I’m not sure anyone sets out to become a mobile DJ…you just kind of fall into it, and fall in love with it over time, and eventually you realise that it makes you way happier than the drudgery of your 9-5 office job. And people actually pay you a wage for doing it. So, where did it begin…?

For me, it probably started in a front room of an Edwardian terraced house in East Ham, circa 1982. It was my aunt’s place, and my cousin and I would make a beeline for his older brother’s 12″ record collection, which was pretty much all soul and jazz funk. Up went the lid of the Hitachi stack system and we’d spend hours listening to his latest purchases (often before he did!) Somehow, and definitely influenced by East London culture at the time, we progressed to buying hiphop singles and albums of our own, including the incredible StreetSounds series of ‘Electro’ tracks. My cousin was a pretty adept body-popper and breakdancer, whereas I was more of an enthusiastic spectator, although I did achieve a fairly good moonwalk. Well, I thought so…

Professional Music Equipment For DJ, Live Performance, Scratch and Playing Vinyl Records

My cousin managed to get hold of a couple of vari-speed hi-fi turntables and a little two channel DJ mixer and that pretty much sealed our fate. Whilst he was clearly the frontrunner in mixing and scratching (with a 2p piece on the stylus arm to stop the track skipping), I was interested in building a set using more than just hip-hop and electro tunes. I dug deeper into his brother’s collection, and that’s probably where my affection for all things Disco comes from. Earth Wind & Fire, Dan Hartman, Chic, Candi Staton…all dance floor fillers even to this day.

Fast-forward to 1988 and a chance meeting with a mobile DJ from Walthamstow gave me the leg-up and inspiration I needed to start my own journey in professional DJing. Within just 18 months, I’d managed to buy myself a pair of Technics 1210 Mk2 decks (thanks, credit card!), a decent mixer and some basic lighting. Every night after work, I’d be slaving over a pair of hot decks in my bedroom, practising my technique and taping the results for the car stereo the next day!

And that’s it, really. Totally hooked. And still loving it 44 years later.

The post This DJ Life: Where It All Began… first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

I’ve been very fortunate to reconnect recently with a very dear friend, someone whom I helped along the way in his younger years and he is now the most in-demand club DJ in Norfolk & East Anglia. Introducing Jon Holder, the most energetic and charismatic DJ that I know! His enthusiasm behind the decks is unrivalled, and he has the mixing chops to really set the dance floor on fire! Combined with my technical skills and vast equipment collection, we’re teaming up for 2026 to give clients the perfect blend for their party or wedding. Two DJs, awesome sound system, dazzling light show!

Also planned for me this year is to pull away from doing so many gigs for other DJs…I’ve neglected my own branding for a few years whilst helping others improve theirs. All the great feedback from the events that I’ve done ends up on their websites, not mine! I’ll be taking steps in the next few months to really push my own services.

On the equipment front, I’ve made big changes regarding my regular sound system. I sold off my largest PA kit in October (simply wasn’t getting used) and reinvested in the very latest active system from ElectroVoice. Without getting too geeky, it’s a real top quality sounding array speaker system, with 15″ subwoofers to reach those lovely deep bass notes! I’ve also bought two ElectroVoice battery-powered PA speakers for garden parties, wedding ceremony music, etc. Incredibly portable and surprisingly loud, these small speakers offer endless possibilities. Finally, in order to squeeze into smaller venues and tight spaces where my standard DJ booth won’t fit, I’ve added a Denon Prime Go+ controller to the kit roster. Completely self-contained music player, it can perform all the DJ mixing tricks without a laptop or even a power lead!

That’s all for my January 2026 update. Thanks for reading!

The post Everybody Dance…into 2026! first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

Ever since the Terminator movies, there has been a rippling undercurrent of dread that one day, machines will take over the world and make all human activity redundant. The supermarkets are certainly trying their hardest to leave us facing just a screen and a scanner, Amazon keep promising aerial parcel drops from robotic drones and even the humble vacuum cleaner can now do its rounds on its own. But when it comes to entertainment, can AI really cut the mustard?

As a DJ, I am inundated before every gig with the dreaded ‘playlist’ – a lengthy (often Spotify) roll-call of the party organiser’s favourite songs. Sometimes, there has been consideration for other guests within their list….and sometimes not! Quite often I’m left staring at a collection of ballads and slow tempo tunes that would serve no useful purpose on a dance floor that I’m trying to fill. Now imagine this same list is given to an AI device, controlling the music for a party or a wedding. Whilst AI will have phenomenal music recall powers (especially if it’s linked to Spotify), it doesn’t have a pair of eyes to monitor the dance floor. It’s yet to be able to sense the mood of the room and the people therein, and most importantly, it lacks empathy.

On average, I get asked about four times a year if I would install a sound and lighting system for a wedding client, but ‘we don’t need a DJ because we’ve got the music sorted ourselves’ – i.e. they’re playing it all from a stand-alone pre-programmed iPad. Sometimes they can be persuaded otherwise, but on the odd occasion that I can’t convince them of their terrible mistake, I’ve witnessed some truly lifeless events! I normally hang around long enough to make sure the kit is working well, and return an hour before the scheduled end of the party. In almost every case, there are very few guests left at the venue, and not a soul on the dance floor. Without the human touch, there is simply no atmosphere created.

I’ll leave you with a line that I have repeatedly told clients every time they mention the possibility of a DJ-less party…

“I have thirty-five years of extensive DJing experience and expertise, and if I cannot predict the music direction of an evening before I even get there, then no-one can!”

The post Real DJ v AI – Should DJs and their clients be worried? first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

On behalf of a DJ colleague, I was hired to host the music for a whole wedding day at the beautiful Essex wedding venue, Houchins. Situated just off the main road near Coggeshall, Houchins is a dedicated wedding location, using converted farm buildings and gorgeous landscaped gardens to create a first class space in which to get married and celebrate afterwards. The whole place looked fresh, very clean and stylishly decorated, particularly the main dance room with its dark tones and subtle lighting.

I arrived at 11.30am to begin my day. With the wedding ceremony due to take place in the marquee outside at 2pm, I gave myself plenty of time to set up the three sound systems required…one for the ceremony music, one for the background music at the wedding breakfast, and of course the bigger kit for the evening disco.

As you can see from the image above, it’s just a small battery-driven but mightily powerful speaker, positioned away from the wedding congregation, unimposing but loud enough for the Bride’s entrance music, Register Signing music and of course the Bridal Couple’s exit song. All the music is controlled by me with perfect timing! The invention of such powerful professional battery speakers has been a real game-changer for outside events, and I’m lucky enough to own a couple of these excellent units.

Following the wedding ceremony, I then headed into the main dining area to check on the Wedding Breakfast system, which includes radio microphones for the Speeches. This particular day, the speeches took place prior to the meal which is often the case if the people standing up to talk are nervous. The Speeches were very well received, although I was quietly annoyed when the Best Man refused to use the microphone and everyone subsequently struggled to hear him! As soon as the Speeches were done, I kicked off the low level background music (chosen by the Bride & Groom in this case) and went for a chill in the gardens before the evening festivities began.

Finally at 8pm, the assembled guests made their way in the main room for the traditional First Dance. I try not to post too many ‘rig’ pictures of DJ equipment because it’s not ordinarily interesting to anyone other than fellow DJs, but I thought this particular set-up looked perfect against the dark colours of the panelled walls. I never ‘over-egg’ the light shows or wheel in speakers that resemble wardrobes if the venue doesn’t need it. Classy is the best word I can think of!

At 11.30pm I played the last tune of the day to a truly fantastic crowd, and by 12.15am I was fully packed in the van and saying my goodbyes to the happy couple and their guests. Phew! A twelve-and-a-half hour day of sound engineering, hosting and DJing! And that’s the life of an All-Day Wedding DJ!

The post The All-Day Wedding DJ…what do they do? first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

All successful small businesses are built on plans for the future, even mobile DJs! Even though 2025 started very slowly indeed in terms of wedding bookings, the last couple of days has seen a glut of dates added to the diary. Having spoken to a large number of wedding venues that I frequent, the most common remark has been the lack of wedding reception bookings for 2025. Many popular wedding venues have prime weekend dates still available. With this in mind, I made a brief push on social media in early January, encouraging prospective couples to strike up money-saving deals with the venues and hotels looking to fill their dates…and it worked!

One of the more surprising aspects of 2025 so far are the number of birthday parties and anniversary parties booked in. I have never been exclusively a wedding DJ but over the years it’s tended to rule the calendar and other celebrations were few and far between. This year however has definitely seen the return of the lavish birthday bash…I have dozens already planned in the next twelve months! Landmark birthdays like 50 & 60 are the most common, and my 80’s Mix Tape package is in high demand! Although the one I’m most looking forward to is a 55th party for a former clubber, who wants to relive her best life with dance anthems from 1989 to 2009!

Every year, I review the technical side of the business too…assessing whether or not new DJ equipment is required. This year, the plan is to sell off lots of kit that no longer gets used. I’ve always been slightly obsessed with owning really cool and top quality toys of the trade, but there comes a time when storage space is at a premium! And if the kit is at the back of the store, it’s no longer needed! Rest assured I still have some great lighting effects and awesome sound system options!

Finally, I’m adding something to the website this year that’s never been there before…and it’s totally crazy how I’ve never even considered it since the website’s first inception in 2007…a guide to my pricing! Historically, DJs have always been shy about giving away their price publicly as gigs vary in time, distance and size. Recently I’ve found this to be counter-productive as a client pointed out that they almost passed me by because they thought that no pricing meant it would be too expensive for them! So keep watching the site for additional pages this year…and prices! (For the record, my prices for weekend events start from £425!)

Have a fantastic 2025 and don’t forget to get in touch if you need a top DJ to host your event!

The post What’s new for 2025? The thoughts & plans of a DJ for the year ahead… first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

Below are a few tips to ensure your big festive shindig is the best it can possibly be!

Book A Professional!

I know it sounds a bit obvious, but around Christmas time there are a lot of have-a-go DJ heroes prepared to step up behind the decks and give you their version of a good time! Handing over the responsibility of hosting the party to someone who usually looks after the client accounts probably isn’t the best option. Booking a professional gives you someone who is unbiased in both their music selection and any connection with the staff. I’ve heard many horror stories of inappropriate behaviour over the microphone once a few drinks have been imbibed! And of course, a professional Christmas party DJ won’t be drinking!

Eat A Decent Lunch Beforehand!

A light salad and a diet coke from M&S really won’t work if you’re planning to have a skinful at the Christmas Party! Make sure you eat a hearty lunch…loads of carbs and protein in preparation for the long haul ahead. If you don’t, one bottle of wine later and you’ll be crying/singing/falling asleep before they’ve even started playing the Christmas bangers!

Dress To Impress…But Keep It Classy!

We’ve all been there. The outfit in the wardrobe that you’re dying to wear but it’s not your usual style…a bit daring or a bit loud…DON’T DO IT! Turning up at your staff party in something way out of your comfort zone will leave you massively self-conscious all night, not to mention the reaction and gossip of colleagues for weeks to come afterwards! Stick to what you know best, with maybe a bit of added glitter!

Social Media – Have A Black-Out On Your Night Out!

Take a well-deserved break from documenting your every move on social media by keeping your phone in your pocket or your bag and have a great time without the need for validation from the outside world. Toilet selfies, uncomfortable poses with the boss or naff blurred pictures of colleagues dancing are of no benefit to anyone! If you really want decent photographs, ask the boss to bring in a pro photographer and you can all review them in the office next week before they get as far as social media! There’s also the risk that you’ll capture some ‘inappropriate’ shots that could get colleagues in hot water back home! Finally, definitely do not post your pics to the official company Facebook or Insta page…at least until you’ve cleared them with the right people!

Don’t Talk Shop!

There are a helluva lot of promises made at office parties that have no substance in the workplace when you return! Wine & beer does wonderful things to the ego so please avoid talking about any employment grievances, pay rises or workloads and just dance the night away! If you’re the boss, it’s even more important to reel in your grandiose position and the temptation to impress the youngest staff members with your big plans for growth in the next twelve months, all whilst spilling bubbly down yourself and trying to remember the steps to ‘Candy’ by Cameo!

Leave The Friends Comfort Zone & Embrace The Fun!

See that quiet and shy colleague sitting alone? Invite them into your circle of fun, even if it’s just for one night…it is Christmas after all! Talk to everyone, dance with anyone, lose yourself on the dance floor and join in some of the silly games – you never know, you might actually start having fun! Cast your working life aside for one night, sing at the top of your (magnificent) voice and soak up the Christmas spirit!

Call or email me today for your best Staff Christmas Party ever!

A Brief History of Christmas Jumpers

The Christmas jumper has become a December staple. Once just a knitted winter layer, it’s now a festive tradition that mixes charm, chaos, and comedy. But this seasonal fashion favourite didn’t start off with flashing lights and dancing reindeer.

Woolly Beginnings

Long before they were covered in tinsel and puns, jumpers were simply about staying warm. In colder parts of Europe, people wore thick, patterned sweaters with wintry designs like snowflakes and deer. These weren’t made with Christmas in mind; they were just practical and cosy.

1950s and 60s: Festive Hints Appear

When television became part of everyday life, Christmas-themed knitwear quietly started showing up. Entertainers and singers sometimes wore jumpers with a subtle nod to the season. Think soft wool, snowflake patterns, and just a hint of sparkle. These were more about feeling snug than making a statement.

1980s: No Holding Back

By the 1980s, subtlety disappeared. Funny Christmas jumpers became louder, brighter, and proudly tacky. TV presenters and celebrities wore them with gusto. Red, green, and gold ruled the day, and novelty designs took centre stage. What started as a cosy tradition turned into full-on festive fashion.

1990s: The Cringe Phase

By the 1990s, the jumper had lost its cool. It became the punchline of Christmas photos, something your mum insisted you wear for family dinner. They still existed, but were mostly associated with dodgy gifts and forced smiles.

2000s and 2010s: The Ironic Comeback

Then came the revival. This time, people wore them for laughs. “Ugly Christmas jumper” parties became a trend, and the more ridiculous the design, the better. Shops caught on and started making jumpers designed to be over the top. Lights, sequins, and cheeky slogans were all fair game.

What was once cringeworthy became fun again, with people leaning into the silliness.

Today: A Festive Staple

Now, Christmas jumpers are everywhere. They’re worn at work parties, school events, and charity fundraisers like Christmas Jumper Day. There’s one for every personality, from traditional fair isle to full novelty chaos.

What started as practical knitwear has turned into one of the most recognisable signs that the festive season has arrived.

The post Christmas…time to start booking your Festive DJ! Tips and Tricks for the Best Parties! first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

You’ve chosen your all-important First Dance for your Wedding Day, you’ve given your DJ some ideas of your music tastes for the evening…but when it comes to good songs for weddings, have you thought about the very last tune of the day?

It’s not essential to control every aspect of the wedding reception music (that’s why you hire a vastly-experienced DJ like me!), however you might have a finalé song in mind; a lively (but not riotous) singalong track that means something special to you and your guests, and it would be a shame to miss such a golden opportunity to create one final lasting memory of the big day.

Listed below are ten songs that I regularly use at Essex Wedding receptions…some are obvious, others a little quirkier, but all are carefully considered according to the audience in front of me.

Ten Tracks I Think Make Great Wedding Songs

Baby I Love You – The Ramones

Originally released by The Ronettes in the 60s, The Ramones took their version into the UK Top Ten in 1980. It’s the perfect tempo for a ‘send-off’ song, with an undeniably catchy and easy to sing chorus. Legend has it that The Ramones hated their own version as it was forced upon them to record it, but it remains a superb cover nonetheless.

The Best – Tina Turner

Once again, this track is the ideal speed for a singalong. Incredibly commercially successful and definitely one for the aunts and uncles. I usually play the full album version, which has an ideal instrumental break just before the end in which to make my final goodbye announcements, leaving my audience in no doubt that this really is the last song of the night!

I’m In The Mood For Love – Jamiroquai with The Jools Holland Orchestra

A fabulous copy of a copy of a copy of a classic 1935 song! This interpretation is a full orchestral reworking of the ska version, originally by Lord Tanamo in 1965. It’s such a happy and upbeat number, it never fails to bring a smile to faces around the room…Jay Kay’s superb voice over Jools Holland’s wonderful arrangement. A real carnival ending!

American Pie – Don McLean

This song certainly needs little or no introduction! if your audience want to go out singing, this is right up there with all the very good songs for weddings. Not something I play without careful consideration though…not everyone knows all the words, especially for the full 8.36 version! If it’s requested during the night, I’ll usually save it for last.

Don’t Look Back In Anger – Oasis

This is the archetypal British party standard for getting everyone on vocals. Despite the rather inappropriate title (for a wedding!) it remains one of the most requested songs since its release in 1996. I often get asked for Wonderwall but that’s rather drab in comparison to what I think was Oasis’s highpoint.

All Together Now – The Farm

If I’m going to include some personal taste here, it has to be this absolute anthem from the Nineties. I tend to use this as my final song if the bride and groom are a little more mature….i.e. they were ravers in the 90s! I played a few ‘unofficial’ dance events back in the day, and this was my weapon of choice if I was the last DJ of the evening. Even if you weren’t there, it still has a great rising chorus to end upon.

The Wonder Of You – Elvis Presley

Yes, it’s old school for sure, but it is still one of the ultimate singalong songs in the world. The chances are, most will know the words and those that don’t will soon pick them up! It’s actually a cover of a late Fifties minor hit, and Elvis’s version was recorded live in Vegas in 1970….my favourite Elvis era – the jumpsuits, the rhinestones and the big brassy arrangements! I’ve tagged the recent orchestral reworking below, simply because it sounds even better!

Lovin’ Each Day – Ronan Keating

Whaaaa? Ronan Keating?! Has Ian gone mad? Let me explain….firstly, this is another tune with the perfect tempo for creating a send-off circle for the bride & groom. A catchy chorus too, and with appropriate wording that makes it one of the good songs for weddings. The hidden appeal here, however, is aimed squarely at the male contingent in the room. It’s not sexist or misguided to say that fellas are the more difficult (as a whole) to attract to the dancefloor…so why not pick a track they’ll connect with. And Ronan’s Lovin’ Each Day was used by Sky Sports for a few years as the theme tune to their Premier League football coverage. Over the years, Sky have used some brilliant songs as themes, such as Paul Weller’s Out Of The Sinking, Moloko’s The Time Is Now and the current one, Celeste’s Stop This Flame. But this one is the most fitting.

It Must Be Love – Madness

Sometimes you just have to play the most commercially successful songs to get the people up, and this classic Madness song from the early Eighties is not only a guaranteed singalong anthem, the words are also very appropriate. I’ve been known to play the original version by Labi Siffre from time to time, and there’s also a great cover by James Morrison too.

Finally, this song gained fantastic traction when Tom from McFly sang it during his own wedding speech and the video went viral. Unashamedly romantic and irresistibly catchy, this is modern pop music at its best.

It goes without saying that nothing is set in stone, these are just ten good songs for weddings that I’ve played regularly but by no means every time. Currently I’m using a Robbie Williams drum ‘n’ bass ballad remix at some weddings, which is taking the roof off (but it’s not available to share on Spotify!), and I could easily list another twenty anthems…but I hope this has been a helpful guide for that memorable final song of your fantastic wedding day!

Good Songs for Weddings – FAQs

What song is most played at weddings?

Music fashions change, but some tunes just stick around forever! Whitney’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)’ is still requested at 95% of wedding receptions, along with ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers.

What’s a song that gets everyone dancing?

See above! Or if we’re really struggling to fill the floor at a wedding, there’s always the ‘ABBA’ button! Tracks with dedicated moves are still popular, so Cameo’s ‘Candy’ is a sure-fire hit if a few know the actions.

What’s a great wedding entrance song?

I normally use a really upbeat tune to introduce the Bride & Groom into the room for the wedding breakfast. Songs such as ‘Marry You’ by Bruno Mars or ‘Love Is In The Air’ by John Paul Young work fantastically well.

The post Good Songs for Weddings! Ten Of The Best Songs To End Your Party first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

Every happy couple dreams of their totally perfect wedding day….dry and warm weather, excellent food and drink, a wonderful idyllic setting with friends and relatives enjoying the day and of course a totally banging wedding party to finish!

Over the next few paragraphs, I hope to give you some important pointers on how to make your evening wedding party hit the heights, and also help you with some tips on unique touches to leave your guests with long-lasting memories of a fantastic night!

Your Wedding Party DJ

I have written many, many blogs about the required qualities of an Essex Wedding DJ and I would certainly encourage you to have a read, but here I will outline the most important things you need to ask, to ensure quality and professionalism;

1. Wedding Reception Experience – There are thousands of mobile DJs in the UK, and they are definitely NOT all the same! Hosting a wedding reception as a DJ is a whole different ballgame to playing in a local pub, club or village hall. For starters, this is pretty much the most important day of your lives, not to mention the most expensive! Your DJ needs to be fully versed in all the various traditions and ceremonies, plus they need to be incredibly flexible with their set list as the age groups at wedding parties go from 0-90! Pub & (especially) club DJs are used to playing one or two genres, whereas weddings require a very broad spectrum.
2. Clean & Tidy Kit – No-one expects you and your guests to be experts in modern electronics and audio quality, but there is visual standard that needs to be achieved by the DJ before taking on a wedding party. Wires secured and tidied away, speakers positioned safely, lighting out of reach of inquisitive little fingers, that kind of thing. We’ve all seen the local pub DJ setting up on a wonky table with wiring hanging precariously and that’s definitely not something we want to see at your big day!
3. Approachability & Accessibility – Obviously a quality that you’ll expect from all of your suppliers for your wedding, there’s nothing more attractive than helpfulness and understanding from your chosen DJ, particularly in the run-up to the day. They should be there at the end of the phone/email/video call to discuss any or all of your last-minute concerns. I hear untold stories of couples being ‘ghosted’ by their DJ for months on end prior to the reception…this is simply unprofessional and, understandably, quite worrying. The DJ will have their own thoughts about music and genres, and a great one will sit down with you and listen to your ideas before using their vast experience to suggest tracks in a similar vein or alternatives.

THE FUNCTION SUITE – How do you throw a good wedding party?

I am going to keep this part of the blog short and sweet! I have hosted wedding reception parties in hundreds of different venues, from grand country manor houses to tiny village halls and there is only one requirement I would 100% insist upon if it were my wedding party….the bar in the same room as the dancefloor. Or at the very least, an adjacent room where the music and announcements can be clearly heard and enjoyed. You would not believe how difficult it is (as a DJ) to try and fill a dancefloor when the majority of the guests are 20 yards down a hallway in a separate bar area! If you really value the  party bit of your wedding day, give this some serious consideration.

LAST ORDERS!

There’s a famous old showbiz adage….”Leave them wanting more!” and that is definitely something to be considered for your wedding reception party. Don’t be tempted by adding on late licences at the venue, because a wedding day is a long day for everyone concerned, and in the vast majority of receptions, midnight is the limit of endurance! Over the years, I have seen many cases where the Wedding DJ is playing to an empty room for the extended hour as most have gone to bed! And it’s not exactly memorable to just let the day fizzle out with a drunken uncle swaying alone on the dancefloor! Finish your special day in style, with loads of guests on the floor, celebrating as one!

ADDED EXTRAS – How to make a wedding day memorable?

Everyone wants their wedding day to be unique, right? You’ve booked all the usual formal stuff and now you’re checking out the quirkier touches…here are a few additions you might have already considered and some you haven’t!

• Live band/singer – Even though I’m a DJ, there’s nothing I love more than seeing a decent wedding band doing their stuff. I was in a band years before I became a pro DJ, so I am lucky to have a deep appreciation of both sides. When you’re looking for your ideal live act, it’s always best to consider a few important factors; are they experienced in performing at weddings? Do they cover a wide range of popular genres? Does your venue allow/accommodate live bands? And most importantly…do they come with or recommend a pro DJ? This last point is very important, and not just because I’m selling my own services. When a band take a break or end their set, you’re left with a dead spot in the night. All the room’s energy disappears, and no pre-recorded mix tape is gonna bring it back. Always book a DJ to work alongside your live act, even if it’s just for one hour…you won’t regret it!
• Saxophonists & Percussionists – A relatively new thing in the wedding market, and completely inspired by Ibiza bars and clubs. If you and your guests love dance music, then booking one (or both) of these is a real crowd pleaser. The best ones will simply play over the top of the DJ’s dance set, and it really lifts the dancefloor to new heights! One to avoid however, is the solo sax player doing a 40-minute set of playing the vocal melody over a karaoke backing track. It’s interesting for the first two songs, then it gets rather dull and uninspiring.
• Silent Discos – This is such an unusual concept, but almost everyone I know that have used this service absolutely loved it! It’s simple…put on a pair of headphones, select the style you want to dance to (usually two separate DJs at the controls) and head for the floor. You’ll be throwing different shapes to your friends, but that’s half the fun! It’s ideal for wedding venues in Essex with strict sound restrictions or parties based outside under canvas. For onlookers, it’s definitely weird, but great fun nonetheless.
• Themed Music – It’s a brave call to narrow down the music genres at your wedding reception, but it can totally work brilliantly. I have hosted over 1000 wedding parties, and some of the biggest and best have been themed. Genres such as Eighties, Rock n Roll, Soul Weekender, Ibiza Anthems and even 1920s Jazz Club have been a massive hit with the guests. A genuine unique twist, a break from the old routine if you like.
• Pyrotechnics – I’m not just talking confetti cannons here…there’s a growing market in West-End stage show style effects. Starting with the low fog dry ice for the First Dance, you can now add 10ft high ‘sparklers’ timed perfectly with your big moves, CO2 cannons that launch a noisy and powerful jet of harmless steam high into the rafters, or what about real flames? Venues don’t like that one, but you’ve seen them at big football matches and concerts, and smaller examples are available. From personal experience, I still recall using an awful bubble machine in the 90s. It looked a bit pathetic in the corner and it left the floor dangerously slippy! Now however, the bubble machines are huge and the output is immense. Another great effect to consider!

In 2024, there is so much choice to make your wedding reception party even more special than ever before. I hope that I have been able to give you some honest pointers above, and as always I’m here to answer any questions regarding my services or my recommendations.

Here’s to your fantastic party, whenever that may be!

The post How to Achieve An Unforgettable Wedding Party first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

Your Wedding Venue 

It’s incredible that some couples overlook the ‘party worthiness’ of their wedding venue, in favour of architectural beauty and daytime photo opportunities. Many glamorous country houses and historic mansions are not laid out in a sympathetic way conducive to a great party atmosphere. Separate bar areas that are a short hike from the room where the DJ is situated are quite common, and makes it really difficult to get everyone together for the important moments like The First Dance or the big finale. Naturally, the bar area is where people meet, greet and chat and if this is not within earshot of the DJ and the dance floor, your party may end up a little flat.

The size of your wedding reception function suite is also very important. Take advice from the venue’s wedding planner on guest numbers as they definitely know best, however be aware that they may also have an agenda to fill the date with any sized party. Purely from a wedding DJ’s perspective, smaller rooms are more intimate and it obviously takes less people to look busy on the dance floor, which in turn attracts more to join in. The opposite can be said of big, cavernous rooms, such as barns and great halls if you only have a small number of guests. It’s quite daunting for small groups of guests to strut their stuff in such a big area! They can feel very exposed! Some venues can cleverly reduce their big function suites with room dividers to suit your number of guests. Ask them if this can be done…it will certainly help create a more intimate atmosphere.

Turn Off The Lights!

Since about 2010, there has been an upsurge in the usage of American-style room decor for wedding discos. The main feature in question are the large illuminated letters adjacent to the dance floor, often spelling out ‘L-O-V-E’ or the happy couple’s names. They are often over 1m high and sometimes up to 5m wide! As good as this looks for the First Dance, it can be quite detrimental for the rest of the evening if they are not dimmed or turned off. It’s quite well established that more folk will dance the darker the room gets.

Say NO to Balloons

This is not a regular thing that I see (it’s far more likely at a kids party or a birthday celebration), but occasionally when we set up, I find the entire floor filled with loose balloons. It can look very pretty….until the kids arrive! The venue turns from a glamorous and romantic setting into a children’s ballpit! And it’s often quite difficult to clear the area (of balloons and kids!) for the First Dance.

Timing is Everything! 

One aspect of the wedding reception that is always asked by my clients is, “What time is best for the First Dance?” Depending upon many elements (the wedding breakfast, sunset photoshoots, evening guests arriving) the vast majority of my wedding reception discos hold the First Dance at 8pm. It’s the perfect time to suit almost everyone on the day….the majority of evening guests will be there, the venue staff would’ve rearranged the function suite for the party, and most importantly the guests will be ready to dance too! I’ve been asked many times to host the First Dance earlier, but instead of being the official start to proceedings on the floor, most find it too early to let their hair down.

Another little tip is not to be tempted by a music finish later than midnight. As a DJ, I love playing into the small hours in a heaving nightclub, all the revellers with their arms aloft and singing at the top of their voices….but this is a wedding reception, where some of the guests have been upright since 6.00am and they’re truly flagging as midnight approaches. It’s best to go out on a high than to fizzle and die!

The Bride Piper

This is a phrase I coined some years ago, and it’s still relevant now. The one sure way to attract more people to the dance floor at a wedding party is to get the bride involved! There must be some kind of unwritten code that states no bride shall enter into a dance routine or shimmy without at least six friends joining her! So if you have a quite conservative group of guests and your wedding DJ is doing his best without much reaction, it’s time to unleash the bride upon the floor and the rest will follow!

Live Music

Please, please, please book a wedding DJ alongside your live act (even if it’s not me, you will need one)! Many couples opt for live music and, due to the expense of the band, cannot stretch to a DJ as well. Often the band are able to play a Spotify list in the intervals but that’s where all the party energy is completely lost. I’ve been a guest at weddings where the band finish their set and walk offstage for a break leaving us to listen to low-level background music. Not only helping to keep the energy going, having a DJ is also a fabulous failsafe should anything happen to the band on the night. It’s rare, but I’ve been witness to missing drummers (and drum kits), singers with tonsillitis and on one occasion, a band so self-indulgent that the Best Man threw them offstage after 20 minutes!

And Finally… For best results, book a wedding DJ you can totally trust and leave them to command the dance floor in the best way they know how. Don’t send them swathes of track lists with strict demands on what to play and when…that simply serves to inhibit their talents and their experience of filling dance floors. As I have stated many times in my blog history, no-one can pre-judge a wedding reception’s musical journey, simply due to the diverse demographic of its guests.

I really hope that my honest observations above, taken from over 35 years as an Essex wedding DJ, help you in some way plan your ultimate wedding party!

The post 7 Top Tips For The Best Wedding Reception Ever! first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

It not only provides an unforgettable romantic moment for the new happy couple, it also signals the end of the formalities of the Wedding Breakfast and the start of the evening celebrations. After all the pomp & ceremony of the day, the time has arrived to really let your hair down and party!

I have hosted over 1000 Essex wedding receptions in my long and successful career as a mobile DJ, as well as many other wedding day celebrations in Suffolk, Kent & London…you can absolutely trust me to answer all your Wedding First Dance questions and concerns using my vast experience. So, here goes….

Do we have to have a Wedding First Dance?

The simple answer is ‘no’! It’s your special day and if a First Dance isn’t something you’re both comfortable with, then we can head straight into the floor fillers. However, the First Dance is a major part of the whole wedding day, equally as important as cutting the cake or making a speech…it’s widely recognised as one of the memorable moments, especially for close family and friends looking on. Let’s not forget the awesome photo opportunity either! And as I alluded to above, it does signal the start of the evening reception, where formalities are finally relaxed.

When should we do our Wedding First Dance?

Timing usually depends upon the venue; at the vast majority of UK wedding receptions, the meal and speeches are over by 7pm. Giving the staff time to clear & rearrange the function room (and the DJ may have to set up in the same time window), 8.00-8.30pm is nearly always the best time for the First Dance. If your evening invites have stated 7.30pm arrival, then most of your guests should be there to see your big moment on the dance floor! Some of my previous couples have asked for a much earlier First Dance, even before more guests arrive. This is fine if you are shy or less formal, but it does take a little magic away from the evening. Personally, I believe the most successful Wedding First Dances are best performed between 8-9pm, with all the guests present and itching to get on the floor!

What song to choose for the First Dance?

Although this is a very personal choice, it’s probably the question I get asked the most often. The way I see it, your First Dance song should be something that you both connect with….possibly a holiday memory together, a tune you both heard on your first date, maybe the first time you ever danced romantically with one another. Never worry about whether it’s cool or not. It’s your moment, it’s your choice. I’ve become a bit of an expert over the years on love songs, especially those that contain the right kind of lyrics and sentiments. I’m always happy to guide you, try to steer you away from the sad songs with inappropriate words! Another thing to consider is the length of the song. This is not really a huge problem as we can fade it down at a pre-arranged point, but it’s nice to hear a complete track with a decent ending. Four minutes is a good maximum yardstick for First Dance track time.

When is the best time for the Father & Daughter Dance?

There are many differing opinions on this one – some believe it should take place before the First Dance, others say immediately afterwards and there are some who suggest it’s the last dance of the evening. The main thing is, there are no hard and fast rules. For me, it works at its very best when the Bride takes her dad’s hand after her First Dance. The room is already captivated with the bride and groom so bringing on Dad to take his daughter’s hand cranks up the emotion in the room to 11! It’s a guaranteed tear-jerker (in the nicest way, obviously!) One of my personal preferences as a wedding DJ is to open the floor to all the remaining guests about halfway through the Father/Daughter dance, ensuring the floor is full when you go straight into the uptempo stuff afterwards.

Do you recommend dancing lessons for our Wedding First Dance?

When you’re both out there in the middle of the floor, holding each other close and enjoying what is possibly your first moments of peace together on such a stressful and emotional day, you won’t really care what you look like to your admiring and adoring friends and family…so do you really need dance lessons to impress everyone? I don’t really think so, although it is fantastic to see a fully choreographed routine bring expressions of wonderment and surprise to your guests’ faces! If you’re both outgoing, confident people…then why not?! If one or both of you are quite introverted, then maybe just a slow smooch in the spotlight is all you’ll need.

What ‘Wow’ factor effects do you recommend for the Wedding First Dance?

The first and most obvious one is confetti…and not just the hand-thrown variety! I use fully-loaded 1 metre confetti cannons to completely dazzle and surprise everyone. As with any pyrotechnic, it’s always essential to get the venue’s permission first. ‘Dancing On Clouds’ is probably the second-most requested effect we are asked about. The photo at the top of this page shows how beautiful it looks, a dense fog around the feet of the happy couple. Unlike a smoke or haze machine, dry ice doesn’t rise and won’t set off any fire alarms! It really looks classy, particularly when lit with just white light beams. A real Hollywood moment! I’m sure you’ve also seen the four feet tall L-O-V-E letters that some DJs and venues employ, lit up in bright white bulbs as a backdrop to the dance floor. These are incredibly popular, but please remember to turn them off as the night moves in otherwise we can’t darken the dance floor for a better atmosphere!

I really hope that I have given you an insight into how important and special a Wedding First Dance can be. I am always available to chat about any aspects of your wedding music and wedding reception plans. My experience in hosting wedding receptions is truly extensive and I would be very happy to quote for my top class services on your biggest day.
Click the Contact button above to get in touch today.

The post Your Wedding First Dance – All your questions answered! first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.