Back at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel - City Center Las Vegas

Las Vegas DJ

After getting into a dispute about money owed for a gig one of my Las Vegas DJ's performed at Mandarin Oriental Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, I hadn't had any gigs there in about two years.   The Las Vegas hotel now has a new Catering Director and I was able to score a Las Vegas wedding gig there this past Tuesday evening.

As with all Las Vegas Strip properties, getting the DJ gear into the catered room is always a challenge. Underneath Mandarin, which is part of City Center, is a huge underground basement that is as huge as the property.  As I pulled my Hummer up to the security gate, I joined beverage trucks, various supply trucks and tour buses all making their way into the huge underground area.  After being directed to an assigned parking space, I unloaded my gear and pushed my cart about 200 feet.  Then I traveled up a long ramp and continued another 500 feet and got on the service elevator and stopped on the 3rd floor.  The room where the ceremony was to take place is fairly close to the elevator - 50 or so feet.  But the reception room was still another 150 feet further.  By the time I got everything unloaded, I had worked up a pretty good sweat!  It's for that reason that I always change into my entertainment outfit AFTER I get everything setup.  No one wants to see a sweaty Las Vegas DJ being the emcee at a wedding.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Las Vegas isn't really setup to host a lot of weddings.  They don't have a wedding chapel, so the ceremony was performed in one of the meeting rooms.  I setup my laptop with external speakers and sub woofer for the ceremonial music. The reception was down the hall in one of the larger banquet rooms.  I setup my main Las Vegas DJ rig in the reception room, changed my clothes and waited for the ceremony to begin.  Music for a ceremony is easy.  Some mellow love songs while people are waiting, the bridal party processional music, the bride's processional and the recessional music at the end. After the ceremony, I quickly packed up the laptop and speakers and headed to the reception room.

The bride and groom would not make their entrance into the reception until an hour and half later.  They jumped into a limo with the photographer and had pictures taken at various places along the Las Vegas Strip (the famous Las Vegas welcome sign, Bellagio Fountains, etc.). So, I entertained the small group in the reception room while they ate and had appetizers.

When the bride and groom returned for the Grand Entrance, the remainder of the reception was very low key.  I had the couple share their first dance, played lots of line dance songs and kept it fun yet somewhat subdued (bride and groom's wishes.)  The couple thanked me at the end of the night with a nice tip.  It's good to be back at the Mandarin.


DJ Angel- VegasDeeJay.Com

Big Backyard Wedding

Las Vegas DJ

Last week friends of mine were getting married in Las Vegas and needed a Las Vegas DJ/MC for their wedding reception.  The reception took place at their Las Vegas home, which has a huge backyard.  The house is at the end of a cul-de-sac and the plan was to have the guests drink and enjoy appetizers in the front of the house.  The backyard was to be the central location of the reception - the bridal party would make their grand entrance, dinner, special dances, etc.

I set my gear up in the backyard, ran some speaker wire up to the front and setup a speaker.  That way the guests could enjoy music while they mingle and enjoy the refreshments.

Over 100 people turned out for the Las Vegas wedding reception and it was a blast playing favorite dance songs.  Since both the bride and groom were Italian, they wanted the Tarantella Dance.  It's a group song - dancers form a circle, clap hands and take turns dancing to the center of the circle.  Lots of fun, especially after a few drinks!

I was booked for 4 hours, but they had me entertain for an extra hour. It's great when that happens.  I feel like I've done my part to make a memorable occasion and of course it's nice to have a little extra cash.

DJ Angel- VegasDeeJay.Com