HOW TO THROW A VIRTUAL COCKTAIL PARTY

Being at home doesn’t have to be boring! With a proper mix of fun and function, a virtual party can be just as entertaining as a live one. Check out this article from The Vendry for tips on how to make your digital event the best one anyone has ever attended.

"Even though we all could use a drink right about now, many bars and restaurants remain shuttered (or are shuttered again), which means getting together for a few is still tricky. But thanks to a plethora of video conferencing technology, hosting a cocktail party, while adhering to social distancing guidelines, is totally doable. So cheers to that!

Whether you’re digitally gathering your work colleagues for a happy hour or planning a convivial event for a virtual conference or meeting, here’s what you need to know to host a virtual cocktail party. Read full article. "

Randi and Amber's Go Big or Go Home Girly Girl Wedding

Cant think of a better way to wrap up #PrideMonth than by being a featured vendor on Wedding Chicks today for Randi and Ambers wedding! This is on my list as one of the top 10 most fun weddings I've ever done, so these photos bring back some amazing memories.

https://chrissygphotography.com/

Read all about it by visiting the wedding chicks blog.

Quarantine Vlog - Virtual DJ Services

Want to plan an event, but government mandates still wont allow it? No worries, we have you covered! DJ Keelez and Associates is now offering virtual DJ services for your weddings, parties, corporate functions, zoom meetings, webinars, online workouts, and anything else you may want to add some fun to.

Reach out to info@djkeelez.com for more details!

Virtual DJ & MC Services

In case you didn’t know, DJ Keelez & Associates is now offering virtual DJ & MC services for business webinars, virtual meetings, online workouts and zoom parties! It’s a great way to capture your audience’s attention by creating a fun and upbeat vibe. Reach out for more details!

Coronavirus Quarantine Short Mix

I decided to make a quick mix since I’ve been social distancing at home all day. Was going to censor this, but decided the only way to truly convey my feelings was to keep the cursing in. Hope you are staying healthy and washing your hands!

DJ Keelez nominated for the Equally Wed Awards

via @equallywed

What a time we're having in this world. The event and hospitality industry is being hit hard by the coronavirus, so the timing of our voting period for the Equally Wed Awards opening up feels appropriate for lifting up the wedding community, especially those who are intentionally and authentically LGBTQ+ inclusive. ⁠
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Thank you to everyone for nominating your favorite LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding pros and venues. This is very much a community project, and we've loved seeing all your nominations come through. The top five vendors have been chosen in 28 categories. Vote now for your favorite. Polls are open through March 31.⁠
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https://equallywed.com/awards⁠
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Congratulations to the finalists!

Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Inclusive Wedding Vendors Who Give Back & Help Communities

DJ Keelez was recently featured by Crystal Lily Photo as a Southern California wedding professional that gives back to the community they serve. Crystal Lily is a Los Angeles based photographer who encourages couples to work with vendors who have a philanthropic or sustainable element to their businesses. Below is her list of Greater Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Inclusive Wedding Vendors Who Give Back & Help Communities.

"For those of you who are looking to not only have an amazing time on your wedding day, but also want your event to help make an impact, I’ve pulled together a list of Greater Los Angeles LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding vendors who give back and help communities in Southern California and beyond." Read full article here.

DJ Keelez Named Winner in 2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®

Press Release: Los Angeles, January 16, 2020. -- DJ Keelez was announced a winner of the 2020 WeddingWire Couples’

Choice Awards®, an accolade representing the top wedding professionals across the board in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire.

A leader in the global wedding planning industry, WeddingWire continues its celebration of local wedding vendors with the announcement of its twelfth annual WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® winners. To determine these distinguished wedding professionals, WeddingWire analyzed reviews across more than 20 service categories, from venues and caterers to florists and photographers to find the most highly rated vendors of the year. These winners exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the millions of consumers who turn to WeddingWire to help ease their wedding planning process each month.

Wedding professionals who win WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards® are members of WeddingPro, the leading B2B wedding brand. As the largest marketplace and community for wedding professionals, WeddingPro connects businesses with more than 13 million visitors per month who are planning weddings on WeddingWire and The Knot, as well as with hundreds of thousands of pros in the industry. Through its online marketplaces, educational programs and community-building events, WeddingPro is dedicated to helping wedding professionals build relationships with couples and pros that grow their businesses.

DJ Keelez is honored to be one of the top wedding businesses in Los Angeles on WeddingWire.com.

Choose the right wedding DJ

Are you shopping around for the perfect wedding DJ? If so, you probably have noticed there are lots of options out there; some with really over the top personalities, others more subdued, some with tons of lights and fancy equipment, others with just the bare necessities. You may even have found some that are ridiculously expensive, and others that are shockingly cheap. So how do you narrow it down? Many people simply look at the price, but if you are wanting an amazing wedding DJ that will play all of your favorite songs and truly match the music to you and your partner’s personalities, there are a few things you should know before starting your search:

Make sure to meet with your DJ before hiring them. In-person or via Skype/Face Time is best so you can get a feel for how they interact with you and your partner. You will be spending a lot of time planning a very important event with this person, so you want to be sure you get along well and you are both on the same page with expectations of how the day will go.
Ensure your DJ has everything you need for the big day. Not every DJ provides the same services so if you want someone who can seamlessly mix between songs, make announcements throughout the evening, play alongside a live musician or even simply provide extra speakers or lighting, you want to ask them during the interview process to avoid disappointment later on down the line. SIDE NOTE: Be sure to set realistic budget expectation when planning for add-ons. Cool things come at a cost, so make sure to set aside some wiggle room in your budget in case the company you decide to work with presents some upgrade options that are too good to refuse. More on budgets in a bit...
Any good wedding DJ should provide you with tools to help make music selection easier. Ask the DJ what sorts of things they do to help guide you through the process. There are lots of possibilities when it comes to songs to play at your wedding, so you want to make sure the person you hire is willing and able to help you when needed.
Don’t let pricing make the decision for you. Cheaper isn’t always better and is usually the sign of an inexperienced DJ. Weddings require a lot of hard work, expensive equipment, talent and experience, so if you want someone good, be prepared to pay around $1,500 for their basic package - $5,000 for something more elaborate.

Now that you have a better idea of what to look for when choosing the DJ for your wedding, you're ready to start your search without worrying about making the wrong decision. Best of luck!

Changing the Game

“DJ Keelez is thrilled to be a part of Modern Rebel’s “Changing The Game” series. Modern Rebel & Co. is an alternative event planning company based in NYC, Los Angeles & Washington D.C. that allows clients to plan an awesome event as well as give back to their community. For every event Modern Rebel does, they give a portion of their profits to a local non-profit that the client selects. Check out their website and my interview below!”

Changing the Game: DJ Keelez

DJ Ash

DJ ASH is an open format DJ who specializes in hip hop, reggaeton, dancehall, and moombahton. Born and raised in Salinas, CA, Ash has performed across California at events such as Salinas Pride, Palm Springs Pride and social parties for the mobile app, HER. More recently she has performed onstage with artist Metta World Peace at We the West this past Spring. Ash has performed at venues such as Wildcat Lounge in Santa Barbara (Voted Best college night in Santa Barbara), Revolver in West Hollywood (Voted friendliest staff), and Atomic Nightclub in San Diego (San Diego’s Best DJs). Ash has previously held residencies with 24+ Event’s Ladies’ Night, and is currently the resident DJ on the B Side Forum.

Ash’s favorite genres to perform: Pop/Top 40, Dance/Remix Top 40, Hip-Hop, House/Lounge, EDM, Trap, 90’s

Other genres that Ash performs: Motown, 70’s, 80’s, 00's, Alternative, Indie, Rock, Disco, Funk & Latin, Current Hits

Hottest 2019 Trend in Weddings!

Introducing one of the hottest wedding trends of 2019, combining a live musician with a live DJ! You now don't have to decide between the two, you can get the best of both worlds! Your guests are sure to enjoy the variety of music and great show that comes along with it. Not to mention, the energy level of your event will instantly go up to about 1000 and your dance floor will be poppin' all night long! Highly recommend this addition to your special day!

Huge thank you to OMG Ocdamia Music Group, LLC and Creative Cloudworks. for making this video happen!

Preferred Wedding Vendors

I've had the honor of working with some of the best wedding vendors in the industry over the years. I highly recommend all of the ones listed below, so if you or anyone you know is on the look out for any of their services, please reach out and be sure to let them know I referred you!

WEDDING COORDINATORS
Renee Dalo of Moxie Bright Events - www.moxiebrightevents.com
Nam Lam of Modern LA Weddings - www.modernlaweddings.com
Jason Rhee of Rheefined Company - www.rheefined.com
Holly Gray of Anything But Gray Events - www.anythingbutgrayevents.com
Jessica Carrillo of Art & Soul Events - www.artandsouleventsla.com

EVENT PRODUCTION
Jose Camara - www.skyeventproduction.com
Entire Productions - www.entireproductions.com

FLORISTS
Nadia Guzman of The Flower Shop 818 - www.theflowershop818.com
Thy at Oceanic Flowers - www.oceanicflowers.com

CATERERS
Elayne Sawaya at the Catering Concierge - www.cateringconcierge.net
24 Carrots Catering and Events - www.24carrots.com
Amy's Culinary Adventures - www.amysculinaryadventures.com

LIVE PERFORMANCE ARTISTS
Masha at Artist Creating Entertainment - www.artistcreatingentertainment.com

BANDS
Amanda Castro of The Amanda Castro Band (Jazz) - www.amandacastro.com
George Loreto of Undercover Live (Variety of Cover Bands) - www.undercoverlive.com

DESSERTS
Nika Yazdani of Sugar Studio - www.sugarstudiola.com

CAKE
Nicole Redd-McIntosh of Nicole Bakes Cakes - www.nicolebakescakes.com
Tamara Brown of Mwokaji Cakery - www.mwokajicakery.com

PARTY RENTALS
Anna Canno of Signature Party Rentals - www.signatureparty.com

DJ Brynn Taylor

Since her arrival to Los Angeles in 2005, Brynn Taylor has earned her place as one of the most versatile and skilled female DJs in the country. She consistently maintains several residencies at high-profile venues in Los Angeles, New York, and Las Vegas. Brynn Taylor's eclectic repertoire, infectious energy and sheer talent have lead to her widespread recognition and acclaim. She was voted "Best West Hollywood DJ" by Wehoconfidential.com, and Curve Magazine has highlighted Brynn as one of the "Most Powerful Women."

Brynn’s favorite genres to perform: Pop/Top 40, Dance/Remix Top 40, Hip-Hop, EDM, Nu Disco, House/Lounge

Other genres that Brynn performs: Motown, 70’s, 80’s, 90's, 00's, Disco, Funk, Rock, Alternative, Indie, Current Hits

DJ Danni Ammon

Danni Ammon hails all the way from Perth, Australia, and has the reputation of being my friendliest DJ. Since leaving Australia just a few years ago, she has performed at 100’s of events, including several weddings, fashion shows, pride festivals, corporate parties and numerous high-profile film and TV events. Danni is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, guitarist, music producer and drummer, and has performed internationally for various Indie-Pop bands throughout the last 10 years.

Danni’s favorite genres to perform: Pop/Top 40, Dance/Remix Top 40, Motown, Hip-Hop, Indie, EDM, 90’s

Other genres that Danni performs: 70’s, 80’s, 00's, Alternative, Rock, Disco, Nu Disco, House/Lounge, Funk, Current Hits

Event Tips and Tricks - How to Get Your Dance Floor Going

Welcome to another episode of events tips and tricks! The number one question I get asked is "how can i get my friends and family dancing?"

Tip 1 - Make sure you are on the dance floor. Your guests are more likely to dance if you are.
Tip 2- Take a group photo just before opening the dance floor. That way you'll have all your guests there.
Tip 3 - Invite your guests join you during your first dance. Then, have the DJ switch to a fun song to get the party started.

Here are just a few tips and tricks to get the crowd onto the dance floor. Happy planning!

Event Tips and Tricks - Modern Bouquet and Garter Toss Ideas

Modern Bouquet and Garter Toss Ideas

The bouquet and garter toss are some of the oldest traditions, but I'm finding more and more couples omitting this from their wedding reception because it doesn't fit their modern day style. Here are some alternatives that I've seen at actual wedding that might inspire you to think of something super special.

One of the best things I've seen in lieu of flowers are toys - stuffed teddy bears, fake pomegranates, you name it. Whatever it is, make sure it's something fun that will get the crowd going and will fit the theme of your wedding.

Another thing I've seen is a cash bouquet. Extra points if you have the receiver of the bouquet donate that money to the charity of their choice.

Nerf guns make the whole event better. Newly weds can find a way to hide nerf guns throughout the venue and then during the reception, initiate a nerf gun fight everyone can participate in.

I've also seen a dance competition happen that the newly weds can judge. Have a small prize for the winner and get the runner ups to come to the dance floor to get the party going.

18 Wedding First Dance Songs That Aren’t At All Cheesy

DJ Keelez was recently selected to contribute to this piece by HuffPost Weddings.

“I am a huge fan of upbeat and super fun first dances, so this one of my favorite songs to recommend. The lyrics are perfect for the occasion and the song is also great to dance to. Everyone in the room will be tapping their feet.” ― DJ Keelez, a DJ in Los Angeles

Read the full article here.

Top 20 List on Expertise.com

Thank you Expertise for putting me on your list of "20 Best Los Angeles Wedding DJs"! You can check out the article here.

"People That Love Us on Yelp" Award Recipient

A great client experience has always been my #1 priority. I am thrilled to announce that I was a 2017 "People Love Us On Yelp" Award Recipient!

This award is special because it is only issued to a handful of businesses each year. In order to qualify, that business must exhibit a high level of customer satisfaction and seamless delivery of services. I absolutely love what I do and always strive to do my best for each client I work with so this award really means a lot to me. Huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write a review over the years!

If you are in need of DJ, MC or lighting services at your next event, you can head over to my Yelp right now to check out my reviews. Feel free to contact me directly at bibi@djkeelez.com with any questions and inquiries.

Thanks again for all of your support!

Modern Bouquet and Garter Toss Ideas

BOOKINGS AND QUESTIONS