Francesca and Michael | The Loft on Pine | Long Beach, California

We at Behind the DJ loved working with Francesca and Michael. These two are the epitome of being a perfect combination of classy, ratchet and beautifully turnt  - Francesca and Michael wanted a wedding that was classic but yet wanted a fun dance-able wedding party. 

We hooked up with these two from a recommendation by Michelle from Mele Amore (Wedding Coordinator: Mele Amore Events .) She recommended us since she knew that our love for music is similar.

In their first meeting with Michael; they talked about Jay-Z and Beyonce, and other 90s hip-hop artists, craft beer, and world travel!  After meeting with Francesca and Michael, we considered the different and yet complimentary styles of music we would be playing at their wedding.  And here was the final result based on getting to know them and their style: 

For pre-ceremony music/ceremony themes we wanted to take a classical spin on modern music. Artists that play across genres while maintaining classical feel include Vitamin String Quartet, Hidden Beach Recording, the Piano Guys, etc.. Each of those artists have the sound of traditional classical music combined with modern hip hop, pop, and indie artists.  

Specific song examples:

• Good Life Kanye West Cover - Vitamin String Quartet
• Kissing You by Des'ree - Stringspace
• Cool Kids cover (Echosmith) - Vitamin String Quartet

Regarding dinner Music Themes we put together a mix of classic R&B/Golden Age Hip-Hop/Tropical flavors. Artists with this sound include Stevie Wonder, Bobby Caldwell, Goapale, Les Nubians, Kygo, Mayer Hawthorne. We wanted the guests to be familiar with the music but not too familiar where it'll be distracting to the conversions that were being had.  Also, some of the genres spanned through the 70s and 80s of which the parents and relatives would really appreciate.

Some of the newer artists that I played reflected the modern interpretations of yesterday's hits. 

Specific song examples:

• Discovery - Brian McKnight
• You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne
• Closer - Goapale
• Higher Love Cover (Steve Winwood) - James Vincent Mc Morrow
• How Deep Is Your Love Cover (Bee Gees) - Bird and the Bee
• Selfish - Slum Village

For all the dancing that would be happening at the party, we went with open format with an emphasis on pop, classic hip-hop, dance music, anything by Beyonce, and booty shaking music.

Francesca and Michael can dance!  So assuming that their friends and family could too, we played a mix of artists including Beyonce, Diplo, A Tribe Called Quest, and even Elvis Crespo.  

Francesca and Michael made a surprise and very memorable first dance performance to Beyonce's "Love on Top" mixed in with Beyonce's "Crazy in Love".  Michael even mixed both songs together into one song so their transition would be seamless.  The crowd went wild and cheered them on.  It was a fantastic party! Congrats to Francesca and Michael! 

Planner:  Mele Amore Events

Photographer:  Sargeant Creative

Videographer:  Anything Everything Productions