I've traveled some over the past couple of years, on wedding-related missions, and I've seen some absolutely jaw-dropping work from DJs and entertainers. In major markets you will find everything - my favorite is combinations of live musicians and DJs that make for seamless event experiences. There are markets where you can't swing an i-Pod without hitting an awesome, outstanding DJ or entertainer, and if you live in those markets you are extremely lucky.
Williamsburg, Virginia is not a major market compared to New York, Los Angeles or the like. But we do have access to two fabulous, professional and consistently wonderful wedding entertainment companies, and since I'm asked about them all the time I figured I'd take this opportunity to share.
The first is DJ On the Side. Owner, Chris Phillips, and I have worked together for the last several years on weddings of all sizes and in all kinds of venues. His team is professional, dignified, polished and reliable. My personal favorites are Ryan and Chris himself, but everyone on the team has his awesome attributes.
You have likely never seen someone so deeply invested in pleasing his clients as Chris is. The man has absolutely no (evident) ego and is meticulous with creating engaging, appropriate and wonderful playlists. I tease Chris because we have a sort of non-verbal connection during an event - he is constantly looking for crowd reaction and possible issues and resolving them before anyone has a clue they are coming. Planners, caterers, photographers and videographers alike all love working with Chris (and his guys) because DJ On the Side understands what it means to be part of a team.
The second company is Arch Entertainment, and particularly DJ Rodney Charles. Another consummate professional, Rodney shares with Chris a kind of passion for serving wedding clients that you just don't see in every entertainer. He reads a crowd with expertise, predicting what will work and encouraging everyone from your 80-year-old grandmother to your college roommates to engage and enjoy. He is classy and dedicated, and a pure pleasure to work with as a colleague.
I was lucky to be introduced to Rodney by Missy at Antonia Christianson Events (southside) - anyone in the industry who knows me knows that it practically takes an act of a higher power to get on my "list" (which isn't actually a list, but that's another story) of refer-able vendors. Rodney proved hands-down in interviews and in performance that he deserved to be there though, and Williamsburg couples are lucky to have him as a resource.
There is only one other Williamsburg-area DJ who I recommend (who doesn't advertise, so I'll keep him my best-kept secret...however you can call me if you want to know) - that's it. After 7 years planning in this region only 3 have made the grade enough to be considered my go-to guys.
Yes, I have had the pleasure of working with other good DJs who aren't listed here (the best have gone out of business, sadly!). And yes, I've had the "other" kind of experience as well. With confidence, however, I share with you this planner's real secret for entertainment success: call Chris or Rodney. You won't be sorry.
Shayna Walker, Wedding Planner
Williamsburg Wedding Design (757-592-3365)
This is not a sponsored post. DJ On the Side is an advertiser in a sister publication that I publish - the Where to Wed guide. Arch Entertainment is not. Both deserve the accolades in this article based purely on the results of their hard work.
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