Rule 1: If you want to throw a fun party then you have to really know your audience. When you send out the invites make sure you use terms that would excite them. Be very detailed and specific so your guests know the deal from the start. 

Rule 2: Make sure your venue is easily accessible. People want it to be a piece of cake to get there so find a cool place with lots of parking. If it’s a formal event then you have a better understanding of the people that are going to the event and you know how many tables and chairs will be needed. Also make sure you have great communication with your venue. It is awesome when you call them or email them they get back to you right away. Nothing is more frustrating than an absentee venue manager. Some venues are all inclusive so that means they can do it all and less worry for the host. They can decorate and or host an open bar. Best ways to find venues is to ask other folks who secured venues before or you can trust strangers on Yelp. 

Rule 3: Find the right dj.It is good to secure the venue first so you know the date and times you need a dj and you have to see if the dj is available. So rule 1 is to know the audience and Rule 3 is to find the right dj. You would want a dj that fits the occasion. Find the right dj to do the event and call or email him or her to get a vibe from them

Recently played at Gilroy Gardens located in Gilroy. I was able to contact the manager and she was very helpful and made sure she was available to guide me in the venue.  With the helpful staff, I was able to go through the employee entrance. Load in was very simple.  I asked in advance for a table and they gave me an extension cord. Once I arrive I asked for another extension cord and they were on it. I brought my big boy speakers and asked for a little barrier so dancers do not put their drinks or purses on them. This was done with little heads up and they were on it.

The coolest thing of the night was I left a mini table behind and I called the manager after midnight and she picked up and told me she would call security to locate it and text me if they find it or not. I just love the follow through. The manager even offered to drop off the table at my location San Jose once it was found. WOW. With teamwork, they found my table in the big park and I was able to get it back.  This is how this venue treats vendors and I was very impressed. I was very impressed with their customer service. I was working with 2 banquet managers and both of them went beyond the call of duty. 

Overall it was a pleasant experience. While I was playing my music students were dressed to the nines and it seemed like everyone was posting their experience on social media. The lights and the elegance made it a very special night. The park offered unlimited games and rides for the party goers. Students were able to win prizes that whey were proud of. Students seemed very excited and happy. Gilroy Gardens is an excellent place to have your party! 

Sycamore Vineyards in Morgan Hill

I was fortunate enough to play at Sycamore Vineyards in Morgan Hill. They are able to host ceremonies, receptions and private events. They were able to accommodate an inside ceremony or an outside in no time. I was set up inside then the weather cleared and within 15 minutes they were able to make the outside area ready and they were professional and made it happen!

The staff was very helpful. They did everything to make the event as enjoyable as possible. They let me know if there was anything I needed be sure to ask. They were easy to work with and kept me in contact before the wedding. During the wedding we were in constant communication to make sure the wedding went smooth as possible.

The outside ceremony area has a view of pretty vineyards. For the cocktail area people can play bocce ball that they offer at no cost while other venues charge to play the game. Inside the reception area was many wine barrels to give a nice touch. The venue offers their own food menu and I give it two thumbs up. The place offers their own djs and if other djs are brought it they have to have insurance and have to sign an agreement to follow the venues rules (such as professional attire and not having subwoofers). The manager was helpful with helping me find the right insurance.

Overall a very beautiful venue to have an event. They have everything inhouse and it best to go that route to keep it nice and easy. It is a good  all in one venue.

The wedding is full of special songs for specific events. A romantic song is played for the first dance and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” is played for the bouquet toss. After all the selected songs are played it is time for the Open Dance. At that time, I would throw on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” to get everyone to the dance floor. That song would get everyone in the party mood.

Recently HBO started streaming Leaving Neverland which talks about the allegations of Jackson’s misconduct. So, the question for djs is : Should MJ be played at weddings or events?

About two weeks ago, I did a school fundraiser with just adults. I asked one of the hosts if it would be ok to play Michael Jackson it was a quick no. I always play Michael Jackson. There was a point of the night where I felt I could have thrown in some PYT and one guest asked for Thriller but I did not play it for that event.

He has been an icon and a staple for years. I believe that since the show was recent there has been some folks who feel strongly about MJ not being played. I have asked some people if they have seen the documentary but not many have seen it. There has been debate in Dj circles and both sides have valid points. After hearing both sides and putting in more thought, I do agree with the djs who say that it is up to the clients who hire you and they can tell you if that are comfortable with playing MJ.

Proposals can be fancy. People try to out due other proposals. It has spread to proms. Youngsters are trying to do something special. It is a growing trend. 

A common mistake is when the man proposes without a ring. A ring is a symbolic of the love the couple shares. It shows that the man (woman) prepared and thought about his proposal before it happened. Plus, with the ring, its proof that the engagement happened. It was not a figment of the imagination. Sometimes the couple will pick out the ring beforehand so it makes it a less of a surprise. If the man (woman) is not totally sure what kind of ring to get then they can get another ring then later exchange it for one that the couple likes and fits.

Sometimes in movies you see someone proposing to someone at a baseball field and they are surrounded by thousands of strangers who will forget about the moment the next inning. A proposal is monumental for the couple. Make it special for the both of you. 

Also, technology can be a positive thing. It can get you to your destination and you can find out the latest news. Before the proposal, the one who will propose might let something slip on social media so it ends up on everyone’s feed. Next thing you know then the future spouse knows about it and it is no longer a surprise.

Sometimes couples are old fashioned and the future spouse wants the proposal on one knee. The other partner (the proposer) might not want to do it but it would mean a lot to the future spouse. Just get it done. It is a story they would want to share with their family and friends. 

Diana Ross and the Supremes Baby Love

Stevie Wonder  Part Time Lover

En Vogue  Don’t Let Go

Janet Jackson  That’s the Way Love Goes

Stevie Wonder  I Just Called to Say I Love You

UB40  Can’t Help Falling in Love

Beyonce and Jay-z Crazy in Love

Stevie B  Because I Love You (The Postman Song)

Mario  Let Me Love You

Diana Ross and Lionel Richie Endless Love

Al Green  Let’s Stay Together

Whitney Houston  I Will Always Love You

K-Ci and Jo Jo  All My Life

Alicia Keyes  Fallin

John Legend  All of Me

James Arthur  Say you Won’t Let Go

Maroon 5  Sugar

Archies  Sugar, Sugar

DNCE  Cake By the Ocean

Def Leppard  Pour Some Sugar on Me

Bruno Mars  Marry You

Frank Sinatra  Love and Marriage

James Taylor How Sweet it Is

Aerosmith  Sweet Emotion

U2  Sweetest Thing

Pat Benatar  Hit Me with Your Best Shot

Rihanna  Birthday Cake

Dean Martin  That’s Amore

Four Tops Sugar Pie Honey Bunch  

The Foundations  Build Me Up Buttercup

The Turtles  Happy Together

Not every wedding in the same. There is not cookie cutter way to have a wedding. Bride and groom decide what type of wedding they want to share with their guests. 

  I met with a couple that wanted an early Sunday wedding. They let me know they did not want any lights since it was so early.  But I brought one just in case.  It was a cloudy day so it did create a dark room even though they had a lot of windows. 

  They had one of their bridesmaids officiate the wedding. It makes it a nice touch with someone knows the bride/groom officiates the wedding and talks about him or her.

The cocktail hour was held outside separate from the reception. During the cocktail and dinnertime, jazzy music was played so it gave the wedding a classy feel.

The grand entrance was only the bride and groom then it lead to the first dance. Soon after then it was the father daughter dance. After those dances, the bride and groom thanked their guests. 

What made this wedding so different was it was not dark outside and it was minus the bouquet toss and garter toss.  A wedding can be any which way. It is a celebration of passage of life and certain traditions do not need to be included. Wedding was a blast.  

The pluses of having an early Sunday Wedding is that guests do not need to leave the event early since it finished at 330. It would give guests an opportunity to get home at a reseaonable time in case they have to go to work the next day.

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