DJ Articles, Event Highlights, Tips & Advice
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DJ MOJOE
After reaching my 100th Event Log video, I decided to look back at my YouTube videos to see how much I've grown as a working, professional DJ.
I explain my DJ setup, my vlogging style and journey, people who have helped me along the way, new DJ gear that I purchased, video editing style, marketing strategies, growth of my YouTube channel, and some behind-the-scenes of my past events.
When the Bride and Groom met at a nightclub in Miami, you know it's going down!
I had an absolute blast DJing for Sarah & Mike at Hartley Botanica!
This video captures some highlights from their wedding.
On September 17, 2017, I DJed a wonderful wedding at the Birchwood Room in Calamigos Ranch for Danny & Evelyn. They hired me to DJ & MC for their ceremony and reception. At that time, it was my 2nd time DJing at the Birchwood Room and it was a pleasure to be back again.
Their wedding ceremony took place on the lawn in front of the fountain. I provided a wireless microphone and speaker to play music and for the officiant to speak. Everything went smoothly and the bride's song selection added an elegant and personal touch.
For the cocktail hour, they had a live band play r&b and Motown tracks to set the mood of the night. They were a great addition to add to their wedding and people loved them.
For the dinner, it took place on the patio of the venue which created a nice, intimate vibe. We had the band play during the 1st half of dinner and I had my chance to spin the 2nd half.
After the wedding formalities, we had the band open up the dance floor playing amazing covers such as September, Uptown Funk, and other dance classics. Then we switched up the vibe when it was my turn to perform. I continued to keep the dance floor by mixing a Latin set that included Suavemente, Danza Kuduro, Baila Esta Cumbia, and other Latin bangers. Everyone danced till the end and had an amazing time.
Overall, Danny, Evelyn, and their guests had a great time at the wedding. Thank you for having me as your DJ!
On September 2, 2017, I was the DJ and MC for Jaime & Bradley's wedding at The Grand in Long Beach, CA. It was a fun wedding of about 250 guests. I provided sound and microphone for their ceremony, music for their cocktail, and DJ/MC entertainment for their reception. It was a very fun and upbeat wedding mostly because of their music selections that they've chosen for their wedding. They even had a special performance from their cousins. Overall, the dance floor was packed! And everybody danced the whole night. I'm glad I was able to capture some highlights of people dancing and some of my song mix transitions. This is the kind of weddings I enjoy performing. Thank you, Jaime and Bradley, for having me as your DJ!
DJ Assistant:
DJ DGO
Coordinator:
Cindy Wu
http://www.atouchoflavender.net
Photobooth:
Cynthia Freed
http://www.boothtwentyfour.com/
Photographer:
Jan Garcia
http://www.janandtey.com/
Videographer:
Travis Do
http://www.8kindsofsmiles.com/
On March 26, 2017, I DJed and hosted at one of my favorite venues, Calamigos Ranch at the Oaks Room in Malibu, CA. This time it was for the wedding of Christine & Nathan. I was in charge of their wedding ceremony, cocktail, and reception. If you've never been here, it's an amazing place tucked in this hills of Malibu. At this particular venue and room, the ceremony is placed right in front of a beautiful curved waterfall which creates a serene scene as the couple gets married. Shortly after the ceremony, guests enjoyed the cocktail hour outside on the patio. For the reception, I gathered everyone inside and asked to position themselves around the dance floor as we welcomed the wedding party and the newlyweds. It was a fun grand entrance and set the tone of the night. We continued with the first dance, blessing of the meal, dinner, speeches, a slideshow presentation, parents dances, dancing and cake cutting. One of the things I enjoyed that night was mixing in some K-Pop, Korean Pop, music for the bride and her family/friends. I also worked with a great team of vendors who all made the night smooth and fun. Overall, it was an amazingly fun night! Thank you Christine & Nathan for having me as your DJ!
5-Star Review:
http://i.imgur.com/Sn8oXaZ.jpg
Venue - Calamigos Ranch:
http://www.calamigos.com
Planner/Coordinator - Malibu Events by Erin:
http://www.malibueventsbyerin.com
Videographer - Leo Cabal:
http://www.leocabalweddings.com
Photographer - Dave Richards Photography:
http://daverichardsphotography.com
Florists - STEMS Floral Design:
http://stemsbykate.com
Cupcakes - A Sweet Savory:
http://asweetsavory.com
Photo Booth - Triumph Photo Booth:
http://triumphphotobooth.com
Make-Up Artist - Suzie Kim:
https://www.instagram.com/suziekmakeup
Previous Wedding at the Oaks Room:
https://youtu.be/e_xAc7JT9Rw
On March 18, 2017, I DJed and hosted the wedding of Joey & Maigan at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort. The wedding ceremony was beautiful as it was placed right by the beach. The weather that day couldn't have been more perfect. Joey & Maigan didn't have a traditional wedding ceremony. They spiced things up with their music selection as they walk down the isle. The groomsmen came into "Bring Em Out" by T.I., the parents, flower girls, and ring bearer came into "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas, and the bridesmaids came into "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper. When it was Maigan's turn to walk down the isle, she walked down to "A Thousand Years" by The Piano Guys. Their ceremony was great because it set a fun vibe and tone that carried out to the rest of the night.
For the cocktail and reception, it took place inside the resort. The wedding was a multi-cultural wedding combining Latin, Persian, and American backgrounds, and the music I played reflected that. We had 3 dance sets that nights. The first dance set happened right after the first dance, the second after dinner, and the third after the cake cutting. It was a fun celebration and the wedding was a huge success. At the end of the night, I even received a positive testimonial from the bride and groom themselves! This was a fun wedding! Thank you, Joey & Maigan!
DJ MOJOE
"Saving the City, One Party at a Time"
http://www.djmojoe.com
Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort:
http://www.mandalayembassysuites.com/
Photobooth & Flowers:
http://www.exoticgreengarden.com/
DJ MOJOE, Honored For Excellence With 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award®
Los Angeles, CA– January 22, 2017 – WeddingWire, the leading global online marketplace for the wedding and event industry, announced DJ MOJOE as a winner of the esteemed 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® for DJ Entertainment in Los Angeles, CA!
The Couples’ Choice Awards recognize the top five percent of wedding professionals on WeddingWire who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism. The prestigious awards are given to the top local wedding professionals across more than 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their professional achievements from the previous year.
The WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards winners are determined solely based on reviews from real newlyweds and their experiences working with DJ MOJOE. Award-winning vendors are distinguished for the quality, quantity, consistency and timeliness of the reviews they have received from their past clients.
“The Couples’ Choice Awards’ ninth year features one of the most impressive groups of dedicated and acclaimed wedding professionals yet,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “It is our honor to work with high-caliber merchants, such as DJ MOJOE, who not only make a couple's big day possible, but also contribute to the more than 2.5 million U.S. reviews represented on WeddingWire. We congratulate all of this year's winners on their achievements.”
As a Couples’ Choice Awards® winner, DJ MOJOE is highlighted on WeddingWire, which is comprised of more than 200,000 wedding professionals in the U.S.
DJ MOJOE is thrilled to be one of the top DJs in Los Angeles and Ventura on WeddingWire. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. We truly value all of our clients and appreciate the positive feedback that helped us earn a 2017 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award.
To learn more about the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, please visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire, Inc. is the leading global online marketplace connecting consumers with event and creative professionals. Operating within a $200 billion industry, WeddingWire, Inc. hosts 10 million monthly unique users across its mobile and web platforms. Consumers around the world are able to read over 3 million vendor reviews and search, compare and book from a database of over 400,000 businesses globally. It provides these businesses the technology they need to serve their clients through advertising, marketing and business management tools such as websites, payment processing, invoicing and contracts. Founded in 2007, the WeddingWire portfolio of sites serves couples and businesses across 15 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia, making it the worldwide leader in weddings with brands including Bodas.net, Casamentos.com.br, Matrimonio.com and more. The company employs more than 800 and maintains global headquarters in Washington, DC and international headquarters in Barcelona, Spain.
On October 29, 2016, I had a wonderful time DJing my friend's wedding at the Moorpark Country Club. That day I was in charge of music for the ceremony, cocktail, and reception. They had a beautiful ceremony in front of the gazebo and a fun cocktail hour as they had drinks, appetizers and games for them to enjoy. For the reception, everyone had a great time as the night was full of dancing and fun. Congrats to my friends, Brittany and Robert!
Previous Wedding Gig Log:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a85ps...
Video footage & edited by:
http://www.hbmoredo.com/
Moorpark Country Club:
http://moorparkgolf.com/
On November 5, 2016, I DJed the wedding of Nickie and Huy in Pasadena, CA and Los Angeles, CA. It was a beautiful Chinese wedding as I was in charge of music and sound for their ceremony, cocktail and reception. I hosted some fun games to get people participating and created a fun atmosphere to have their family and friends dance. This video captures some of the highlights from their wedding and a 5-star review at the end of the video. Congratulations Nickie & Huy, and thank you for having me as your DJ!
5-Star Wedding Review: http://i.imgur.com/khY0psF.jpg
Ceremony: Pasadena Museum of History
Cocktail & Reception: Empress Pavilion
DJ MOJOE
"Saving the City, One Party at a Time"
http://www.djmojoe.com
There was 1 week in October which I had 5 events. This is a special video in which I captured those 5 events and condensed all of them into 1 video. It was definitely a busy week for me, but I had a great time.
1st Event: Brooke's Bat Mitzvah at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, CA. I worked for DJ Eddie Entertainment that night and teamed up with MC Evan and Dancer Rachel. The kids and adults had an amazing time as we performed and made them dance.
2nd Event: "HalloWine & Spirits" Charity Event for the Shelter Partnership. It was an event hosted by PXP Events and took place at the top lounge floor level of Hotel Angeleno in Los Angeles, CA. It was a casual event as I set the vibe by playing fun, chill, and upbeat music.
3rd Event: Christian Service 4Life at the USC Galen Center. I was asked to DJ with the talented Joe Melendrez in front of about 6,000 people. We were asked to entertain, interact, and energize everybody in the room in preparation for the show that day. We arrived early and started our performance around 8:30am and finished around 10:00am. Fun event!
4th Event: DJed at Royal Hollywood that same night after the Christian Service 4Life event. Early in the night, I played some positive fun throwbacks for the patrons who were there. One of them requested Nsync, so I played one of their songs and the people in the bar started to sing! Good vibes only at Royal Hollywood! Catch me spin there every Tuesday and Thursday night!
5th Event: Zumba Halloween Dance Party! It's an annual event hosted and put together by wonderful dance instructor, Orna. I used my 2-QSC K12 speakers and mini LED moving heads to fill the room with lights and sound. It was a fun event as I played upbeat and fun music! Great and successful night!
Automobile Driving Museum:
http://www.automobiledrivingmuseum.org
Shelter Partnership:
https://www.shelterpartnership.org
Christian Service 4Life:
http://lifesocal.org/christian-servic...
Royal Hollywood:
http://www.theroyal.life
Carousel Dance Studio:
http://carouseldancestudio.com
On October 8, 2016, I DJed the wedding of Shawna & Kevin at Rancho Sol Del Pacifico in Malibu, California. It was a beautiful wedding as it took place at the top of one of the hills overlooking Malibu and the beach. I worked with an amazing team of vendors such as Vanessa from NessaEvents and Pierre from Pierre's Catering. The energy and vibe from the crowd were phenomenal as they came in with an attitude to celebrate Shawna & Kevin's marriage. As for music, the dance floor was filled throughout the night as I played some classic wedding hits as well as modern dance favorites. Overall, everyone had a great time that night. Congrats Shawna & Kevin! And thank you for having me as your DJ!
Nessa Events:
http://www.nessaevents.com
Pierre Catering:
http://pierrecatering.com/
I had a great opportunity to be featured in YourWeddingPodcast.com to share some of my insights, knowledge, and tips to help couples find a Wedding DJ that's best for them. You can listen to the podcast and read some of the material which we talked about below.
If you want to share this valuable content to a friend or family member who is looking for a DJ, please share the following original link:
www.yourweddingpodcast.com/djmojoe
Thanks for stopping by and thank you Henry Chen from Aevitas Weddings for having me on your podcast!
Best,
DJ MOJOE
"Saving the City, One Party at a Time"
DJ MOJOE loves the wedding industry and DJed his first wedding in 2011. While attending college, Joe DJed part-time and is completely self-taught. Along with his DJ experience, Joe has worked with a staffing company at various venues as well as doing catering. This has allowed hime to view weddings from both an entertainment and a catering perspective, understanding the various elements that contribute to the success of a wedding.
On the music side, Joe has performed at a variety of events and many different environments, from birthdays to bar mitzvahs, grand openings, and fashion shows; you name it, Joe has done it all. He has also expanded his services to DJ destination weddings, of which his first was located in Maui, Hawaii. This flexibility as a DJ really contributes to his success at weddings now because he is able to bridge the gap between the music, performance, and the customer service.
There is a lot more to being a DJ than just showing up and making music, especially in the wedding industry. There are many details to iron out behind-the-scenes when prepping for the wedding day. You have to get the correct names, a complete song list, as well as checking your software and equipment to make sure that everything is working properly and is reliable. There is nothing worse than having a mishap on the big day. You only have one shot, so you have to make it work.
One of the biggest concerns that couples have when it comes to the music for the wedding is that they do not want the “cheesy” wedding stuff. So their first question is often regarding the style of music the DJ plays. Joe is an open-format DJ who plays various styles, with a focus on specifically catering to the couple. He adapts his music to the style of music requested by the bride and groom, whether it is club hits or even throwbacks to a specific era.
The first question a bride and groom should ask their DJ is, “Are you insured?” Not a lot of DJs carry insurance and many venues will ask for it. This is to ensure that the DJ is covered in case of any accidents or emergencies. Having insurance also allows DJs to play at more venues, which is a critical piece of the puzzle.
The second criteria for couples to consider is to check if the DJ has been active recently. Some DJs may state that they have been DJing for many years, but how active are they right now in the wedding industry? It is important that your DJ is up to date with the current music and that they are on top of their game.
It is crucial to find a DJ that can do both the role of a DJ and an MC. This is very important because that person will know his or her style in terms of playing music and making announcements. This is also a cost-effective way to cover both roles within the wedding. It gives a uniformity, as one person is in charge of the reception events for the whole evening.
By having the DJ as your MC, your wedding will be more cohesive on the entertainment front, which will make it flow a lot smoother. This also eliminates missed communication between the two areas, and the transitions between music and announcements will be effortless without missing a cue. If you are not able to find a DJ who is also an MC, the next best option is to find two people who work together for the same company. This way the individuals know each other’s personalities, styles, and cues, creating an effective team.
For Joe, one of the reasons he loves being a wedding DJ is because he gets to witness people from all over the country and world come together in a room to celebrate the union of a couple and just to have a great time. As a DJ and MC you really get a chance to be a part of such a rewarding experience. Another aspect is creating a relationship with the bride and groom. During the process leading up to the wedding, you get to spend time getting to know the couple and hear all about their love story. Creating that moment for them on their special day, tying it all together with the music, is an incredibly fulfilling experience.
One of the things that Joe would love to see improved is the level of communication. Performing at a wedding requires teamwork and working alongside many vendors on that day. It is critical that everyone is on the same page going in. So in terms of communication, a lot of problems can be avoided the day of the wedding by addressing any concerns or problems beforehand. Whether it is through email or a phone call, communicating with each vendor would be helpful in determining what they need from you, or what the most important aspects of the day is to them.
This helps to avoid any conflicts in time and eliminates any unnecessary surprises on the day of the wedding. These vendors are in your industry and it is part of your job to build strong relationships with them to create an incredible team environment in order to make the bride and groom’s day come true.
Often times couples have the misconception and belief that DJs just like to play their own music. However, as a wedding DJ it is your job to actually play the music that the bride and groom want, while at the same time being able to use your knowledge and expertise to play what the crowd wants as well.
So it is not just about the DJ; it is about you, the couple. Nothing is wrong with the couple asking this question, but it is important for the DJ to provide clarification and set their minds at ease by addressing their concerns. Couples need to know that there are DJs out there who actually care about the music that you want for your wedding, and that is something all DJs should provide.
The first tip for brides and grooms when planning their wedding is to choose vendors who have worked together in previous weddings. “Teamwork makes the dreamwork”. If you hire vendors who have worked together you know that they have a connection. They will have fun and they know how to navigate any challenges of working together. That energy will permeate into your wedding to make for an incredible time.
The second tip is to learn as much as you can about your DJ; ask, ask, ask. The entertainment aspect of a wedding is huge in terms of making your wedding day be smooth, successful, and fun. Ask your DJ for pictures, videos, reviews, and even ask for vendor referrals.
Tip number three is to find a DJ who is genuine and also cares about your wedding. Do not just settle for the DJ that rushes everything to show up, play music, and leave. A DJ who cares is the one who will put the most effort into your wedding, who will go the extra mile just find the perfect song for you on your wedding.
Joe got his DJ name because he wanted his personality to be in the name. He loves puns and wanted to find a way to put his real name into his DJ name, hence MOJOE. Joe runs his business under the slogan “saving the city one party at a time” because when he first started DJing he received emails and phone calls from family and friends about how their DJ was not responding and how they were stuck with an event and no DJ.
They would call Joe the night before, with news that the original DJ canceled. Joe always stepped up to fill in the position. The DJ’s lack of professionalism really upset Joe, and he knew he had to make sure that no clients ever have to go through that stress again. He truly believes that this motivated him to save the party when no one else could do it.
Photo Credit: Aevitas Weddings
Joe is an incredible guy and he has a huge willingness to help others. Everything from his demeanor, his personality, and his love for reaching out and connecting with others is to make sure that he not only serves his brides and grooms, but also the other vendors on the wedding day. DJ MOJOE’s always prioritizes his interest to get to know his couples early on, to ensure that the type of music he plays ties into their personality.
Finally, just his mindfulness of everything. Of course it is the bride and groom’s day, but it is important that all the guests have a great time, so he goes the extra mile to tailor the music to everyone’s taste. He is truly a DJ who cares about everyone involved in making wedding day dreams come to life.
On August 27, 2016, I DJed the wedding of Nick & Perveen at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara, California. The wedding was beautifully setup outdoors and was a great spot to host the reception. It was a fun-filled event as we had a balloon release, a surprise song performance by the groom, and dancing! The couple were from the bay so I threw in some hyphy dance hits into the set that I knew would make the crowd go crazy! Everybody had a great time and I received many compliments that night. Congratulations Nick & Perveen!
On August 21, 2016, I DJed the wedding of Sayaka & Kenji at one of my favorite wedding venues in Santa Monica, Shutters On The Beach. They had a beautiful wedding ceremony overlooking the beach and ocean. I was in charge of their wedding reception that night and I must say, the setup inside the room was stunning. Everything inside looked elegant and done with class. Kudos to Modern LA Weddings and TMMPRO who did a fantastic job putting it all together! During the reception, we also had a special guest singer, Che'nelle, who performed one of her songs as a special dedication to the newlyweds. The party was fun, upbeat, and we partied till 12am! Everybody had a great time, especially Sayaka & Kenji. Thanks for having me as your DJ!
Modern LA Weddings:
http://www.modernlaweddings.com
TMMPRO:
http://www.tmmpro.com
Shutters on the Beach:
http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com
Che'nelle:
http://www.chenelleworld.com
Aidee:
Instagram: @veganmetolife
Do you enjoy unlimited wine, unlimited spirits, unlimited gourmet cheeses, and appetizers?!
You're invited to join me this Sunday afternoon as I DJ a pre-Halloween charity event at Hotel Angeleno in West LA! Event will take place at the top-floor Penthouse level with amazing views of West LA.
To participate, use my promo code "DJMOJOE" and save 50% off your ticket!
Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-hallowine-spirits-tickets-27748563701
Any questions, message me! See you there! :)
On August 6, 2016, I DJed a beautiful wedding at Walnut Grove in Moorpark, CA for Grace and Mac! We've known each other for over 10 years and it was such a great experience to DJ for them on their special day. That day, I was in charge of providing sound as well as being the DJ/MC for the wedding ceremony, cocktail, and reception. It was such a fun, outdoor wedding as everyone participated in some games, took some silly photos at the photo booth, and danced the entire night! I'm so happy for Grace and Mac and glad to hear that everyone had an amazing time. The video below captures some of the fun highlights from their wedding. Enjoy!
DJ MOJOE
"Saving the City, One Party at a Time"
http://www.djmojoe.com
VIDEO by
HBMoredo Productions
http://www.hbmoredo.com
PICTURES by
Martina Micko
facebook.com/martinamickphoto
instagram.com/martinamicko
www.martinamicko.com
Captured how much fun they had for their first dance!
Hosted the Shoe Game for the guests to know more about Grace & Mac!
On July 23, 2016, I had an amazing opportunity to DJ Corbin Bleu and Sasha Clements' wedding at the Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley, CA. As many already know, Corbin Bleu is one of the featured stars in Disney's High School Musical movie series. Sasha Clements is a Canadian actress, and if you combine Corbin and Sasha, you get this amazing power-couple.
At their wedding, I attended as their DJ/MC and was in charge of their cocktail and reception. It was a fun-filled event as there was a surprise transition in their first dance, Oscar Cartaya's live latin band, and an In-N-Out food truck at midnight! In this video, you'll see some of the behind-the-scenes footage taken that night from my point of view. The wedding was an absolute blast and I'm glad Sasha and Corbin had an amazing time too. Enjoy the video!
Wedding Planner:
http://belladestinee.com
On July 10, 2016, I DJed the wedding of Alan & Vianne at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. I was in charge of the ceremony, cocktail, and reception that day. Their wedding was beautiful as they experienced the sunny California weather outside and enjoyed the modern reception inside. This video captures the fun highlights from their wedding all in a short 5-minute video. Enjoy!
Modern LA Weddings:
http://www.modernlaweddings.com
Lighting & Dancefloor:
http://tmmpro.com
On August 25, 2016, I DJed a beautiful wedding for Jeff & Sarah at Malibu West Beach Club! It was a Hawaiian themed wedding which was perfect as it reflected their warm personalities and their love for their friends and family. I was in charge of the sound & entertainment for the wedding ceremony, cocktail, and reception and the wedding was a huge success. It was a great pleasure to be their DJ and MC on their special day.
Here are some of the amazing photos taken by the talented Rachel Wakefield!
http://rachelwakefieldblog.com/blog/sarah-jeff-malibu-west-beach-club
On May 14, 2016, I DJed the wedding of Monica & Mark at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California. Their wedding took place at the Birchwood Room which is one of the four venues at Calamigos Ranch. It was an intimate wedding, and I was in charge of providing music and sound for the ceremony, cocktail and reception. It was a beautiful wedding and I had the chance to work with some amazing vendors that night. This video captures some of the highlights from their wedding and the fun moments that they will talk about in the many years to come. Enjoy!
5-Star WeddingWire Review
