Five Wedding Tips For DJs Video: By John Young

Five Wedding Tips of things not to do at a wedding reception for DJs
John was a guest at a recent wedding and pulled five tips to share in this video and with his new DJs he is training.
The first five tips 2013: • Five Wedding Tips For ...
Second five tips from 2014: • Five Wedding DJ Tips 2...
Third five tips from 2015: • 5 Wedding Tips for DJs...
www.discjockeynews.com/five-we...

[@mariogray9107]

great TIPS and continued joy in all that you do John.

[@DJCrossBlade04]

Sir. You are a life saver. I'm doing my cousin's wedding in Augest and watching this video made me more confident even though I've been dj'ing for 7 months this is your first wedding ever. Thanks for the advice

[@djv210dv]

Thanks for the helpful advice! !!

[@MrProDJSolutions]

Thanks for the tips John.

[@Hgns3]

Excellent tips, thank you! Wedding receptions tend to make me the most nervous of any jobs we do. You have one shot to get it right, not to mention make a name for yourself. Word of mouth gets us most business, but to be able to go home with a feeling that you made it a night to remember for the happy couple is pretty great too. ;) The music is very crucial, there is nothing worse than getting some great dance tunes but as you said, to have the f bomb dropped in family setting (my major biggie is worrying for the young children present). I make it a point to do a run through to check lyrics on most anything I am playing and then if I do not have the "clean" version, I purchase it. A separate folder to keep your edited versions of tunes in is a good thing, that way no searching when time comes to make a dance list and also no chance of accidentally pulling the wrong version. A month out before the big day, I meet with the couple and go over their music list for entrance, special dances, etc. Then we go to what type of music they would like overall. This gives a wonderful base to work with and build on. Good starter and then just go with the crowd throughout the night as they come up with requests.

[@buffalodj]

Good solid tips John, keep up the good work !

[@djpcbaby]

ROCK SOLID advice! I concur. Great Video!

[@MrGibby26]

Great video .thanks for the info.

[@Whopcap]

Thank You!

[@Vidiwell100]

Great tips! Thanks!

[@edwardfinley1536]

Great video, been using these ideas for years!

[@MixwellEventsOrlandPark]

Great tips. Thank you for sharing!

[@nickzareski6023]

I knew it was going to be a good video when I saw the Yamaha DXR's in the background. Great tips and great speakers!!!! Thanks man for the post.

[@JoseHeredia]

It's unbelievable that we live in an age with so many educational content out there (DVD's, seminars, trade shows, trade associations, chat boards, social media and KZbin) and yet a few DJs still havent learned the basics. Great video John, hope the word gets out there.

[@egosumumbraemortis5609]

Being able to read the crowd is HUGE. I've seen so many Dj's play music that was totally irrelevant or out of the generation's scope of experience and clear out the dance floor. If you're at a wedding where the group is mostly 30's and up, get rid of nearly everything that's playing on the radio right now. People will dance if they can relate to the song, and throwing out some golden oldies (especially to an older crowd) will really show the bride and groom you think ahead and are there so everyone can have a good time. Was at a wedding once where the entire playlist was pretty much copy and pasted from the Hot 100 for a crowd that was strictly religious. Idk if the dj just didn't care anymore or had already been paid in full, but hell you could almost reach out and touch the cringe it was so bad. He could have saved the entire night with some Elvis but kept thinking that Bruno Mars was going to bring the house down or some bs. Stellar video, listen to everything my man John here says. KNOW THE CROWD!!!

[@josetorresdjlito4530]

Great video,the little things mean a lot

[@WeddingDJBusiness]

Excellent tips John

[@bizzyb53]

Great tips,John.

[@dj-iicon2714]

very nice video

[@joeganusi8522]

Very good advice, John. I've always and still do, hold a sheet up with everyone's name on it and spelled so I know how to pronounce it. Been doing this for years. Most people NEVER notice you holding a piece of paper, but the DO notice what's coming out of the speakers. ;)

[@LapXGaming]

Wow, great points. I can't believe that actually happened ! I am myself a young begginer DJ and I wouldn't do all these errors. Of course it might help that my dad teached me but still...

[@karriemsmith3307]

Radio/Edit/Clean versions of all music at a wedding is a MUST! It's a wedding, not a nightclub! You can celebrate without the F bomb for a few hours! Great stuff BTW!

[@MichaelDavisDJMic]

Wedding tip! Presentation is everything. Tie or cover your speaker cables (Scrim king). Good video!

[@dennisondenatalie1579]

Scrim Kings are awesome. Just bought them for my QSC K10's!

[@spinmoney101]

Great video

[@DjDuilioPV]

Thanks, God Job ..!!!

[@gibbee1]

Pretty good video, The only thing I believe in is beat matching. I beat match religiously when it comes to my gigs. And in my off nights where i slack on the beat matching because I'm not on my A game, the crowd is not as into the dancing. So for me it's not an option. Even with a great playlist. Any Dj like myself knows how to feel the crowd and what type of music is preferred. I have been Djing for about 25 years and agree with everything on your tips minus the beat matching. Beat Matching will always be a part of the DJ culture. In my opinion that is what keeps the dancefloor packed and the energy going. I love doing weddings because it is so personal to your clients and is satisfying at the end too. From my personal experience, My return and new customers main reason for choosing me was because of my mix of music and use of beat matching. Never forget how important that is to most.

[@djdrewthomas]

Absolutely! Beat matching and mixing is what I do also. Obviously, not every song, and not every wedding. I did a 100% bluegrass wedding once, and a 100% "Christmas jazz" wedding, where the couple told me they didn't really want people dancing. They didn't even do a first dance, father/daughter, etc. Not really my cup of tea, but it was at a venue where I'm the preferred DJ. So, I kept the couple happy, which kept the venue happy. :) lol However, probably 90%+ of the weddings I do, I mix during the dance portion. When you can flow smoothly from a 60's disco song, to 70's funk, to 80's pop, to 90's hip-hop anthem, for example, without stopping the beat, I find people are much more likely to have all ages come to, and stay on, the dance floor. After 15-20 minutes, put in a slow dance or two, or do the next item on the time-line, then pack the dance floor again. The couple is happy, their guests, of all ages, are happy. I used to not mix, and was more of a "radio DJ", where one song would fade out, then I would drop the next one... No "dead air", but there were still breaks in the flow that are not present during mixed music. Equally important to me, I don't want to be like "all the other wedding DJ's". I want people to remember the guy who used "old school turntables" and mixes music. But, to each their own. :)

[@mad5210]

THANK YOU!!!!! I don't regard you as a dj if you don't beat mix. Call yourself an entertainer but if you can't find a way to tie the music together then you don't belong there and unfortunately most people don't see that until I bring it up to them. If a client were to request no beat mixing at their event I would turn it down Immediately. If I can't have some fun and be creative on the decks all the money in the world isn't worth it. That's my two cents.

[@guyhermanson3002]

I've been working as a DJ for 30 years in bars, schools, weddings and every other event possible but I've never found the crowd is more into beat mixing unless it's a younger crowd. Older crowds aren't used to beat mixing so they don't miss it when it's not there. Think about how many live musicians play their songs back to back mixed together as a DJ would. Very few. That's one reason DJs don't have to do it. Older crowds are more familiar with live music and the lack of beat mixing. Besides most DJs over do it and beat mix until its predictable and end up changing the original songs so much you can't recognize them. To say a DJ isn't a DJ unless they beat mix every song is BS. I guess you have to scratch and flip a slider back and forth, too, right? I've had some clients for 30 years and do multiple parties for them with minimal beat mixing because they love the music not how I beat mix it. It's what you play that counts. Read the crowd and be entertaining whether you beat mix or not. Most people will still enjoy the music if you keep it going.

[@youtubedlichthr9870]

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[@ikaraoke1]

Good job. One thing I have noticed over the many years of my experience, is that brides are usually nervous leading up to the first dance or dances after dinner. After we have settled in to the dinner...I creep up behind the bride and groom and crouch down as I want to make it a very personal moment for them. I ask if everything is alright, is there anything you would like to hear, have we forgotten anything etc....small talk...Lastly I let the bride and groom know I am here for them, 100%. Anything you want, any song you want is yours, music too loud, music too soft? No matter how big or little a favor, I am their guy. Lean on me. I am here for you. Usually I see the bride take sigh of relief followed by a "thank you". Handing her that leaning post is a HUGE win on my part. That's usually the moment you get her blessing. If she's not a control freak she will almost always "let go" and have fun.

[@discjockeynews]

▶ Five Wedding Tips For DJs Video: By John Young #weddingtips - KZbin Five Wedding Tips For DJs Video: By John Young #weddingtips

[@lakemurraydjservice]

good video!

[@ajfernandez4445]

No beat mixing huh? That's what people want to hear? Awesome.

[@HumanGuillotine]

Aj Fernandez That was the only point that I didn't agree with. I cringed a little at that piece of advice.

[@mad5210]

That's the one that bothered me too. In this day and age with Serato and tractor and BPM displays and SYNC, there's no reason you couldn't pull off a half decent beat mix. If Im at a wedding and I don't hear any beat mixing at all then I will refuse to dance! My wife knows how strong I feel about this and anyone else that knows me. Yes people will still dance if you don't beat mix because all they give a shit is about if you're playing their favourite songs but I will definitely make my voice heard.

[@discjockeynews]

▶ the first Five Wedding Tips For DJs Video: By John Young #weddingtips - KZbin

[@discjockeynews]

▶ Five Wedding Tips For DJs Video: By John Young #weddingtips - KZbin

[@PaulYoungMinnesota]

yeah!

[@eclecticentertainmentwithd9414]

Unless you are on AM Radio; dead air is NOT recommended. The cardinal rule is Always Keep Em Dancing, until you know they need a break, THEN fade a slower set...or whatever else you need to have done.

[@00767Iceman]

I have it specifically detailed in my contract that we will NOT play ANY music with explicit lyrics. I don't even have those songs loaded in my systems. No matter how "cool" your crowd is with those lyrics you will ALWAYS find someone in the crowd who will have a heart attack when the 1st F-bomb hits. Some people will even have issues with the edited versions since it's pretty easy to figure out what is being said despite the bleep or omission. What I typically do is warn the customer that some songs I play, while being the radio edit, may still be suggestive or even offensive to some people. I spend a LOT of time going through my Promo Onlys and/or Prime Cuts to delete the explicit versions of songs.

[@guyhermanson3002]

I'm not disagreeing with you about weddings but private parties and bar crowds can handle swearing. If your worried before you play by all means speak to the clients. I even had clients request the unedited versions of songs when I tried to play the edited ones. So it depends on the crowd. Also turning down work because of swearing in the songs seems a little extreme. I need to work so if I have to play a few songs with a few swear words to make money to live I'm going to play them.

[@TurtleDudeProd]

Great tips! I've never done a wedding,( well I haven't done much at all, but more on that in a minute) but I was at a friends wedding a couple years ago, and their DJs where awful. You couldn't understand anything anyone said over the mic, and the whole sound was muddy and unprofessional. Good tip on the names though. An advantage for me is I seem to have a semi eidetic memory when it comes to names. Most times I can hear it once and know it forever. I'm glad you talked briefly about how to play the music though. I've only done a couple private parties, one for my best friends Bday and one at church. All I've done so far is exactly how you said, playing a song and will crossfade the end of one to the start of another. Lookin at videos on youtube about DJing, where everybody is beat matching and mixing, I was a little intimidated. I wasn't sure if I was even doing it right, but I guess there is a place for that style after all?

[@richplatt9913]

Beat mixing is very important. You shouldn’t just try to get the mix close and fade in and out.

[@Bertiemang]

I just ask if they want clean or edited music. If they want edited music, always charge extra.

[@DjTekilaNYC]

I got hire to do lighting only. I was looking forward to see another dj do his thing and learn a thing of two. But instead the dj made all these mistakes. I felt really sorry for the clients. My fellow event djs listen to this guy.

[@IsaacParks]

I Dj'ed my first wedding two weeks ago. Most everything went fantastic, but at one point I forgot the groom's name. I was announcing the bridal party's arrival, and when I went to announce the groom's name there was an awkward 1.5 - 2 seconds of silence before I remembered. xD

[@discjockeynews]

Isaac Parks Opps... I hate it when you just draw a blank...

[@my21coronas]

discjockeynews I once said the grooms name tyler and his name was taylor. Everyone instantly corrected me but the groom replied "who's tyler?" very loud. Very jokingly..... Had a few laughs and still ended up having a blast! but remembering names is crucial!

[@AMPDJServices]

Hi Isaac, One thing that I do is write the bride & grooms name with the last name big on every page of my planning forms. This is so that if I need to make an announcement with their names that I can be anywhere at the DJ table, glance at the page, and see it from a far. Another option is put a post-it note on your laptop or mixer. Try it out and never miss a name again. Cheers!

[@IsaacParks]

AMPDJServices Great idea, thanks!

[@JackinTheWoods]

Cue Cards - couple's names right on your board, use the back of a business card.

[@MikeDuryea32]

All good points!!!! The only thing I would add to the names thing is PRACTICE!! Get the names and practice, at home, in the car, on the toilet, I don't care...just practice!! That way, come show time, they roll off your tongue!

[@Vidiwell100]

But some DJs are busy and you might have more than one wedding to do in a week. You don't want to get used to saying Bob and Susie when they are John and Sandy.

[@discjockeynews]

I have spent the ride to shows going over the important names and saying them as I will at the show.. practicing the inflection and energy I would use on the microphone.. that helps a ton! :)

[@MikeDuryea32]

Vidiwell100 That's why I ALWAYS write the names down on index cards and look at them as I introduce them, not getting people mixed up.

[@MikeDuryea32]

discjockeynews It sure does!

[@Vidiwell100]

MrDJMike32 The why do all the memorizing and practicing like you said, if you're just going to write the names down? Sounds like the practicing is a waste of time, that you could be using to figuring out a music set, or other things, like remembering specific information about the couple, so maybe you can crack a friendly joke to liven things up, if things start to bog down, or if the guests are lame or are to chicken to get up and dance or loosen up. Alcohol goes a long way too. I attended my cousin's daughter's wedding and they didn't want to pay the hotel's reception hall to serve drinks because it was $500.00 more. Man, it was weak. Everybody was acting all stiff and the DJ had a scowl on his face the whole time. He never once spoke. I tried to liven him up and he looked at me like he wanted to kill me. He's in the wrong business.

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

is it OK to take my songs and make my own clean versions of them via DAW or similar means.....?

[@discjockeynews]

Certainly!! You just can't resell them if you just cleaned up other people's songs :)

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

Thanks, and WOW, that was fast. I just had my first gigs with my new gear, one Friday, one Saturday. It is a great setup, working well, got compliments, and it all fits in the Explorer with me, wife, and 3 kiddos... :)

[@discjockeynews]

Isaiah Furrow Post photos!! would love to check it out! :)

[@thetortillachips]

This was a great video. Now I know I will never get into the wedding scene. Too much shit to remember and do besides playing the music you think will rock the crowd. And plus it is complicated when playing to an age group than can span 60 plus years, with people of different moral and ethnic backgrounds. It would be too much for me to handle.

[@discjockeynews]

That is a great post!! I wish more would realize what you just stated that it can be very tough to do it and do it well! Last night I did a corporate event, and it always amazes me at how much easier those are!! I don't have to worry about music, announcements, event flow.. or music selection as much as a wedding!

[@zunigasystementertainment8840]

That's why you prep,you talk to your client ,ask them for a solid playlist of music ,that way you are playing what they want and your not hoping the music you are playing they will like

[@trackblock]

you seem to focus on the negative aspects & your own personal experiences versus providing a positive aspect & focus.

[@DJDREXTV]

Some of that is wedding coordinator....

[@mranon_101]

Is it possible to do a live clean edit?

[@LapXGaming]

I know theres a button on the DDJ-SX that can be used for that, it plays the song in reverse as long as you hold it. Don't know if that feature is present on other equipement though.

[@mranon_101]

LapXGaming Yeah, I heard about that since i posted that.Thanks

[@steventorres5731]

You have to know the song to perform it well. I dj'd for an elementary school and a Justin Bieber song they wanted to hear said clean version but according to a clean version its still ok for Nikki Minaj to say bitch. Since I knew where it was I pressed the reverse on my DDJ SX. But now Serato Dj made it easier for me with the new Serato Flip. Now I can make my own uncensored versions

[@iamdjrichierich]

I would hope the topics you covered fall under common sense, but obviously you must have seen people making such errors lol, I guess it also fall into you get what you pay for, good luck party rockers!!

[@discjockeynews]

For many they do.. but for a high precent, some of these concepts are brand new :(

[@BRAVE_dj]

what freak's me out ....is that possible that somebody hire someone for his wedding that don't know all that???

[@discjockeynews]

Boy, isn't that the truth!! :)

[@DJTEDDY507]

A real professional DJ should have a DJ service record pool subscription. You cannot play dirty versions on a wedding, that's a big no no.

[@alreno76]

Tip for the video: Don't wear a short sleeved green t-shirt and do a video with a garage door as your background. Hope you're a better DJ than videographer lol.

[@dadjbig]

Damn .. Was it the matter of hiring a cheep Dj or the Dj company is not professional

[@ltdm100]

You must suck at life if you're giving advice about being a DJ while you're at someone elses wedding not being a DJ. "Not going to be that DJ..." So I'll just bash them on youtube instead. Two thumbs up.

[@discjockeynews]

Really? LOL...So you wouldn't go to a family or friend's wedding unless you were the DJ? Long ago I made the decision that I would rather go and enjoy spending time at family and friends weddings with my wife and children instead of working every event that comes along. Time to build memories with young children is limited and I want to take advantage of those moments and not be too busy to go dance with my children.. :)

[@NeilSmithMusic]

Perfect tips except that songs with profanity and raunchiness are NEVER appropriate or a good idea at a wedding or any other family setting regardless of how liberal your client is (you seemed to rationalize at one point a scenario where it may be acceptable. It is not. No way. No how.). Keeping it clean will always serve you better and bolster your reputation. I go to the length of stating in my overview that I will NOT under any circumstance play any music at all containing explicit language or extremely raunchy content and then I reiterate that in my final contract. Any prospective client whom that may turn off is no client I would want. Why would I ever want to serve someone so classless that they would play raunchy music in front of kids and grandmothers? Nothing good will ever come of that.