Getting to know our new Resident DJ, London Event DJs….
Tell us a little about your company and what you love most about helping create unforgettable weddings at Highley Manor
I started London Event DJs in 2018, and since then we’ve grown into a great team of DJs, alongside our lovely Becky and Danni, who look after our couples and keep sales and operations running behind the scenes.
Music is at the heart of what we do, but we also provide photobooths, dancefloors, lighting, live sax, bongos and lots of the extras that bring a wedding together. We know how much there is to organise, so having one supplier to talk to and one team bringing everything together makes life so much easier for our couples, especially as we are at Highley Manor practically every day!
What I personally love most is seeing everyone come together. You’ve got different generations, different music tastes and people who might never have met before, and suddenly they’re all on the dancefloor singing the same song. Seeing the couple right in the middle of it, having the best time with their favourite people, is what makes it all worthwhile for me!
People often think DJs simply play music. What actually goes into creating an unforgettable wedding reception?
There’s actually quite a lot that happens before we even arrive at the venue. We get to know the couple, the music they love, their guests and how they want the evening to feel.
We go through the entrance, cake cutting, first dance, announcements and any special moments, then make sure their DJ has everything they need before the day. Once we’re at the venue, we also have a quick two-minute chat with the couple to check everything over. That covers the little details, like getting names and pronunciations right, and any last-minute changes, because these things do happen!
On the night, there’s a lot more to DJing than pressing play. It’s about reading the room, mixing properly and knowing when to build the energy or take the music in a different direction. We’re watching the toe tappers, the people nodding their heads and everyone already up dancing. We’re constantly scanning the room, with a track ready to go and already thinking about what comes next to keep your crowd involved. The sound, lighting and working closely with the venue team all help bring that atmosphere together.
We really care about getting it right. This is a day our couples have spent months, sometimes years, planning, and we want them to feel they can relax, enjoy themselves and leave the entertainment in our hands!
How do you work with couples to create a playlist that feels completely personal to them?
Our personalised wedding planning portal is a big part of this. Couples can use it on their phone or computer and build their plans as ideas come to them.
Inside, they can:
- Tell us their favourite artists, genres and eras of music.
- Add song suggestions, mark up to 25 must-play tracks and leave comments on individual songs.
- Share or import playlists from Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
- Browse our ready-made playlists for inspiration built by our DJs.
- Add guest song suggestions.
- Create a do-not-play list, including artists or genres they’d rather avoid.
- Plan the special songs for their entrance, cake cutting, first dance, other special dances and last dance.
- Share notes and upload a helpful PDF, such as their wedding schedule.
We also ask how they feel about the first dance. Are they excited, a little nervous, planning a routine, or would they like everyone to join them after a minute? Those answers help us make it comfortable for them.
We’re thoughtful about songs with emotional memories attached too. Something might be a lovely tribute for one couple but too upsetting for another.
Their choices give us a picture of who they are. We then use our experience to bring that music together into an evening that flows.
What’s the secret to keeping a dance floor full all night?
Reading the room and getting the timing right. A brilliant song can have a completely different reaction depending on when you play it.
You’re watching who’s dancing, what they’re responding to and how the energy is changing. Sometimes you stay with a genre because it’s working; sometimes a change brings another group onto the floor.
The couple’s requests give us our starting point, and leaving some room for the DJ to respond to the guests really helps.
And my biggest tip for couples is to get involved; we need the bride and groom’s energy on the dancefloor followed by the groomsmen and bridesmaids! When you’re on the dancefloor enjoying yourselves, your guests usually want to be there with you.
What songs are proving really popular with couples this year? Are there any new wedding trends you’re seeing?
There’s a real mix of newer music and nostalgia at the moment. Recent requests have included RAYE’s “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”, Zara Larsson’s “Midnight Sun” and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things”, alongside favourites like “Mr Brightside”, “Dancing Queen” and Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything”.
We’re seeing a lot more love for the 90s, especially couples wanting a proper 90s R&B set! House, garage and club classics are also a big part of the evening for couples who love their dance music. Quite a few are asking for less of the cheesy wedding music with dance routines and more of the music they’d actually choose for a night out.
That’s a trend I really like: couples putting their own personality into the evening and mixing the music they love. We’re also seeing shorter first dances, guests being invited to join in sooner and live sax or percussion alongside the DJ, which brings another level of energy to the dancefloor!
What kind of requests do you get, any odd ones?
We get everything from big singalongs and club classics to film soundtracks and songs that only make sense to a particular friendship group!
One recent Highley Manor request was “The Riff Off” from Pitch Perfect, because it was something the bride and her best friend loved. That’s exactly the kind of detail that makes a wedding feel personal.
Something might look unusual on a request list, but once you understand the story behind it, it makes complete sense. That’s why the comments and conversations beforehand are so useful.
Why do you think booking Highley Manor’s recommended DJ makes the whole wedding experience easier and more enjoyable?
You’ve got a team who knows the venue, understands how the evening runs and works with the Highley Manor team on setup, timings and the important moments.
Our personalised portal keeps the entertainment planning together. Alongside their music and timeline, couples can explore and book available extras, view relevant contracts and invoices, and make payments.
Where they’ve booked a photobooth or uplighting, they can also choose their personalised booth design and lighting colours. There’s the option to invite someone else to help with planning, and a gallery section for event photos when provided.
Having one team coordinate the DJ, photobooth, dancefloor, lighting and live musicians makes things easier for the couple. They can share their ideas with us, and we help bring everything together.
Ultimately, we want them to feel looked after during the planning and completely relaxed on the day, so they can enjoy their wedding.
Thank you, London Event DJs and welcome to Highley Manor!
Find out more about what’s included in our wedding packages by downloading the wedding brochure.
