Letting the FUN Times Roll!
Live music a wonderful addition. From a string quartet playing during arrivals, to a cover band for your reception, having them is great but less common than not. Without them, nothing is perceived as missing. However, a great music program and sound system IS! (SO is your officiant, emcee and DJ!) The best gatherings have the synergy of a great facilitator, part host & connector and part music program provider with a natural talent for drawing everyone into the fold and attentive ability to cater to musical tastes. Even clients who have hired live music for the early part of the evening have used my DJ services for later. I've also partnered with various live performers including dueling pianos.
Monica and Dustin at Court In the Square!
Nothing is more critical for the memorable feel of any event than having the right DJ/Emcee. I have performed this combined role for fundraisers, swim meets, 5 and 10K runs, triathlons, music performances, sweet 16's, animal events (such as The Muddy Mutt) and many receptions. It's an art to be point person while not being the center of attention. It's about facilitating collective attention toward a focal point in an entertaining way that invites presence and engagement.
Ryan and Lisa at Woodland Park Zoo!
Tara and Tom at Trinity Tree Farm!
Providing event music programs for twenty years is the perfect experience to know how to balance the mix of party making FUN. It is not easy appeasing everyone when ages range from toddler to great grand parents. Shooting to the general middle of your crowd is a great approach OR more specifically to the 25-40% of guests who are actually interested and engaged in the dancing. What is going to work best will vary. Immediate song recognition is KEY, literally affecting our mood, energy, and sense of pleasure. Studies have demonstrated that songs we're exposed to during our formative years remain forever ingrained in us so hitting the right mix of these triggers from different decades is critical for engagement across generations. I have attended gatherings where the musical theme remained primarily one genre or another, (aka hip hop, house or country) leaving some on the fringe. Conversely, I recently overheard a grandmother of the bride ask her husband, "aren't they going to play any Elvis?" Considering the likelihood that she and her husband, and maybe even a few other couples would be the only ones moved to the floor by Elvis, the honest answer is "probably not." Individual requests nearly alwasykill party momentum. Building and maintaining momentum is among the DJ's primary jobs who is monitoring and observing many things...overall.
We should speak should you need only a DJ/reception emcee. You'll find a dynamic DJ with experience managing live crowds in varied contexts invaluable to crafting a fun time for all. Club DJ's and those engaged with mixing and arranging most often do not have the best skill set to light up your gathering. What's needed are natural people connection and engagement skills; an intuitive party host who connects and interacts with your guests, shifts on a dime and reflects the tastes and mood of those present swiftly and that's what I do. If something's not working, a quick shift puts it on point. Typical DJ packages alone easily run from $2000 to $3000 and UP with additional fees for lights and other add-ons. I have very helpful planning information on my PACKAGES page.
Matthew Love is amazing! I was the wedding photographer at a wedding he DJ'd last weekend. Not only is he entertaining but he knows how to get the crowd moving and dancing. He kept the reception flowing and orchestrated numerous photo opportunities for me. This guy rocks! He is just what you need at your event to help people relax and enjoy themselves. He's also very sincere and endearing. He personally gets involved with the guests and creates memories to last a lifetime. Fabulous job Mr. Love! You're my new favorite DJ by far!
Genevieve Marie Anderson Gen of Eve Photography
Audio Systems
A discussion of audio in terms of watts only would be like a discussion of weight management in terms calories only; ridiculously insufficient. Likewise, for audio, one would need to include ohms, frequency range, speaker configurations and drivers, peak vs. continuous power usage etc. Don’t let a DJ wow you with a big watts number alone. Not only is that an output of the amplifier and not the speakers, but it will be irrelevant in many settings with sound compliance standards, nearly always the case in outdoor settings. Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean its the best choice or that we'll even be allowed to.
It’s also best to avoid discussions in terms of crowd size. A luxury car might accommodate four people just as other cars, it's simply a different experience. In most circumstances, both systems are used for ideal overall execution.
The core of any sound system is comprised of three fundamentals: the speakers, mixer and amplifier(s).
Matthew was amazing to work with as the DJ/emcee for a wedding that I was the coordinator for. He's full of positive energy and so accommodating, you can't help but smile whenever you're with him. He stuck to the schedule, the notes that I prepared for him during the reception, and went above and beyond to be personable with the guests and be on top of the timeline. He's very detailed oriented and it was very reassuring to have him on the team. Thank you, Matthew! I hope to cross paths soon!
Athena Galdonez Wedding Events by Athena
Primary Sound System
Two Electro-Voice ZLX-12P loudspeakers controlled by the Mackie ProFX8v2 8-Channel Professional FX Mixer with USB.
These produce a maximum of 1100 watts each with variance controlled sub woofers and can turn an airplane hanger into a night club...IF that's what you'd like. These are typically run at 15-60% capacity.
Each component requires it's own 120v outlet; we have everything it takes for the best result in ANY venue circumstance. Leave the A/V to me!
Inside the Booth
Matthew was an excellent help for my wedding day. From having an action plan at all times to helping ease all my stress and answer all of my questions. The custom vows were absolutely my favorite part. We also hired Matthew to be our DJ and he was great. His set up was out of this world, quality sound and music. I know my group was a little unique and could be challenging but Matthew persevered and took on the task and handled it very well.
- Ashley Nunes Houseman
Dedicated Ceremony Sound System
Featured here is our Fender Passport Deluxe PD-250 Portable PA controlled by its own 4 channel 2 line mixer tower with professional after market true 12AWG patch cables I can run up to 100 feet either way. Both the audio and power is transferred to the speakers via these.
This requires one 120v outlet and is logistically ideal for your ceremony space as it richly and amply fills spaces of various sizes, indoor and out.
Most DJ's will set one speaker array at the far rear of your ceremony. I set this system at the front and hide the TWO speakers in the garden, hedge, plants, etc. producing a rich beautiful sound from an unknown source. This allows me to perfectly cue your ceremony music from the front if I am officiating OR from the ceremony DJ table virtually anywhere else.
This system has been used indoors and out at athletic events and swim meets, fundraisers and more. Venues tout their systems which I do not use; no professional DJ will because it's inferior to our equipment and presents too many new variables. There is no comparison in tone and quality. A ceremony does not need much volume, but benefit tremendously from exceptional audio that is deeply heard and felt by all. When the speakers locations are unknown, it creates a beautiful ethereal quality.
Lighting
All DJ gigs include the managed use of our dance floor lighting system (whose effects are shown below right), mounted on a Chauvet professional lighting stand. We use offer eight RGB color mixing 36 LED flat par lighting arrays which may be applied in any creative manner, often decorative up lighting for your dining area, dessert or welcome tables. Various lighting systems are used to illuminate the interior of our DJ façade, and use additional lasers too.
We utilize a DJ facade which may be illuminated, set up and placed in various ways. We usually opt for a four foot table with the sides folded in for an efficient footprint & can flex for a big presence in big spaces.
I currenlty have 3 types of RGB LED par lights ranging from 18 to 32 diodes each. Three are battery powered making set up easy. The 18 are brighter w/ a sharper focuswhile the 32 is a softer wider wash of light.
The two photos above feature our 4 in 1 multi-effect lighting array used as the principle dance floor unit.
This photo directly above left features our Kebert 45W, RGBW stage and wall wash bar often used behind the buffet, bar, gift or dessert table. It can be a static color or rotating. Above right is our Suny laser lighting unit. I often focus this up onto the interior celing of the reception space. It's gorgeous inside elegant reception tents. The darker the space, the greater the impact. White pipe and draping offers the best backdrop for impactful lighting.
