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What A New DJ Should Know To Do A Basic Wedding Reception with Cubbie Powell and John Young #DJNTV
What A New DJ Should Know To Do A Basic Wedding Reception with Cubbie Powell and John Young #djntv 1. Pre-Event Preparation & Planning * Detailed Timeline & Cue Sheet: * Get a minute-by-minute schedule from the couple or wedding planner beforehand (Grand Entrance, First Dance, Toasts, Dinner, Cake Cutting, Parent Dances, Open Dancing, Last Dance). * Name Pronunciations: * Get phonetic spellings for every single member of the wedding party and family members being introduced. Practice them out loud before the event! * Music Selection & Playlists: * Must-Play / Do-Not-Play Lists: Get explicit song requests and strict “Do Not Play” lists from the couple. * Clean Edits: Ensure every track selected for a wedding—especially general background and early dancing music—is explicit-free / radio clean. * Core Library: Prep playlist buckets for Cocktail Hour (upbeat jazz, acoustic, soft pop), Dinner (mellow, soul, standards), and Dance Floor (cross-generational hits, classic dance tunes, current Top 40). * Backup Everything: * Have offline backups of all music (downloaded files on a hard drive/flash drive) in case venue Wi-Fi fails. * Keep back-up audio cables, adapters, a second microphone, and power extension cords on hand. 2. Setup & Technical Essentials * Early Arrival: * Arrive at least 90–120 minutes prior to guest arrival to set up, cable dress neatly, and do a complete sound check. * Audio Setup & Line of Sight: * Position speakers slightly in front of your table/booth to prevent microphone feedback. * Keep your setup clean, organized, and free of loose, dangling wires. * Microphone Technique: * Check wireless microphone batteries (always use fresh batteries before the event starts). * Instruct anybody speaking or giving a toast to hold the microphone close to their mouth (about 1–2 inches away) and speak directly into it. 3. Master of Ceremonies (MC) Duties * Keep Announcements Clear & Concise: * Speak slowly, clearly, and with confidence. Avoid over-talking on the mic during open dancing—let the music do the work. * Gather & Align People First: * Never make an announcement for a major event (Toasts, First Dance, Cake Cutting) without confirming that the key players (Couple, Parents, Photographer, Videographer) are in the room and ready. * Collaborate with Vendors: * Give the photographer and videographer a heads-up 2 minutes before any key timeline moment so they are in position. 4. Programming & Dance Floor Management * Read the Room: * Start the dance floor with broad-appeal hits that bring multiple generations together (Motown, classic 70s/80s pop, universally known dance tracks). * Smooth Transitions: * Keep songs playing back-to-back without long gaps or dead air. You don’t need complex beatmatching for every song, but smooth fades and seamless transitions keep energy high. * Managing Requests: * Be polite and professional with guests who request songs. Filter requests against the couple’s preferences and current dance floor energy. Sponsors: http://www.djeventplanner.com http://www.madebydjs.com http://www.djrequests.com
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