10 DJ Tips to Energize Your  Wedding Reception

At a fun-filled, smooth-flowing wedding reception, there is a certain energy that develops and intensifies as events unfold and your guests experience the facility you've selected, the menu you've planned and the entertainment you've chosen. Phoenix DJ Billy James offers ten tips to help energize your wedding reception.                                                                                                  

1.  Place your DJ next to the dance floor.

Your DJ's location in relation to the dance floor is a critical factor in creating a high energy reception. Avoid placing your DJ in a corner far removed from the dance floor. Sound and lighting will be compromised, or cables and wires will need to be placed between tables to locate speakers and lights at the dance floor. And that's impractical with guests and servers moving about. Also, your DJ should have a complete view of the room in order to MC reception events effectively. If you tuck your DJ away, your reception's energy level will suffer because your DJ will have a hard time seeing and hearing what's happening.

Also, avoid seating guests between the DJ and the dance floor. Guests who are forced to sit directly in front of the DJ table will inevitably complain about how loud the music is even before the dancing begins. Your DJ needs to monitor sound levels and interact with the dancers to create and maintain a high-energy reception. He can provide his best service and maintain the energy of your reception when he is located adjacent to the dance floor.

The DJ's set-up location described above assumes that the dance floor is large enough and centrally located in the reception area. Some country clubs and restaurants have been known to book more guests than they can comfortably accomodate and then reduce the size of the dance floor, seat guests in separate rooms, or even locate the dance floor in an adjacent room. Such arrangements are guaranteed to diminish if not destroy the energy of your reception no matter where your DJ set-up is located. Insist that the dance floor is centrally located and of sufficient size to accomodate the number of guests you anticipate.

2.  Dim the lights when it's time for dancing.

Dimming the lights after dinner creates a more relaxed atmosphere and will motivate your guests to dance. Determine the desired lighting levels during dinner and for dancing when you meet with your reception facility's coordinator. Consider lighting levels that will compliment any candles you plan to use.  Ask that your lighting preferences be included in your contract. This is an important but often overlooked aspect of your reception. Lighting that is too bright will discourage your guests from dancing and compromise your DJ's light show. The best resorts and country clubs get the lighting right while lesser facilities pay little attention to this issue.

3.  Don't let pictures and videos dominate your day.

Select a photographer with a confident and relaxed style who will capture your special moments in an efficient and stress-free manner. Don't be held hostage by an overbearing photographer who will dominate your time while your guests become bored. We've witnessed a photographer interrupt the best man's toast to get the perfect close-up of your champagne glasses. We've seen the bride and groom pulled away from their just-served dinner by an over-zealous photographer who insisted it was the perfect time for the sunset picture.

Choose a video company willing to use comfortable lighting unless you and your guests want to be squinting and shielding your eyes throughout the reception. In short, photos and videos are important, but not more important than the event itself. 

4.   Beware of the problems caused by sharing your facility with others.

Some restaurants will book a wedding reception in an area right next to their public dining room. Some resorts will book multiple wedding receptions in a large ballroom separated by cardboard wall dividers. Some golf clubs have homes that are directly adjacent to the reception facility. The result is inevitable. As your reception starts gaining momentum, the manager tells the DJ to turn the volume down because the music is disturbing other guests or neighbors.

 Music for dancing is louder than music for dinner. Normal dance music volume would be terribly annoying to a couple having a romantic dinner a few yards away. If you and your guests plan to dance, avoid choosing a facility that imposes sound and volume restriction on your reception. Such restrictions are guaranteed to hamper your DJ's performance and diminish the energy of your reception.

5.  Invest quality time in planning your Grand Entrance.

The Grand Entrance sets the tone and establishes the energy for the entire reception. Work closely with your DJ to stage a Grand Entrance that reflects your style and personality. Decide who will participate, where they will assemble and in what order, where they will go after being introduced. Clarify pronunciation of names, determine appropriate introductions for blended families and, of course, select the perfect music. All of this planning is usually completed when you meet personally with your DJ a few weeks before your wedding. Your DJ can offer suggestions and will take charge of the Grand Entrance at your wedding reception.

6. Do the formal toast immediately before dinner.

At no other time during the reception will your guests be more attentive and focused on you, the newlyweds, than immediately before dinner. That makes it the perfect time for formal toasts. Your DJ should provide a wireless microphone to allow the toast to be given by the best man (and possibly others) as he stands beside the bride and groom. Decide if you want parents, family or friends to propose additional toasts.

 Let your Catering Director know when you plan the toast to allow for timely pouring of the chosen beverage. Also, consider welcoming your guests following the toast. Your guests are still attentive and focused on you and the microphone is available. This is an excellent but often overlooked opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings and thank your guests for attending.

7.  The First Dance - don't wait forever to do it and don't do it forever.

One of the special moments of the reception is the bride and groom's first dance. Having your first dance immediately following the grand entrance is a great way to start the party with a flourish. As you are introduced, all of your guests are seated and more focused on the two of you than at any other time during the reception. Entering the room and going directly to the center of the dance floor for your first dance is sure to create what we call the "wow factor." Delaying your first dance until after dinner or after you visit each table of guests will deflate the energy of your reception. You can further enhance your first dance by adding a Sweetheart Gobo to your dance floor. Click here for more Gobo information.

Once you've selected your favorite romantic ballad, practice dancing to it until you're comfortable. Of course, your first dance doesn't have to be a romantic ballad. A recent couple dazzled their guests by dancing to the upbeat Michael Buble version of 'Save The Last Dance For Me.' Consider having your DJ fade out the song at a designated time if it is exceptionally long (over 3 min.). All of this applies as well to the newlyweds' dances with their parents. If you are uncomfortable at the prospect of dancing before all of your guests, consider taking a few dance lessons. Your DJ can usually recommend dance instructors who specialize in this service. 

8.  Don't try to select every song your DJ will play.

Choose the song for your first dance and songs for specific reception events like the cake cutting and bouquet toss. Tell your DJ what artists and styles of music to feature or avoid, but don't micro-manage your DJ's performance. A professional wedding DJ can read the crowd and knows what to play and when to play it to keep the party going. More importantly, your DJ knows which requests will clear the dance floor and deflate the energy of your reception. You're paying for your DJ's knowledge and experience. Take advantage of it.

Most professional wedding DJ's will hestitate taking on your wedding if you intend to present them with a complete playlist for the reception. On the other hand, most skilled wedding DJ's will have no problem accomodating your list of 10 'must play' songs. If you're planning to burn your own CD's and just have the DJ play them, don't waste your money on a professional wedding disc jockey. Just rent some equipment and have a friend press the play button. Would you go to a nice restaurant, hand the chef a bag of groceries, and tell him that's what he must cook for you?

9.  Consider using party props and don't rule out the 'cheese.'

A few colorful leis or party hats can have an amazing way of energizing your guests. Doing the YMCA with all the right hats is always a crowd pleaser and provides for great photo opportunities. Professional DJ's can provide party props at reasonable expense.

Before you reject those so-called cheesy group dances like the Chicken Dance or Hokey Pokey, remember that these dances may be the only opportunity some of your guests will have to get on the dance floor and have some fun. These speciality dances are frequently requested, are very popular with your youngest guests and often create some of the most memorable moments. These dances may not be at the top of your list, but let the DJ play them if your guests so request.

 10. Lead the way to the dance floor!

Most brides and grooms want to see their guests on the dance floor having a great time. One way to create that energy is to lead by example. When the newlyweds set the tone by dancing, guest will follow. Ask a favorite uncle or grandmother to dance. Cameras will flash. Family will applaud. Guests will join in. When the bride and groom  actively participate in the dancing, the energy level of the reception dramatically increases.