The Dance Floor Equation: How the Right Wedding DJ Keeps Your Reception Alive All Night

00:00 Welcome to we love that for you, a wedding podcast with personality, perspective, and plenty of heart. We are Chris and Jackie from Lime Line Entertainment and we’re here to help you plan your best day ever, without the stress.

00:30 the energy of the night and help you stay present through it all is super important. Today, we’re sitting down with Sam, one of our event hosts here at Limelight.

00:39 And Sam’s been around this industry since she was 14, starting up behind the scenes and learning everything she could about how events work.

00:47 Over time, that turned into a true ability to read a room, connect with people and create a night that feels fun and completely authentic.

00:57 So this conversation is really about giving you a feel for who Sam is, how she approaches a wedding day and what it would be like to have her on your vendor team.

01:06 Excellent. Oh my gosh. Of course. Thanks for coming down. Yeah. I’m excited. I’m excited. Yeah. We’re excited. So yeah, let’s dive right in and let’s find out a little bit about who you are, right?

01:17 Let’s do it. Because when I think of you, the first thought that comes to mind is fun, high energy, exciting, just, honestly, just like a ball of joy, right?

01:29 And your music knowledge is awesome. It’s, you know, I mean, you know, everything from literally like the 60s to the latest hit every genre.

01:42 And that’s great. That’s a great quality. But, you know, for couples meeting you for the first time, like, how would you describe yourself in about 30 seconds?

01:51 Literally, like you said, bundle the joy. Like, you want to have a good time? It’s party. You want to kick back and relax.

01:55 Let’s do it. You want to watch movie? It’s like I’m one of those people Just down for whatever. Let’s have a good time.

02:01 Perfect. Yeah, perfect. Watch a movie You said watch a movie if I could sit there I love watching movies anyway Man, there’s a lot.

02:14 I do like the deported though. Wow Yeah, no going back to the departed. I don’t know if I’ve seen that there’s too many good actors in it That’s why there is there is refresh my memory.

02:23 That’s what we are at the capriote. Oh wow. Yeah. I remember we went to the movies. My mom didn’t think it was going to be as Gore and she’s sitting at the whole time.

02:33 I mean while she gave anesthesia for a living, but she can’t watch it. So so how’d you get into DJing initially and what made you fall in love with wedding specifically?

02:45 going. So he’s not blood, but I’ve known him since I was six months old, shout out Brian Sachs. He’s like my big brother and I used to do everything he did.

02:54 So he was a DJ. I wanted to be a DJ and kind of just followed his footsteps, but took it to another level.

03:00 I guess we could call it. Okay. And I just fell in love with this industry when I started. I was like, this is what I want to do.

03:06 I knew the moment I started, this is kind of the career I wanted. And I just went for it. And then as time went on, weddings were just, you know, more fun, you know.

03:17 So don’t get it twist. Like I still love my community and my mitzvahs and like all my other events, but weddings really, you know, everybody is there to legit party.

03:25 Yeah. Where else are you gonna go? Yeah. Dance floor of the bar, that’s it. So yeah, so you’re saying like weddings have a different vibe and you just kind of like that a little more than other types of events you’re saying.

03:38 Yeah, I’m also, you know, 33. So I connect more it’s all my age group that’s getting Yeah, yeah, yeah, right up my alley.

03:46 Yeah, it’s a total sense. I rather do that. But again, I love my my mitzvahs all the other events I do I’m not saying I don’t love them.

03:53 Yeah, I tire those kids out don’t get it twisted, but like I said weddings are just My niche That’s awesome.

04:01 Cool sounds good So outside of weddings like what do you enjoy doing and what’s your personality like off the mic?

04:09 Do you will catch me at home with my puppy straight up my lawn lawn? She is a husky melon while Pipple mix So okay, she gives me a run for my money playing on stop Besides that you know I go out with my friends.

04:22 We go to the bars get some food. Yeah, kind of chill vibes when I’m not at work at this point Yeah, yeah, yeah, just hang out and relax good stuff.

04:32 I like that. Okay cool. So Sam when you’re behind the booth on a wedding day What are you paying attention to?

04:39 and what are you paying attention to that most people wouldn’t even notice? Man, I literally paying attention to everything. My eyes are always scanning.

04:47 Like I look at my computer for like 30 seconds just to make sure I’m like loading the right song that I wanna play, but besides that, I’m staring out.

04:54 I’m looking at Nan on the dance floor that aunties the cousins, like seeing what you’re vibing with, seeing like who’s starting to leave and get tired.

05:01 What type of music do we gotta switch it to? So kind of a little bit of everything. I’m looking at the staff dancing in the corners too.

05:07 like in that fun. Oh, it’s the best. Yeah, when everybody’s having a good time. It’s how you know it’s a real party.

05:12 So really what you’re saying is it’s all about reading the room properly. Pretty much. Yeah. Just making sure that so your main focus is just really just reading the body language out there on the dance floor.

05:22 Yeah. Make sure that whatever you’re playing is vibing with the people and just kind of taking it from there. Exactly.

05:27 It’s awesome. I find that so interesting too because from like the photography perspective, like I’m paying attention to some like completely different things, but to know like those are the things that go through your mind while you’re looking at everyone having a good time and dancing and the cues

05:43 that you have or like what to play next, what to think. Like how many steps ahead do you feel like you are when you are playing one song?

05:52 Like how many steps ahead do you feel like? I’m probably like 10, 15 steps ahead of myself every time. It’s kind of like I heard I don’t remember who, but I saw it on Instagram, somebody was talking and they said DJing a wedding is like taking the SATs by the time you’re done you’re so mentally tired

06:09 and in a way that is true because the whole time you’re on your feet you’re thinking like like there’s so much going on but then again you have not old guys like Chris here young guys like me that you know can do like three weddings in a day and like you’re still good to go yeah yeah just it depends

06:26 on how much you want to also push your body right right just like But it’s the best. You know, when everybody’s vibing, it’s a banger.

06:38 Yeah, it’s a banger. Cool. I love a grandma on the dance floor too. It’s my favorite. Dude, Nana’s, shout out to the Nana’s that love me.

06:45 I do a lot of senior citizen events. You’re all cool. Nana’s love me, and I love Nana’s back. Yeah, we love grandparents.

06:53 That’s great. I’d be lying for them with my camera. Yeah, especially when they’re like actually like trying to like get down with it and whatnot.

07:01 They’re like they’re really trying but they can’t get that logo. They’re getting it all. I love introducing grandparents into the reception I think that that’s really fun, you know, like when they’re a part of that and they come walking in and you know Everybody’s cheering them on and they have like

07:15 a little dance and everything Nothing’s better than a high-energy grandparent. Yeah, I love it. 100% cool So you know at the end of the day like what is it?

07:26 What is a successful wedding to you at the end of the night everybody had a good time. Yeah, everybody got to hear music They like but obviously, you know, it’s mainly focused on what the newlyweds want But as long as everybody has a good time they’re on the dance floor and they come up to me saying

07:41 yo, you were amazing Thank you so much like every compliment truly like Means so much to me like you don’t have to say anything to me.

07:48 Yeah, you don’t have to come up to me That’s awesome. We’re taking the time out of your day. The saying that you had a good time.

07:53 Yeah Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I know, I did my job correctly that night. I think that’s a really good point that you made, you know, everybody had a good time, you know.

08:00 Yes, we want to make sure that we’re playing the music that the couple loves, but it’s really all about the overall experience for everyone who’s there to celebrate, you know.

08:10 So yeah, really making sure that we’re playing songs for everyone to enjoy is really, really important. So yeah, that’s awesome.

08:18 Yeah, cool. Well, walk us through what couples can expect from the final plan and call with you. Like what do you focus on when you’re on that phone call with the couples and like what kind of questions do you ask to like get to know them, get to know their event, and kind of like finalize all the details

08:35 . And so, you know, right off rip I always ask, you know, give me a little back for it. Hey guys, man, how you got engaged.

08:40 Like it’s not just like, yeah, I’m a DJ for your wedding, I’m getting a paycheck called today. Like that’s not what it is.

08:44 Like I wanna know you before going into your wedding day. It’s a little history, you know, when you’re in the car, you’re going on a road trip.

08:51 What are you guys vibing to? What are you bumping like that’s a great question You know like what’s on the playlist while we’re going because that’s how you know what you’re really gonna vibe to on a dance You know what I mean?

08:59 Yeah, so I asked questions along those lines and then obviously we go through the whole planner from start to finish You know, what do you want when guests are arriving pre ceremony all the way to know what’s the last song you want to rock out to right with everybody?

09:10 So from start to finish. It’s kind of everything is personalized. We call it absolutely you get get like that one-on-one experience, even though you’re doing multiple jobs in a day, or multiple weddings in a year, everyone gets like that one-on-one experience.

09:24 So you deserve. Absolutely. I love that question about road trip, too. Yeah, that’s good. It’s so key, cause. Thank you.

09:31 Yeah. What do you guys vibe out to on a road trip? That’s awesome. Chris is still in my questions now.

09:37 That’s okay. Who am I? He pays some of my pay trips as well. No, that’s a fun question. And here here I was thinking I had good questions.

09:47 I don’t ask the road trip question. Oh, that’s a good question That’s my college degree got me right there Right, what are you blasting at you know high volume windows down?

09:56 Yeah, like on a highway windows down exactly Yeah, cool cool Also, you want to take the next question? Or do you want me to?

10:05 Yes, so one thing that I hear about all the time is like couples. They’re worried about like awkward dance floors and things feeling forced.

10:15 So how do you prevent that? So what I always tell my couples is the wedding science equation is this. If my bride and groom are on the dance floor, everybody else is gonna be on the dance floor.

10:28 And if the groom is not so much of a dancing guy, that’s okay, he’s at the bar, all the bells will be there, but if the bride’s on the dance floor, most people be on the dance floor.

10:35 If you’re not on the dance floor, I’m not saying people are not gonna dance, they will, but it might be scattered here and there, where you have, you know, a group of people for about 30 minutes and they scatter off.

10:43 You maybe have like 10, 15 people, but it never fully dies, you know what I mean? Right. But because everyone is there to celebrate you.

10:52 So wherever you go, that’s where everyone is going to gravitate. You are right. Exactly. Exactly. That’s so important. You know, I mean, here you are, you’re having this huge party, you’re bringing everyone together to celebrate.

11:05 You want to go sit down and celebrate that with them on the dance floor. Exactly. It’s literally two families become one for the night like Have a good time.

11:14 Yeah, you’re never like think about it Why don’t you ever around everybody you actually truly like in the same room?

11:19 Yeah, it’s the truth It’s the truth and even for photo video too like I’ve had one in like the last like two years where I looked at my team And I was like where’s the couple Yeah, and they’re wandering around the room and they just were not dancing people But like I don’t think I have a single photo

11:38 of them on the dance floor and it happens and if you were right It was like pockets. It was like little pockets of people, you know having a good time in dancing But if that energy needs to be there.

11:49 Yeah, but again if they’re not a dancing couple and that’s kind of the vibe They just want chill vibes. Okay.

11:54 Yeah as long as again at the end of the day as long as the couple and everybody had a good time Exactly, that’s what matters.

11:59 Yeah, yeah 100% I agree So that’s the recipe yeah exactly it is alright so what’s your philosophy when it comes to balancing with a couple ones versus what the guests ask you to respond to oh that’s the request question so I actually just ran into this at a recent wedding and it was an ethnic wedding

12:24 there were Armenian yeah American awesome first like hour the wedding was all Armenian music exactly how the bride wanted it to be Then later on in the night, she didn’t want it anymore.

12:36 Fine, that’s exactly what you wanted for your wedding. Our family came up asking for requests. I told them, listen, it’s not what the bride wants, like I’m sorry.

12:44 This is the vibe she wants for the rest of the night. We had about two hours left to dance, right?

12:49 And they just were not taking it nicely, I guess. Unfortunately, the bride was off the dance room for a little bit because she was crying.

12:59 I had some family members cursing me out And I just said, okay, sorry, like, dude, I understand your frustration like you want it played.

13:08 But like, at the end of the day, it’s about the bride and the groom. And if they wanted it for only two songs for 10 minutes, that’s exactly what they’re going to get.

13:18 Right. Right. I mean, at the end of the day, it was a, it was a rager. And then most of the guests are responding to what you are playing.

13:26 And you’re reading the room and you’re saying, okay, we did our, we did our ethnic music. Let’s move on to something that the entire room can erupt exactly like the bride literally wanted the ethnic in the beginning, then she wanted like a mix for everybody.

13:40 So like, you know, the 70s, 80s, 90s, early 2000s. And then like the last hour, they were DJs people. They wanted straight EDM.

13:47 So like, that’s exactly the timeline I followed for her. Yeah. And unfortunately, you know, again, some family members were not fully happy.

13:55 That’s okay. But still did what we had to do to make our couple have. Yeah, well, fun fact, my family moved themselves to that bar across the hall at the hotel at our wedding for the last hour because it was too loud and it was too crazy.

14:10 We expect the DJ’s wedding, and honestly everybody still talks to me. We’re still all good and it was still great about it.

14:17 You know, obviously it’s just tension that night, but as time goes on it, they’re like, we couldn’t hear each other.

14:22 So we, I was like, you made it work and we still had a blast. You know what I would say is, well, you weren’t supposed to be talking, initial space dance with that point.

14:29 Exactly, right? I don’t want to tell you that. 100% honestly, but the room had fun, so that’s what matters. The people that want to party will have the best time.

14:41 Yeah, cool, cool. How about you? You want to do the next question? Yeah, sure. So let’s talk about, let’s talk about like you on the microphone, like your MC in leadership style, okay?

14:54 I kind of already know where this is going, but yeah, the whole goal is to get people to know you a little more, right?

15:01 So how would you describe your MC style to a couple who’s nervous about things feeling cheesy or possibly over the top?

15:09 So I’m very good at adapting. So if you want somebody that is not really on the mic, only has the hype up when it’s really needed, cool.

15:17 I could shut up, I could do that. That’s no problem. If you want that high energy, though, oh, baby, we don’t have a good time.

15:25 Like, you know, I mean, I’m really hyping it up like we’re, we feel like we’re at like ultra music festival main stage DJ snake is playing vibe like that energy is what I want to truly give.

15:35 Yeah. You want high energy. Like that’s the vibe. But again, you don’t want that. We could be laid back. Yeah.

15:40 Like Saturday’s couple. They were more laid back. Yeah. MC when I had to. And it was perfect. So I think what makes you a true professional is the fact that you can adapt.

15:49 right like you match the energy that they want. Exactly. That’s cool. Like even even Friday’s wedding, they got really like raged out at points and then I could tell they were getting tired where they were more laid back.

16:00 Yeah. So when they were hyping up, I was hyping up when they were laid back, I was laying back. Yeah.

16:05 Perfect. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. But still bangers at the end of the day. Yeah, because the problem is like if you’re two over the top and you’re just not reading the room properly, like if the people don’t want that, it could just be overwhelming, right?

16:21 And then it’s like, okay, enough for adding. Yeah, you don’t have to talk on every song. You don’t have to say one, two, three, jump on every song.

16:29 Yeah, because that gets old. Exactly. Once in a while, you know, every six songs, every 10 songs when it’s really needed, you know, something like that.

16:35 Cool. Yeah. Yeah. I like when a DJ kind of encourages you to sing the lyrics. Oh, yeah. When you start, excuse me, when you start that lyric and you kind of then pull back and then let the crowd finish whatever that verse was or whatever oh I’ll cut that music so quick to listen to you that’s fun even

16:52 though you’re not American Idol stars it’s okay it’s still a good time everybody’s got a great voice on the on the dance floor right yeah yeah I am not a good singer myself I wish I could I wish I could you know I think I I can but that’s just in my head.

17:13 And the shower is a different story. Right? Oh, you’re the best singer in the shower. It’s a good acoustics in there, right?

17:20 Exactly. So on a wedding day, how do you keep everything running smoothly without it feeling like rushed or stressful, like timeline?

17:30 Working with the venue that has it together and goes by the timeline makes the day smooth. When everybody, when the DJ, the venue, video, photo.

17:40 Anybody that’s there that’s a vendor works together, the day is 10 times smoother. And I know you could speak on that as well as the photography side.

17:47 That’s absolutely. When you don’t work together as a team, it’s like pulling teeth all day. And it’s like, okay, like sure.

17:52 Yeah, like we get the job done and nobody knows what’s going on behind the scenes, but it’s like, dude, like, yeah, come on already.

17:59 Yeah. So when everybody is one unit, one team, yeah. That’s, mm-hmm. That’s the best. Yeah, like that’s what you want.

18:08 Yeah, the alignments there. Yes, like with me, like I’ll send the assistant. If they say, hey, dinner’s going to be at eight o’clock.

18:13 It’s seven, 50. I’m sending the assistant to be like, hey, dinner’s still ready in 10 minutes, right? Give me a five minute morning, five minutes.

18:19 This way, I know that dinner’s at eight. Last song is playing. I see that first tray come out. Let that song finish everybody at this time.

18:27 You know, kindly find your seat as you get ready for your main course, like whatever I say at the time.

18:31 Exactly. Because you know, yeah, and that eliminates any possibility of an awkward moment where you’re sitting, sitting the guests too early and then they’re waiting there for five, ten minutes for their meals.

18:41 I thought said dinner was coming. Yeah, yeah. I’m great. Show music and you’re like, what’s going on? Yeah. Or those venues that say, you know, dinner is ready at eight and then it’s eight o’clock and they’re not coming out.

18:52 I’m going to keep dancing. Yeah, sure. You have to. I’m not, like at that point, I’m not sticking to the eight o’clock timeline.

18:58 Exactly. You need five minutes. I’m going to play, I can get at least two more songs in those five minutes.

19:02 Yeah. At least. And I’ve been to events where that’s happened and like the DJ hasn’t adapt, you know, nobody on our team luckily But like yeah, it creates a kind of it’s awkward.

19:13 Yeah, just an awkwardness in the space So can you share a can you share a moment with us where something didn’t go as planned and The way you handled it kind of saved the day Yeah, so I’m taking it back at least to like 22 probably, right?

19:33 Okay. And my DJ board just takes a shit on me, right? Just craps out on me and I was like, oh my god, what happens?

19:42 I’m in the middle of playing the song Shots. So thinking on my feet, I’m like, you know what? This isn’t enough energy.

19:49 Bartender, I’m sorry to do this to you, but I need everybody to go to the bar and get a shot.

19:53 We need to get those shots going and rally them up. And I’m hyping them up at the same time. I’m restarting my entire board, get it back up and running, boom, go right back to the core.

20:03 So no one knew that like my board went down except for the guys that were working with me. But like, you know, we had it back up in the truck, I thought they were running to go grab that at the time.

20:14 Quick restart. No one had any idea. That’s awesome. When right back to it, shots were everyone was pounding back shots at shots.

20:21 Okay. It was fun. But that was that was a real-life situation like it’s technology things happen But yeah, that’s why you have backup plans and you have and backup equipment Just in case if you don’t have doubles, you’re doing it wrong I personally go with triples because you never know you never know

20:39 you literally you never know That’s like my my external hard drive I keep all my music on my external hard drive.

20:46 I bring three external hard drives Yeah, I back up photos the same way, it’s like I’ve got at least three or four different ways of backing up my photos.

20:56 And then I don’t even write on the memory cards until the weddings delivered. Yeah, like I have, I’m going to sound crazy, I have 15, 15 hard drives.

21:05 Nice. Back up, a back up. Yeah. Really? Yeah. So one time, well, you can’t rely. Oh, my God. Well, I taught myself this lesson really quickly.

21:14 This is years ago. I was doing my boy Don’s sister sweet 16 and I take my bag out of the car And I didn’t remember to move it and I ran it over and there were my whole hard drive and everything Oh, that’s top.

21:26 Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, you listen. I learned I like to learn things the hard way You know, I really I paid I paid like $1,500 to recover everything on the hard drives I didn’t have it backed up at the time and it was in that moment.

21:40 I started doing backups of everything so now after all these years, I have about 15 hard drives of just back up to back up to it.

21:48 And in different places. Oh yeah, I have the main one like that tower that sits at the desk. I have one of those, like I have, yeah, like I said, I’ve learned the hard way.

21:57 Yeah, yeah, yeah. Multiple times for things, yeah. Wow, you know, that’s what it is. It’s the last thing, right? Yeah, I mean, because you’ve probably got like 80,000 songs on there, right?

22:05 Yeah. You don’t want to lose that. Right. it’s awesome. Yeah, I don’t even know I have like my guys like y’all this remix is sick I’m like, oh dude, where’d you find it?

22:14 Like it’s on the hard drive. I’m like I know cuz you have so much right Yeah, I know sometimes I download songs and I forget that I have them and then I’ll rediscover them like six months later And I’m like this is awesome Why am I not played this in the last six months?

22:28 You know a little Easter egg. Yeah Cool, so how about if we dropped into one of your dance floors at peak energy?

22:35 What would that feel like can you describe that? I mean, it really depends on a couple, but for me if you were at my party, like I said, DJ Snake, main stage, ultra high, high, high energy, that’s exactly what is basically you’re on like drugs without taking any drugs, that’s like, that’s how I like

22:56 to party. So like if I can get that, those DJs couples, like the port of couples, like the ones that I like to rage out project X style.

23:05 Yeah, project X. Wow. Okay. I know I’m gonna do myself a little bit with that one. No, it’s all good.

23:12 Great movie. That’s awesome. Okay, cool. So what kinds of music do you naturally gravitate towards like when you’re building a party?

23:20 Depends usually that first dance set is geared more towards like a mix of everything. So a little bit of the older stuff for the grandparents, the aunts, the uncles.

23:28 But you throw in a couple of the 2000s and 90s. And then later on in the night, it gets, you know, a little more crazier.

23:34 And then by the last dance set, you want to go ratchet. We go ratchet. Like everything is always clean unless we’re told like you could play explicit, but, you know, as the night goes on, you just progressively get build it up.

23:48 Yeah, more party issue. I guess we could call it. Do you have any like go to dance floor openers or is it really just depend on the party?

23:57 It depends. Yeah. Depends on the crowd. Depends on the party. Yeah. I see more older folks and I’ll start maybe something a little more older and it all depends got you got you how about like Just a song that always hits like we love Rihanna Yeah, that’s always hits man.

24:17 That it is a good song Please don’t stop the music by Rihanna also slaps where you’ve been only girl like starships.

24:24 Yeah pounding alarm You know all those are bangers, Whitney Houston, I want to dance in somebody, you’re all the girls singing.

24:31 True. Dancing queen. Dancing queen always heads. Yeah, absolutely. 100%. I could sit here for hour on the alarm. That’s a good one.

24:38 I haven’t played that one in a while. Do you do starships into pound the alarm every time? Okay. Back-to-back bangers.

24:44 I might have to try that next time. Telling it. Awesome. Cool. So let’s talk about the experience that you create.

24:53 All right. right? I mean, we’ve gotten a little bit of a taste of that throughout our conversation already. But what do you think couples are really hiring you for beyond just music?

25:07 Knowing they get that one on one, like catered, like truly like even after toast, I’ll go to the couples back, hey, you guys good.

25:17 Do you need a water? Do you need a drink? Like, do you need anything? It’s not how much is there to be a DJ and post your wedding, I’m making sure you’re good.

25:25 You need anything, I got you. Even if it’s not part of my job field, you need an app, you need it.

25:30 I’ll go find it for you. I’ll help you, you know what I mean? So you really get, you feel like you’re that, I don’t know, that’s superstar.

25:38 Everyone’s watching you. If let’s say Miley Cyrus walked in the room how you get that, oh my God. I wanna do anything to be next to her.

25:45 That’s kinda like what I give to the couples, you get that feeling. Yeah, you create the experience for that. Exactly, from start to finish.

25:51 So it’s really all about just great connection, great customer service, make your shirt, just taking care it. Exactly. Listen, as long as you’re chill and you’re vibing, yeah, we good.

26:03 That’s all we good, yeah. And that’s how it should be on a wedding day. You’re getting married. Exactly, like I don’t want my couples stressing, like, especially, like listen, before ceremony, I get it, it’s nerve-wracking.

26:12 Totally understand that. But after that, you should not be stressed about anything. Yeah, exactly. Let loose have fun, enjoy the day.

26:20 That’s what I always tell my couples like all right if you guys need anything just come up let me know I’m gonna be checking in with you throughout the night But otherwise just let loose and have a good time.

26:30 That’s what I always tell every single couple. You know, yeah Yeah, I think this kind of touches on the next question Which is like what you want your couples to feel when they look back on their wedding day Like it really comes back down to that hospitality that experience and like When they look back

26:44 in five years. They’re just like that was the best night of my life And like not only them saying that but having like your family and your friends talking about it five years like yo Yeah, I got married, but your wedding was better I messed up.

26:58 I didn’t hire that entertainment company. Right. Right. Don’t it. You know, like that’s a good feeling I have I have couples that I’m I’m doing a third one the Nigro family I’m doing the last sister’s wedding in September.

27:08 Yeah Dude, I’m like I’m like the adopted one. You know, I love it like you really start learning the whole family He’s not just like the couple, so that’s what I like.

27:17 I like there’s some couples, you know, I did their same age. I did their sweet 16s, then I did their wedding.

27:23 It’s like, it’s awesome. It’s such a great feeling. It is. I have families that I’m the same way. I photographed every sister and I’m moving under their cousins and I’m photographing their daughters.

27:35 Now, there are little weirds and little weirds. But like the moms are hugging me, they’re part of the family now.

27:40 Like I love this. There’s just what I love. Yeah, like you see the kids getting older, You’re like, damn, I did your 16-year, you’re doing like, oh my God.

27:47 But then you’re like, wow, like I’ve been working with this family. This family has trusted me for how many years now.

27:52 Right. So it’s a cool feeling. I love it. Awesome. That’s good stuff. Hey, trust is everything in this business. 100% yeah, absolutely.

28:02 So how do you personally make sure that every couple can feel present on their wedding day and like be like fully present on their wedding day?

28:11 Like I said, whatever you need, it gets done. Like, no questions asked. Yeah. You want this played right now, even though I has nothing to do with the dance floor?

28:22 Right. No problem. Right. I got you. Yeah. You’re the boss. You let them get out of their head and be present.

28:28 And whatever you want to do. Know that everything is taking care of. Yep. That. Like Chris said, just enjoy your day.

28:34 Exactly. And kick back and enjoy about. Eat dance drink. Yeah. That’s all you got to do at this point. Yeah, just literally enjoy the day you paid for, right?

28:44 Yeah, that’s it, that’s it. Don’t overthink everything, right? Exactly, like by the time you’re at your wedding day, you can’t change anything anyway.

28:51 So why are you stressing it? So what? The water bottles in this position, sort of this position, like who cares?

28:56 No one’s going to remember that. People remember the entertainment, how much fun they had, the food, and how drunk they got.

29:03 Right? Like those are the three things that you’re always talking about. don’t remember how drunk they got. I think you’ll remember when you pay for it that it was like, I can very, very distinctly recall a night.

29:15 We’re trying to keep up with you. It was not a good. Well, that was your first mistake. You never try and keep up with the DJ ever.

29:23 Yeah. Listen, I don’t really drink anymore. Maybe drink like once a year. I will still out drink people that drink on a daily.

29:29 But it’s in our blood. It’s what we all, we’re party animals. That’s funny. That’s great. All right, so let’s talk about maybe some advice that we can give a couple’s house there.

29:42 So what’s one mistake you see couples make when planning their entertainment? Cheeping out. Yeah, cheaping out. Listen, I get it.

29:51 It’s the truth. You’re spending 50 grand on a venue, but then you only spend $1,000 on your DJ. Yeah. There’s a lot of guys that do this as a hobby and that’s great, like that’s fine.

30:02 But this is a wedding, this is like one chance. one chance as one shot only like that there is no redo on your wedding day, you know what I mean?

30:11 So why are you spending $10,000 on flowers right that are not going to last you past 48 hours. Yeah, compared to an entertainment where you don’t have to think about anything.

30:24 You know you’re handled, you know your guests are going to be good. You know the music’s going to be good like see entire flow of the event.

30:30 Exactly. I think at the end of the day, that’s what a guest would remember more than flowers. They don’t have fun.

30:38 Yeah. I, you know, we’ve all heard the horror stories on the other end of like almost Facebook groups too. Yeah.

30:45 Listen, everybody has a budget and that’s totally understandable. Yeah. Stick within your means. But at the same time, understand like true professionals that have 10, 20, 30 plus years of experience are going to start around $2,000 for your debt.

31:00 Yeah. Yeah. Because you’re not just hiring somebody to show up, press play and be like, all right, ladies and gentlemen, you’re hiring, you know, the experience, you’re hiring, the knowledge that we’ve had over however many years you’ve done this.

31:13 Yeah, clearly everything we’ve just talked about and so much more. Yeah. Yeah. I agree. I see it with photography, too.

31:20 So it’s like, you know. Your side is probably just as much of a nightmare sometimes as we are. Yeah, yeah, I just bought a camera.

31:27 I’ll do your wedding for $500. Yeah, that doesn’t show up. Doesn’t give you edited photos, like. Yeah, or only comes with one camera in middle of introductions the camera takes a shit.

31:37 You know, like oh god. Yeah, I’ve experienced that story from I’m not obviously not the day because that happened to a photographer that I was working with one camera no second photographer no backup camera The backup camera lease backup battery backup everything.

31:53 Yeah, I have two cameras on me at all times And I only really heavily use the one I use the other one maybe 20% of the time, but it’s there scoffer being everywhere.

32:03 I need to swap things out. It is there ready to go. And then a third camera in my back, my bag.

32:08 I have three laptops on me at all times. Exactly. I have 10 at least 15. Yeah, but that’s the that’s the difference between hiring a true professional and, you know, for sure.

32:23 Cool. So what’s one piece of advice you could give to a couple who wants an amazing dance floor? Because everyone always says to me like, you know, I want to dance I want to have a great time.

32:33 So what can we say to that couple go be on your dance floor be on the dance All right, you know, one plus one equals to like if you want to dance go be on your dance or people want to say goodbye to you Either Irish cabbys are always acceptable.

32:46 Totally fine. Yeah, or you really want to say goodbye? Go say goodbye Get boogie with it on the dance floor.

32:51 Yeah say goodbye while you’re dancing and then you just leave and that’s it Like don’t pull the bride and groom from their party.

32:57 Yeah, like yeah, they’re having the time of life singing and dancing don’t be like, oh, come here, I want to say goodbye.

33:02 Yeah, yeah, you could wave, like I said, go me them out there on the dance floor. Just go say goodbye to the Dan and then sleep.

33:10 That’s great. Agreed, agreed. It’s good advice. Cool. So talking about dream wedding, describe your dream wedding to be the DJ at.

33:21 So what does the energy feel like? Well, I think I think I might have experienced this. nine, six, two thousand, twenty five, as Barry hotel, the neighbor wedding.

33:33 I love that you said, Mark. Oh, yeah, this was, this was a wedding. They partied. Yeah. So from the moment I said, good evening to get the attention for the intros, that place was shaking.

33:46 Everybody was straight off rip. I knew I looked at Don and I was like, bro, we’re about to party. And I couldn’t get them off the dance floor to go to dinner.

33:56 I couldn’t That’s awesome. Get them off the dance with the end of the night. Like they Raged and when I tell you from start to finish, all they did was party.

34:05 Yeah, I literally mean it. Like that was pro. I’ve done thousands of events in my lifetime. I’ve done ragers. I’ve done bangers.

34:13 That by far is a wedding that I don’t think I’ll ever experience that again. Like I I can’t hear moment for life by Drake and Nicki Minaj the same way again.

34:23 I’ll never experience that way. Like they, if I showed you the footage just from that song, like, I still, you can’t see it, but I’m, I have the chills.

34:32 I get the chills thinking about them. That’s awesome. So like, if I can copy and paste that wedding every single weekend, I might retire earlier than I would.

34:42 Right. Like, I had to sit down after that wedding. And usually I don’t get tired, but I was like, dude, like, I’m tired.

34:50 Yeah. I’m tired. I need like 30 seconds, like, collect myself like, is this real? I know like this point is happening.

34:56 That was definitely the best. That’s the Shout out to that couple right there. That’s the best. That’s the best. The one you want to relive over and over guys.

35:03 Y’all for real. Like I said, I have plenty of other weddings I could talk about in that sense, but they really just, I don’t even know.

35:12 There’s no comparisons to that one really. Yeah. They really, they reached. That’s awesome. That’s awesome. Well, I guess this kind of ties into that last question, and what makes the wedding unforgettable in your eyes.

35:25 Be on the dance floor, enjoy. Right. Even if let’s say, you know, I think that’s the theme, enjoy and be on that dance floor.

35:31 Yeah, like, you’re paying all this money to eat, drink, and dance. Why are you drinking and eating, but not really dancing?

35:40 Yeah. How often do you really get a night out, especially like as a mom? Like how often do you really get a night out?

35:47 Like how do you get a night, even though it’s a wedding, how often do you get a night out where you can just enjoy yourself.

35:51 Maybe soon as I’m home by time you get home kids passed out you guys go to bed like yeah So why not take advantage while you have a chance.

35:58 Yeah, I hear that Cool, cool So the to finish off the episode I am going to ask you a couple of quick questions about your potential wedding one day Fun fact, I’m divorced and I’m never getting married again If you did, first look or no, first look.

36:22 Depends on what my wife would want. If she wants me to see her before. The answer. I know. If she wants me to see her before to get those photos out of the way, yes.

36:31 But if you want to get that true reaction, no. Fair, fair. I see that. But knowing me, I’d want it privately because I would probably cry, and I don’t cry in front of people.

36:42 It should always be private. I mean, we have some couples who, I’ve they’ve asked to have their wedding party or their family members present for first look and I will honor that But if they were to ask me my opinion, I’m like just need to be the two of you.

36:54 Yeah, just the two of you We take a big step back. We don’t interact once. I’m like we’re good to go.

37:00 Yep, and that’s it So personal vows or traditional vows personal cool. I love that and then what’s your intro song choice?

37:10 Oh man, so There’s a couple I would think of obviously levels by VG because he’s the goat he’s the goat We found love by Rihanna.

37:19 It’s one of my favorite songs kill the lights I never know if I say this guy’s name right the Auden remix.

37:24 Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s a good carbulence by Lil Jon Is also a good one. I can go on for days like but those are probably like you know top four like yeah, we’re ready to rage out That’s awesome And then how about big wedding party or just something small and intimate Well, for me, that’d be hard

37:43 to be intimate because you know, a good amount of close friends over the years and one up, but on my wife’s side, it’d be more intimate.

37:50 So I would do whatever she told me to do. Like if she wanted more just pictures with people, she wants like an actual wedding party we’re all on the scene, matching out like whatever she would want to do.

38:03 Makes sense. Love that. Fellas take notes on how to answer these right Seriously, you are a true professional like I said Cutting in the middle of the party are off to the side.

38:15 Okay, cutting. No, okay, cut it. Keep the party going Why are we stopping it? Yeah, I feel like that’s a tradition.

38:21 That’s kind of on its way out It’s been for a few years like it’s cute I still like doing the cake cuttings, but like for me knowing who I am Yeah, it depends on the party.

38:30 It depends on the couple, you know, like if you were to get married again. I don’t know if I do a cake cutting Yeah, I mean I don’t know I don’t even he’s very traditional.

38:40 I’m very not traditional maybe maybe not I don’t know I haven’t thought about it Now, I wouldn’t do the bouquet.

38:48 No, we skip that out our way I rarely do I’ve been called out on the dance floor for I was at the bar and like like your mom, I don’t know if she got on the microphone or if she told the DJ and she was like, get Jackie out here and I was like, I’m getting a drink.

39:07 I’m getting shit. Wait, my mom was trying to get you to do I might be Lindsey’s wedding. I was getting a drink and they were doing the bouquet toss.

39:15 Oh, I was trying to get you out on the floor, got you in the ladies. Cause we were not married.

39:19 Gotcha, gotcha. And I hear the DJ on the microphone calling me out. Yes. Calling me out on the dance floor And his mom standing right next to the fun fact like fun fact if I’m closer to your family and like you’re cool But oh hell yeah, we’re gonna have so much fun like that.

39:35 Yeah, yeah, you have to No, I’m just getting it. I was just I was just calling people out like last week for a bouquet toss It’s fun, you know I’ll actually ask the bride like oh who’s not out here that should be That’s exactly what I do.

39:51 I’ve got to call her out. Yeah, and then she gives me a name and then I call that name on the microphone and it makes it fun.

39:57 And they make their way out. That’s smartly. Like they’re embarrassed. But you know what they play? The moment they get out there though, they start really opening up and they have fun with that.

40:07 Now, with phones nowadays, everyone’s recording, people are very closed off and I get that, but let loose. Yeah, exactly. What are the chances?

40:16 You’re actually going to catch the bouquet. And then plus, like, plus, like we were saying, I mean, 99% of the time it’s just the bouquet toss, right?

40:26 If we do anything like very rarely am I actually going through with the whole, you know, process of like the garter and all of that.

40:36 So, you know, that’s where I guess you would say like the awkwardness comes in, right? With the whole garter, you know, and the garter placement and all of that.

40:44 So if it’s just the bouquet toss, get out there. catch a bouquet, have fun, and then we open the dance floor again, so that’s it.

40:53 I like when I like when they have a little fun with the garter, though, like when I’ve had one where the groom started pulling like a rubber chicken out from one dress.

41:01 Really? Just random stuff started coming out. Yeah. I did my friends wedding. It was pretty funny. Back in December, Aaron and he’s a mechanic.

41:08 So he like him and his boys brought like all these mechanic tools. He was like, you know, pretending like he’s fixing things.

41:13 I was like, yeah, And after like a couple of minutes, I was like, all right, and let’s go get me that garter.

41:18 And then, you know, he went for it. It was funny. That’s awesome. Like it looks good on the video. Like it was fun.

41:23 That’s cool. If you don’t make it awkward, it’s not going to be awkward. But like if you make it awkward, then it gets awkward.

41:29 Yeah, exactly. Exactly. It’s all how you play it. Exactly. I love that. Don’t be awkward. That’s it. Literally just roll with it.

41:36 Hold it. It’s 30 seconds of your life. Exactly. That’s all done. I think that’s that wraps it up. Yeah, that’s everything.

41:43 Thanks so thanks so much for coming down and talking to us today. Yeah, absolutely. Can you do me a favor, though?

41:48 Yes. Can you pull out that jug from me? Yeah, take a sip of water. You people have to see the size of this jug.

41:55 You really love my water bottle. We’re not sponsored by this at all, so don’t worry. It’s very serious about hydration.

42:02 A little too serious, look at that. Do you see this thing? Just do it. Is she this thing? I’m not going to take a sip.

42:10 Let me see that when you’re done. I’m not going to take a sip. I’m going to see that when you’re done.

42:13 I feel how heavy it is. Do you see the size of this thing? bigger than your head. Do you see this?

42:20 Ridiculous. Sam was very taken back. At 100 ounces right now. Sam was very taken back. Oh my gosh. As far as I worried about it.

42:24 Oh, right. Yeah. That’s a good time. Got to stay hydrated. Especially. Today’s not a wedding day, but especially on a wedding day.

42:32 Oh my god, yeah. That thing comes in. I’m going through these like. Yeah. How many of those do you drink on a daily basis?

42:38 Right? On a wedding day. There you got to take out five of those. I just take the one jug. and I’m good.

42:42 Well, how do you, yeah, but it doesn’t stay cold. I could put this in the Oh, I don’t do cold water.

42:46 I can, I can get room temp. I love cold water. No, room temp all day every day. I cold water.

42:51 This is room temp. It’s not bad, but like, you know, on a hot day, yeah, I can get room temp.

42:54 No, no way, it could be 110 degrees out and I’m doing room temperature. Which is funny because our two kids are one is room temperature water, one is ice cold.

43:04 That’s why we just, that’s how it goes all the time. 50, 50. So I’ve got a little outro though, so.

43:10 Let’s do it. Cool. All right, cool. If you can see yourself working with Sam, that’s what matters. Most, your event host is the person who’s going to be with you through some of the biggest moments of your wedding day.

43:20 Keep things smooth, keep the energy right, and make sure nothing feels off, and that’s what makes it all come together.

43:26 That’s right. And wherever you are and whatever you’re planning, we love that for you. What’s party? Out. Cool, that was awesome.

43:36 Thank you so much for hanging out with us today. If this episode was helpful, make sure you follow or subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

43:43 We love hearing from you, so if you have a question, a planning struggle, or an episode idea, email me at Jackie at Limelight Entertainment and J dot com.

43:52 There’s a really good chance your question becomes a future episode. And if you’re planning a New Jersey wedding and want vendors who truly care, you can find us at LimelightWedding.com.

44:02 And remember, wherever you’re planning and whatever you’re dreaming, we love that for you.