Behind the Board DJ Entertainment

18/10/2024

Back at one of "my houses": another ceremony witnessed (with audio support) and waiting to get the Grand Entrance and dinner under way.

This should be a FUN one. 😊

14/10/2024

One of the things that I try to stress to my couples is that one of My Goals is to provide as stress-free a planning experience possible.

The job is NEVER "just playing music"; the job is doing all that I can to make that day MEMORABLE.

THANK YOU, CRISTINA, for your review and for placing yourself, your new husband and your community in my care! 😊

★★★★★ "There aren't enough words to describe my gratitude for Steve and the PEACE OF MIND he was able to give to my husband and I during our reception (and the time leading up to it!). At our final walk through meeting, my husband and I candidly told Steve that since we both spend all day ...

14/10/2024

For the Quote Board (from the Behind the Board DJ Entertainment files):

Groom-To-Be: Like, we won't have many people doing co***ne.

Bride-To-Be: This is recorded...!

Context: we were having our Final Walkthrough Meeting. At this point in the discussion, we were talking about where they believed their crowd might fall in terms of being party animals - mostly mingling as they're playing catch-up or more on the rave/rage end of the spectrum.

This was his answer, which caught both of us off guard.

One of the more interesting responses that I've heard during a planning conversation with one of my couples. 😂

13/09/2024

Part of being a business owner means that you'll sometimes be called on to do things that you aren't comfortable with. Sometimes, questions from my couples come in that turn my attention to an aspect of the job that I might not have considered previously - or didn't consider deeply enough.

The image accompanying this post is a screenshot of a project that I've worked on for one of my upcoming weddings. The bride-to-be in question wanted a mashup created for her Father/Daughter Dance.

Two years ago, I'd have tried to talk her into finding someone else to do it. The idea of mashing up songs together, while something I was interested in doing, wasn't something that I was INTERESTED in doing.

Hers is the sixth such request (some simpler than others) that I've been working on over the last two months.

I'm a hands-on learner and the increasing number of requests like this are doing what I need: giving me that hands-on learning to confidently say "YES, I can", as well as instilling increasing confidence in uttering (or typing out) those words.

"Steve! Oh my gosh it’s PERFECT!!

Thank you so much. It sounds amazing. No notes :) my Dad is in town next weekend for a family friend's wedding so we will get practicing!"

That response is only a small part of the Soul Food that comes with this part of the job. THE Soul Food...?

That comes when I watch her and her dad (and their choreography) to this on her wedding day.

I'm HYPED to see that in action.

If you're one of the couples that I'm taking care of and you have an idea that you'd like to execute to this end, reach out. Let's talk about your vision so that we can see how feasible it is.

If you're looking for wedding entertainment and are considering doing something like this for Your First Dance, a Father/Daughter or Mother/Son Dance, drop me a line or visit the BTB website for more information.

28/07/2024

I only caught the tail end of it last night, but this kind of thing has been happening at several of the weddings that I've handled at The Jerome Event Center so far this year. 🤔

CONGRATULATIONS to the Kriegs! 😊

27/07/2024

It's been a few weeks since I last took care of a couple at The Jerome Event Center. It won't be long before this Mr. & Miss become Mr. & Mrs. 🥰

Elijah & Taylor, it's nearly time to have some Serious Fun. 😏

25/07/2024

Ugly Truth on this :

While I've always understood why couples inquiring about the experience that I provide ask "what makes you different from everyone else", I've yet to actually get comfortable answering the question.

My knee-jerk response in my mind is always "Well... They AREN'T *ME*"

Translation, their approach to the job, the way that they view providing entertainment at weddings and other events, their processes and work ethic aren't exactly MINE. Could there be similarities? Sure. But how I operate when taking care of My Couples isn't going to be how the next individual or company is going to operate.

Here's part of a better answer, one that is TOTALLY My Truth:

For me, weddings are about Connection.

- Connection with that couple that I'm taking care of. Getting to know them, their Love Story and how they want to celebrate.

- Connection with that couple's community. It's NEVER just about the couple, even if they're the focal point. I've had some poignant conversations with parents of the couples that have been in my care. I've danced with several grandmas - moments that are not lost on me in terms of how "out of the norm" they happen to be. And I've been declared as an honorary member of several families because I've been "adopted" as "The Family DJ." I can't even begin to articulate how profound that is.

- Connection with the other WIPs (Wedding Industry Professionals) that are taking care of that couple. Nearly all of my business is word of mouth. The vast majority of that word of mouth at this point comes from a few of the venues that I've done my thang at. I try to be a team player BECAUSE it's best for the couple that we're serving, but it's also best for all of us in the end (IF it's accepted, of course). There are a few that share more of their personal stories with me because of it. While I realize that those connections are more in the "Reason" or "Season" category, they STILL fulfill the connection part of the equation.

The picture attached: taken by one of my favorite photographers at one of the venues that has my business on their preferred vendor list. THIS is me FEELING IT. THIS is the picture that says a thousand + words about how it feels to be in that element.

Looking for entertainment for your wedding, company party or some other event? Message me. Let's see how well WE Connect and if I can provide the type of personalized experience that you're looking for.

📸: Krista Reynolds Photography & Co

15/07/2024

It's time for some BTB Weekly Shout-outs:

Mother Nature chose to give the newly married Berubes MUCH luck on their wedding day!

I was concerned that the ceremony would be forced inside: despite a few sprinkles during the last 10 minutes or so, Jauhn & Kali were able to have a picture perfect ceremony.

To Jauhn & Kali:
I appreciate you choosing me and BTB to be a part of Page One of this chapter of Your Love Story. Going back to the video clips that I captured of the day brought it all back... I hope that you're honeymoon was AWESOME! 😊

To Mason and the Round Lake Vineyards team:
THANK YOU for the hospitality, the service, collaborative spirit and your patience.

I can't do my job as "easily" without being allowed the freedom to execute The Plan as best I can, given the situation.

Also, Mason - you were a LIFE SAVER when it comes to having the backups that I didn't realize I needed until THE. LAST. MINUTE. I APPRECIATE you!

To Jessica of Jessica Sauck Photography:
It was a pleasure getting to work alongside you while taking care of the Berubes. Thank you for keeping communication open and being so easy to work with!

Seeing the shots that you've already shared from the event brings a smile to my face. 😊

Honorable Mentions:
North Star Farm Event Center: long story short - if not for your request to have the company that I used to subcontract for send me for events that they book, I wouldn't have met Jauhn by handling his brother's wedding. 😉

🌹: Dee's Floral & Designs
Bridal Gown: Bel Soie by Valerie’s Bridal
Makeup/Hair: Hot Girl Weddings
🍰🍪: Alex's Cakes

06/07/2024

Congratulations to Zach & Abby! 😊

We're going to have some Serious FUN today. 😎

22/06/2024

In a few hours' time, this couple is going to make it official! 😊

I'm excited to take care of you and your community!

18/06/2024

This picture takes me back to the Jeffries' reception back in February. 😁

From the moment we stumbled on talking about "The (WW)E", we figured that we were destined to work together.

With title belts firmly around their waists and John Cena's theme blaring through the speakers, it wasn't a surprise that their wedding celebration was a PARTY!

Personalization is KEY: reach out to me via DM or at https://behindtheboarddjs.com to check availability for personalizing YOUR wedding celebration or other event.

14/06/2024

It's ? OK, that means that it's time for some BTB Weekly Shout-outs.

Last Saturday's wedding was the second one that I've taken care of for this family. The weather was GORGEOUS for an outdoor ceremony (especially when the sun came out in full force just before Alexis & her mom walked toward the altar).

The WIP team was ON. POINT. The newlyweds were appreciative. Putting this video together took me back to it - definitely Soul Food. 🥰

To Mr. & Mrs. Malakowsky:
Thank you for choosing me & BTB to be a part of your wedding celebration. Watching the two of you enjoying yourselves and each other is one of those things that motivate me to keep taking care of weddings.

Your feedback on how valuable our Final Walkthrough Meeting and the planning app were to your confidence in how the day would play out is exactly why I do what I do in the way that I do it.

I look forward to seeing how Life progresses for you both. 😊

To Liz, Erica & the Brackett's Crossing Country Club team:
I can't express enough appreciation for how well you all take care of me. From the referrals to the conversations about the timeline & allowing me the freedom to do what I need to do to take care of our charges, you're all Top Notch. 👏🏾

To Jessica of Everworth Photography:
Thank you for being SO easy to work with! It's always my goal to make the experience for everyone involved go as smoothly as possible. I look forward to working alongside you again. 😊

To Greg (representing Bellagala):
I honestly can't remember how many events we've just happened to work alongside each other, but I appreciate how you approach the business.

Thanks for the collaboration and the conversation! I'm sure that our paths will cross again. 👍🏾

Honorable Mention: Amy Revak