There’s Enough ‘Cha Cha Slide’ for All of Us

As DJs, we’re often taught to hustle hard, fight for gigs, and outshine the competition. It’s a high-energy industry, and there's nothing wrong with ambition. But let’s be real — no one DJ can do every wedding, every birthday, or every corporate event. The reality? There’s more than enough work to go around. So why are we treating each other like enemies instead of allies?

I’ve learned over time that helping other DJs doesn’t take anything away from me. In fact, it adds more value — to my reputation, my relationships, and to the DJ community as a whole. Here’s why supporting other DJs is a smarter (and more fulfilling) path than constantly competing:

We Can't Do Every Gig

We only have one calendar. If you're booked on a Saturday, that’s it — no more gigs that day. Referring another trusted DJ when you’re unavailable helps the client, helps the DJ you recommend, and keeps the business flowing. Everyone wins.

Referrals Build Your Brand

Sending someone to a reliable DJ shows your professionalism and confidence. Clients remember that. Instead of ghosting them or scrambling for a date that won’t work, you become a trusted resource. That’s the kind of reputation that brings long-term success.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

When DJs support each other, the whole scene improves. Clients start to see DJs as serious professionals rather than people who undercut or tear each other down. Sharing knowledge, encouraging each other, and setting fair rates raises the standard for everyone.

The Karma Is Real

Help other DJs, and watch how the energy comes back around. Whether it's referrals, advice, gear loans, or gig swaps — building a network of mutual respect opens up more opportunities than a “me vs. them” mindset ever will.

We Learn From Each Other

Some of the best lessons I’ve learned came from conversations with other DJs. Talking shop, sharing tracklists, troubleshooting gear — we all bring something different to the table. When we collaborate, we grow.

Undercutting Hurts Everyone — Including You

Trying to win gigs by offering rock-bottom prices might seem like a smart move when you’re starting out — but in the long run, it damages the entire DJ community. It sets unrealistic expectations for clients, devalues the craft, and creates a race to the bottom.
Instead of lowering your price to beat another DJ, focus on raising your value. Offer better service, better communication, and a better experience. When we all charge fairly for our time and talent, we elevate the profession — together.

There’s enough work. There’s enough music. There’s enough room for all of us to win.

The Timeline Went Out The Window…and So Did The Power

Spoiler alert: weddings are beautiful chaos — and we’re here for it.

The Timeline Went Out the Window

The ceremony started later than planned.
Guests arrived late.
Dinner service ran longer than expected.
Toast timing changed on the fly.

If you’ve been to enough weddings, you know — something almost always runs off schedule.
The important thing is having a team that’s flexible and ready to pivot without stressing the couple or the guests.

We adjusted playlists, shortened transitions, worked closely with the planner, and kept the energy right where it needed to be.
Guests had no idea we were running behind — they were just focused on the great music and good times.

Out of all the wedding we have done, maybe a handful have actually stayed perfectly on schedule.

Then... The Breaker Tripped During "The Wobble"

The dance floor was packed, everyone was in the middle of The Wobble, the vibe was perfect — and suddenly... everything went silent.

We had tripped a breaker.

Without missing a beat, we diagnosed the issue, reset it, and had the music bumping again within seconds.
No panic. No awkward silence dragging out.
We kept the momentum and the dance floor stayed full all night long.

Why Having a Professional Matters

Things will happen — timelines shift, power blips, weather surprises you.
The difference is, with an experienced team running your music and entertainment, your guests stay focused on the fun— not the hiccups.

Weddings aren’t about perfection — they’re about moments.
And sometimes, the best moments happen when you roll with the unexpected.

Who’s Running This Show?

Let’s talk real talk.
Weddings are magical. Emotional. Epic dance parties.
But behind the scenes? They’re a logistical circus without the right people in place.

As your DJ, we wear a lot of hats — vibe curator, timeline enforcer, hype squad, microphone wrangler, but one hat I shouldn’t be wearing is “day-of coordinator.”

A day-of coordinator is your behind-the-scenes hero. They're not planning your wedding, they’re making sure the plan actually happens on the big day.

They manage the timeline, wrangle the wedding party, confirm vendor arrivals, cue the ceremony, coordinate the grand entrance, and solve problems before you even know they exist. Basically? They keep everyone calm, on schedule, and having fun.

Why It’s a Game-Changer for You

• You get to enjoy your day. No one’s texting you for details while you're in the makeup chair.

• Your wedding party stays chill. Your bestie doesn't have to figure out where the florist is or when dinner’s starting.

• Mom can be Mom. Not your point person. Let her relax and cry happy tears — not coordinate speeches.

Why It’s a Lifesaver for Vendors (Like Us )

Now let’s talk about your vendor team — especially your DJ.

Yes, we often do run the show when it comes to transitions. We cue the music for the ceremony, intro the wedding party, set the mood during dinner, and keep the dance floor alive all night. But for all that to happen smoothly, we need to know:

• Has the photographer arrived?

• Are the parents of the couple in the room yet?

• Is the catering team ready for toasts?

• Has the bouquet toss been moved to later?

If there’s no day-of coordinator, guess who ends up trying to figure all that out while also mixing the perfect cocktail hour playlist? Yup. Your DJ, your photographer, your catering manager — all trying to juggle timelines and fill in gaps.

A great coordinator is the glue. They let us focus on doing our jobs, so everything clicks seamlessly and your day feels effortless

We’ve done weddings with incredible coordinators where everything flowed like magic, and we’ve also been at weddings where there wasn’t one, and vendors were whispering, “Are we supposed to be starting the first dance now?” while also trying to plug in an aux cord.

You deserve better than that. Your vendors deserve better too.

Weddings are full of emotion and joy, but they’re also full of moving parts. You’ve invested so much into making this day amazing. A day-of coordinator is the person who makes sure it actually happens the way you envisioned.

And trust us — when you’ve got one of those on your team, your DJ (and your whole vendor squad) can bring the absolute best energy to your big day.

So, who’s running this show?

Let’s make sure it’s someone whose only job is to do just that.

You’re Not Invited

Your guest list. Who should you invite, and who doesn’t make the cut? That’s 100% up to you—but let me give you my two cents.

That girl you went to high school with, who you haven’t talked to in five years but just became Facebook friends with? Yeah... she can probably stay home. She can enjoy the pictures you post after the wedding.

Your Aunt Becky’s cousin’s new boyfriend? He can sit this one out too.

Your cousin? Invite them—if you’re close. But if you haven’t seen or heard from them in years and can’t even remember how you’re related, it’s okay to leave them off the list.

What I’m getting at is this: invite the people you would be devastated not to have there on your big day. That’s your core.

Here’s the truth: You don’t have to invite everyone you’ve ever met, worked with, or shared a group project with in college. This isn’t a reunion. It’s your wedding—your people only.

So…..Who Should You Invite?

• Your ride-or-dies.
  The ones who answer your 2 a.m. texts, know your coffee order, and cried when you got engaged.

• Your closest family.
  The ones who have supported you, celebrated you, and would never miss this moment for the world.

• People who bring good energy.
  Positive vibes only. This isn’t the time for drama, guilt-trips, or tension.

• The “would I notice if they weren’t there?” test.
  Ask yourself that. If the answer is “not really”… you’ve got your answer.

And Who Doesn’t Need A Seat?

• Distant relatives you haven’t seen since you were in braces

• Co-workers you’re not close with

• Friends you “used to be tight with” but haven’t spoken to in years

• Anyone you’re inviting just because someone else thinks you should

• That random person who invited you to their wedding ten years ago... but you’ve barely talked since

Thinking back to mine and Stephen’s wedding, I can honestly say this: I remember my family and closest friends being there. That’s it. Those are the people who mattered.
We invited others, sure—but I couldn’t tell you who all showed up. And that tells you everything you need to know.

So when you're stressing over the guest list, just remember: this day is about you two.
Not politics. Not pressure. Just love.

Keep your circle tight, your energy high, and your heart full.

Put a ring on it….and a contract too.

Let’s talk contracts. Any and all wedding vendors should have a contract. I don’t care what service they are offering, but they not only should be protecting you, but themselves as well. Make sure that is one of the first questions you ask when seeking out services. “Do you have a contract?” “Can I see an example of your contract?” If they say no, RUN! Go find someone else. I don’t care how stellar their reviews are, just go find someone else! Because what happens if they cancel on you and there was no contract? Well, you’re out of money and they have no legal liability towards you.

I have brides quite often ask for the contract before they send the retainer and I happily oblige. What should be in the contract? Glad you asked! Now I can only speak from a DJ service standpoint, but they should all be relatively similar. I will just tell you what is in our contract and how it protects our company and you as the client. Sorry, I hate that word, “client.” It seems so impersonal.

Here’s the contract must haves:

Information of course. Make sure your venue address is correct and always check the date! I have seen instances (not with us) where a bride gives a date and the vendor automatically assumes it’s on a Saturday and when the time came, “Oh, I’m sorry. We got the day wrong. We are booked.”

Extra fees. We are very upfront about travel fees and going over your contracted time. Speaking of time, make sure the hours from start to finish are there. Now, we do come early to set up and I don’t put that in our contract, but it is always communicated when we will be arriving. I don’t put that in the contract because we don’t charge for that, but maybe I should. We always arrive 2 hours before the start of your event to set up. No, it doesn’t take us that long, but in case anything goes wrong or isn’t working, we have plenty of time to troubleshoot and fix! There should be no hidden fees anywhere.

Pricing should be clearly outlined. What services are being offered and how much are you paying total. Is there a payment plan? When is all money due? What is the retainer fee, is it refundable, non-refundable? The contract should clearly state these things. What forms of payment? Most companies won’t accept checks. We like cash or an online payment service. We use Venmo and others do as well. I always send an invoice/receipt as well!

Cancellations. This is a big one. This is what I see the most being posted about on social media. What happens if the vendor cancels on you? Do you get your money back, including your non-refundable retainer? My answer is YES! If we have to cancel on you for any reason, we refund all money, even if it states it was non-refundable. Let me say, though, we have never cancelled on anyone and we hope we never have to! We also have to find you a replacement DJ! That SHOULD NOT be your job! You already took the time to find the vendor you wanted and you should not have to do it again. But if you cancel on us, that non-refundable retainer stays and we wish you well! We know things happen.

NOT a $500 DJ

Let’s be real for a minute.  Weddings are EXPENSIVE!  There are so many things you have to think about when planning your perfect wedding.  What type of food do you want?  What colors should I choose for my flowers, decor, bridesmaids dresses, etc.?  How much does a professional photographer cost?  Which photographer do I choose?  Do I need a videographer? Sadly, the last thing that seems to be on a bride's mind is the music.  “I think I’ll just get my uncle to make a playlist and hook up to a bluetooth speaker.”  Sure, you could do that, or you could hire a professional.  It’s what we do.  

Your wedding DJ sets the tone for your entire event.  From the ceremony to the reception, your DJ plays a vital role in your wedding.  He/she knows when to cue the ceremony songs, controls the volume of the officiants lapel mic (please ask your DJ if they have a lapel mic!), and makes sure there are no dropouts.  If you ask me, a hand held microphone or even putting one on a mic stand takes away so much.  That is all I would be looking at!  Lapel mics clip onto the collar of your jacket and you just speak.  Moving on to the reception, the DJ controls the flow of events and makes sure everything is on time (it’s ok to get off schedule.)  If you are talking with your Great Aunt Regina and it’s time to cut the cake, but you look interested in your conversation, the cake cutting can wait a few.  A good DJ will know this.  Let me tell you what Stephen (Mitchell Music Company’s DJ) always says, “Planning is important, but plans mean nothing.”  What he means is, have a plan in place, but be in the moment and do what feels right.

Why should you NOT hire that $500 DJ??

Experience Matters

DJing a wedding is not the same as playing music at a club or bar. Weddings require experience in reading the crowd, working with a timeline, and coordinating with other vendors (like the photographer and wedding planner). A $500 DJ may lack the experience to handle the nuances of a wedding day.

Equipment Matters

DJs who charge lower rates often do so because they are cutting costs somewhere—usually in the quality of their equipment. Wedding sound systems require high-quality speakers, microphones, and lighting to create a professional, enjoyable atmosphere.

I have seen it too many times where, I’m just going to say it, a CHEAP DJ bails on a couple because they got a higher paying gig. The couples are left high and dry not knowing what to do or scrambling to find someone else and forking out even more money. After you’ve done all of that, you will realize you should have gone ahead and spent that extra money to hire a seasoned, professional, SKILLED DJ in the first place. DON’T LET THIS BE YOU!

Hire EXPERIENCE!