My name is Alice, and I am your event Emcee and DJ! I cant wait to be of service to you, your loved ones, friends, or coworkers. My services are home-grown right here in Northeast Ohio. 

Previously trained by my father, who was a self-taught DJ, I have experience with lasers, as well as a little DMX lighting. My current playlists range from the 1950s-new 2000s millennium, 2010's pop, punk, screamo, hip-hop, r&b, rap, country, cocktail jazz, big band, and romance. You get the idea...

Years before I began this business, I spent time as a disc jockey and a sports broadcasting board operator at three locally owned radio stations in Pennsylvania. I also spent time as a morning show host for three years at Allegheny College's station, 90.3 WARC. While there, I played weekly mixes, holiday specials, and more. 

Outside of Radio work, I have over 5 years of experience in professional and competitive public speaking. I am a a former State of Ohio chairwoman for the National Speech and Debate committee, as well as a Pi Kappa Delta member. 

My plan for this business is to make your event elegant, fun, and memorable for an affordable price. Contact me today to find out more! 

DJ Alice with Emcee2 DJ Services LLC– “How to begin planning my wedding”

While I'm online sifting through jobs and inquiries from couples looking for wedding vendors, I find myself answering the same questions over and over again. 

The question being: “What do I look for in _________ type of wedding vendor?” Whether that blank space be a DJ, Florist, Day of Coordinator, and so on and so forth. 

Here are some things you should be looking for–The DJs perspective

1. Initial Inquiry

1. We love when clients tell us the date, venue, locations, and needs that they are looking for. 

2. The DJ should then be able to introduce themselves and give you the run down on all the available packages they have. 

3. Please be sure to ask about payment plans and options, as some DJs may have this readily available. 

4. Make sure that you inquire about whether they carry insurance and are licensed in their respective state. 

5. Make sure the DJ is bringing their own equipment and can provide everything you are looking forward to. Please know that extra gear and add ons can come at an extra cost. 

6. Professional DJs can begin anywhere between $1,500- onward. Do not let initial costs scare you away!

7. Make sure that the DJ is a good listener and asks questions back to you. You want to “vibe” with your vendors and get along. 

8. CONTRACTS are the most important thing while booking ANY vendor. Keep receipts, make sure they provide contracts, and read them thoroughly. 

9. Make sure your entertainment provider is kind, professional, and organized. 

2. Planning The Wedding

As a DJ, I'm often first string when planning a wedding. This is because I'm the one running each event– and providing the music and transitions between each one. 

If you don't have an immediate wedding planner or coordinator, your DJ should be the one walking you through the expected typical wedding timeline. They should also be the ones curating a shared timeline for you both to work on, leading up to the wedding. 

There are 3 “blocks” to your wedding day. 

Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, Reception. So think of things in threes!

What does the beginning, middle, and end of each “block” look like to you?

If the DJ is not your wedding planner, be sure to have the DJ and any wedding planner or Wedding coordination team communicate together since they are the ones essentially taking care of all the wedding needs. 

Having vendors that communicate with one another is key to making sure everyone is on the same page, and allowing all the wedding checklist tasks to be assigned. 

3. THE MUSIC

This is your DJs main function. This is what you hired them for. 

All DJs should be asking you for two things

“What are your must plays, and what are your do not plays?” 

Must plays are the songs you absolutely want to hear. You'll need just a handful of music choices for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and the reception. Once the DJ receives your handful of music, they'll be able to take creative reigns in the evening, in order to make it fun and stress-free for you!

The do not playlist is pretty straight-forward. These are the songs and artists you DON'T want to hear. 

What not to do!!!  Often I will see couples posting on Bridal pages on Facebook asking the rest of the group what songs and dances should not be played at weddings. This is not something to ask in a general group.  This is something to discuss between you and your partner only!

 Strangers can give you misinformation, and will often give you a much more extensive list of things not to play, that end up being incredibly popular and can fill the dance floor.  The less on your do not play list, the better. 

For Example: Never Be afraid to go beyond the top hits! Artists like Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift,  Luke Bryan,  and Ed Sheeran etc etc  are artists who typically get nixed from weddings lately.  Each one of these artists has a top five most played hit. However, don't be afraid to go beyond the top five hits of these artists and explore their deep cuts or B-sides that don't get played on the radio. 

There are several secondary songs from each of these artists that are great for private events and weddings! 

Things DJs want you to know: 

1. Please keep children away from the lighting and DJ Equipment

2. Please keep food and drinks off the equipment

3. Some damages done to our equipment may not be fully covered by liability insurance, and can come back to you. Be aware of your surroundings. 

4. Some of us often carry emergency kits on us for different situations, never be afraid to ask us if we have something. 

5. Please be sure to tell your DJ if your Venue has a sound or decibel limit. 

6.  Do not place the older family members in front of the DJ booth during dinner, place them closer to the back of the room, away from louder sounds. 

7. Make sure you keep up with your contract, and have your music set in stone a month before the wedding. 

8. Be sure to tell the DJ if you would like people to make requests at the reception, or if you would prefer a closed DJ set. 

9. If your venue has vaulted ceilings (high ceilings like a chapel), with a balcony,  try not to set the DJ booth on the balcony. leave them on the main floor near guests.

10. If your catering team does not bring enough people to release tables for dinner, please be sure to ask the DJ if they are willing to do the job. Most of us are willing to help out in any way we can.  In this situation, most (if not all)  DJs will privately release tables rather than calling it over the microphone. 

11. If you or anyone in your guest list has a photosensitivity issue, let the DJ know for lighting purposes. 

12. Your DJ will typically be the last one out the door once the event is over, make sure that your venue has a set closing time for guests and for vendors. Some venues will charge the couple if anyone goes over time. 

These were just a few tips to get you started! Happy Wedding Planning!