Getting into Tom's Mind - Song Selection

Getting Inside a DJ's Head - Song Selection!           You might think it's easy! 

Put yourself in my shoes - An Aretha song is playing (or Pitbull), and the whole room is jumping - a hundred of your wedding guests on the dance floor, shaking it, having the most fun of their lives at your Celebration. Then you gaze into my booth and see me scrambling! My mission - to find the next great song that will keep this particular crowd hopping. Wow, what a responsibility - with one flop I can kill the party!

When the Bridal Party just WON'T Dance...

You can only do so much...
Sitting at the table to my extreme left was the entire Bridal Party - about 10 young men and women who had requested a bunch of songs that they swore they'd dance to.

That's important to me, because if the Bridal Party is out on the dance floor the bride and groom will join, then family members, etc. AND the point of me being there is to create a great dance environment.

They requested Top 40 and 90's Hip Hop. I started the dancing with some 60's and 80's; lots of the aunts, uncles, cousins and even grandmothers hit the dance floor. The Bridal Party sat, waiting for their time.

More Great Reviews

Dear Tom, Keven and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the wonderful job you did at our wedding . You came to us recommended by and a friend, and you turned out to be everything she said you would be and then some. From the very first meeting we had with you, you helped put our minds at ease and we were certain you were the right guy for the job. You really seemed to understand what was important to Keven and I and what our vision was.

We were impressed by how organized you were and how easy you made it for us to plan our day exactly the way we wanted it. The wedding ran smoothly from start to finish. You were good about communicating with us through-out the day, as well as with the venue staff and the photographer. You did a great job of getting people who normally will not dance, out onto the dance floor. We will happily recommend you to anyone looking for a fantastic DJ! Thank you so much Tom!
Sincerely,    Keven and Rachel DeMott 
  Lily Lake Inn

Best Cake Cutting Songs


Cake Cutting Songs 
When I'm 64 - Beatles
All you need is love - Beatles
Sweetest thing - U2
That's amore - Dean Martin
Dexter Theme from AMC Channel
You're my best friend - Queen
All My Life - KC and Jojo
1,2,3,4 - Plain White T's
Buid me up Buttercup
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
How Sweet it is to be loved by you - James Taylor, Buble', Marvin Gaye

Best Mother - Groom Dances


Mother - Son Dances 

Could I have this dance - Anne Murray

Song for my son - Vierick

Unforgettable - Cole

Best Father - Bride Dances


Father-Daughter Dances

Queen of Hearts - Gregg Allman

Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison

Wildflowers - Tom Petty

What a Wonderful World - Armstrong

Father and Daughter - Paul Simon

Wish You were here - Pink Floyd


Remember the Familes in your Reception Menu!


Why should your Reception Menu include the same old boring Prime Rib, Chicken and Stuffed Shrimp? 

Although some venues plate these very well, think about your guests for a moment. We’re planning a wedding for my son. I’m of Italian descent, my wife is from fine German stock. Plus, it turns out the boy’s bride shares the same mix.  So half the people at the wedding will be Italian, half German, and in both cultures food is a high priority. 

When planning your Menu with your caterer or Banquet Coordinator make sure to include food from these countries. The Appetizer table will flourish with Bruscetta, cheeses, small sausages, and fresh breads representing both cuisines. The main dishes might include a choice of Lasagna, Schnitzels – anything that will certainly put the boring Chicken Breast to shame, and will entice the families to enjoy the fare. This certainly works well Buffet or Family-style, and both groups enjoy reaching across the table for their food (I do!).  Food IS Celebration in these cultures, so you’re guaranteed to have a successful reception (if some lame DJ doesn’t blow is by playing Hip-Hop all night when you wanted oldies!)

Using Props at the Reception

Should you use Props at the Reception?...

I go either way on Props at a Reception. Being a Ham, it's fun to get out there and join the crowd with Blow-up Guitars,

Top 10 Oldies that are Killing at This Year's Weddings!

Top 10 Oldies that were AWESOME at All Weddings this year...10. Build me Up Buttercup
9. Twist and Shout (Beatles)
8. Long Tall Sally (Beatles Version)
7. Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis)
6. Lucille (Little Richard)
5. Jailhouse Rock (Elvis)
4. Respect (Aretha)
3. ABC (Jackson 5)
2. Tutti Frutti (Little Richard)
1. Shout (Animal House)

The Best Wedding Introduction I've EVER Done!

2 months ago I had an idea...

I was planning a wedding for a wonderful, creative couple, and asked them if I could interview them about their relationship, individually. I met with each separately at a Starbucks about 2 weeks before the wedding, and asked them questions about how they met, what they meant to each other, and I recorded their answers.

How to Hire a DJ - Starry Nite Weddings Best Tips


This is a Simplified version of my Article on Hiring a DJ, to be found on my site, and all over the web (Dior is currently using it on their site, as are numerous Wedding Sites). Here are the important questions to ask...

Some Thoughts on Up-Lighting...


    Up-lighting-Alright, here is the subject that makes most Brides-to-Be cringe, and which they invariably pay WAY TOO MUCH to Vulture DJ companies and Venues to provide. Up-lighting is simply those fixtures set around the reception room that shoot colorful lights up the walls. They are usually spaced about 10 feet apart, and under columns to add drama and color to the columns. Some are set behind your Sweetheart Table to add more drama.

Rings - Unique Ideas about Finding Them

Choosing Rings – Sure, you can go to the jewelers and choose from their limited selection, but here are a couple of suggestions that will add romance to your ring selection…

Bridesmaids' Gowns - try These Tips for a Unique Look!


   Choosing Bridesmaids’ Gowns – I’ve played about 70 weddings myself this year, and I’ve seen some dreadful bridesmaid dresses (I’ve also seen some quite stunning examples).

Tuxedo Junction - Some Tips for the Groom!


1)      For the Groom – Tuxedo Junction! ... If your man wants the responsibility of taking care of his (and his Groomsmen’s) tuxedos, share these tips with him…

Research a Very Traditional Wedding - Starry Nite DJs Best Tips

A VERY Traditional Wedding – Do some research, and add elements of, say, ancient Celtic Rituals into your Ceremony and Reception. This adds enormous interest for your guests, and makes the event very memorable.

Can A Loved One Perform MY Wedding?

Can a Loved One Perform My Wedding Legally?...
If you're getting married in 2012, you need to book your wedding DJ and Photographer NOW! ...

Remember the Friends Episode when Joey became an Ordained Minister to perform Monica/Chandler's Wedding...

Outdoor Wedding Tips from Starry Nite DJs!


Some things to Remember When Having An Outdoor Ceremony...
1)      If you’re getting married outdoors, and using the DJ to provide music for the ceremony, make sure he sets up a microphone by default. Not only will it assist the JP, it will allow your guests the privilege of sharing The Most Important Part of the Day (!) – the Ceremony! Also important, your guests will hear those beautiful vows you agonized over.

The people you Invite Make the Wedding Special...

1)      What matters most about your wedding?

What matters most is that the people that you love and value are there with you on your big day. 

Creating Great Wedding Vows - Starry Nite DJs Best Wedding Tips...

In over 20 years sharing Ceremonies I've noticed a few Great ways to share Vows...

1) Take existing quotes and add to them, to give them special meaning... "Grow Old with Me, The Best is yet to be (by Robert Browning) can be expanded to read, "As we grow old together

Table Themes and Place Cards - Best Wedding Tips from Starry Nite DJs

INSTEAD of simply numbering tables for your guests, create a theme so they won't be self-conscious if they're sitting at tabe # 104!
I played an Italian wedding a few months ago where the tables, instead of being numbered, held an Auspicious Card at center printed with the name of an Italian City...Rome, Amalfi, Florence, etc.
Also, If you're a Wine-lover, name each table after a Favorite...Cabernet, Albec, Bolla, etc. This way guests will have another interesting feature to delight in!..."I'm at the Moscato Table!"

Or how about Placing a Boggle Game at each table? The interaction it will create will truly break the ice. Try setting each game with the same letters. Have the table work to come up with a list of all the words they can find, and submit the list to the MC. The table that found the most words gets a prize, or Must lead a conga line!

www.starrynitedjs.com - Full Reception only $900!

Choosing Your Reception Songs...Best Tip from Starry Nite DJs

1) Don't Forget the Oldies! - You might think that you and your friends will want to listen/dance to Just Top 40, but you must remember that at least half the people at your wedding will be Over 50 years old, and will really share the experience if the DJ is well-versed in ALL music -

My Favorite reception Songs - Starry Nite DJs Best Tips

Starry Nite DJs Best Tip -
My favorite Reception Songs...
PLUS an Inexhaustible List of All Time Songs!

I won't lie to you - I've been DJing weddings for over 20 years now, started back when I had to carry crates of records to each gig (I was much stronger then!), and each album had maybe one song I needed to play. It was the 90's, and Michael Jackson was scorchin' hot (still is),

Choosing Reception Events - Starry Nite DJ Best Tips

Starry Nite DJs Best Tip -Choosing Reception Events - a Short List...

Here are some Standard Happenings at Receptions (see "Schedule of Reception Events" link on my site www.StarryNiteDJs.com under Planning). Consider some or all at your reception...Will you have...

Hire Some Local talent for Cocktail Hour!

Hire Local Entertainment to play Cocktail Hour!
Here are some Great entertainment ideas for Cocktail Hour. I've personally seen these at Wedding I've played, and fell in love with them!

How Can You Trust a Wedding Vendor?

I'll be brief. Today I saw on a Wedding site that a bride-to-be was concerned about my actions. She had initially contacted me for a certain wedding date. We spoke, and I asked her to please get back to me soon, to set a date to meet, so she could get to know me bettter. 3 weeks later she emailed me to tell me she had found another DJ. I replied that someone else had booked the date.

Day Weddings are Great Too! - Starry Nite Best Tip -

Starry Nite Best Wedding Tip - Day Weddings are Great Too!
More brides (and Grooms) are opting for the afternoon/early reception to save some money. I whole-heartedly agree - the afternoon wedding Reception (and Ceremony, which is usually on-site) will cost less. Here are my observations from 20 years in the business... 

Seating the Older People at your Wedding - Starry Nite Best Tip -

Seating Older Guests...
Played a Great Wedding Saturday in Trumbull (Tashua Knolls)...

I Noticed that the oldest guests were seated closest to me (and my Equipment!) on the lip of the dance floor...

How NOT to Dress the Groom! - Starry Nite Best Tips -

Starry Nite DJs Best Tip - How Not to Dress the Groom!

In 20 Years Wedding Experience I've come to one conclusion regarding the Groom - Dress Him Yourself! If it's a Casual Wedding be doubly suspicious!

If the Groom is renting a Tux, it's Always worth a bit more money to get a very classic style. Remember, you'll be looking at these pictures 20 years later, and you really want attire that stands the test of time. Cumberbunds are No Longer Fashionable (not even for Old Men).

Also, have him steer clear of the jokes - you do NOT need a Mickey Mouse Bow Tie mucking up the pictures! Nor a Red Sox hat, nor sneakers with a Tux. I understand you all want to seem Devil-May-Care and non-chalant, but IT'S YOUR WEDDING!

Paradise by the Dashboard Light!

Starry Nite Best Wedding Tip - Paradise by the Dashboard Light!
Remember - It's YOUR Big Day!
Played a Great Wedding Saturday in Torrington...

One highlight for me (being the Procurator of the Party!) was when a Guest requested Meatloaf's Paradise by the Dashboard Light (great song!).

We (guest and I) got out there, lined the men on the left and ladies to the right, facing each other.