Client Support Center

Taylor Sounds’ Insights, Ideas, & Suggestions

On This Page, You Will Find Best Practices When Working With DJ Taylor Sounds And Some Of His Insights, Ideas, And Suggestions When Planning For Your Special Event.

 FAQs & Tips

✩ Contacting DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS

  • If you have any questions, please refer to this page first to find an answer.

    If you would like to schedule a call to go over anything, please book a time here.

    If you want to share important details or send any documents, please send him an e-mail to lawrence@tsleventdjs.com

    If you need a quick response or if it’s urgent, please text him at (951) 357-3638.

  • Work on the TSL Event DJs Planning App (Recommended)

    Please check the e-mail you've received from DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS giving you a link to access his app. You must open the link using your smartphone to download the app.

    On the app, you'll be able to work on your timeline, music selections, and details. Everything should be saved automatically as you work on it.

    It's recommended to use TSL Event DJs Planning App because it will ask everything we would need to help prepare for your event.

  • All of this will be asked in the TSL Event DJs planning app.

    1. Song Style & Selections

    Prelude

    Ceremony

    Recessional

    Cocktail Hour

    Dinner

    Dancing

    Specific songs for the wedding program

    Music styles from different decades

    2. Names

    Order, Pronunciation, Relation, Personalized Introductions, Songs

    3. Timeline

    Flow and logistics

    MC duties

    4. Demographics

    Help with music selections and reading the crowd

    Age & cultural awareness

    These are the most common and general information that is asked and needed.

    When you schedule a Creative Call with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS, you'll be able to discuss in further detail any creative wishes you may want at your event.

    --> Schedule a Creative Call

  • Communication is important to DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS.

    You have direct access to DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS via e-mail and phone. However, if you want to go over anything in detail, you're more than welcome to schedule a video/phone call with him.

    --> Schedule a Creative Call/Catch Up Call

    On the Creative Call/Catch Up Call, you get to

    Catch up with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS

    Share any new information

    Ask any questions that you have

    Gain any clarification

    Go over the music planning app

    Know the next planning steps

    1.) You will have a Creative Music Planning Meeting with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS, 30-60 days prior to your event date.

    At the Creative Music Planning Meeting,

    you and DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will go over

    Layout

    Lighting

    Timeline

    Music Curation

    And more

    --> An email will be sent close to the time for you to Schedule your Creative Music Planning Meeting

    2.) It's highly recommended to have a Final Check-in meeting with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS, 7-10 days prior to your event date.

    At the Final Check-in meeting, you get to

    Finalize everything together with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS, an email will be sent close to the time for you to schedule this meeting.

  • 1. Introduce your planner/coordinator early to Lawrence (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS)

    This establishes a good connection so they can work together as a team

    If you don’t have a planner/coordinator, introduce the venue manager, caterer, or liaison to Lawrence (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS)

    2. CC your planner/coordinator in ALL e-mails with Lawrence (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS), unless he/she doesn’t want to.

    Communication is important and any small information can be vital to all professionals

    3. Send Lawrence (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS) your layout/floor plan

    Alternatively, your planner/coordinator will send it to Lawrence (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS)

✩ Planning

✩ Timeline & Flow

  • Based on my experience, here are some things that may push back the wedding program and timeline

    The time it takes for servers to clear salads and plate the main course. The number of staff available and the travel distance from the kitchen to the tables are some factors that play into it.

    Couples may have a longer session with the photographer and videographer than originally intended. They may want to maximize the time with the light available before the sun sets. Also, the travel time and distance of the shoot locations can delay time.

✩ Music

  • 1.) Use DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS’ planning app (primary & recommended method)

    • On it, you can use the search function to find songs, browse through suggested songs, and/or import any of your Spotify playlists to the app

    2.) Share Your Spotify Playlist (alternative)

    Just copy your Spotify playlist URL and share it with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS via e-mail or text

    You can also import your Spotify playlist to DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS’ planning app

    3.) Share your Apple Playlist (alternative)

    Just copy your Apple playlist URL and share it with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS via e-mail or text

    4.) E-mail

    Great if you have any specific song submissions

    You can send the file directly to lawrence@tsleventdjs.com

    Examples: Choreographed songs, special produced songs, musician songs

  • Any of the following:

    • Pre-lude Music Playlist (Music as guests arrive)

    • Cocktail Music Playlist (Sets the tone of the evening)

    • Dinner Music Playlist (Don’t put many slow songs! Ask LAWRENCE (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS) why!

    • Party Time Music Playlist (Gives Lawrence — DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS an idea of your style)

  • Lawrence (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS) wants the music planning process to be fun for you and your partner.

    It's highly encouraged for you to submit the music that you want at your wedding so Lawrence (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS) can personalize the music soundtrack at your event.

    If there are any moments/sections of the night where you want Lawrence (DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS) to choose the song music for you, please mention that in DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS’ planning app and bring that up in your Creative Call/Event Overview meeting with him.

  • You can absolutely incorporate your personal musical preferences into your wedding day.

    • Consider the music that gets you and your friends excited to dance. Your energy will show and radiate guests towards the dance floor.

    • Consider your guests' ages and musical preferences.

    • Consider the desired tone of your special day.

    • If your guests are dissatisfied with the reception music, they are more likely to leave early.

    • But a good DJ will be able to navigate the music styles, read the room, and adjust the music accordingly

  • Whether it's a special edit of a track, a special choreographed dance, or music for any of your musicians/performances, you can send the .mp3 file to DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS’ e-mail at lawrence@tsleventdjs.com

  • A custom song edit or custom mix edit is great for any choreographed dances or to incorporate any surprises to elevate the energy in the room.

    He charges $150 for an edit and will add it to your existing invoice.

    DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS would need the following sent to him via e-mail lawrence@tsleventdjs.com :

    Exact links to the songs you want edited (YouTube link, Spotify link, etc.) This gives him reference to the songs you have in mind.

    Include the timestamps of parts you want to keep or removed for each song.

    Also, include other specific instructions that you like.

    Delivery Times

    For a custom song edit - DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will need up to 3-5 days to send you a rough edit of the song.

  • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS is open to any requests during the day of your event because he's receiving feedback from your guests on what they want to hear. He wants them to have fun, too!

    However, it's up to DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS’ discretion whether to play the song or not.

    Factors include:

    • Who requested the song? This determines the priority and importance

    • Does the song go along with the client's taste in music and vibe?

    • When is it a good time to play the song? It may be a great song, but it doesn't necessarily mean it will be played right away. Maybe later would be a better time.

    • Will the song transition be smooth? DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS doesn't want any awkwardness and wants the music to transition smoothly

  • The length will be as long as it feels right for you and the person you're dancing with.

    Sometimes it can be the whole song depending if you're having a conversation and having a special moment with that person. DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS doesn't want to shorten the song and ruin a precious moment.

    You may have a choreographed song that you have practiced dancing to. DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS doesn't want to shorten that either.

    If you would like the song to be shortened, you can either feel out the moment and give a cue to DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS when you're ready or you can let him know ahead of time when you would like the song to be shortened.

    If you want the song to be shortened, here are a couple of options:

    Option 1: Give a time stamp when you would like him to fade out. It's usually best to shorten the song at the end of either the 1st or 2nd chorus of the song

    Option 2: Give DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS a cue to fade out to add a nice finish to your dance. This will help make your dance look more intentional and look great on video/photo

    Examples: Dip your partner, Kiss your partner on the forehead, etc.

    Let DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS know whichever you decide by mentioning it in his planning app or at your meetings together.

  • For your cocktail, dinner, and dancing playlists, the quantity is up to you.

    As you add more music, DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS gets a better understanding of your music tastes and your favorite music.

    The songs you put let DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS know that they are approved by you, and he can select which songs to play based on his discretion.

    If there are any songs that are important to you, you can mark them as "Must Play".

    A good minimum is 20 songs. Any amount of more than 20 songs would be generous.

    The goal is to have fun exploring and adding music that you and your fiance enjoy.

✩ First Dance

  • Here are some possibilities that we can do:

    1. I can make a custom edit to combine multiple songs. (Must know at least 1 month in advance) Great for any choreographed dances.

    2. I can include a private recording of your vows to each other in your First Dance Edit. Please contact me if you want to learn more about it.

    3. If you're shy, we can invite everyone to join you on the dance floor halfway through the song.

✩ Ceremony

  • 1.) Take your time walking down the aisle!

    Some brides walk so fast that their song hasn’t even hit the chorus part (the most recognizable part of the song).

    You already know how long your song is so pace yourself as you walk down the aisle.

    It’s better to reach the aisle when the song reaches the end of a chorus and DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will fade out the song.

    If you arrive at the end of the aisle too early, DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS can keep the music playing until the end of the chorus (Let DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS know ahead of time that you would like this. Otherwise, he will fade out the song immediately when you reach the end)

    2.) If you have a day-of-coordinator, give him/her the song names and song length so he/she can pace you timely during the ceremony.

    3. Have your officiant meet with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS early before the wedding!

    DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will show your officiant how to use the microphone properly

    You can share your officiant's contact info in DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS’ planning app

    4. Speak close to the microphone for better sound, volume, and clarity.

    This is important if your videographer is recording the audio

    • Look for an acoustic cover

    • Look for an instrumental cover that uses your favorite instruments (violin, piano, cello, guitar, string quartet, etc.)

  • 1.) Invitation to the Cocktail Hour area.

    An announcement at the end usually invites your guests over to the cocktail hour area to enjoy appetizers and drinks.

    The officiant usually makes this announcement, but I recommend that the DJ/MC makes the announcement instead.

    Having the DJ/MC makes the announcement helps build the trust between your guests and the DJ/MC early.

    This option can be answered in my Music Planning App.

    2.) Photos with Family & Wedding Party

    If family & wedding party photos are happening right after the Ceremony, then it may be helpful for the DJ/MC to announce this and remind them to stay in the same area.

    If you want to forgo this announcement, then you can inform them in advance to remain in the area. This action is usually done at the wedding rehearsal the day before.

  • Most wedding ceremonies have the following moments:

    1. Prelude music - music when guests arrive (Usually 10-15 songs)

    2. Walking down the aisle music (Usually 2-3 songs)

    3. Recessional music - exit song (1 song)

    Walking down the aisle music

    • It's usually 1 song for your wedding party

    • And 1 song for the bride's entrance

    • If you have a big wedding party and family are walking, as well, we can choose 2 songs. 1 song for family processional and 1 song for wedding party

  • Exit songs set the tone of the celebration. If you want a fun atmosphere, select an upbeat recessional/exit song.

✩ Cocktail Hour

  • Don’t take too long taking photos!

    Your guests are excited to see you and can’t wait to congratulate you and catch up with you.

    • Mingle with your guests during the cocktail hour

    • If you don’t mingle with your guests during this hour, it will most likely happen during dinner and dancing instead

    • This may take away the experience of enjoying your food and time on the dance floor

    • Have a chocolate fountain

    • Bring disposable cameras

    • Rent a photo booth

    • Have a caricature artist draw your guests

    • Have words of wisdom cards

    • Bring in a magician

✩ Grand Entrance (Reception)

  • The Grand Entrance helps create the energy in the room and helps set the tone for the rest of the night.

    It's one of the entertaining aspects of a wedding that gets people excited and something to look forward to.

    With the right energy and music, this could be one of the most memorable and fun moments that your guests will remember at your wedding celebration.

  • You have several options you can choose from!

    1.) Have each pair of your wedding party walk into their own song! (Most fun and popular)

    • Diversifies your music selection

    • Keeps your guests anticipating which song will be next

    • Shows off the kinds of music that will be played later in the program when it's time to dance

    • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will only play the energetic/most recognizable/chorus part of the songs

    • You can either choose the songs for each pair or have them choose their own song (If the latter, get these songs early and put them down in DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS’ planning app!)

    2.) Have one song for your wedding party to walk down, then have a different song for the newlyweds (Second popular option)

    • Makes things simpler

    3.) Have DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS introduce bridesmaids and groomsmen separately.

    • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will introduce all bridesmaids' names all at once, and they will walk down to one song

    • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will introduce all groomsmen's names all at once, and they will walk down to one song

    • This is a great option if you have any shy friends and think they'll be more comfortable walking in as a group instead of the typical just 1 person next to them

  • Have personalized written introductions that DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will say out loud!

    Instead of just announcing names, DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will actually introduce your wedding party and make them feel special and known to your guests.

    You can send the script to DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS or you can have DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS make it.

    If you would like DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS to have the script made, please let him know, and he will work with you to get it done.

    If you want to write the script, make sure it’s short. When read aloud, it should be no more than 30 seconds.

  • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS wants to ensure a smooth transition from Grand Entrance into Dinner.

    Grand Entrances are known to be full of high energy and may make a weird transition to go directly straight into Dinner which has low energy.

    Instead, here are some popular suggestions you can do right after your Grand Entrance

    1.) First Dance (Most Popular)

    We already have your guests' attention, so why not highlight the couple who they came out to see and celebrate with

    2.) Start a mini-dance party right after the grand entrance! (My Favorite)

    Works best if the newlywed's grand entrance song is high-energy

    DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS can encourage wedding party hype newlyweds up and invite everyone to the dance floor to dance

    A mini-dance party can last from 15-25 minutes and will be before dinner.

    This could set the tone of the night and immediately warm up your guests so they'll be loosened up.

    Great for crowds who are just itching to party and dance

    To finish up 1.) and 2.) and lower the energy a bit, DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS can do an anniversary dance right after.

    This is great if there are many married couples in the room. It’s a way to slowly remove people from the dance floor and transition into dinner.

    He would play a slow, romantic song and get all the couples on the dance floor

    He starts eliminating couples off the dance floor by calling out the number of years they’ve been married for

    “If you’ve been together for less than 1 year, please step off the dance floor.” He would start off with less than a day, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, etc. until there are 1 or 2 couples remaining.

    Whichever couple is left, DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will ask them how many years they’ve been together and ask them what’s the best marriage advice that they can give to the newlyweds.

    Please let your planner/coordinator and DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS know which you would like to have on your wedding day.

  • They usually aren't since they've already played their part in the wedding ceremony

✩ Speeches

  • Generally, 3-5 minutes per wedding speech is ideal. It's not too short and not too long so your event's program can be moving along.

    You can tell the people who are giving speeches that they have 2-3 minutes to deliver their speech. This way, if they go overboard on time, there will still be some wiggle room and you'll still be on schedule.

  • An open mic, if handled correctly, may be great!

    There are pros and cons to this.

    Pros:

    • Great for an intimate setting

    • If you like surprises and stories

    • Giving your guests the spotlight to say something to you

    Cons

    • May not be a good idea if there’s a guest you don’t want to have the mic (Just let DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS know who and he won't let them have the mic)

    • May take time away from the program

    • May hear from drunk guests

    Here are some tips to have a successful open mic.

    • Block a time in your program for an open mic, maybe 10-15 minutes

    • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will keep track of time to keep speeches within the time frame

    • Have DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS announce at the beginning of the program that we’ll have an open mic later that night when it’s time. If anyone would like to make a speech, please see the DJ first to make a list of approved speakers.

    • Letting them know in advance gives guests enough time to prepare a speech

    • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will show them how to use a mic and use it properly

    • He will also collect their names and relation to you so he can introduce them later

    • This avoids the awkward silences in between open-mic speeches

  • The placement of your guests for speeches depends on several factors.

    If you have a preference, please let DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS know.

    Pictures & Video

    • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will work with your photographer & videographer to find the best placement for your guests so they will be captured in photos and videos when they deliver their speech.

    Layout of the room

    • In most cases, your guests will deliver their speech either to the left or right of the sweetheart table and at an angle so they can look at you and your guests at the same time.

    • In other cases, they will stand in the middle of the dance floor facing you.

    Microphone stand

    • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will have a wireless microphone on a mic stand for your guests

    • This will help them stay in place so they can be in frame for photos and videos

    • Your guests may remove the microphone and walk around with it

    • If you don’t want them to move around with the microphone, please tell DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS in advance so he can direct them not to

  • If you want to highlight the people who are giving speeches, you can share with DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS a personalized intro about the person when he introduces them up to the microphone.

    This will give some context about why the person who is giving a speech is important to you and will help your guests understand and connect better with the speaker.

    You can type out your personalized intros for your speakers inDJ TAYLOR SOUNDS’ planning app.

  • Each speaker can have their own walk-up song to help them feel relaxed/excited/ready to deliver their speech!

    You can type out the song for each speaker in DJ MOJOE's planning app.

  • DJ TAYLOR SOUNDS will have a mic stand where each speech will take place. This will help photographers and videographers get the shots that they need.

    Depending on the lighting of the venue space, it may be difficult for the speaker to read their own writing if their speech is written on paper. It may be best to have their speech typed up on their smartphones so they can read the words clearly on a well-lit screen.

✩ Dancing

  • Note that wherever you go, your guests will most likely follow you.

    For example, if you're dancing on the dance floor, guests will follow you. If you step outside away from the dance floor, guests will take your lead and follow you away from the dance floor.

    1. When it's time to dance, stay on the dance floor for the first 10-15 minutes to set the bar high. This will help set the tone and your photographer and videographer will get great footage before they leave. (10-15 minutes will be about 5-7 songs)

    2. Instead of going to the bar for drinks, have people or your wedding party bring you drinks instead on the dance floor. This is important especially if your bar is away or far from the dance floor area.

    3. Give the DJ the first song that you would like to open up the dance floor with. This song is something that you and your spouse should be excited to dance to once the DJ plays it and will entice more people to join you to dance. Then the DJ will take the energy and music selection from there.

  • Select music that gets you and your guests excited and dance. If you're not music savvy, you can ask a friend to help you out and invite them to my app so they can collaborate with you on the music. Dance music for your reception doesn't always have to be "dance music." It can also be sing-alongs where people can sing their hearts out on the dance floor.