What Should You Expect From Your Wedding DJ?
Your wedding day is the most important day of your life and you want vendors who take it seriously. You might be surprised that the DJ is one of the most important vendors of your special day. Why? They perform throughout the whole day and they create the mood and atmosphere for your guests with their MCing ability, energy, and music selection. Although your other vendors are super important, you want the cake to taste good and the photos to be perfect, there are few vendors who will affect your day overall as much as the DJ. If the cake collapses, the good DJ can turn the tide and bring everyone back into the moment with a killer dancefloor. When you’re considering different DJ companies or after you’ve hired one, these are the things you SHOULD expect them to know and do.
Photo by Lauren Lee Photography
Energy–Ready to Party!
You want your DJ to be in a mood to celebrate. This is your wedding day! He/she should be filled with positive energy and enthusiasm for you. You should feel that they’re genuinely sharing in your excitement and anticipation. They should also be able to reflect and carry different energy levels as are appropriate for the evening. The wedding party announcements are very upbeat, but toasts are often sentimental and sappy. He/she should reflect that and be able to transition the guests into the next part of the timeline appropriately.
Quality Equipment that fits the space
The DJ should provide his own equipment and it should be the right for the space. If you have ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception in 3 different spaces, then they need to have adequate equipment to cover them. If you have a very large guest count in a large reception hall, then he might need more speakers so all guests can hear. Make sure it isn’t a family size karaoke speaker and microphone.
Photo by Hailey Moore Photo
Excellent Master of Ceremonies
Your DJ should be an eloquent speaker. He/she should also know the right thing to say at the right time. He/she should be able to take all the energy of #1 and put it into words for your guests. Your DJ will need to introduce the wedding party, give instructions about dinner, transition for toasts and after toasts, gather attention for the cake cutting and special dances, then start open dancing in a way that will get your guests ready to party. Doing all of that with skill, style, and finesse takes a lot of practice.
On time and ready
Your DJ should be set up and ready to go 30 minutes before guest arrival. This means that he’s already EQ’d his sound, has his notes handy, has his playlist created and is dressed in performance attire.
Photo by Lauren Lee Photography
Aware of the timeline
You should get at least one planning meeting with your DJ. Because of that, your DJ should already have your timeline, know the songs you want played, and be ready for any special events you want to have. He will be the one moving through the events on the timeline, so he needs to have it in front of him all evening and be actively attempting to keep it.
Communicating with you & other vendors
Since the DJ is keeping the timeline moving, he needs to be in communication with you and your other vendors to make sure everyone is on the same page and ready for the next thing. It might be cake cutting time, but if the couple is still visiting tables or the photographer is in the bathroom, the DJ needs to wait. But he won’t know those things if he isn’t paying attention and communicating. One significant reason to keep to the timeline is so dinner is served when it’s hot and so the guests don’t get tired of waiting and leave.
Find a great wedding DJ
I hope this makes it clear why the DJ is one of your most important wedding vendors. Although you should be able to expect an experienced DJ to already do these things, it’s good to communicate your expectations. If you want no doubt on the quality of your DJ, contact Turn Up Columbus or Josh Staley Productions to see if we have your date available.
CLICK TO LEARN HOW TO THROW AN EPIC WEDDING PARTY
Amazing Wedding Venues in Central Ohio
Turn Up Columbus has been around since 2019 and we’ve worked in venues all around central Ohio. These are some of our favorites that we work at frequently. Our familiarity with these venues and their staff is a comfort to couples as they plan their perfect wedding day.
Swan Lake Event Center
Swan Lake has over 20 acres of beautiful land in Power, Ohio. Couples can choose from multiple locations for their outdoor ceremony including at the gazebo, by the lake, near a waterfall, or in the trees. They have lovely reception and cocktail areas that accommodate up to 250 guests. Their staff genuinely cares about you and making your wedding a dream come true!
Photo credit to Chris Bowman Photography, Michelle Joy Photo, and Folchi Creative
North 4th Corridor
North 4th Corridor in the historic Smith Brothers Hardware Building offers 3 unique wedding venue spaces in the heart of Columbus. They even have parking for your wedding guests! Their more affordable spaces are Brick & Mortar and Post 4. Brick & Mortar offers high ceilings, beautiful chandeliers, and a courtyard for an outdoor ceremony. Post 4 is a multi-level space that provides an intimate setting, a lovely built-in bar, and an outdoor patio option for cocktail hour. (With hopes of photos on the way.)
Photos courtesy of Seth & Beth Photography
1883 Locale
1883 Locale in Reynoldsburg was named to honor its building’s history since it was built in 1883. It offers indoor and outdoor ceremony options and a historic modern feel with lots of brick. The venue owners are also wedding photographers, so they have a unique artistic eye to help make your wedding match your vision.
Photo credit: KariMe Photography, Ellie Devon, and 1883 Locale
Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center
Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center is conveniently located just North of 270 in Lewis Center. They have multiple rooms available for weddings and since it’s a hotel your guests have the convenience of close accommodations. The most popular is the recently updated Edgewater.
Photo credit: Gracefully Eppich, Curtis Wallis Photography, Jeana McConaha Photography
CHECK OUT: THE BEST WEDDING VENUES IN COLUMBUS OHIO
Tips for Planning an AMAZING Outdoor Wedding!
Photo by Gibson Photographics
I love rom-coms that end with the couple getting married outside on the beach. The background shows only the ocean, a ceremony arch, and their closest friends and family. It’s so romantic! Outdoor weddings are beautiful!
But if you stop and think about it, where does the music come from? What if it rained? Where did the bride get dressed and wait before going down the aisle? Outdoor weddings are actually really complicated and take a lot of planning to do well. Here are a few details to consider while planning your perfect outdoor wedding.
Must have a rain plan
There’s no way to know what the weather will be like on your wedding day. Wishful thinking and ignoring the possibility of anything less than you imagine isn’t enough to make your wedding day go smoothly. It could rain. You could also run into cold in the spring or extreme heat in the summer month. You don't want guests or wedding party fainting during your vows. Have a plan for all these possibilities.
Electricity
You want music for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Be sure that there is an accessible electric hook-up for your DJ that won’t blow a fuse.
Check with your vendors
Outside on a hot day, the cake could melt. The caterer might need access to a kitchen. The photo booth backdrop could blow over in a gentle wind. The DJ likely requires a tent. Double check with them anyway.
Restrooms
Enough said. Your guests need a place to go and they don’t want to walk far.
Parking
Be mindful that there’s room for all your guests to park, or have a shuttle plan. Also consider how far guests have to walk to get to the ceremony location. They’re most likely wearing heels and dress shoes that are NOT made for walking up a mountain.
Space for Bride & Bridesmaids
You don’t want anyone to see you before the ceremony, so you need a place to wait during guest arrival that’s close enough to get you to the aisle without being seen. it doesn’t have to be much. A closet or small shed with a chair that won’t get your dress dirty could be sufficient.
Tent & Fans or Heaters
The best thing to do is rent a tent. It can include sides if necessary and those can usually be ordered the week of the wedding when you have a better idea of the weather. The week of the wedding you can also get fans or heaters to be sure your guests will be comfortable and want to stay for the duration of your reception.
Hire a Wedding Planner
Unless your’e working with a venue that does weddings outside regularly, an outside wedding is a lot of work, more work than an inside wedding. It would be worth it to hire a wedding planner who know every detail you need to cover for your outside wedding to be a success.
To Wedding Favor or Not to Wedding Favor
Wedding favors are really fun to get at a wedding! Well, as long as they’re something your guests will like and will use. Hmm, now that I think about it they can be fun, but your guests aren’t likely to keep something with your name on it. You’ll probably just throw it away unless they can eat it or drink it.
5 questions to consider when choosing
Wedding favors
On your wedding night, favors are cute! Ideas vary greatly from candies, candles, glassware, sunglasses, drink koozies, to donations. They cost a lot of money, so you want your guests to value them. So how do you decide it you should have wedding favors or not? Consider these 5 questions before making your selection.
Is there room in your budget?
If you’re already giving your guests dinner and an open bar, you’re giving them a pretty nice gift for celebrating with you. There aren’t many small gifts that can top that. So if your budget is getting tight, just pass on the favors. It’s a great way to cut spending!
Are they useful to your guests?
Your guests might keep a shot glass with your name and they would likely use up matches. They probably won’t keep a wine glass with your names on it. Guests will likely use playing cards, olive oil, or a succulent, but they aren’t likely to use a temporary tattoo of your face. When consider favors, keep this question in mind to be sure it’s worth the cost.
Does it have any connection to you personally?
If you grew up on a maple syrup farm, then small bottles of maple syrup for every guest makes sense. Or a goodie bag with your favorite kinds of candy. Don’t give out olive oil if you can’t connect it to your story. Choose something that’s personal to you, otherwise what’s the point?
It is consumable?
Consumables are the most practical wedding favors. People will keep something they can use and food and drink are by far the gifts your guests are most likely to use. Which takes us back to #1 about that open bar.
Does it benefit anyone?
Giving a donation on behalf of your guests is a great way to do something useful with all that money. A good cause could benefit much more with that money than your guests. Just put a sign on the welcome table or guest book table that says what organization you donated to.
good wedding favor ideas
If after all of that, you’ve decided to go for it, here are some great wedding favor ideas:
Bottle openers
Mini Vases (your name on a tag, not the vase)
Mini Succulents
Candles
Cocktail kits
Seeds
Handheld Fans (keep guests cool during an outside ceremony)
Candy/Cookies
Maple Syrup
Playing cards
Mini Tambourines
Shop My Wedding Favors or Etsy to order affordable and adorable wedding favors.
How to Save Money on Your Wedding
Save Money on Your Wedding Day
Weddings are expensive! These days the price of everything just keeps increasing. We want to help you, so here are some tips to know where to spend, where to cut back, and what to forget about so that you can stay within your budget and your guests won’t know the difference.
Find a venue where you can take your own alcohol
There’s always an up-charge for liquor. The venues can’t help it; it’s no different than buying a drink at a restaurant. If a venue has a liquor license, you can’t bring in your own alcohol. It’s actually illegal. So find a venue that doesn’t have one, so you can go to Costco and by all your alcohol for cheap. It’s a little more work to buy it, deliver it, and take the extras home at the end of the night, but in terms of cost, it’s worth it and your guests won’t know any differently.
2. Buy a wedding dress off the rack or used
You can save so much by buying a used dress. It might sound crazy, but a woman only wears her wedding dress one time. Some women end up buying two dresses because they changed their mind about what they like. They want to sell the first one that they’ve never worn. You can find dresses like this on Facebook groups or wedding resale websites. Bridal stores and boutiques have sales in the summer and winter to get rid of inventory for the next season. They’ve been tried on, but not really worn. Looking back on my wedding, I wish I would’ve gone to the $99 sale at David’s Bridal! The dress is a big deal, but spending a lot of money doesn’t make it more amazing. The right fit and your lovely face and figure are all you need. Check out this blog to learn more about finding affordable wedding dresses.
3. Skip programs, menus, and favors.
These little extras really add up and they usually end up in the trash. If people don’t already know your wedding party names, they probably don’t care. They’ll see the food when they get to the buffet, and the caterer typically provides labels for everything. You’re already giving your guests dinner, alcohol, entertainment, and dessert. You don’t need to pay for a cheesy gift that they will never use.
4. Rent or buy used centerpieces
Centerpieces are important! But there are ways to make them more cost-effective. There are vendors who rent decor so brides don’t have to buy it. This can be a cheaper option than buying it yourself. You can also look for used decor on a wedding resale website or share with a friend who’s getting married near the same time you are. Splitting the cost with someone else can make a huge difference. Dollar stores also have good prices on vases, candles, and chargers. Check out this website to learn more about the online Wedding Flea Market.
5. Have family members contribute desserts
Think about people you know who love to bake and ask if they would provide cookies, brownies, or their specialty dessert for your wedding. 5-10 friends/family members could provide hundreds of desserts for very little money. Most people you know will be thrilled to be able to help you. People like to be asked to participate; it makes them feel important and included. If you want a cake, you can get a small cake just for cutting and then have a dessert buffet for your guests.
6. Consider a friend and/or youtube videos for hair and make up
Of course you want to look your best on your wedding day, but Youtube has everything and so many girls love to do hair and makeup. Find a friend with that passion, practice a few times, and save money on your wedding day. Even if you paid your friend if wouldn’t be near the cost of the professional. You could also look into students in a Cosmetology program. They would likely offer affordable options.
Do NOT cut corners with your catering, photographer, or DJ.
Think about it. The food is one thing people are likely to remember for better or worse. In all cultures, we center celebrations around food and its quality is front and center for criticism and praise. You want good food on your wedding day, so be sure you have tastings and choose items that will still be good if they’ve been sitting for an hour in a chafer.
You also want amazing photos to look back on. It’s only one day, but the memories last a lifetime, so find a photographer who understands the significance of your special day and will be equipped to capture every moment.
The DJ is the vendor who carries your day on his shoulders. He is with you all day long! He makes sure your ceremony flows smoothly, runs the timeline of the reception, and entertains your guests. If he’s no good, your guests will get bored and leave early.
BONUS TIP: KNow what you’re getting with Your Wedding Venue
Just because a venue is cheap doesn’t mean you’re getting a good deal. Pay attention to what you’re getting for that price. By the time you rent tables and chairs, book a caterer, add a bar, and rent linens, you might have a lot more invested than the other venue that included all of that to begin with. Be sure you’re comparing apples to apples when looking at pricing. For more information about venue pricing, check out this blog post from The Postmark.
Is a Good Wedding DJ Important?
When you’re planning your wedding, what are the first things you think about doing? Look for a dress? Find a venue? Start a guest list? Not many people are thinking about hiring a DJ. You definitely need a venue and date, before you can book any other vendor, but DJ should be something that you’re thinking about in the beginning of your planning process.
What Does a Wedding DJ Do?
Have you ever been to a wedding with a mediocre or bad DJ? It’s boring at best. It’s difficult to hear during the toasts, the energy is flat, and no one dances. And that’s mediocre! A bad DJ gets the names wrong, messes up the timeline, doesn’t get along with the other vendors, and upsets the bride.
The DJ is one of the few vendors who are working alongside you the whole day. He or she carries the weight of your wedding day on his shoulders. The DJ creates the atmosphere and mood for your reception. He/she keeps the flow of the evening going with engaging announcements, smooth transitions, and the right song at the right time. Not even the intervention of the wedding planner can make up for a bad DJ. The coordinator can’t fix his energy, personality, or ability to choose the best songs for your guests.
What Makes the Best Wedding DJs?
This is why a good DJ is so important. You need someone who can do more than play music. You need someone who is trained to MC a wedding, who can read your guests and play the music that gets them inspired to dance. You need a DJ who will meet with you multiple times to get to know you and your desired vibe for your wedding. You need a DJ who understands the flow of a wedding and values the significant role he/she plays in your special day. You need a DJ who is part of a good team that's committed to creating amazing wedding days. This is what Turn Up Columbus is all about.
Turn Up Columbus Wedding DJs
Regardless of how much experience our DJs have when they come to work with us, we train them all to be great wedding DJs. We know that just because someone can DJ in a bar, doesn’t mean he can be a great wedding DJ. We train our DJs specifically to understand weddings and to create the wedding day of your dreams from the planning meeting to the dance floor. No DJ is assigned a wedding until they’ve practiced, tested, and proved to us that they’re ready to live up to your expectations.
Check out Turn Up Columbus and learn more about our amazing team of DJs and how we plan to work with you to make your wedding dreams come true!
How to Plan the Best New Year's Eve Wedding
You just got engaged! Congratulations! Now, you have a lot of work to do! Since New Year's Eve was just a month ago, you might be considering a New Year’s Eve wedding. If that’s the case, then this post is for you! Here are some things to think about before making the decision and how to plan for it.
New Year’s Eve weddings are so fun! But they require a little extra to live up to the expectation of the holiday. More than your usual wedding. Here are 5 things to keep in mind before you commit to a New Year’s Eve Wedding:
5 Tips for a successful New Year’s Eve Wedding
Everyone wants a party on NYE, so you have to step it up in the party department. This isn’t just a normal wedding. It needs to be a party! Get a high quality DJ/MC or band to provide your music. Make sure they are experienced and you see the reviews to prove it. A bad DJ is a deal-breaker for any wedding, so for NYE it’s even more crucial.
It’s likely to cost more. As a part of that huge party you’re throwing, you’ll need some extras that your guests will expect since it’s New Year’s Eve. You’ll need lots of alcohol for sure. You might also consider a champagne toast at midnight. A late night snack becomes a necessity because this wedding is going later than most and everyone’s been drinking a lot. You’ll need extra decorations that increase your “wow factor” for NYE. Think sequence table linens, lots of candles, and party favors. You would also be good to get a wedding planner to help make it great!
More expensive for your guests. Having a wedding around any holiday can make travel and hotel costs more expensive for your guests who have to travel. So it’s something to keep in mind if a lot of your guests are coming from out of town.
Fewer guests might be able to come. This could be good or bad! Of course, you want people there, but you save money if fewer guests show up. If people have a lot going on for Christmas, they might not want to or be able to go to a wedding a week later. Most people spend a lot of money at Christmas, so even getting a wedding gift or extra travel expenses might be too much.
Your anniversary will always be paired with this holiday. Is this what you want? For everyone else it will be New Year’s Eve every year, but for you it will be your anniversary. It will easily get lost in the midst of Christmas and NYE. You may not care, but at least make an informed decision.
I’m not opposed to a New Year’s Eve wedding. In fact, I love them! I would go to one every year because I always want a good party to ring in the new year. But I would be so disappointed if it wasn’t done right. In fact, I scope out details of the wedding before hand to make sure it’s going to be good before I go! I want to set you up for success so that if you take on the challenge of a New Year’s Eve wedding that it’s the most epic event your friends and family have ever been to.
For that EPIC DJ, I mentioned check out Turn Up Columbus. They are the best DJs and MCs to give you an amazing New Year’s Eve wedding!
Photo cred: Vince K
Meet Turn Up Columbus Wedding DJ: Jovy Hart
It’s not easy to be a really good wedding DJ. It takes a detailed knowledge of music, an outgoing personality, and a lot of training and practice. Jovy Hart is one of those people who combined his lifetime love of music with the time and energy necessary to become a great wedding DJ.
Jovy learned to play the guitar when he was inspired by Guitar Hero at a young age. This ignited his lifetime love of music. He participated in the Jazz band in high school and in multiple rock bands in high school. Upon graduating from college, Jovy knew that he would never be satisfied if he didn’t pursue his love of music, so earned a certification in Audio and Music Production at The Recording Workshop in Chillicothe. This program gave him a much fuller picture of music and the role it plays in people’s lives.
When Jovy came across the Turn Up Columbus advertisement looking for DJs, it was a no-brainer. He and Vince hit it off right away and Vince became his mentor, teaching Jovy everything he needed to be a great DJ. To Jovy’s credit, he was willing to do what was necessary to become a part of the team. It’s not an easy training program and many candidates don’t make it.
Jovy’s laid back, easy going personality combined with his DJ training make him flexible, approachable, and prepared for any wedding day challenges that arise. Even if it’s a ripped seam in a bridesmaid dress! (All TUC DJs carry a travel sewing kit for emergencies.)
In regards to being a Columbus wedding DJ, Jovy says that he loves the opportunity to create a unique playlist tailored to each of his couples. He knows that he plays a significant role in making their wedding day a success and he takes that responsibility very seriously. His favorite moment at every wedding is when he says goodbye to his couple at the end of the night and he knows it was a success. Their eyes are shining, their smiles are bright, and they’re thrilled with the outcome of their special day.
Learn more about Jovy on the Turn Up Columbus website. To book Jovy for your wedding day, click here.
Do You Need a Selfie Station? YES!
You have an amazing photographer to capture all the special moments from your wedding day, but that won’t include most of the guests from your wedding. You want to remember all the wonderful people who took the time to celebrate with you. A selfie station is a great way to capture the memory of every guest at your wedding. Because let’s be honest, you won’t remember.
At Turn Up Columbus, we feature a Selfie Station for all of our clients. It’s similar to a photo booth with props, a backdrop of your choice, and an operator to take the photos (so not really a selfie), but there’s no printer to hassle with. Each guest gets a digital link for their photos and the Bride & Groom get a digital album that they can print if they choose.
Most people just use their phone anyway to take pics of the photo strip, so we simplify the process and send them a digital photo of the strip. Our Selfie Station is sleek and requires minimal set up, so it doesn’t take up much space. You can pick from 15 different backdrops to match your wedding decor. Our selfie station operators are personal and outgoing; another feature to impress your guests.
You might be wondering about the lack of a printer. By not having a printer, the selfie station is more affordable. Ink and paper are expensive and the printers often cause technical difficulties. If you want a photo album, you can simply have one printed from the digital album we send you. Not everyone wants a book laying around collecting dust, and this way each couple gets to choose.
For those who really, really want the printer and guest book, we offer an upgrade option as well, so it’s a win-win for everyone. Ask us today about adding a selfie station to your contract!
Don't Wait to Book Your Wedding DJ
January is such an exciting time of year, especially if you just got engaged! Everything is new, you get to start over, and the possibilities seem endless. You’re busy thinking about the perfect date, the best venue, your dream dress, and which guests to invite not invite. It’s exhilarating and overwhelming all at the same time.
In the hussle, don’t put off booking your Wedding DJ. You may or may not know that a great DJ is just as important as good food on your wedding day. The DJ creates the mood of your reception. If he flops, the reception flops. As a wedding planner, I’ve worked 100s of weddings and I’ve seen the DJ make the night for some couples and break the night for others. And unfortunately, the planner can only do so much rescue and repair regarding a bad DJ.
I know you don’t want this to happen to you, so what do you do? How do you make sure you get a great DJ? Use the resources available. First, ask your venue for vendor recommendations. They’ve worked with a lot of different vendors and they know who’s good. Then, go to The Knot and read the reviews. Consider these questions: Are there a lot and are they mostly 5 stars? Finally, is the DJ an individual or a company? Find out how long the person/company has been in the business. If it’s an individual, do they have a back up if something happens to them? These are crazy times and you can’t risk losing your DJ the week before your wedding because he/she is sick.
Turn Up Columbus is unique because we are a company of DJs. We create a culture for our DJs that is always challenging and growing them to be the best in their field. We train them to meet our high standards,and then we give them continuing ed training throughout the year! (And you thought continuing ed was only for nurses and teachers!) Being a company also means that we have a back up ready in case anything unexpected happens. You can be confident that you will have a great DJ no matter what.
Many couples in bridal Facebook groups are asking about DJs for September and October 2022. All of our Saturdays are booked for those months! I’m sure many other reputable companies are as well. I hate that brides are missing out because they waited too long. Don’t fall into that trap, book your DJ ASAP. Check out this blog post about booking your top 5 vendors and why it’s so important to invest in good people you can trust with the most important day of your life.
Moral of the story: Don’t delay; book your wedding DJ today!
Photo credit: @thesimmonsphotography @thefivescolumbus
Add Some Sweet To Your Wedding Music
You have been busy making hundreds of decisions to plan your wedding. It’s one of the most important days of your life and you want it to be perfect. Music is one of the really important parts of the big day. There are so many different songs to be thinking about. Along with the ceremony music and first dance songs, you need to choose a special cake cutting song.
You might be wondering, is it really that important? Does it matter what song you choose when you cut the cake? It’s definitely not the most important, but you’ve put so much care and thought into all the other decisions that you want to finish strong. You want every aspect of your wedding to reflect your style and personality. It’s also a moment that guests look forward to, so use this opportunity to create a fun moment for yourselves and your guests.
If you have a great DJ, he/she will help you select the perfect songs that reflect your personality. If you don’t have a DJ yet, go to the Turn UP Columbus website to check our availability for your date. As DJ Vince K says, “we got you.”
There are a few different routes you can go when choosing a cake cutting song. You could make it funny, classic, or a pop. Make it fit you. I’ll spare you the most common songs because you probably already know “How Sweet It is (to be loved by you),” “I Want Candy,” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.”
Here are 10 ideas for cake cutting songs. If you don’t like these, they might inspire you to get creative. Just an FYI: We only use clean versions.
The Sweetest Love -Robin Thicke
Sweet Dreams -Eurythmics
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy -Ohio Players
Recipe for Love -Harry Connick Jr.
Cake By the Ocean-DNCE
The Good Life-One Republic
Marry You-Bruno Mars
Love on Top-Beyonce
Love Story-Frank Sinatra
You’re My Best Friend -Queen
Photo credit: Ang&Chaz @Photo243
"Big 5" Wedding Vendors Who Make or Break Your Day
Photo by Michelle Staley at Jorgensen Farms.
Imagine this. You wake up on your wedding day. You and your bridesmaids start getting ready. You get your hair and makeup done. You enjoy mimosas and laughter. You’re not even thinking about all the details because you know you have amazing vendors who are taking care of everything for you.
While you’re enjoying yourself, your bouquets arrive and they’re perfect. You aren’t thinking about the flowers being delivered to the venue or the coordinator setting out your decor that was delivered earlier in the week. When you arrive at the venue for your ceremony, everything will be set, the music will cue at the right moment, and the venue coordinator will send you down the aisle while the photographer snaps photos. It will be magical and you won’t have to stress about it if you have good vendors.
There are 5 main vendors who make your wedding day a reality. I call them the Big 5. These five vendors are the first you should book because they book quickly. Right now it’s November 2021 and most experienced, quality vendors are likely booked up for most of 2022. You don’t want to wait around when it comes to the Big 5! Your selection of these 5 will affect your whole wedding day. They are the ones that carry your wedding day on their shoulders. If you pick well for these five vendors, you can relieve much of your wedding planning stress because your vendors know what they’re doing and have got you covered.
Venue
Venues can have so many different offerings that just picking one can be overwhelming. The more all-inclusive the venue, the easier your wedding planning will be. Some offer catering, coordination, tables, chairs, linens, dishes, glassware, and bar service. Some venues offer only a space and all of these other things you need to find separately. The venue that’s a beautiful space might seem really cheap, but when you add up all of the things you have to provide, the costs add up. Think ice trough and cooler for the bar, silverware, linens, serving utensils for the dessert table. The list goes on and on.
Caterer
If you settle on a venue that doesn’t provide catering, you’ll want to find a caterer that not only provides great food, but great service. Do they provide dishes, silverware, and glassware? Do they dismiss tables, clear dirty dishes, provide a beverage table or water pitchers? Do you want to worry about all the small details or do you want them to take care of it for you? A good caterer will make the serving and clean up of dinner seem effortless so that you don’t even notice that it’s happening.
Photographer
You want pictures of your wedding day, right? A photographer can only be in one place at a time, so they’re limited in the number of weddings they can book in a year. A good photographer is one that you don’t really notice throughout your wedding day. They know you and all the special moments you will want to preserve and they’re there for every one of them! You will enjoy the fruits of their labor for years to come. I highly recommend Michelle Joy Photography, Gibson Photographics, and Derks Works Photography.
DJ
Some people don’t think about the DJ right away. Some people think it’s just music and are considering a spotify playlist. I’ve seen DJs who aren't much better than a playlist, but that’s not what you want for your wedding day. A DJ can do a lot more than provide music. He/she provides atmosphere, personality, entertainment, flow for the event. He keeps the timeline moving and makes sure things happen according to plan. He also knows music so well and his couple so well that he can play the right thing every time to keep the crowd engaged and the dance floor hopping. See this post to see how much the DJ does beyond music. Check out Turn Up Columbus to see if we’re available for your wedding date.
Florist
If you decide you want floral centerpieces or lots of flowers for bouquets, backdrops, or chair decor, you need to book a florist early. Similar to a photographer, a florist can only book so many weddings at a time. Even though they can hire extra help, it’s a lot of work to create everything needed for a wedding. Get this item checked off your list with a company who knows what they’re doing, and delivers, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Now that you know, don’t delay. Find your Big 5 and get them booked for your wedding day!
Wedding Day Spotlight: Justin & Emily Carter!
Wedding Bliss
Turn Up Columbus had the honor of DJing the wedding of Justin & Emily Carter on September 18, 2021! They tied the knot at The Postmark in Chillicothe—an updated, historic building in charming downtown Chillicothe. Emily’s favorite moments of the day were their First Look--that special moment when they see each other for the first time, and their Getaway in her dad’s restored VW. It was a special moment for all of them because Dad didn’t know his once loved car was being used to whisk away the Bride and Groom. This beautiful, fall wedding day was made perfect by these special moments!
The Venue
Justin and Emily chose The Postmark because they had recently purchased a home in Chillicothe. They liked the idea of sharing their special day with their families in their new hometown. The venue is considered historic-modern because it’s the former United States Post Office and still showcases the original vault and mail slots with modern paint colors and lighting. Emily says that she never dreamed about her wedding day, but she did a really great job creating an amazing wedding! All they wanted was a small event with their family and closest friends. It’s obvious when talking with them that they’re deeply in love and family is a high priority.
The Story
After a romantic Valentine’s Day proposal, they enjoyed a short engagement of only 7 months. Although they’ve known each other since the third grade and graduated in the same high school class, they didn’t really hangout until they connected in 2019. It was the stay at home order in 2020 that was the real clincher for them. While some people were ready to run after three month stuck at home, they decided they wanted to be together forever.
The Best Wedding Vendors
About the wedding day, Emily noted that the DJ from Turn Up Columbus was their favorite vendor. Check out Drea’s bio to see why. A Turn Up Columbus DJ is included in the package at The Postmark, so it’s a major benefit and one less decision for a couple to worry about. Destiny is the Venue Coordinator at The Postmark and she makes every wedding day better with her vast wedding knowledge and care for each couple. Also, check out High Five Cakes and Smith Flower Shop. They’re artistic touches make every wedding day lovelier! Emily & Justin have wonderful pictures to forever revisit their special day because of Logan Detty Photography.
The Heart of it All
Emily remembers that it began to rain as soon as she walked down the aisle. Fortunately, The Postmark has a beautiful indoor ceremony space! The rain ended shortly after the ceremony. This is considered to be good luck for brides even though most dread the possibility. Emily embraced this small sign and is anticipating much blessing and good fortune in their marriage.
A New Life Together
Although they loved their wedding day, the vendors, and the time together with their families, they are thrilled to be done with the stress of wedding planning. They are looking forward to spending time together with their dog, Junie, and renovating their house. It sounds like a dream come true! Justin & Emily, thank you for sharing your story with us! We wish you the best in your marriage!
What are Indoor Fireworks?
At first glance, that sounds absurd. How can you have fireworks inside? A better word would be indoor coldsparks, but that doesn’t create the same vivid imagery that “fireworks” does. Indoor Fireworks are one of our amazing add-ons at Turn Up Columbus and I want to tell you about them!
Imagine this scenario. You’re on the dance floor with your new spouse sharing your first dance. It’s your special song that you carefully selected for this moment. Then, right when the music crescendos, white fireworks shoot up from the floor 12 feet into the air, perfectly timed with the music highlighting the beauty of this perfect moment. Sounds good right?
The Indoor Fireworks are designed to be used indoors, hence the name. They are cold, so no heat or burning to worry about. In fact, they’re perfectly safe. You can run your hand right through them and feel that the cool air.
They don’t just last for a moment, but can be used on and off all throughout the evening at just the right moments. I’ve rarely seen guests react at a wedding the way they do when the fireworks (coldsparks) go off. It’s a sight to behold!
Check out this video to see them in action for yourself.
If you still need a DJ, contact Turn Up Columbus to see if we have a DJ available for your date. 2022 is booking up fast! Be sure to ask your DJ about Indoor Fireworks!
Why Do Brides Toss the Bouquet?
There are so many traditions that are a part of a classic wedding ceremony and reception that it’s easy to overlook the history and just move through the planning process. Many couples these days are bypassing a number of wedding traditions for myriad reasons. When deciding if you want to have certains traditions for your own special day, it can help to know the meaning behind these practices. Choosing traditions that mean something to you will make your wedding day so much more special, unique, and memorable.
White Wedding Dress
Queen Victoria started the white wedding dress tradition in 1840 when she married Prince Albert. This is considered the first big celebrity wedding, and photos were sent all over the world. A white wedding dress was a sign of wealth and status. Most women just wore their best dress because they needed something more practical that could be worn more than one time. White wedding dresses didn’t become mainstream in the United States until after World War 2.
Bridal Bouquet
The bridal bouquet has a longstanding tradition in world history. Ancient Roman brides wore garlands of flowers to symbolize fertility, prosperity, and joy in their new life. Then during the middle ages, they carried fragrant herbs to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. They didn’t smell good either! Queen Victoria, again, began the modern tradition that we have today carrying a bouquet of meaningful or favorite flowers. Who knew she was such a trend setter?!?
Wedding Cake Cutting & Feeding
This tradition is from Victorian times (Think Queen Victoria!). Originally, the bride cut the cake herself and it symbolized the first task of her marriage. As time went by, the groom began to participate so that it could symbolize their first task completed together as husband and wife. They fed each other a piece of cake to symbolize their intention to provide for one another throughout their marriage.
Big Party
In Ancient Israel, the wedding reception lasted for seven days! It was a very big deal. The bride and groom consummated their marriage in a tent with all their guests waiting outside the door! Then, they partied hard for seven days celebrating with friends and family.
Garter & Bouquet Toss
A garter was originally a functional accessory that held up a woman’s stockings. So as the bride & groom left the party to consummate the marriage, they tossed the bouquet and garter to their guests as a way of sharing their good fortune. Some traditions say that guests would try to tear a piece of the bride’s dress as a way of taking some of her good luck, so she found things to throw at them to keep them away. Weird, right?
We’ll, for better or worse, now you know where these traditions came from. You can make choices for your wedding based on these classic traditions or you can start your own. Whatever you decide to do, remember that you’ll need just the right music to go along with it. Be sure to let your DJ know what you’re planning to do so that he or she is ready to make it extra special for you. If you don’t have a DJ, be sure to check out the availability at Turn Up Columbus. We’d love to work with you to create an epic wedding day!
"Wedding" and "Budget" Can Go Together
Planning a wedding takes a lot of energy, time, and money! No matter how much you have, there’s always more to want. It’s a part of life. And you don’t want to go into a lot of debt to make your dreams come true. Paying off your wedding with interest for 10-20 years could make you think less fondly of your special day.
I’m a wedding coordinator and I’ve planned and executed over 100 weddings. After helping so many couples create their perfect wedding day, I’ve learned some money-saving tips that will allow you to have an amazing wedding day that won’t break the bank.
The most important thing is to prioritize what’s most important to you. It’s different for everyone, but as a couple you need to decide what’s most important for you. I’ve decided that I prefer good food, real linens, and a killer DJ so there’s good energy throughout the day and a great dance party. (I felt this way before I worked for a DJ company!) I would still have many of the other things, but I would get them using the money saving tips below!
Check out Bridal Resale groups for used decor. They were only used once and they look brand new. Your guests won’t know that they’re used. Most brides are just glad to get rid of this kind of stuff, so you can get them for good prices.
Discount dresses: Look for floor samples or sales. You wear it for one day. It can be beautiful and perfect for you without being hand-beaded or a designer brand. Take your time and you’ll find the perfect dress for a great price. I still wish I would’ve shopped at the David’s Bridal $99 sale for my own wedding dress! I spent way too much and have lived to regret it.
Venue: Look for a venue that includes food, tables, chairs, and linens. You can save more when you get them all in one place. Ask the venue what they have that you can use. Some have vases, silverware, glassware, and bartenders.
Limit printing costs. I’ve put out lots of programs while setting up for ceremonies and then 20 minutes later, thrown them all away because no one wants them anymore. It’s a waste! Skip programs and menus. People will see what they’re eating when they get their food. Skip detail cards and RSVPs in the invitations. Refer guests to your website to RSVP and to get all the information they need.
Limit your alcohol. That’s not as bad as it sounds. There's still enough alcohol, but limit the variety that you offer. Consider 4 beers, 4 wines, and 1-2 signature cocktails (or 5 liquor options). People will drink whatever you offer! And skip champagne for the toast. I’ve seen a lot of champagne wasted because people take a sip, but don’t drink it. There will be plenty of beverages for them to toast with.
Dessert. Have family members contribute desserts for a dessert buffet and only have a small wedding cake for cutting. Family members love to be included in your wedding and this is a great way to do it!
Rethink flowers. Have the bride and bridesmaid’s bouquets double as centerpieces for family tables or the head table. Consider candle centerpieces rather than flowers for some or all of the guest tables. Skip boutonnieres. They’re difficult to put on and most men don’t care.
Skip Favors. You’re feeding your guests and giving them a lovely evening out. They don’t need a koozie with your name on it.
Hire Turn Up Columbus! We are a unique and affordable DJ company that provides you with your favorite music, great MCs, and epic dance parties all while helping you stay within your budget.
Creating Outstanding Wedding DJs
A person doesn’t become a great DJ overnight. An outgoing personality helps, but they require in-depth training to match the level of excellence and customer service expected of a Turn Up Columbus DJ. We invest a lot into our DJs so you are guaranteed a professional, well-equipped DJ for your wedding day.
We look for candidates who are motivated to learn and will take the initiative to become great. We look for outgoing personalities, but they must show responsibility. Our DJs come from a variety of backgrounds and skill sets, and most also have a day job. Some of their jobs include engineer, teacher, student, cashier, and club DJ. We are currently looking for motivated individuals interested in becoming a wedding DJ. Email hello@turnupcolumbus.com for more information.
Our DJ’s are required to shadow at least 10 weddings with experienced DJs. We partner with Josh Staley Productions so our trainees get to see amazing DJs and a variety of venues. This allows them to observe some of the best DJs in Columbus, Ohio in action! They have multiple training sessions and tests on mixing, MCing, Customer Engagement, and Wedding Day responsibilities. They attend 3 planning meetings with other DJs before they can lead their own meetings. They finish their training by performing a mock wedding in our offices to show that they are ready to lead their own weddings and perform at the Turn Up Columbus standard!
We provide the training, equipment, and on-going support, so even after they complete training and are planning weddings, our DJs are never on their own. You can be confident that the DJ you get from Turn Up Columbus is ready to work with you to create your perfect wedding day!
How to Choose a First Dance Wedding Song
Think Long Term Memories
I’m celebrating my 20th Wedding Anniversary August 18! And in honor of that I’d like to talk about first dance songs. My husband and I have a special song that we danced to on our wedding day. Now we sing it when we karaoke with our six kids! It’s even more meaningful now than it was then. Our first dance song has endured and we still love it!
You get one first dance at your wedding. You want it to be just right, but picking just the right song can be really difficult. You want it to be sentimental, but not cliche. You want it to speak to the uniqueness of your relationship. You don’t want to pick the most popular song of the season even though you love that song when you’re singing in the car by yourself. This is your first dance! It needs to be good and you want to still love it 20 years from now.
Here are 5 Tips to Choose your First Dance Song:
Find a genre or artist that you both love. We loved 80s music. It was reminiscent of our childhoods and things we enjoyed even before we knew each other.
Consider your history together. We survived long-distance dating and multiple parent hurdles in order to get married. Once we said “I do” we felt unstoppable.
Ask your parents or grandparents what they danced to at their wedding. You might love it and want to continue the tradition. I’m not super sentimental and didn’t do this, but maybe my kids will play it at their weddings someday.
Start searching for ideas and listening to love songs. Listen for lyrics that are meaningful to you.
Ask your DJ for ideas. He/she has seen A LOT of first dances and knows which songs are really good and which ones are overdone. I wish I’d had an amazing DJ like Turn Up Columbus when I got married!
And just for laughs. Here’s my first dance song!
Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (Official Music Video)
Leanne O’Donnell, TUC Office Manager and her husband, Mike after 20 years of marriage!
Wedding Venue Spotlight: The Postmark
There are so many different wedding venues in the Columbus area that it can be difficult to know what to choose. They vary in setting, location, pricing, and services. A personal favorite that I’d like to tell you about is The Postmark in Chillicothe, Ohio. It’s just a short drive from Columbus and is a great location for your dream wedding.
The Postmark offers a small town feel with big city perks. There’s plenty of parking for your guests, not much traffic, and a combination of modern yet historic appeal that will keep your guests talking about it for years to come.
The Postmark is a beautiful space! It was formerly a United States Post Office and still has some of the original Post Office features, including the vault and mail slots. It’s recently been updated with modern fixtures and paint colors to be the perfect backdrop for your perfect wedding day.
A unique offering is the Letterbox, a 5 bedroom house right next door that you can rent for your wedding party of family members for convenience and comfort for your wedding weekend.
The gem of The Postmark is Venue Director, Destiny Walters. She loves serving couples to make their vision a reality. With 14 years of experience in the wedding industry, she loves weddings and genuinely cares for every couple. Getting to work with her and glean from her experience is an amazing bonus to booking your wedding at The Postmark.
Click here to see all of the package options available. All packages include full wedding coordination, chiavari chairs, linens, groom's room and bridal suite, and professional DJ through Turn UP Columbus! They have something for every bride and every budget.
Here are all the great people who made these photos possible:
Hosts: Old North Film Co. & Soirée Social Co. @oldnorthfilmco & @soireesocialco
Models:
Bride: @xtina_marie22
Bridesmaid: @noelletaylorrr
Bridesmaid: @vidushishrivastava
Hair & Make-up: Alea Beauty @aleabeauty.co
Bride's Make-up: Beauty Box Designs @beautyboxdesigns
Floral: Fox and Laurel Creative @foxandlaurelcreative
Cake: Sweet Buttercream Bakery @sweetbuttercreambakery
Gowns: Lace Bridal @lacebridalcouture
Bridesmaids Gowns and Jewelry: Gilded Social @shopgildedsocial
Letterpress Stationery: Bess Papergoods @besspapergoods
Handwritten Stationery: Write this Way @writethiswaycalligraphy
Ribbon: Thistle and Twill @thistleandtwill
Live Painter: @gabrielleshaephotography
Rentals: @alloccasionseventrental
Custom Arch: @soireesocialco
Photographer: Abbey Elizabeth Photography @ab.bey.elizabeth
Guaranteed Dance Floor Fillers
When you envision your wedding reception, you likely imagine an epic party with a packed dance floor all night long. This is not something that happens naturally. In reality, many of your wedding guests don’t dance or are hesitant to dance. It actually takes a lot of work to get your guests on the dance floor and keep them there. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your dream for an amazing wedding reception becomes a reality.
Hire an experienced DJ to keep the party jumping so that your guests stay till the end. Don’t just use an ipod and a friend with a microphone. They don’t have the wedding experience you need
Put the bar near the dance floor. See our blog post Bar + Dance Floor = Amazing Wedding Reception.
A killer playlist. Your DJ should help you with this. Don’t limit your playlist to only the songs you like. Be sure to include some current and classic dance songs that most people know and love.
I talked to the great DJs at Turn Up Columbus and Josh Staley Productions DJs for their current go-to songs to fill the dance floor. And let me tell you, they are FILLING dance floors this year! Here are a few of them to add to your playlist:
Everybody by Backstreet Boys
Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
Wobble by V.I.C.
Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry
Remixed Version of September by Earth, Wind, & Fire
YEAH by Usher
Mr.Brightside
Uptown Funk
Shut Up and Dance
Check out Turn Up Columbus for your Columbus wedding DJ!