was part of a very intimidate wedding at a residence.  It had a small bridal party.  They came in to Frank   Sinatra’s Love and Marriage (Made more famous with the Married with Children theme song)

Right after that, they wedded they took pictures in front of the house while the guests had cocktail hour. The pre-ceremony music and the cocktail music had the same kind of music which was classic r&b such as Earth Wind and Fire and the Temptations for example.

It was djs choice for wedding party entrance and the newly married couple came in to a country song.

  We did have a timeline that was pretty on cue till the reception. We made sure everything was done but it was done a bit earlier. This only can be done with communication. We had a planner who sent us the schedule but she would let the couple know what was happening next then she would tell me and I would like the photographer know what was happening next. We had the special parent dances and the garter and bouquet toss. Later we had the married couple dance and the couple shared their advice for a long lasting marriage. What the guy said something comical but probably was not appropriate as he told me but I just improvised and said something more positive.

   I stayed two hours longer and played more Spanish music for the party. Once when most of the guests left a few wanted to do Karaoke and I was able to make it happen. They asked if   it cost more and I   said I am already here all I need to do is add a cable and we   are golden. It was a fun event.

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.

  Weddings are not the same ole weddings from before. Back in the day everyone used the same venues and now that is not the case. People are now using Airbnbs as their unique venue. These locations can be more affordable than a typical wedding venue. It can provide an intimate place for family and friends for your special wedding day. A typical wedding venue has strict rules on how to décor your location but with airbnbs there is way more flexibility. Also with multiple rooms guests can have access to a place to stay and you have a place to hold the after party.

  I was part of a wedding in San Jose. It was a hot day and I was under a canopy. I was playing instrumental covers of the preceremony music. The bride had a surprise while her partner walked the aisle and sang the processional song as she entered. It was a beautiful ceremony then we all went   inside the house during cocktail hour since it was super hot. When it was time for dinner we ate outside while we played Spanish music.

 We did the grand entrance and first dance right after dinner. Then it was the dance part of the night. We did a lot of fun Mexican dance music and there were some great singers who wanted to serenade the couple with karaoke. The Brides had a great night and the intimate wedding was a really memorable moment. It was so intimate and it seemed like everyone really got to know everyone.

Lots of Spanish hits and lots of great memories.

Recently did a wedding downtown San Jose at a brewery. The brewery was in a different area and we had the whole outside to ourselves. We had a nice shiny dance floor where we held the ceremony. The ceremony was a tad bit behind schedule but we were able to catch up with all the events scheduled. The officiant had a nice ceremony and we learned more about the couple. After the ceremony we were supposed to do cocktail hour but since we were behind we jumped right into dinner without missing the beat. Sometimes you need to go with the flow.

  The playlist had a lot of hits on it. The groom liked indie music so we played a lot of that. I was not familiar with his kind of music but I made sure I played it. We even went Bay Area music which was easy for me. I did like how we went all over the place to keep the guests on the dance floor.

  Overall it was a fun intimate wedding. Guests were able to get their requests in and we played it then and there. We didn’t do the all typical wedding events. We did the toasts and the first dance plus father daughter dance and mother son dance. Sometimes we shorten the songs but they danced to the whole songs. Not all weddings are the same not they should be. All weddings shims be customized to each couple. We did not do a grand entrance since the couple was already at the venue.

Planning a wedding is no easy feat, especially when it comes to finding the perfect venue. With so many options available in Burbank, it can feel overwhelming deciding which one is best for you and your special day. We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up some of the best wedding venues in Burbank that are sure to wow your guests and make your day truly memorable.

Burbank Marriott Convention Center Hotel – As one of the top hotels in Burbank, this venue offers a variety of packages that ensure all aspects of your special day are taken care of. From their experienced wedding planners who will guide you through every step of the process, to their elegant ballrooms with breathtaking views, they have everything you need for a memorable experience.

The Castaway – This historic landmark is perched on a hilltop overlooking both Los Angeles and Burbank, providing spectacular views from every angle. Whether you’re looking for an indoor or outdoor ceremony location, The Castaway has something for everyone with its unique blend of modern elegance mixed with classic charm.

The Glendale Women’s Club – Located just minutes away from downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood, this hidden gem is sure to impress. Featuring beautiful gardens and stunning architecture, this venue provides a picturesque backdrop perfect for any event. Plus, there’s plenty of room inside if you need an indoor space as well!

No matter what kind of wedding you envision, there are plenty of great venues in Burbank that can accommodate your needs. From luxurious hotels to breathtaking outdoor locales, these venues offer something special for each couple’s special day. Whether you opt for The Castaway or Glendale Women’s Club or any other venue mentioned here, we guarantee your experience will be nothing short of amazing! Take a look at our list today and start planning your big day!