Wedding and events are meant to be remembered — and nothing lives on in people’s memories like having a good time. Creating a celebratory atmosphere, where even the wallflowers seek out the dance floor, starts with hiring the right entertainment company. For many couples and party hosts, that means a “club-style” DJ.
No, we’re not talking about the actual club scene. We mean high-energy DJs and performers who get guests in the mood to celebrate all night long. We reached out to DJ MikeTech of Drop the Mike Productions to learn how to create a club-style atmosphere for you and your guests. With the right entertainment, you’re guaranteed a memorable event of non-stop fun.
See an example of a club-style DJ in action below…
First, What Exactly Is a Club-style DJ for Weddings and Events?
“A club-style DJ is a DJ that consistently plays in nightclubs but also caters to private and corporate events,” MikeTech of Drop the Mike Productions tells us. “The ‘club style’ involves seamlessly mixing different music genres while also engaging the crowd with interactive microphone interactions and call-and-response moments.”
photographer: Pinnacle Weddings, Charleston | event planner: Ash Events LLC | floral: Bliss in Bloom | entertainment: Drop the Mike Productions
How Does a club-style DJ Create an Immersive Experience for Guests?
For guests, the entertainment hour is one of the most special (and guest-focused) parts of a wedding or event. “One major advantage of having a club-style DJ,” MikeTech shares, “is their ability to create an immersive experience for guests. These DJs excel at reading the room and analyzing which songs are generating the most reaction on the dance floor.”
There’s a good reason for this. MikeTech says, “Club-style DJs regularly perform in clubs and bars, where they encounter patrons from all walks of life with diverse musical tastes and backgrounds. Their skill in consistently creating a musical vibe, weekend after weekend, is a tremendous asset for any wedding reception.”
He goes on to say, “A club-style DJ can seamlessly blend and transition across multiple genres, and their ability to engage the audience through microphone interactions further enhances the overall experience. These DJs typically train every weekend at clubs, even when they don’t have weddings scheduled. As a result, transitioning between rocking a club and rocking a wedding reception becomes effortless for them.”
photographer: Flower Child Photography | venue: Daniel Island Club | entertainment: Drop the Mike Productions
What are the Best Techniques for Getting Guests on the Dance Floor — and Keeping Them There?
Your entertainment hour is all about having fun — and that means getting guests on the dance floor. MikeTech shares his inside trade secrets with getting guests into a celebratory mode.
photographer: Brian D Smith Photography | venue: The Historic Rice Mill | entertainment: Drop the Mike Productions
Prioritize a Celebratory Atmosphere
MikeTech reminds us how important it for his entertainment company to “prioritize working with couples who want to have a party atmosphere at their wedding reception, where the event transitions into their own personal nightclub for their friends and family.” A couple or party host who is looking for background music that facilitates conversation will have different expectations than someone who is looking to really get guests engaged on the dance floor. It all starts with your party vision and expectations.
photographer: PRISCILLA THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY | venue: Harborside East | entertainment: Drop the Mike Productions
Mix Upbeat Songs During the Dinner Hour
For hosts who have their hearts set on an all-out dance party, MikeTech suggests the DJ “play a mix of upbeat songs, love songs, and happy songs during the dinner hour to get people moving and grooving in their seats.” He adds, “This helps warm up the guests for the actual dance portion of the reception.”
Encourage the Wedding Party to Have a Good Time
It might be tempting for the wedding party to spend the day worrying over ever little detail. This is why it’s so important to hire a wedding or event planner — so you and your close friends and family can actually enjoy the celebration.
DJ MikeTech always takes the opportunity to connect with the wedding party during the cocktail hour or dinner to encourage them to hit the dance floor and enjoy themselves. “Your enjoyment and energy will resonate with the other guests, who may be more reserved, and inspire them to join in the celebration.”
photographer: Crystal Pittman Photography | venue: The Sixty-Two | entertainment: Drop the Mike Productions
Choose a Performer With Enthusiasm
MikeTech reminds couples that so much of what happens on the dance floor starts with finding the right entertainment company. For him, it’s important to “be happy and excited to play music during the reception.” By showing emotion and excitement, he is able to “create a positive and energetic atmosphere. When the wedding guests see that you’re having a good time, it will encourage them to have a good time, as well.”
People Also Ask…
Where can I find entertainment for my wedding or event?
Choosing a great DJ doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Simply use PartySlate’s curated directory to find a wedding or event DJ near you. Use the filters to narrow your search by event type, location, and more. From there, look for the “featured” tags to learn more about PartySlate’s top picks. You can then click into their PartySlate profile to see real examples of their work and send an inquiry.
You can also reach out to directly to Drop the Mike Productions who is available both in the United States and internationally.
featured entertainers
Drop the Mike Productions
We love how Drop the Mike Productions gets the party started by bringing guests out on the dance floor. Based in Charleston, DJ Mike and his team of entertainers work with clients to curate playlists perfect for your event type. photographer: Richard Bell Photography