“DJ Clay is beyond talented! He did an outstanding job keeping the dance floor full and fun at our wedding. The entire planning process with him was easy and relaxed; we really appreciate his calm nature and attention to detail. We would work with Clay 100 more times if we could. Thank you for playing such a big role on our day!” ~Brenna & Michael
Planning for a Smooth Wedding Day at The Wilds
Brenna and Michael had booked me well in advance, so they were well prepared for our planning meeting. We ran through their planning document and discussed each detail of the timeline. I loved the playlist they shared with me; it had a good variety of popular and danceable songs that I knew would land well with a diverse crowd.
On the day of the wedding, we set up at The Wilds in Bloomington for an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour, with the reception indoors. I made sure I had each of the songs they’d selected for the ceremony ready to go. I love playing at The Wilds as I also had the opportunity to compare timeline notes with Hannah from the venue so we could work out any differences ahead of time.
Adjusting the Timeline Without Missing a Beat
After a sweet ceremony and relaxed cocktail hour, we were ready to kick off the reception. When I checked with the caterer, I learned they were running late; if we proceeded with the schedule we would have some down time before dinner was ready to be served. I checked in with the photographer and venue staff, and we decided the best option would be to move toasts to before dinner; this would minimize downtime and ensure that the photographer would still be around to capture all of the formalities before her scheduled end time. I shared the plan with the maid of honor, our primary contact for the day, and she approved the change. Brenna was nearby and I was grateful to hear her say she was happy for us to make whatever changes we needed to keep the day flowing smoothly. Best of all, she never had to worry about the catering delay.
This plan worked perfectly; after the grand entrance and first dance, we went right into toasts and then dinner! After the meal we brought everyone back together for an anniversary dance and then kicked off the dance floor!
Building the Dance Floor Throughout the Night
I started with some familiar classics (like September) and then focused on playing to the crowd; as many folks stepped away to get a drink or enjoy the patio, I brought the energy down gradually and then played a few slow songs. This was a nice opportunity to create a moment for the older guests and couples that best connect with the music that way.
Shortly, Brenna and one of the bridesmaids came over to tell me they were ready to dance! This is exactly what I want to hear as a DJ! 🙂 As the dance floor filled, I built the energy with a mix of R&B, pop, and hip-hop before weaving in several of Brenna’s must-play songs, including Opalite and a few Taylor Swift favorites.
As the dance floor filled, I built the energy with a mix of R&B, pop, and hip-hop before weaving in several of Brenna’s must-play songs, including Opalite and a few Taylor Swift favorites.
Michael came and asked me to play Dixieland Delight by Alabama, and I told him I would find it! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turned into one of the night’s most memorable moments. He and his buddies belted each chorus along with some chants for their college. He told me later this was a tradition from his fraternity 🙂
Reading the Crowd and Playing the Right Music
I took the opportunity to hit a bit of country pop, which they had mentioned in our planning meeting, with Cruise by Florida Georgia Line. This was the perfect tempo to transition to some hip-hop, with favorites like Trap Queen and Bottoms Up. By this point some of the older guests had left, and the couples’ friends started to let loose a bit. It was great to see everyone having a good time! One of the bridesmaids came over and said they were ready for Mr. Brightside. This would be a big energy jump but I decided to trust her judgment; after mixing the couple’s must-play All The Above, I moved right into a high-energy set with Everytime We Touch, Can’t Hold Us, and Mr. Brightside. The guests responded perfectly, and I was happy to see them jumping around and hyping up the bride and groom.
After that I played a bit of everything, again focusing on responding to the crowd. I made sure to include more Taylor Swift hits like 22, but even after I’d played five or six of her tracks, a guest came up to request “all the Taylor Swift you got!” 😂 I mixed into Paper Rings, which was the perfect late-night sing-along moment for Brenna and her friends.
Towards the end of the night I fit in some low-energy hip-hop requests. We ended the night with Moon and Back by JVKE, a sweet romantic song that was another must-play for Brenna and Michael. So we got to end the night with them dancing together and it was a lovely moment.
Creating a Wedding Experience Couples Love
I connected with Brenna and Michael after the wedding was over and was so happy to hear that they had a great experience.
“We had such an amazing time this weekend. We are incredibly impressed with your talent, professionalism, and overall vibe. Thank you for everything!” ~Brenna & Michael
I love what I do, and getting to see the range of sweet heartfelt moments to high energy dancing all in one special evening is a wonderful part of it. If you’re looking for a DJ to help curate moments and manage the energy, I’d love to connect.