We provided pre-ceremony music, the couple’s selected ceremony songs, and music for the dinner and reception. Additionally, we provided a lapel mic for the minister, which also picked up the wedding vows spoken by the couple. We used two QSC K-10′s, and a QSC KW-181 subwoofer. This was plenty of audio for the size of the crowd.

The photographer was a friend of the groom’s family, and took some fun shots of George and Jessi cutting up under the DJ tent.

Hamming it up!

Their first dance was to the theme song from Alladin, “A Whole New World”.

After the Father / Daughter Dance, the newlyweds asked me to play “Unforgettable”, the duet by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole. We opened the dance floor to all father/daughter and mother/son couples.

Sharee was a good dancer and spent much of her reception on the dance floor. The line dances were popular with her guests, and they danced to the Cha Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, and the Macarena, to name a few. This perfectly illustrates an important point… Your guests will watch you and follow your example. If the newlyweds are sitting, relaxing, and chatting most of the night away, their guests will probably do the same. If the couple is up and dancing, having fun out on the floor most of the time, their guests will be right there with you. Either approach is ok. This is simply something I have noticed at many weddings.

Sharee even requested “The Birdie / Chicken Dance”. Without question, Sharee and Todd are a happy, fun-loving couple!

Birdie Dancin'

Nikki’s fiance, David, had been deployed overseas for the past year. Within a few days of our conversation, he was headed back stateside, and would be arriving just a couple of days before their wedding. Immediately after the wedding, they would be driving directly to their new duty station. Nikki was a trooper and had planned much of the wedding already.

The big day arrived. Thankfully, it was an early morning wedding, as it was in July, and it was outdoors, in Georgia. I asked Nikki what she wanted me to wear… “Shorts and a short sleeve shirt.” I normally dress up way more than shorts and a short sleeve shirt, especially for such a special occasion, but being a very warm day, I did not complain at all…

What the bride wants, the bride gets. lol

It was a great wedding, and afterwards, the couple got into a canoe, and paddled down the Etowah River, into their new life together.

• SONG SELECTION – Your Sirius Diversions wedding DJ is about to provide different versions of songs you love, as well as the newest releases, even before they are out on the radio. Like pumping club music, but also like Johnny Cash? There’s are remixes for that. Want some hip-hop, but your fave artists all have “Parental Warnings” plastered around? There are edited “radio” versions for that. Most professional Atlanta wedding DJ’s belong to various DJ-only music programs. These subscription based services allow your wedding DJ to offer tons of music not available to live musicians. Additionally, some wedding DJ’s are able to create new mixes, also known as “mashups”, live by combining a popular instrumental with a different artist’s a Capella track.
• PRICE – Yes, the last paragraph in this article focuses on “the bottom line”. Generally, even the best, most in demand Atlanta wedding DJs are less expensive than even the most unknown, undiscovered bands. This is an important point to remember, especially as the economy has weakened recently. Entertainment is VERY important, but don’t break your wedding budget.  The fees for some well-known bands could easily pay for your honeymoon, a good down payment on a home, or a sizable chunk of the catering bill. Speaking of catering, having a live band may also mean you need to pay for several additional meals, or rent a stage or extra audio equipment. Your Sirius Diversions wedding DJ will save you these additional expenses.

“Ok, so we’re getting married soon, and we were interviewing another Atlanta wedding DJ. They asked us about a song list for our Atlanta wedding reception. We know what we like to hear, but honestly, we have no idea for the right ratio of fast songs to slow songs.

Also, should we play mostly new releases or classic hits?

Help!! Do you have any ideas?”

First, allow me to say, “Congratulations!” This is a very exciting and memorable time, yet the mass of “minor” details can seem to be daunting. That’s why you hire Atlanta wedding professionals, like your florist, the cake company, the venue, and Sirius Diversions for your wedding DJ entertainment and wedding reception uplighting. If you allow the pros to take care of “the little things”, you are free to focus on each other.

Most people can count the number of Atlanta weddings they attend, in a lifetime, in single digits. As some guests will leave before the reception, the number of Atlanta wedding DJ’s they have seen may be even lower. The staff of Sirius Diversions has been to many, many weddings.

As working entertainers, we have a “behind the scenes” view of wedding ceremonies and receptions. Additionally, we spend hours networking with other professional Atlanta wedding vendors. On top of that, we spend more time researching Atlanta wedding industry trends, DJ-related innovations, and new music releases. These and other educational opportunities allow us to consistently learn more, in order to better serve our Atlanta wedding clients.

Second, Atlanta wedding receptions typically lasts four to five hours. Sirius Diversions suggests that you select fifty to sixty uptempo / fast songs, and about the same number of slow songs. Choose songs which have special meaning to you personally, as well as to you as a couple. Choose songs which you liked as a child. Choose songs your parents or best friends liked, which may remind you (and them) of special times shared with you in the past.

In most cases, one hundred songs will be WAY more than your Atlanta wedding DJ will need. However, it is better if you have a wider selection for your Sirius Diversions DJ to choose from. What your guests are dancing to, at that moment in time, will help determine the flow of music. That will factor in to how many fast (or slow) songs are in a row. That will help your DJ decide whether the next song should be a classic hit or a hot new release.

A professional Atlanta wedding DJ is an interactive, musically inclined, crowd watcher. Your Sirius Diversions DJ will watch your guests and choose songs from your preferred list, based on what they think the crowd wants to hear at that moment.

For an Atlanta wedding DJ, the contract should include things such as the following:

• the attire you want your DJ to wear
• how many hours they are providing, and if that charge includes setup or strike time
• at least an overview of what equipment they are bringing (audio equipment only, or lighting, uplighting, photobooth, etc)
• how much it costs for additional time, should you want to extend the party

Many times, Sirius Diversions’ customers have requested for us to continue past the original ending time because the party was really rockin’, everyone was having a great time, and people just weren’t ready to go home yet. Your Atlanta wedding DJ should have a price up front, so you know ahead of time how much it would cost to extend the party thirty minutes, an hour, or whatever. Sirius Diversions’ contract stipulates ahead of time what the additional fees would be.

Some Atlanta wedding DJ companies, such as Sirius Diversions, may integrate a wedding timeline/planner form, or a music/must play/ do not play list into the contract. Others may keep these forms separate. Either is ok, but it is generally a good idea to have that music list to present to your wedding DJ. It is always a good idea to provide them with this information at least a couple of weeks before the wedding reception. This allows your wedding DJ to obtain any special songs in time for your wedding. They will use that list as a base to ensure you hear the songs you love during your wedding reception, and they will generally add their own personality and experience in crowd reading to keep the party going.

If your Atlanta wedding DJ is a solo operator, you will usually be meeting the DJ who will perform your reception when you meet during the initial interview, and when you are signing the contract. If the Atlanta wedding DJ company is a larger company with numerous mobile DJ’s (also known as a “multi-op”), you may want to clarify on the contract who your DJ will be. Preferably, you would have the opportunity to meet your wedding DJ in advance of the big day.

In any case, be sure to get a written contract for your Atlanta wedding DJ services. If it is not in writing, you don’t have a leg to stand on if there are problems or misunderstandings later.

So, when it comes time to figure out the budget for your Atlanta wedding… where should you spend your money? What will give you the “best bang for the buck”? A beautiful venue? A big, hand-decorated cake? Custom floral arrangements?

I humbly suggest you consider your entertainment, for a variety of reasons. Yes, one of them being… I’m a DJ, and this DJ likes to eat and need to have a roof over his head too! LOL

Seriously though, one of the most important parts of your special day will be the entertainment you select. Not every guest will eat your cake. Not every guest may eat the food. Not every guest will take home those nifty monogrammed cocktail napkins or even the bottle of bubbles.

However, every guest will be affected by the entertainer you choose. From the pre-ceremony music while guests are being seated, through any special songs played, sang, or performed live during the ceremony, to your grand entrance, all the way to the end of your wedding reception, your chosen entertainment will affect your guests. Will the end result be positive or negative? How will your guests remember your wedding? How will they describe it to your mutual friends?

Industry surveys show, consistently, that your wedding reception entertainment will be the thing your guests remember most about your wedding.

Why do so many couples choose their entertainment last? Why is the component of the reception which has the greatest impact on their guests, so often the component given so little consideration? Why is something so important often allocated the smallest amount of the wedding budget?

Let’s talk about a few things to consider.

1. Band or DJ – There are pros and cons to either choice. I recommend a professional wedding DJ in most cases, for a variety of reasons. I have written another article which explores this topic in more detail.
2. References – If you don’t know any professional wedding DJ’s or bands, ask around. Ask your recently married friends who provided the entertainment for their wedding. Check your local Chamber of Commerce. Call a couple of venues or professional wedding planners in your area, and ask if they have recommendations. They see many weddings, and know who is good. Keep in mind, they may receive kickbacks, so deal with reputable professionals.
3. Interview more than one - Take a little time and interview more than one entertainment provider. Do you like their personality? Do they seem to want to work with you? What are their favorite musical genres, and are they comfortable playing your type of music?
4. Contract - Once you select your wedding entertainer, ALWAYS get a written contract. If they “don’t bother with that”, then RUN AWAY! A professional wedding entertainer will use a written contract to protect you as the customer, and themselves as the vendor.

I found a great article which has more information about this topic: How Much Should Your Wedding DJ Cost?

Call Andrew at Sirius Diversions today to discuss your wedding plans. 770-722-1000

What Is Uplighting?
What is up lighting? For those who aren’t familiar, it is a wonderful way to create visual depth, generate viewer interest, and provide optical drama for your event. Uplighting is literally painting your event space with lighting. Uplighting turns an ordinary, boxy event space into art. It can add a unique vibrancy to an ordinary room.

For your photographs, this lighting adds excitement. It cannot be edited into the art later. It adds a feeling of fun energy to the event and the photos. Uplighting can be one of the most cost effective ways to decorate your venue.

• ROLE MODEL – Without question, you, as the bride and groom, will be the center of attention. Therefore, you will have a tremendous influence on the mood of your reception. If you both simply sit around, chat with guests, and socialize, your wedding guests will likely do the same. If the happy couple is up, dancing, grooving to the music, and having fun, everyone else will be more likely to join you on the dance floor. Some couples even go into the crowd to grab the hands of friends and family, inviting them to come out and dance with the couple.
• SCHEDULING – Consider scheduling your Atlanta wedding ceremony for late afternoon or early evening. The fact is, wedding ceremonies can be held at almost any time of the day. Interestingly, it seems (at least to me) certain ceremony start times tend to work really well: 4:30 PM (during the Fall, Winter, and Spring wedding ceremonies) or 5:30 PM (for Summer wedding ceremonies). Generally, a wedding reception will start about 60 – 90 minutes later. This is a perfect time for serving food. Then, you can move smoothly on to the traditional Atlanta wedding reception events and special dances, and from there, Sirius Diversions can help keep the atmosphere fun and the guests dancing into the evening hours.
• PHOTOGRAPHS – Get all (or as many as possible) of your formal wedding pictures done prior to the time dancing starts. Many parties can lose momentum rapidly if the bridal party, family, and friends leave to have more pictures taken. It may take a little longer earlier in the day, but put out some finger foods and ask your Atlanta wedding DJ to play some light jazz and adult contemporary music. This can keep you from losing guests who get bored waiting for the wedding photography to finish.
• SIZE DOES MATTER – Choose an Atlanta wedding reception venue that is the right size for the number of guests expected. Don’t rent the Georgia Dome if you are only inviting 50 people. If the area is too large, guests may feel intimidated. A smaller room encourages interaction and socialization; it also gives the reception a intimate, cozy feel, and may prompt your guests to be more likely to loosen up, chat, and enjoy themselves.
• MORE ON THE FLOOR – Similarly, the size of the dance floor matters. A smaller floor can create the impression that the dance floor is full. People are more likely to dance when the dance floor “feels” crowded. Obviously, neither the room nor the floor should be “too small”, but here at Sirius Diversions, we have seen a lot of dance floors, and recognize the power of crowd psychology… I’m not a venue manager, trying to sell you a bigger dance floor! Seriously, if your guests end up dancing on the carpet and in between tables, that’s going to make all the stories about your dance floor being packed sound even better.
• LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION – Don’t hide the entertainment back in a corner, or in another room. A good Atlanta wedding DJ works hard to get people dancing, moving, and having fun; the wedding DJ must be seen as part of the show – not just a side show. Put your wedding DJ beside the dance floor, easily accessible to your guests. This makes it easier for your family and friends to make requests, to interact with the DJ, and for the wedding DJ to better read the crowd.
• R-E-S-P-E-C-T – Respect the musical opinions and knowledge of your Atlanta wedding DJ. That may sound a bit arrogant, but think about it: THIS is what wedding DJs do for a living… A wedding DJ probably won’t walk in to your office and tell you how to do your job, because you are the professional there. Your wedding DJ is the skilled, knowledgeable, trained professional here. A wedding reception DJ can really help make your reception a success.
• CAN I HAVE SOME CHEESE? - Some couples try to cut out the “cheesy songs”, or the “cliché wedding music” (like the Chicken Dance, the Macarena, the Electric Slide, the Y.M.C.A, or others), and if that is what you want to do, Sirius Diversions is perfectly ok with that. However, getting rid of too much may actually have a negative impact on the dance floor. Believe it or not, there are actually many people (some of whom may be on your guest list) who like “cheese”. When making the list of requested songs and/or types of music for your event, be sure to include selections most everyone will enjoy.
• SONG SELECTION – People like to dance to songs they are familiar with. You may not like the song, but it may pack the floor when played by your Atlanta wedding reception DJ. A good host or hostess is considerate of all of his or her guests. Keep the music happy and upbeat.
• IF IT’S TOO LOUD, YOU’RE TOO OLD… Seat older guests away from the dance floor. They are generally more sensitive to sound levels. Sounds simple, but this is often overlooked.
• LET THERE BE LIGHT – Lighting is a key factor for an Atlanta wedding reception. During the early part of the reception, lighting levels should be appropriate for mingling and serving (and enjoying) food. Later, consider lowering the lights to change the mood. Generally, a darker room is better (and more romantic). Family and guests are more likely to relax, dance, and have a good time if they do not feel like they are “in the spot light”. Lowering the lights (especially around the dance floor) also enhances any special lighting system your wedding DJ has set up. Ask your wedding DJ about fog or haze machines for additional lighting enhancement. Also, check with your venue; not all venues allow lighting, fog, or haze.
• DISTRACTION – Outside distractions should be kept at a minimum. Distractions may include: An outdoor patio, open bar, desserts in another room, etc. If possible, keep all of the attractions (including the wedding DJ) in the same room. A great example is the bar… Bars are like kitchens – people are drawn to them. So, put your dance floor and your bar close together, if possible. Don’t make your wedding DJ compete against the draw of the bar on the opposite side of the room or worse yet, in another room.
• SWEET STUFF – If possible, schedule the cutting of the wedding cake around the time family and guests are finishing their meals. This will allow everyone to enjoy desert right after dinner and will generally keep the reception flowing. Be sure the wedding cake is set up away from the flow of traffic so it doesn’t get bumped, and keep it out of direct sunlight. Consider doing the bouquet/garter immediately following the cake, as the dance floor is usually empty; after all, your guests want to watch you cut the cake. Ask your wedding DJ to do a “fake toss”, and then a “1,2,3″ countdown to really toss. This helps out the photographer to get an action shot of the toss (during the “fake toss”) and the catching (because the “1,2,3″ lets them know exactly when you will toss it).
• FINALLY - End the party before it’s over. That is… generally you should plan to end your Atlanta wedding reception about 4-5 hours after it starts. Most of your guests will be ready to wind things down at that point. It simply feels better when everyone is left wanting a little more and saying “that was a great time!” versus being completely worn down and burnt out, and saying (or thinking) “is this thing EVER going to end?!“.

Call today to discuss how Sirius Diversions can provide a DJ for your Atlanta wedding reception. 770-722-1000

Related Pages;
More Details about our Atlanta Wedding DJ Services
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Mae West, Lady Gaga, WC Fields, and DJ ILLEET

Guests entered the theatre via the red carpet, and were greeted by the paparazzi.

After their arrival, they were ushered into Hollywood, Taylor’s Farm style.



So, how did we do? Let’s ask our client…

Other photos can be seen here on our Facebook page.

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