Let’s break the Norms
My name is DJ Mova and I am an independent, full-service luxury entertainment vendor based and operating out of the Washington DC Metropolitan area, providing professional disc jockey services worldwide. Clients can enjoy all of the benefits and qualities of working with a larger event firm (event insurance, planning resources, industry best equipment, etc), but on a much more personalized basis. I strive to create a flexible 1-on-1 experience, building a relationship along the way to successfully navigate the wedding planning process.
Allow me to explain. I present a modern approach to planning weddings that can be as hands-on or hands-off as clients would like. I provide clients with an extremely thorough planning resource that breaks down timeline strategies with emphasis on streamlining key moments and maximizing the party. Everything from the music selection, mixing style, and overall dynamic will be uniquely tailored to ensure that I capture what you envision.
With all of that said, let's break some of the norms that are associated with wedding entertainment. Hate line dances? Me too. My particular niche is to bring what you would expect on a night out to the wedding atmosphere. Wedding receptions don't have to be typical and it's certainly okay to be different. I fully support pushing the boundaries to plan a party... that is actually a party!
For more information on my background and experience, please continue to explore DJMova.com, read client reviews via WeddingWire, or watch countless highlights from REAL weddings that I have worked linked below. Questions? There are some common wedding related questions and answers available at the end of this page.
DEFINE The PEP Talk
What separates a luxury wedding DJ
from the rest?
The details. All of them. The ones you thought of…and the ones you didn’t think of. You are not getting an entertainment company that churns out factory style weddings, nor are you getting a jukebox with a six-foot table. Shots fired? No, there are levels to this! Carefully curated and an unmatched attention to detail, I believe the difference is as follows:
Planning.
Planning includes attentive consultation beyond the music. Hosting is an inherent trait of a DJ so it is important to be involved when it comes to structuring the timeline and any formalities. It is more than just selecting the records/music tied to your key moments. This includes custom edits and strategy discussions to maximize your party, creating a fluid timeline where the energy only transcends. Uncover all scenarios, explore any contingencies, and understand what elements may impact your timeline… BEFORE the day comes.
Execution.
This goes hand-in-hand with skill, experience, and presentation. Step into the mind of an industry veteran who understands how to read a room and how to react based on a multitude of variables. It takes a unique balance to understand the context of a luxury wedding, but to make it feel like a high-energy party. The presentation should factor the aesthetic of your venue, and appeal visually, but also acoustically. Setups need to sound as good as they look using industry-best equipment that is meticulously cared for. The art behind it all should be represented by music curation, seamless transitions, and dynamic range. Simply said, your luxe wedding deserves to be flawless!
Passion.
This is not a sales pitch so I will stop talking in third-person for just a few lines here. Here is a personal connection and no uncertainty of who you will be working with. Not only am I the one who will be rocking the party, but I am also the one who responds to your emails and picks up the phone to answer all of your hard questions. The climate is designed to be direct and stress-free from our first interaction. I care immensely about what I do and who I do it for. The same way you are reading this to understand and shop your vendors, I want to ensure that my clients are going to be the right fit for myself and my insanely OCD level-of-detail. My passion equates to an immense amount of work and preparation behind the scenes in order to present a truly, one-of-a-kind service that parallels any boutique style experience.
INVESTMENT
Rates are subject to change; pricing relies on demand and availability.
Wedding Media
Follow @DJ_Mova on Instagram for more photos, reels, and stories from recent weddings
Thank you to some of my past couples and amazing vendors for sharing these highlights!
Photo Credits (in no particular order):
Anna Schmidt Photography, Alie Rae Haney Photography, Corrin Jasinski Photography, Karis Marie Photography, Barbarah Perttula Photography, Hannah Baldwin Photography, Brett Denfield Photography, The Axtell’s Photography and Film, Chloe Marie Photography, Elena Skaya Photography and Films, Lovetothecore Photography, Clark Street Photography, M. Carter Photography, Maria Stamy Photography, Happy Finch Photography, Kate Anne Photography, Christy Koonts Photo, Stephanie Messick Photography, Peyton Curry Photography, Mike Topham Photography, Jen Rynda Photography, Rebecca Sigety Photography, Whole Heart Photography, WIld June Photography
Wedding Q/A
Answers to some commonly asked questions for your reference.
This includes information on budget, planning meetings, my event planning tool, music selection process, and more.
When will we meet with you to plan and discuss our wedding needs?
There are two major meetings: the Initial Planning Meeting and the Timeline Meeting. These meetings can take place either in person somewhere convenient for you and your fiancé or if you have a busy, fast-paced schedule, via Google Meet or Facetime. Both of these meetings are important in the personalization and customization of your wedding. In addition to these meetings, you will receive access to an Event Planning Tool to help organize your timeline details, key moments, and song requests all in one convenient, user-friendly resource. I will contact you to set up the Initial Planning Meeting once a contract has been finalized and the Timeline Meeting about a month before your wedding date. Fret not, I am available around the clock to answer questions and make adjustments outside of these two key meetings!
Is our timeline final after we have our meeting?
From the moment we finish the Timeline Meeting, the timeline continues to be a living document. Plans can shift, ideas change, and last-minute adjustments may arise; and while the online event planning portal locks changes three days before your wedding, I will check-in a few days prior to your event to ensure that we have a finalized timeline in hand. I also encourage communication with any vendor that may be involved in your special day and am happy to work with Wedding Planners and/or Day-Of Coordinators if applicable. It’s my job to take that finalized timeline, remain flexible the day of your wedding, and adapt to necessary changes accordingly so that you have absolutely zero timeline concerns.
Are you insured?
YES! Insurance is an absolute must, especially when working weddings. While some venues make it a requirement, not all venues require proof of insurance to be provided. Regardless of your venue’s requirement, have confidence that your event is protected by a $1 million-dollar commercial general policy and a general aggregate limit of $2 million dollars. A COI or Certificate of Insurance can be developed at no additional cost on a case-by-case basis as needed.
How do we pay for our wedding?
A non-refundable retainer fee of $500 is required to hold your wedding date and is due seven days after a finalized contract is fully executed. The remaining balance is required two weeks prior to your wedding date. Acceptable methods of payment include: personal checks, cash, and all major credit cards. Paypal or Venmo are also available.
Do you charge for travel?
I am proud to serve the Washington DC Metropolitan area, including parts of Maryland and Virginia. While I normally operate within an estimated 50 mile radius from my home in Stone Ridge, Virginia, I am also fortunate to work weddings in some amazing places beyond my regular market. For any out-of-town weddings within a reasonable driving distance, there is a mileage fee of $1 per mile beyond 150 round trip miles. In some cases where an overnight stay may be required, accommodations may be requested or an equivalent per diem fee for Lodging and Meals and Incidentals (M&IE) may alternatively be requested using local GSA rates. For some further destinations, Airfare, Rental Car, or Equipment Rental may also be applicable depending on location and/or event accessibility. My policy for out-of-country weddings will vary on a case-by-case application.
Can we come watch you DJ at a wedding?
Unfortunately, all of the weddings I work are private affairs. Out of respect to my clients, I do not allow prospective clients to come watch me DJ. It should also be noted that no two weddings are the same, so the preferences and styles of music of the couple may be completely different from your preferences. For further assurance, I can guide you to a handful of references or reviews, or you can check out some of the videos from past weddings on this page.
How will you choose our music?
Music selection is a collaborative process; some couples choose to be very involved in this process, others let me read the crowd and rock the party. Outside of any songs you select for your key moment’s, your requests will generally apply to the Cocktail, Dinner, and/or Open Dancing portions of the night. The Event Planning Tool is quite resourceful in assisting with song selection.
Throughout our meetings, we will work together to determine your musical tastes. First, we will discuss what genres you prefer to ensure I cater to the overall vibe that you envision for your wedding. We will also chat a bit about the demographics of your guests to make sure that we accommodate accordingly.
Next, we will discuss Do’s and Do Not’s; this can be anything from what styles/artists you enjoy/dislike to specific instructions like “No line dances”. This also helps me use discretion when taking guest requests during your wedding. (In general, I won’t play line dances unless a bride and groom specifically request for me to do so.)
From there, you are able to utilize whatever method you find most convenient to share your specific requests. I happily welcome tools like Spotify or Apple Music for example, to share multiple playlists for your cocktail, dinner, or open-dancing. Alternatively, I will provide you with blank templates within your Event Planning Tool to populate with tags like Must Play, Play If Possible, or Do Not Play. You can input your personal selections here or use suggestions from a few websites that I refer you to.
There will never be a specified order of songs. Instead, I use my judgement based off our preparation to curate the music accordingly throughout the night. This magic formula allows me to read the crowd and keep mixing upbeat with the idea that everything should flow in line with your requests.
Will you take requests at our wedding?
I always ensure to keep an open mind to requests; sometimes they can be fantastic. With that said, I will accept requests with consideration to the specified details I have established my clients. If a particular artist or song is on your Do Not Play List, I will honor your preference and ask for an alternative request. The only time I will honor a “Do Not Play” request is if it comes directly from the Bride or Groom. I always have internet access at my events to ensure that in the rare occasion I don’t have something a client wants, I am able to download on the fly!
Do you take Breaks?
During your wedding, I do not take breaks. I work throughout your wedding, hand-in-hand with your other vendors in order to ensure that everything flows smoothly.
We like what we see but you are out of our budget; what should we do or why wouldn’t we just go with the lowest price that we can find?
This one can be tough but let me give you some helpful advice! Here are some things to consider:
I am a DJ first and foremost, but my services encompass more than just music. As an event entertainer, I also play the role of an event host or MC throughout your wedding. Why is this important? It is my responsibility to curate the night and create an atmosphere that is unique to you and your guests. Beyond engaging with your guests as an event host, I also facilitate key moments with your other vendors to ensure a smooth timeline.
When looking to budget your vendors, I cannot emphasize enough how important wedding entertainment is! Your wedding entertainment can single handedly make or break your party. My particular niche is to bring a high energy party, something you would expect on a night out with friends, to the wedding atmosphere to break the norms of the “typical” wedding DJ. You can trust that you are getting a veteran event DJ with a versatile skill set.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: price. A lower price does not necessarily translate to “Best Value.” Take the Wedding DJ market for example, there are some DJs that charge a couple hundred dollars and others who charge thousands. With either end of these extremes, you will receive a certain return on your investment. There is a tradeoff process that exists in the wedding industry that forces couples to balance a number of factors when selecting their vendors. This may equate to any combination of experience, professionalism, services, quality, presentation, availability, price, and how well you connect with that vendor. Notice that I am speaking generally; that is because this concept applies to just about any market of vendors within the wedding industry. I encourage you to shop around, pick up the phone, and talk to your potential options; everyone brings something different to the table and I am not here to tell you which way to decide, or why you should pick me as your wedding entertainment. However, what I will tell you is that this definition of “Best Value” is different for each couple. You should consider the factors that are important to you, assign an order of importance as needed, and when it is time to decide, evaluate the tradeoffs with respect to your budget. Trust me when I say, this will come into perspective once you begin the selection process for your “Best Value.”
Lastly, I realize that my services are not for everyone. With that said, I have established relationships with many quality DJs and entertainment companies that I am happy to refer you to. If you have made it this far, please don’t hesitate to contact me so that I can provide you with reliable entertainment options that may better suit your needs.
FEATURES
