From Lawn Grooves to Dancefloor Moves
It’s always been about reading the crowd, the setting, the atmosphere, and helping shape the flow of the celebration from start to finish. But now, clients want more from their DJs. I guess it’s due to the rise of the superstar DJ; for example, clients know what beatmatching is! They expect it.
One thing that’s completely transformed how I approach weddings over the past year is deceptively simple: I start the night outside. And, trust me, it’s made a world of difference.
If you’ve DJ’d even a handful of weddings, you’ll know exactly how it goes. You’ve spent an hour or so prepping your setup indoors. The uplighting is perfect, your sound check is solid, the decks are ready, your playlist is dialled in. You’re all set to go. Then evening rolls around, the couple’s friends and extended family start arriving, and you realise you’re playing music to the bar staff and some empty chairs.
The crowd? They’re all outside on the terrace or the lawn – basically, anywhere but where your speakers are pointing.
And, honestly, who can blame them?
Picture this: it’s summer and the air is warm, the venue is nestled in some picturesque countryside spot, and the drinks are flowing. People are catching up with cousins they haven’t seen in years. Old friends are huddled over espresso martinis. Kids are running around. Nobody wants to be the first person to walk inside, let alone start dancing in an empty room.
For a long time, I’d watch this happen and just wait it out. I’d play my warm-up set, hope someone wandered inside, and trust that eventually the crowd would migrate in. But then I realised: why fight the flow of the evening when I could join it?
These days, whenever possible, I bring a second, more compact setup with me. It’s a streamlined version of my main rig: lightweight, mobile and battery-powered. We’re talking a small DJ booth, a battery-powered controller, and a couple of portable speakers. You can even go the extension cord route, if needed, but I like the freedom of not relying on mains power. I set it all up outside, right where the guests are.
From this outdoor position, I spin a different kind of set. It’s not about high-energy bangers or getting everyone jumping. It’s about setting the tone. I play music that fits the moment, laid-back, atmospheric tracks. Think soulful house with a mellow vibe, chill disco edits, jazzy beats, a touch of Balearic flavour. It’s the kind of music that blends with golden-hour conversations, gently encourages toe taps and head nods, and starts to create a subtle shift in energy.
And here’s where the magic happens.
As the sun lowers and the sky shifts to pink and lavender, people start to vibe with the music. There’s no pressure to dance… it’s not that kind of moment yet, but you can feel the energy building. Guests smile, sway, raise their glasses in time with the beat. Some couples start to move a little. A group of friends might break into a casual two-step. Before long, there’s a tiny dancefloor forming out of nowhere. It’s organic, spontaneous, and deeply connected to the atmosphere around it.
What’s more, you’ve already created a sense of cohesion and momentum. You’re not just background music; you’re part of the gathering. Guests begin to associate the positive vibes of the evening with the music you’re curating, and that connection carries forward.
Eventually, the moment comes – usually when the evening programme transitions...
To read the full article, you’ll need to have a physical copy of the magazine which you can sign up for here for 6 issues delivered to your door from just £16!
https://store.promobile.online/products/pro-mobile-magazine-6-issue-1-year-subscription
You’ll also get full access to this article and the last year of articles, reviews and play lists via the Pro DJ App
One thing that’s completely transformed how I approach weddings over the past year is deceptively simple: I start the night outside. And, trust me, it’s made a world of difference.
If you’ve DJ’d even a handful of weddings, you’ll know exactly how it goes. You’ve spent an hour or so prepping your setup indoors. The uplighting is perfect, your sound check is solid, the decks are ready, your playlist is dialled in. You’re all set to go. Then evening rolls around, the couple’s friends and extended family start arriving, and you realise you’re playing music to the bar staff and some empty chairs.
The crowd? They’re all outside on the terrace or the lawn – basically, anywhere but where your speakers are pointing.
And, honestly, who can blame them?
Picture this: it’s summer and the air is warm, the venue is nestled in some picturesque countryside spot, and the drinks are flowing. People are catching up with cousins they haven’t seen in years. Old friends are huddled over espresso martinis. Kids are running around. Nobody wants to be the first person to walk inside, let alone start dancing in an empty room.
For a long time, I’d watch this happen and just wait it out. I’d play my warm-up set, hope someone wandered inside, and trust that eventually the crowd would migrate in. But then I realised: why fight the flow of the evening when I could join it?
These days, whenever possible, I bring a second, more compact setup with me. It’s a streamlined version of my main rig: lightweight, mobile and battery-powered. We’re talking a small DJ booth, a battery-powered controller, and a couple of portable speakers. You can even go the extension cord route, if needed, but I like the freedom of not relying on mains power. I set it all up outside, right where the guests are.
From this outdoor position, I spin a different kind of set. It’s not about high-energy bangers or getting everyone jumping. It’s about setting the tone. I play music that fits the moment, laid-back, atmospheric tracks. Think soulful house with a mellow vibe, chill disco edits, jazzy beats, a touch of Balearic flavour. It’s the kind of music that blends with golden-hour conversations, gently encourages toe taps and head nods, and starts to create a subtle shift in energy.
And here’s where the magic happens.
As the sun lowers and the sky shifts to pink and lavender, people start to vibe with the music. There’s no pressure to dance… it’s not that kind of moment yet, but you can feel the energy building. Guests smile, sway, raise their glasses in time with the beat. Some couples start to move a little. A group of friends might break into a casual two-step. Before long, there’s a tiny dancefloor forming out of nowhere. It’s organic, spontaneous, and deeply connected to the atmosphere around it.
What’s more, you’ve already created a sense of cohesion and momentum. You’re not just background music; you’re part of the gathering. Guests begin to associate the positive vibes of the evening with the music you’re curating, and that connection carries forward.
Eventually, the moment comes – usually when the evening programme transitions...
To read the full article, you’ll need to have a physical copy of the magazine which you can sign up for here for 6 issues delivered to your door from just £16!
https://store.promobile.online/products/pro-mobile-magazine-6-issue-1-year-subscription
You’ll also get full access to this article and the last year of articles, reviews and play lists via the Pro DJ App
