Mid-Century Modern Inspired Wedding at San Diego Botanical Garden

We had the honor of being Sam and Pat’s wedding at the San Diego Botanical Garden and it was such a memorable night. It began with an intimate ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and sunshine amongst a beautiful landscape. Originally from New York, Sam and Pat wanted a destination wedding in San Diego and chose Behind the DJ Booth as their DJ for the big day.

Samantha and Pat live in New York and were getting married in San Diego. They reached out the Behind the DJ Booth to create the right musical vibe for their wedding at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Behind the DJ Booth is also a preferred DJ vendor at the San Diego Botanic Garden. They wanted someone that was easy to work with across the country and could curate music based on their music likes and dislikes. Sam and Pat wanted their wedding to be a modern classic. Cocktail hour music was inspired by their love for Mad Men inspired musical genres like hip jazz, rock, and even one hit-pop rock wonders. Some of the songs and artists Michael curated for them include The Tornados, Kyu Sakamoto, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Paul Mauriat and Jeannie C. Riley. All classic hits from the 1950s and 1960s.

When the dance party started Pat told Michael to let everyone know that they were going to be passing out mullets and the guests went wild with excitement! Later in the evening when it was time for the hora, Michael played Hava Nagila and the crowd immediately made Sam and Pat sit on chairs and lifted them to celebrate as guests danced around them.

All the awesome vendors:

Photography: @elysewhall
Coordination: @kelseyraedesigns
Bartending: @barcon_
Florals: @sirenfloralco
Dress: @theiacouture + @lovelybride
Jumpsuit: @blackhalostyle + @bhldn
Hair: @katielheureux
Make Up: @facebyraymie
DJ: @behindthedj
Rentals: @witty_rentals

DJ Tip: When choosing a DJ for a destination wedding make sure that the DJ makes it easy to communicate, is professional, and has the ability to craft the best musical experience for your wedding or event. Vendor recommendations are a great place to start!

If you’re looking for a DJ to cater to the experience you’re wanting for your guests while delivering superior customer service and quality then contact Michael with Behind the DJ Booth for your next event or wedding at www.behindthedjbooth.com/contact/. Serving Orange County, CA, all of Southern California, and open to travel.

Perfectly Curated Vinyl Playlists for Your Event

Behind the DJ Booth has always strived to be the best, offering vinyl records at your events for years. Now we’re stepping up the game by offering vinyl “sets” for your big day.

What is a vinyl set?

A “set” is a certain amount of time during your event that we would play vinyl. This can be as short as an hour or can be the entire event. This set would be crafted to fit your event’s needs from the start of the night to getting the crowd rocking.

Why vinyl?

Behind the DJ Booth DJs combine their real turntable skills with original vinyl records which create a unique music listening experience your guests won’t soon forget. We curate music to play at your wedding dynamically, we don’t just press play and walk away. We tailor the music to your unique tastes and combine it with our deep music knowledge and ability to rock the crowd. Adding a vinyl DJ set at your wedding gives you and your guests a deep connection to the music we play.

Not to mention can you imagine your guests faces when they see your DJ flipping through their crates, unsleeving the vinyl and setting it to play? Some of our most popular sets are 80s/90s, throwbacks, soul/funk, rock and pop, jazz, blues, indie, class, and hip-hop.

Available vinyl sets

We offer three different vinyl packages:

ALL VINYL OPENING SET

All vinyl played at the start of the reception. Perfectly timed to start your wedding reception with classic hip hop, soul, and rock music.

THE HYBRID (VINYL and Digital)

Our most popular option, playing vinyl throughout and using digital when needed.

ALL VINYL RECORDS RECEPTION

4 hours of nothing but vinyl for the ultimate musical experience.

If you’re looking for a DJ to cater to the experience you’re wanting for your guests while delivering superior customer service and quality then contact Michael with Behind the DJ Booth for your next event or wedding at www.behindthedjbooth.com/contact/. Serving Orange County, CA, all of Southern California, and open to travel.

Are Vinyl Records Gaining Popularity in a Digital Age?

There has been a big trend lately that has seen an increase in vinyl record sales. Despite having a myriad of more convenient ways to consume music the vinyl record has held on. In a digital age where we can listen to a song instantaneously, this fact isn’t a surprise to me. Behind the DJ Booth has been using vinyl records for years.

As their popularity gains traction we are proud to offer a rare and exceptional music listening experience at your event. We have known the value vinyl records hold and the quality they possess. When you choose vinyl records over digital the experience of choosing and listening to that music becomes more personal. There is something special about picking that record, setting it on the turntable, placing the needle in the right groove for the right track, and pressing play.

When curating a playlist for your event there is an overwhelming amount of options at your disposal. To try and go through the songs available digitally can be a daunting task. Vinyl records allow us to craft and curate the perfect playlist for your event with higher sound quality. This is what sets Behind the DJ Booth apart from other DJs. We take the time to select a playlist that will fit your event perfectly, while offering the best sound and a more personal experience with vinyl records. It’s not a trend for us, it’s simply the best way to offer our clients the best listening experience.

If you’re looking for a DJ to cater to the experience you’re wanting for your guests while delivering superior customer service and quality then contact Michael with Behind the DJ Booth for your next event or wedding at www.behindthedjbooth.com/contact/. Serving Orange County, CA, all of Southern California, and open to travel.

Orange County Hip-Hop Wedding DJs at the Prepaired Summer Social

Last month Behind the DJ Booth was invited to a social gathering for wedding vendors in the Southern California area by Prepaired. Prepaired is a new service that connects engaged couples to vendors that match their style, taste, and budget. The event was held at Cafe Gratitude in Newport Beach, CA.  

Photographers, event coordinators, a band, another DJ, and a Photo Booth company were all in attendance. It was an opportunity to learn about their new platform, get to know others in the industry, and take a breather from the hustle and bustle of peak wedding season. Their platform is unique in not only connecting couples to ideal vendors but giving couples a space that they can continue to communicate and coordinate their big day with their dream team. 

We were honored to be invited to the gathering and enjoyed the time amongst other professionals immensely. We're looking forward to the opportunity to work with the couples that come to us through Prepaired. 

If you’re looking for a DJ to cater to the experience you’re wanting for your guests while delivering superior customer service and quality then contact Michael with Behind the DJ Booth for your next event or wedding at www.behindthedjbooth.com/contact/. Serving Orange County, CA, all of Southern California, and open to travel.

Photography by: Aurelia D'Amore Photography

Hip Hop Birthday Party with all Vinyl Records | OC, CA

This party was special to Behind the DJ Booth because they were celebrating Michael's son turning one. Michael and his wife wanted to go all out and make it a party to remember. Matthew, from Behind the DJ Booth, came to DJ the event, held at Brea Glenbrook Club in Brea, Orange County, CA, with all vinyl records.

Why all vinyl? Michael has been collecting vinyl records before ever coming to Behind the DJ Booth and continues to collect them now. Michael's vinyl record collection spans music from the 1960s to the early 2000s with genres from house and dance music, hip-hop, R&B, 80s pop and a lot of other hidden gems. The majority of songs they curated included music genres like 90s and early 2000s hip-hop and R&B, funk and soul, and 80s pop and new wave. 

Guests got to come up to the DJ booth throughout the event to choose their own record and have it played. Matthew even gave them an impromptu DJ lesson when they came up! The sound quality with all vinyl records is better over the use of laptop (MP3) because the sound is original to its recording. Which means when you choose from an all vinyl collection the quality of your music is better altogether. Most DJs don't offer this service because vinyl records are anywhere from $5 to $25 per record, versus .99 to $2 per song. However Behind the DJ Booth offers this service for their clients. 

If you’re looking for a DJ to cater to the experience you’re wanting for your guests while delivering superior customer service and quality then contact Michael with Behind the DJ Booth for your next event or wedding at www.behindthedjbooth.com/contact/. Serving Orange County, CA, all of Southern California, and open to travel.

**DJ Tip**

When you're planning your next event or your wedding request that you DJ play a set of vinyl records. It can add such a classic feel and, because of the expense of vinyl, you can be confident that DJ has spent a lot of time making sure that record sounds perfect before he or she ever completed the purchase. 

Also a big thank you to all the vendors who made this happen!

Event Coordinator
Paper Moon Event Design and Production
www.papermooneventdesign.com

Photographer
Light + Luxe Studios
www.lightandluxestudios.com

Desert Bar
Crème Caramel LA
www.cremecaramella.com

Reggae and Hip Hop Wedding at San Diego Botanic Garden

Behind the DJ Booth is a preferred DJ vendor at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas, California which is how our latest couple found us.

San Diego Botanic Garden is a beautiful and unique venue that has everything you could desire in an outdoor venue. Whether you have your wedding in the Walled Garden, Victorian Gazebo Lawn, or Lawn House Garden you cannot go wrong with any of them. Holding anywhere from 60-300 guests they have a location that will fit any couples’ needs.

The Victorian Gazebo Lawn is located in the center of the garden and can hold 200 guests seated at tables and 300 guests seated. It is naturally picturesque with flowing plants and mature trees surrounding the area. This area of the Gardens is available for daytime ceremonies and evening receptions. The gazebo is the perfect spot for a quiet moment with your spouse during the hustle and bustle of your big day.

The Walled Garden is a lovely, intimate option for your wedding as well seating 180 and 72 seated at tables. The historic Larabee House opens up to the Walled Garden which is enclosed with adobe and tile walls surrounded by ferns and trees. The Walled Garden is available for daytime wedding ceremonies, parties, showers, anniversary celebrations, evening wedding ceremonies and evening cocktail receptions.

The Lawn House Garden is a unique option in that it's proximity to the Palm Canyon Rainforest offers the sounds from the three story waterfall while creating a tropical backdrop. This spot it a fantastic option for daytime ceremonies, daytime wedding receptions, parties, showers, and celebrations. This area sits 60 at tables.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Waterfall View Deck. Somewhat secluded this little spot is perfect for 30 seated guests and small daytime ceremonies. It overlooks a three story waterfall that is surrounded by exotic foilage.

DJing at an outdoor venue requires an entirely different set-up due to how the acoustics work in the space. Which is one of the reasons that San Diego Botanic Garden uses Behind the DJ Booth. Since we are a preferred vendor they know we provide quality sound and experiences while following the sound ordinances for the area. The garden is located in a residential area so the venue has very strict sound restrictions.

When this couple reached out they already knew we worked well with the venue, once they knew we could create the vibe they wanted it was a perfect match. The musical vibe we created had a mix of Tropical, with artists like G-Eazy, Collie Budz, and Camila Cabello, Hip-Hop, with artists like Drake and Kanye West, and Country, with artists like Creadence Clearwater Revival, Luke Combs, and Luke Bryan. The San Diego Botanic Garden is a perfect venue to play a wide range of music since it's a beautiful open space.

If you’re looking for a DJ to cater to the experience you’re wanting for your guests while delivering superior customer service and quality then contact Michael with Behind the DJ Booth for your next event or wedding at www.behindthedjbooth.com/contact/. Serving Orange County, CA, all of Southern California, and open to travel.

**DJ tip**
Since the garden is located close to a residential area, the venue has very strict sound restrictions. It's important to choose a DJ that reflects your personality and tastes in music; but it's also just as important to choose a DJ that's familiar with the strict sound requirements at the San Diego Botanic Garden. In fact the DJ has to sign a form at the beginning of the event to ensure that the DJ abides by the rules.

Photo credit: Chelsea Jimenez Photography

DJ at San Diego Botanic Garden

Ceremony at San Diego Botanic Garden

Reception in Encinitas, CA

Destination wedding

Outdoor venue

wedding at San Diego botanic garden

Classic Wedding at the Estate on Second with a Star Wars Surprise

Mike and Melanie decided to work with Behind the DJ Booth when they were recommended by LanAnh from Mele Amore Events. They wanted someone who could play a great mix of classic rock, funk, 80s, and some pop music.  Melanie especially likes The Beatles and Mike was in a band so Michael was sure to play music that fit both of their interests. 

The wedding had a timeless and classic feel from the venue to Melanie’s dress. The venue was at the Estate on Second in Santa Ana, Orange County, CA. Michael and the wedding planner were able to help Melanie pull off a couple of surprises she had for Mike throughout the day. The first surprise was when she had him play the Star Wars main title song during the grand entrance and then when lightsabers were handed out to guests on the dance floor. Both surprises were pulled off without a hitch and the lightsabers really added a fun element to the dance floor. 

The overall musical theme and vibe Michael created was inspired by classic rock and soul funk music.  Michael made sure to play a lot of bands similar to The Beatles, Commodores, The Isley Brothers, Tuxedo, Prince, mixed in with the classic rock and soul funk music. If the guests wanted to make a request they had to go up a flight of stairs so Michael knew that if they made the trip then that song was important to them. Michael was sure to play the song if it fit the vibe.

If you’re looking for a DJ to cater to the experience you’re wanting for your guests while delivering superior customer service and quality then contact Michael with Behind the DJ Booth for your next event or wedding at www.behindthedjbooth.com/contact/. Serving Orange County, CA, all of Southern California, and open to travel.

**DJ tips**

For any surprise performances or other surprises, let your wedding coordinator, DJ, and any other vendors involved know as soon as possible to they can prepare for the surprise.  For Melanie and Mike, LanAnh prepared two timelines; one for the vendors to prepare for the surprise and one for Melanie and Mike (which excludes the Star Wars song and light saber surprise).

Hazelnut Photography - http://hazelnutphotography.com/
Mele Amore Events - www.meleamore.com