Planning a wedding involves countless moving parts, and music plays a vital role in shaping the energy of the day. My goal as a wedding DJ is to make the process seamless, personal, and fun, creating moments your guests will talk about long after the last song fades. Olivia and Tristan’s wedding at Laural Mill is a perfect example of what that experience can look like.
“DJ Clay has dance floor telekinesis capabilities. It was seamlessly easy working with him. He was so easy to connect with and incredibly kind! He often checked in with me to see how I was feeling, and when I was ready for the next big thing! He arrived as soon as our venue opened to take his time in setting up and making sure everything was ready for the ceremony and reception. We are 100% happy with having hired him for our wedding day. His wife was also so kind and helpful in being there the day of. Thank you Clay and Kelly!”
– Olivia and Tristan
Olivia and Tristan’s wedding was a lovely celebration at the Laural Mill in Bedford, Indiana. And one of the first I’ve experienced where we were ahead of schedule!
Personalized Music Planning and Preparation
I met with Olivia ahead of time to discuss the details of the day. They wanted a strong mix of music, including plenty of country and hip hop. Olivia shared some country song ideas since I didn’t know the genre as well. She also added many selections to our planning document: their personal favorites, requests submitted with RSVPs, and songs their bridal party loved dancing to. I always appreciate getting a lot of input as it helps me prepare mixes that will be perfect for the couple and their guests.
I got to work preparing and practicing. I gave special attention to their must-play song, The Kind of Love We Make by Luke Combs, looking for natural ways to mix it into the flow of the night. I also visited Laural Mill ahead of time to review the layout and discuss logistics. Nia from the venue was very helpful and kind, and I was confident I’d have everything I needed.
A Seamless Wedding Day at Laural Mill
On the wedding day, I arrived several hours early so Kelly and I would have plenty of time to set up. We set up for the reception in the indoor space and the ceremony outside. Haley from the venue reviewed the schedule with me, which turned out to be important—there was a small discrepancy in our notes. After checking with the day-of coordinator, we learned there had been a last-minute change to the bridal party. We made sure all names were correct for both the processional and grand entrance.
We were able to do a sound check with the officiant Haleigh before the ceremony. I implemented some techniques I’d learned from an audio engineer friend to reduce feedback and static on the wireless lavalier microphone. The ceremony itself was short, sweet, and went off without a hitch.
During cocktail hour, we played a country-leaning mix of love songs while I transitioned the remaining equipment indoors. We kicked off the reception with a grand entrance, then moved right into Olivia and Tristan’s first dance. After a warm welcome from the couple, they cut the cake, and a family member offered a blessing. I then dismissed tables for dinner. I like to personally visit each table as I do this; chatting with guests, learning how they know the couple, and where they traveled from. Every single person had come from Indianapolis! A true Bedford destination wedding. I could tell Olivia and Tristan had a tight-knit community of family and friends supporting them.
Dinner service moved so efficiently that we found ourselves half an hour ahead of schedule, something I rarely see. After checking in with the coordinator and photographers, we decided to stick to the original timeline so vendors could rest and eat.
When I checked in with Olivia and Tristan, Olivia mentioned she wasn’t feeling well. That’s never ideal on a wedding day, but she handled it with grace. I shared some medicine I keep on hand, which helped her feel a bit better, and I made sure she was ready before we moved into toasts.
Olivia’s mom and the best man, Matt, shared heartfelt words. Tristan and Olivia had also asked me to interrupt Matt mid-toast so we could surprise him with a birthday wish. It wasn’t the first time I’ve helped prank a best man, but it was memorable. A birthday cake came out, and Matt took it all in good spirits.
I was excited when we finally opened the dance floor! I started with a mix of classics and modern crowd-pleasers. Many guests from the parents’ generation danced early before settling in to chat, while younger guests stayed energized. I played Morgan Wallen and Kane Brown—requests that were perfect for the upbeat vibe and especially fun for the flower girl, who danced with her mom. I then worked in the must-play Luke Combs track, transitioned into a slow song, and invited couples to join the newlyweds on the floor. As the energy built, I moved into hip hop. The highlight was definitely mixing Megan Thee Stallion with the chicken dance; I could tell Olivia was delighted.
For the rest of the evening, a small but enthusiastic group of Olivia’s bridesmaids and friends stayed on the dance floor with her.We moved through pop and hip-hop favorites, peaking with songs like Hotel Room Service and Lose Control, and winding down with Kiss Me Through the Phone and Shoop.
A Memorable Celebration from Start to Finish
I had a wonderful experience working with Olivia and Tristan and their vendor team. Everyone was kind, flexible, and easy to work with. I would absolutely recommend Laural Mill as a venue, along with Wild & Wander Photo Co (Cheyenne) and Milkweed Moments (Aubrianna) as photographers.
This wedding was also a milestone for me as one of my firsts for a couple I didn’t already know. From the start, Olivia and Tristan were so welcoming that it felt like working with old friends. I was glad that everything went smoothly and that the couple and their guests enjoyed the celebration. Olivia and her friends shared some kind words which made me grateful for the experience and excited for the next one.
“I have nothing but great things to say! Clay was awesome at my friend’s wedding! He was so attentive to every detail, played all of the best music, and kept us on the dance floor with hit after hit. And don’t get me started about the transitions from song to song… I was so impressed. Thank you, Clay, for helping to make it a night to remember!❤️”
– Lauren
If you’re planning a wedding in Bloomington or Bedford and looking for a detail-oriented DJ to create memorable mixes, I’d love to chat about your vision.