How Receptions Work

Never planned a wedding before? It’s going to be okay.
Here’s how we walk with you from first ideas, to concrete plan, to successful wedding reception:

Reserve your date

Design your wedding with an Account Manager. Which DJ is right? What about live music?

This 15-minute conversation ensures you’ll book what you actually need. It ends with a plan and a price.

Then, meet your DJ to ensure it’s a fit before you reserve your date.

Enter plans online

After you book, we’ll send you a login for your online planning tools.

List song requests and event details all in one place.

Take your time. Include as much or as little detail as you want.

Finalize with your DJ

Next, your DJ builds an agenda from your online plans.

Meet again a few weeks before the wedding to review, get help and make adjustments.

Putting it in writing ensures your DJ knows what you want. Talking in person ensures your DJ knows who you are.

Party down

On the wedding day, your DJ and musicians carry out the plan you made together.

We’ll cross-check schedules with your venue. We’ll tell your photographer what’s coming up.

Your job? Just celebrate.

DJ Receptions include:

  • Backthird-certified DJ/MC
  • Assistant DJ to handle music cues so your lead DJ/MC is free to engage with guests
  • Whatever setup and sound equipment is needed to make your space work right (seriously, leave it to us)
  • Customized music for your cocktail and dinner times
  • High-energy dance music spanning many genres, with all the requests you care to make
  • MC coordination for all the action at your reception, from toasts to introductions to special events
  • Submit event plans and music requests online, then meet with your DJ/MC to finalize an agenda
  • Your DJ partners with you to create the reception you want. Your ideas; our expertise.

Live Music Receptions include:

  • All the DJ/MC services listed at left
  • PLUS live music from the ensemble of your choice during cocktails, dinner or both
  • Talk personally with your lead musician before the wedding
  • Provide music guidance (“love it” or “hate it”) from ensemble song lists if you wish
  • Live music is more engaging and provides more variety for your guests
  • … but your DJ/MC is still present all night to direct events, even while musicians play

Not sure what you need — or what you want?
Let us write you a personalized plan. Or three.

make it so!

Sound Equipment

We never expect you to know what kind of sound system your venue needs – we’ll do the research and build the right approach into your plan when we first meet. Usually, that means one DJ system or smaller cocktail system for every room your reception takes place in.

Into details? Here’s what you can expect those sound systems to look like.

Backthird DJ system

  • 2 speakers (QSC, 1000W)
  • subwoofer, if appropriate (QSC or JBL)
  • digital DJ music system (15,000+ songs)
  • wireless hand-held mic (EV or Shure)
  • backup music system and backup mic
  • basic dance lighting, if appropriate (colored LED patterns on ceiling and in booth)
  • shield on DJ booth hides messy cables for a clean, professional look


(see booth video)

Cocktail System

  • 1 or 2 additional speakers for your cocktail space (QSC or JBL)
  • music playback system (either iPod-style or full DJ system, as appropriate)

Ceremony System

  • wireless clip-on lapel mic for your officiant
  • wireless handheld mic, on a stand, for your readers
  • backup wired microphone (no taking chances with your wedding vows!)
  • 1 or 2 speakers
  • small sound mixer, with additional inputs for musicians if needed
  • system is run by a DJ or sound engineer – not by a multitasking musician

cerem rig crop

Uplighting

Adding uplighting to transform your reception is a piece of cake – click here to see our three simple packages.

When you meet your DJ, he or she can help you choose the right uplighting for your reception space.

See Packages