It’s Spotlight Day, where we introduce you to incredible Orlando wedding vendors and share the stories behind the companies who help Wedding Venue Map couples have their best wedding day.
Hiring the right professional wedding DJ is so important on your wedding day. The DJ is responsible for making the introductions, keeping the flow of the event, and bringing the party to life.
It gives us great pleasure to introduce this week’s vendor spotlight, Kristin Wilson of Our DJ Rocks.
When people ask “what do you do?” how do you answer?
We create moments with music…and can pack a dance floor with not only your friends but also grandma at the same time!
What did you do before you did this?
I was a Sales and Marketing Manager for an Orlando Resort.
How did your work evolve to get you to where you are today?
What started with just our owner Kristin realizing that females can be DJs too – has now grown into the only all-female DJ company in the US.
Our entire roster of talent is certified through an 8-12 week “DJ University” Program followed by 6-12 months of apprenticeship with Nationally Acclaimed DJs. The DJ University program is dedicated to teaching MC skills, music knowledge, master mixing and event management.
How long would you say you’ve been doing what you do today?
This year we are officially celebrating 10 years of Our DJ Rocks! Our company was officially launched in 2010 and we’ve been creating moments ever since!
What is your favorite thing about what you do? What’s your WHY?
We are passionate about weddings and love! Once the ceremony is over, it’s time to create the celebration for everyone to remember. I love surprising our couples with the little things, like dropping in their throwback from college to create a moment with their friends or playing their parent’s anniversary song. 🙂
What’s the best part of your job?
It never feels like a job at all.
What motivates you to do this every day?
We are motivated most by those special moments. We don’t wait for them – we create them.
We live in the moment and sometimes for unplanned moments.
We always look for ways to surprise and delight our clients.
What fun fact would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am a scrapbook/Polaroid junkie and if I could be doing anything at all, it would be spending all day long with my dog, in my ATV in the mud, or in my RV!
What is the best compliment you’ve received from your clients?
One time I had a guest at a wedding, not even a relative of the family, come up to me towards the end of the night and he said, “Young lady…WHO ARE YOU?” I replied back with, “I’m the DJ” and he looked at me in awe and said, “I have never seen a DJ do what you’ve done tonight. I can tell you that you are doing exactly what you are put on this earth to do.” I literally started crying.
What is important for clients to know about your company before they book you?
We are not the run of the mill, ‘push play’ type DJ, nor are we your ‘club-style’ DJ that is going to mash up and change the melody to your all-time fave song. If that’s what you’re looking for, we may not be the right fit. Everything that we do is custom to you and what you want! We will pick your brain like crazy to get as much detail as possible before your event or wedding. As your DJ and MC we act just like a thermostat, read the temperature in the room, and bring it up or down as needed.
Tell us about your most memorable event so far and why it was.
One time while a groom was having his mother/son dance with his mom, the father of the bride told the wedding planner he couldn’t have his dance with his bride because of his heart and he didn’t bring his medication.
I watched the bride run out of the room in tears.
There was about 2 minutes left in the song, so I went over to the Father of the Bride and with the most empathy, looked him in the eyes and said – is there any way at all, you could just stand for like 30 seconds on the edge of the dance floor and hold her, so she can have a father/daughter dance moment? I promised I wouldn’t make it more than 30 seconds.
He agreed, so the planner helped me get him up, I ran out of the room to go get the Bride…. and when I told her she had a father daughter dance, she just grabbed him and started crying.
What makes your business stand out from others in your category?
Our team of female DJs collaborate with you on what vibe you are looking for and what music you do and don’t like. We will pick your brain like crazy to get as much detail as possible before your the event or wedding (we’ve got an online planning system you can use!) and as your DJ and MC we act just like a thermostat, read the temperature in the room and bring it up or down as needed. Our goal is to make sure not only YOU and YOUR friends are dancing, but also your family and their friends.
What is the most unique service/product you offer?
Not only do we provide DJ, lighting, and photo booth, we can make it snow at your wedding or have you dance on a cloud for your first dance.
What makes your business stand out from others in your category?
We are an all-female DJ Company.
Why do couples hire you?
Because we connect with them.
Tell us more about your most popular packages.
We offer DJ service for ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, uplighting for the room and a photo booth. Our prices range from $975-2075 for Saturday weddings, depending on what’s included.
Why do you think your business is successful?
After 11 successful years in the business, Kristin Wilson, the founder of Our DJ Rocks, has built a reputation by putting clients first in every event we do.
We take pride in our work, and we all understand that when most people look back on your wedding, they will remember its atmosphere. As such, we will work with you to understand your needs, craft your vision, and create the type of atmosphere YOU want.
Our DJ Rocks shares some helpful information for engaged couples…
What are the most common questions you get asked by brides and/or grooms?
“You’re a female DJ! I never saw one before! What makes you different?”
We are proud to say we are one of the only two all-female DJ companies in the U.S.
I think what makes us different is that as females, we just get it. Especially when it comes to weddings. I can be playing music, look over at your sweetheart table and just know…. I know when you are feeling antsy, I know when you might need a drink. I know when it’s time to get pumped. Intuition helps in managing the flow and creating the atmosphere of the wedding day! We also have female brains, which means we vibe on a girlfriend level and we are super detail-oriented.
What does an MC do?
An MC is going to set the tone of the evening, orchestrate it from start to finish, and be the voice. They direct the flow of the night, from the special dances and activities to the dancing. Think of it this way…if your wedding were an orchestra, the MC would be the conductor.
Part of what we do as an MC is gathering up all of your wedding details from the people in your wedding party: from who is toasting and blessing the food to who you will be doing your special dances with. Once we gather up all of these details, we will help create a flow of the evening and then orchestrate it from start to finish. This means ensuring that we have the correct pronunciation of the wedding party names (we’ll do that on our 30-day out final phone call). As your MC, we will ensure that those you have chosen to dance with are in the room and been prepped. We will make sure that the honored guests who are toasting are prepped and have their speeches ready before we begin the toast.
I would say that MC-ing is at least 50% or more of what we do. We’ve got to make sure things stay organized and run smoothly so that you have plenty of time for dancing — that’s where the fun begins and the DJ portion of what we do comes into play.
Does the DJ take care of the music and MC service?
Depends on the company. We absolutely have mastered both areas and create a wedding timeline to execute music cues and all the announcements. You want to make sure your DJ is making a timeline so that you know exactly what they are saying and how the event will flow.
I want a live band. How does hiring a DJ work with live entertainment?
You can integrate the two! Most of the time when we’ve worked with bands, we have still been your MC and we also pump up your guests in between band breaks. Typically, when you hire a band, they will need to take breaks. From what I understand, they can put on an iPod during the breaks. But, why not incorporate a DJ into those breaks so the energy level of the evening stays high?
Also, depending on the band, they may not have an MC to orchestrate and announce your formalities. (See more about what an MC does in question #2.) We’ve actually found that some bands LOVE to work with MCs so they don’t have to eat into the “break time” making announcements and setting up the music for those times.
Plus, when the band goes on break, most of the time it still feels like “oh, the band is on a break” because no one is on the stage reading the crowd, playing the right music to keep them going. The MC you’d get with a band isn’t passionate about MC-ing like we would be, but rather, it’s the lead singer who is forced to make announcements.
What if you get sick? Who covers my wedding?
As a DJ, there are no sick days. I personally have been DJ-ing for 12 years and never missed a wedding. However, we do have a plan in place for emergencies! We have a squad of DJs so you’ll always be covered. We also have strategic partnerships with other DJ companies, so this is the last thing you’ll ever have to worry about if an emergency happens. We do have that in our contract as well so that you are fully covered.
What if equipment fails or electricity goes out?
Oh, my gosh! Our worst nightmare. Truly speaking, if there isn’t electricity, we can’t play. However, one time, I was at a venue where the power went out. Someone had run into a power line and knocked the entire grid out! Thankfully, it was during cocktail hour and I had a little Bluetooth speaker. So, I played music for an hour or so from that until the power company came to turn it back on!
What kind of insurance do you cover?
We have general liability insurance, which your venue will ask us for. Sometimes, they even ask for our Auto Liability insurance, which we also have.
Are there different styles of DJs?
Yes! Every DJ company has a different model and style. And every DJ has their own individual personalities.
With Our DJ Rocks, you’ll always get the same experience—however, we are each our own individual person. We also are specifically trained in weddings, which is super important. We do not have a club background. What we mean by this is, there might be some companies out there that are great DJ-scratch master C’s, but do not speak professionally or elegantly on a microphone.
Our style is professional, yet fun. We mix and beat match for a smooth transition between songs and to ensure energy stays consistent throughout the night. No awkward pauses or breaks. We believe that if you love the melody of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” then you should hear that when you’re dancing. Don’t get me wrong, though, there is nothing wrong with a good remix every now and then! Make sure that when you talk to your DJ, you enjoy their voice and presence. This is the person that will reflect the tone of your wedding reception.
Why do I need a DJ? I have a song-by-song list I want. Can’t I just play that myself on my venue’s sound system?
This is a great question and I think it depends on what you are wanting. I’ll give you an example. It MAYYYYYBE happens only once a year, but we have a couple who just hired us for their ceremony only. They played their own music for their reception, however, it was a 20-person brunch wedding. There were no formalities, no dancing, just dining. So, if that’s what you’re planning, that might work perfectly for you.
On the other end of that spectrum, the majority of our couples are having formalities like special dances, cake cutting, speeches, etc. The DJ/MC is going to be the one to help orchestrate all of those activities, MC them, cue up the music for them and help make them happen at the appropriate time. A DJ is also going to be the one to mix and program the music.
Do I need a DJ for my ceremony if I have a quartet or other live music?
Only if you would like us to set up microphones for your guests to hear. We can provide a mic for your officiant and another mic if you are having a singer or reader.
Do DJs provide uplighting or monograms?
Depends on the company. We sure do, because it helps to set the tone and atmosphere along with the music.
Do DJs work with my planner in terms of the timeline of the day?
Absolutely! It’s important for all of your vendors to be on the same page, not just your planner and us! We will work with you to create the flow of your reception and then review that with your planner to make any adjustments. Your planner will then incorporate that piece into the entire wedding day timeline.
Who picks the music at my wedding?
You do! We look at it as a collaboration. Of course, you want our expertise on what songs work and don’t work and to be able to read the crowd to make adjustments. But, at the same time, we LOVE input. We love to know your faves, your “do not plays,” what your parents jam to, and even what your throwbacks are. When we get to know you, your style, and the vibe you are going for your reception, we can create moments and surprises with music.
Can I give the DJ a playlist and have them just hit go? Specifically for my cocktail hour?
We can and love to customize cocktail hour and dinner with your faves. That’s the best time to incorporate the songs you love that aren’t really danceable, but enjoyable. That is information that you can include in our online planning system and we’ll custom create the music program for the night! One time, I had a couple do all “Post Modern Jukebox” for their cocktail hour. It fit their copper mug vibe so well!
Do you take requests? Do you take requests on the night of my wedding, too?
Absolutely (as long as it’s a good one…you know what I’m talking about.) We love feeling it out in the moment. And there may be a time where you are on the dance floor and are like… “oh, YEEEAAAHH I need this jam!” BOOM—let’s do it!
What if I have a list of songs I don’t want to be played at my wedding?
Love it! Put it in the online planning system that we have so that we make sure NOT to play them.
Is it important for my DJ to have been to my venue before? Why or why not?
It depends on the venue and the company. For us, we have been to hundreds of venues across Central Florida since 2010. There are still times that we go to a venue we’ve never been to before and most of the time, it’s okay. But there are some venues where it’s imperative that your DJ visit it before because they will need to know how to create the timeline and flow of the night based on the venue. This is something that we can chat about in our first meeting.
What type of equipment do you use?
All of the most expensive quality stuff! j/k…kinda, not really. But, we do trust brands like Denon, QSC, and Shure because just like you, we don’t want to have to worry about our equipment.
Will the DJ be there for the ceremony, too, or does our officiant need his own mic and sound system?
That’s up to you and what package you choose. If you’d like us to provide a mic and/or music for the ceremony, we can create a package that includes that!
Why does a DJ cost so much, if I’m making the playlist, shouldn’t I get a discount?
You’re choosing a wedding DJ based on a few things.
Their personality and style – Your DJ is going to help set the tone of the evening. That means that style and personality do matter.
Their communication and articulation – They will be the voice of the evening as the MC, so you don’t want a cheesy or “WrestleMania sounding” DJ.
Programming – This is the reason why you are having a celebration, right? Music bridges the gaps between generations and cultures. So, playing the right song at the wrong time is just as bad as playing all of the wrong songs. We can make playlists all day long, but it’s all about the timing. I think about this like a comedian… if they don’t deliver the punchline correctly, they epically fail.
Is there a charge if a DJ is going to different spaces (especially if the ceremony space is at a site completely separate from the reception space)?
Sometimes, yes. It just depends on the venue or venues. Sometimes one person can do it and sometimes it needs to be a two-person team. This is something that we chat about in our initial meeting to figure out what is needed in your package.
Does setup cut into my coverage’s hours?
Not at all.
Can we put the DJ in the corner? I don’t want to see their table in my photos.
You have full flexibility on where you set up the DJ. The most important thing to keep in mind when figuring out placement is to make sure they are near or next to the dance floor.
Who does the setup?
Your DJ does! That means that if I’m your DJ and MC, I’ll be there for setup and sound check until the very last dance with you!
Are there alternate packages for uplighting? It sounds like the lights you have are top-of-the-line, but some of the quotes we received from other vendors place LED lighting packages at a lower price point.
It’s hard to answer this question. The best way to explain the difference in lighting prices is the equipment used. For example, I have seen companies who try and do amber uplighting, but because their lights don’t do amber, they try to mix red and green together. It ends up looking green with a red outline.
I’ve also seen lights that have a really skinny beam angle, rather than true illumination of light from floor to ceiling. Our lights are also completely wireless which means there is not a bunch of messy cords. The benefit of it being wireless is that some venues don’t have an outlet where an up-light is needed or they don’t have enough outlets.
Our lights also last for 16 hours, so we don’t have to worry about them shutting off. Another thing to understand about uplighting is that if it’s anything outside of $25-60 per light, then I would start asking questions.
Name three unique venues that you enjoy working at and why.
Bella Collina, because it feels and looks like you are in Italy.
Cypress Grove, because it has that southern estate house charm to it.
Paradise Cove, because it feels and looks like you’re at a beach, but you really never left Orlando!
What some of their previous couples had to say….
“Kristin at Our DJ Rocks is truly best in class for Orlando Wedding DJs! I would define myself as a pretty discriminating consumer & professional so only naturally that carried over into my vendor selection and review…. Kristin has an amazing reputation in the Orlando industry, and every other vendor I talked to raved about what a great choice I made. The night of my wedding I understood why! She did a great job listening to my preferences and needs while also taking ownership of the event being fun and flowing well for everyone! Up to the wedding, she was very organized, responsive, proactive. Kristin hands down was one of the best vendor selections I made and the dance floor was FUN and FULL the whole time! As an MC she was bright, captivating, on point, and she did a great job keeping everything moving! I’ve heard so many bad stories about DJs being divas and not really sticking to your preferences or playlist because they know better and she was SO NOT that DJ. She was the perfect combination of building on what I had selected and what we discussed and enhancing it. She kept me informed of the timeline and made sure I also got dancing time! (What a sweetheart…she had my bridesmaids come to get me when I had barely been on the floor!) I can assure you your Orlando wedding will be a great party if you hire Our DJ Rocks!” – Tiffany & Jeff, Mission Inn Resort
“If you’re looking for a DJ for your wedding or upcoming event, you can stop now. Kristin + Our DJ Rocks were the most perfect vendor of all time. From the first time you speak to them to the last dance at your wedding, they are always making sure that they’re capturing what YOU want for your wedding day and that everyone at your wedding is having fun. Their online portal makes it so easy to select your must plays, do not plays, special dances, intro songs, etc. and you have plenty of time to do it! I obviously only worked with one of the DJs but wanted to give a special shout-out to her because of the insanely amazing job she did at my wedding. I knew Kristin was going to be awesome, but I have to say she far exceeded my expectations. She was so calm and collected the entire evening, and still managed to have the energy and the dance floor going from the start of my reception to the moment it ended. I received many, many compliments on my vendors at my wedding, but the compliments on the DJ made up the most by far. My favorite part was that she had people of all ages up and dancing throughout the night — the mix of music truly appealed to everyone. Second to Our DJ Rocks DJ services was their uplighting. Kristin totally understood exactly what I wanted for the reception and when I say she made my dreams a reality, I mean she made my dreams a reality. I seriously cannot recommend Our DJ Rocks enough!” – Kasey & Drew, Alfond Inn
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