Monthly Archives: October 2015
Figuring out the music to be played in your wedding is a tall order for every bride and groom. While many of our clients know exactly what they want for their music, there are quite a number of couples that look to us for our expertise.
And then there are those who decide to allow their wedding guests to make specific music requests.
As professional wedding DJs in Washington D.C., we’ve seen it all, and admittedly, when you do allow your guests to make requests at your wedding, it can become a more enriched and interactive experience. When your guests feel welcomed enough to approach a DJ and request a song, they feel like they’re helping to create the experience.
Remember, your guests know you really well
While you may have specific songs you want played during your wedding, something magical can happen if you allow others to request songs as well. For example, we’ve seen friends of the bride request a nostalgic song that represents a specific childhood memory that few others even know about.
It’s amazing to see the power and influence that music has when an unexpected request is played over our loudspeakers.
But it isn’t always perfect when you allow wedding guests to make music requests.
There are times, however, when guests approach a wedding DJ and ask for the wrong song (or at least, the wrong song at the wrong time). For example, let’s say that we’re playing high-energy music that has 100+ people out on the dance floor. Then someone comes up to us and asks if we can play a song like “The Lady in Red” by Chris DeBurgh.
Obviously this song doesn’t fit with the current energy of the room. As wedding DJs, we want to cater to our guests; however, we also have a responsibility to go with the flow of the party. So, in other words, chances are we’re not going to play that song anytime soon.
Get your guests involved while maintaining some control
Our goal, as Metro DC’s most prolific wedding DJs, is to create a memorable experience that makes everyone happy. It’s a challenge, but with our vast experience, we think we’ve gotten pretty good at it.
One strategy we’ve developed that encourages guest requests – without disrupting the flow of the party – is to help you allow your guests to request music ahead of time.
With this tactic, what we do is have the bride and groom give their guests request cards (an effective way of doing this, actually, is to include a space on your RSVP cards, or via your wedding website). This allows your guests to feel like a part of your wedding, but allows you (and your wedding DJ) more control over when music is played.
It is your day, but never forget your guests
Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life. But the ceremony and reception are only good if your guests are having a good time. We encourage you to allow your guests to make requests. Sure, some songs might not be to your liking, but may, very well, create a special memory for people you care about. Consider, for example, a request by a grandparent for a Big Band song. You may not like it, but this requested song might have been the song played at her wedding day.
Allowing your guests to make requests is a great way to get people involved. We encourage you to consider having your guests make music requests before the ceremony, so that we, as your professional wedding DJs, can create a fluid, fun experience for everyone involved.
Contact Planet DJ Productions today to learn more about how we can help you make the most out of your Washington DC wedding.
Monthly Archives: October 2015
When planning your wedding, you’ve likely spent endless hours going over every single detail…
* Guest list
* Location
* Flowers, Decorations and Decor
* Music/DJ
* Lighting
* Party Favors
Your DC wedding will be filled with lots of memorable moments, such as special dances, toasts, speeches, not to mention cake cutting, bouquet toss and anything else you decided to add to make your party unique.
But have you ever considered how you’d like your wedding to end? While so many parties and wedding receptions start off with a bang, in our experience far too many of them end with a fizzle.
But the ending is a pivotal part of the night. Think about how important the end of a movie is. If the movie ends badly, chances are you won’t recommend it to a friend. But weddings are a bit different – there is no second chance to go “watch it again.” You have to get it right the first time, or else you’ll be left wondering what if …
Ending your wedding with a bang!
As Washington D.C.’s most trusted name in wedding event planning, one of the best tips we can suggest to ensure your wedding reception ends on a high note is to prepare a “Last Dance” ahead of time. If possible, pick a song that’s upbeat. Your wedding DJ will then ask everyone to come out to the dance floor to celebrate the end of a wonderful night.
Once everyone is on the dance floor, a good idea is for the wedding DJ to gather the guests in a circle around the bride and groom. The new couple can then have the floor to themselves to dance, for a few seconds before the DJ will have everyone close in on them to hug them farewell.
Then, as the hugs settle down, the wedding DJ will say a few Thank You’s. This approach always leaves the guests wanting more.
Picking the right Last Dance song
Picking the right song is as much an art form as it is a science. The “right song” for one wedding might not work for a different wedding. A professional DJ will determine the mood of the party and the makeup of the guests in order to recommend the best way to end the night.
However, in our experience, there are a few Last Dance songs that work in nearly every setting. In fact, a few of these songs start off slow, then pick up in tempo (making it perfect for the bride and groom to dance along while their friends and family surround them).
1. Last Dance by Donna Summer
2. I’ve Had the Time of my Life (from Dirty Dancing) by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
3. The Time (The Dirty Bit) by Black Eyed Peas
4. Don’t Stop Believing by Journey
5. Save the Last Dance for Me by Michael Bublé
Don’t forget the grand sendoff
Your guests should never see the lights come on at the end of a party. They should never see the cleanup process begin. That’s why it’s important to organize a grand sendoff to get people out of the building in a fun and quick way.
The best way to do this, in our opinion, is with a Sparkler Sendoff. With this, your guests will line up in 2 perpendicular lines (like a tunnel). Everyone will have long sparklers and will hoot and holler as the bride and groom rush through the tunnel into an awaiting car. If sparklers aren’t allowed (due to the venue) then consider bubbles or rose petals.
The important thing to remember is you want to time this sendoff properly. Your wedding DJ in Washington DC will help you determine when people are beginning to head to the exits. Even if you have 45 minutes left in your contract with the venue, you may want to start the sendoff if guests are taking off.
Once your car is out of sight, guests will naturally begin to take off on their own, freeing up your venue for the cleanup process.
End your Washington DC on a high note with Planet DJ Productions
A truly successful wedding is one that starts and ends with a bang. Be sure your party is one that’ll never be forgotten – learn how Planet DJ Productions can help you leave your guests wanting more at the end of the night. Contact us today!
Monthly Archives: October 2015
Any event you host is like planning a staged show. You have the opening act, the drama in between, and then the memorable closer. This goes for virtually anything, including:
As an event organizer, you’re constantly thinking about:
* How you can ensure your audience will have a good time
* How you can make sure your event goes flawlessly
* How you’ll work within the confines of a budget, event space and more
When you consider all of that, it’s a wonder how people can pull off a successful event. But the truth is, the majority of people who organize a successful, memorable event don’t try to take on the responsibilities themselves. They hire a professional emcee (MC) or party motivator.
What’s so special about MCs and Party Motivators?
If you’re planning an event (especially a wedding), you might automatically assume you’ll need a professional DJ. We agree. Professional DJs bring your music and energy to new levels.
However, MCs and Party Motivators help to bring your event to an entirely new level. Here’s how:
Time Management
In nearly any event (but particularly corporate conventions and business meetings), time is of the essence. A professional emcee in Washington, D.C. will ensure that your speakers limit their presentations to the time allotted. They’ll also take on the duty of introducing your speakers with smooth transitions to ensure continuity throughout the day.
Think About Your Audience
Emcees will maintain the attention of any audience by instilling such elements as periodic breaks, comic relief and more. Talented MCs will look to poke fun at the content of your business convention, thus making those long hours a bit more tolerable. And, of course, the MC will know how to open and close the event to make sure your audience goes away feeling like they’ve learned something.
Don’t Forget About the Entertainment
Above all else, MCs are entertainers, which is why they’re ideal for not only corporate conventions, but for weddings, birthday parties and more. MCs have the ability to add their own personal flavor to improve your event. Here at Planet DJ Productions, our MCs have the expertise and ability to adapt their tone to your specific audience.
Nothing brightens up a room like a few well-timed jokes, or heck, even magic tricks. An MC can deliver the goods each and every time.
Damage Control
No matter how much planning you’ve put into your event, something unexpected is nearly certain to happen. What if one of your speakers is late, absent, or otherwise incapable of performing? Your MC can – and will – always fill any unexpected gaps with his or her own material, so that the audience will never need to know there was a problem.
The best MCs and Party Motivators in Washington D.C.
As Washington D.C.’s most respected entertainment agency, Planet DJ Productions has a long history of helping to organize some of the most memorable events in our region, from weddings to parties and corporate conventions.
We’ve seen, firsthand, what MCs and Party Motivators can do for an event. Our MCs bring a new level of engagement and entertainment to every stage they walk on. Are you planning an upcoming wedding, celebration or business event? Learn how our MCs and Party Motivators can help. Contact us today to learn more.