From first dance to last call: How Tim the DJ sets the perfect party tone.

 

Tim, welcome; we love the vibe you bring to a wedding day, but before we get into your advice for couples planning their celebration, tell us, what got you into DJ-ing weddings?

I’ve loved music as long as I can remember. As a kid, I think I played So Fresh Hits of Spring 2001 so many times that I burned a second hole in the CD. After school, I went on to become a lawyer, but my passion for music never left.

Then, about six years ago, my brother, DJ Callum Gracie, was working for a large entertainment agency at the time and, knowing my passion for music, gave me some DJ decks to borrow. If you know that scene in The Simpsons where Bart drinks that super squishy – well, when I got my hands on DJ decks, it was like that. I was addicted. I initially began working with various agencies in Melbourne learning the art of how to rock a wedding dance floor.

After COVID, I decided to work for myself, and I haven’t looked back. This year alone, I was lucky to DJ nearly 60 weddings, and I’ve had the absolute best clients along the way. It really is the best job, and I’m so thankful to all my kickass couples who have trusted me to bring the vibes to their special day.

 

 

How to ignite the dance floor.

Read the room, for sure. It takes a unique skill set to nail a wedding dance floor, as you have guests of all ages and music tastes, so you must read the room well. It’s also important to play the right song at the right time. This means no pre-prepared playlists, only live mixing.

My clients also get access to an online planning portal where they can set out their Must Play Songs (I like to limit this to no more than five tracks for the dance floor so that I have flexibility), their Do Not Play songs (which will not be played at all, even if guests request them on the night), and their Vibe playlist (where they can link me a playlist containing all their favourite songs and guilty pleasures).  The best way to kickstart the party is to have a selection of songs the couple loves, paired with the flexibility to play tracks that will resonate with the crowd.

 

Dance floor anthems that never fail.

I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor

It’s Raining Men – The Weather Girls (or Geri Halliwell’s version for the 90s kids)

Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield

Low – Flo Rida ft. T Pain (what’s a dance floor without booties dropping at some point)

Shooting Stars – Bag Raiders

Jackie – BZ ft Joanne

Untouched – The Veronicas

Freed from Desire – Gala

100% Pure Love – Crystal Waters

Heads Will Roll – Yeah Yeah Yeahs, A-Trak

 

 

The sax appeal: elevating wedding vibes.

The DJ/Sax combo is becoming increasingly popular at weddings as clients get the best of both worlds – the live performance aspect that comes with a band, coupled with the DJ element of being able to play any song/genre that guests and couples love.

Being able to drop in the sax throughout the night also creates an infectious energy and brings the vibe of the dance floor up to that next level. There’s nothing better than when the dance floor kicks into gear, and I get to roam onto the dance floor and throw down a shredding sax solo – now that is fun. Adding sax to the mix really is a game changer as it brings out that BDE (Big Dancefloor Energy) at each wedding.

 

The ultimate sax tracks.

There are so many goodies out there. Jubel is a sax-heavy track that always goes off. Then there’s J Lo’s Let’s Get Loud and Mr Saxobeat for a good time. And who can of course forget Careless Whisper or Never Tear us Apart.

 

 

The art of managing music requests.

I can absolutely take song requests from guests on the night, as a key part of entertaining a crowd is giving them what they want. But if a guest requests a song that is going to be a stinker and empty the dance floor, it won’t be played. I’ve learnt a few tricks along the way to kindly and respectfully knock back a bad song request. If you’ve ever heard me say to a guest, “That’s a great song, I’d love to play it for you, but unfortunately, I don’t have it”, it was probably me being polite. I do have it.

 

 

Mastering the mix.

I think the best tip is to trust their DJ. If couples have booked a reputable and experienced DJ, and you’ve followed them on their socials for some time and seen what they can do (or seen them in action at a previous event), then lean on their experience. They perform at weddings week in and week out, so they will have the skill set to curate the perfect dance floor set for couples and their guests. They’ll be able to mix your song choices with crowd favourites and ensure everyone (from kids to grandparents) will have a great time. Having the addition of the sax is also a surefire way to turn any wedding from memorable to extraordinary.

 

 

Behind the decks: Tim’s dream wedding playlist

Tim, if it were your wedding you were planning, what would top the list for your song choices?

Funny you ask this, as my partner Imogen and I are getting married next February! It’s still a little while away, so we haven’t decided on our own tunes for our formalities just yet.

But songs for a wedding party entrance that I’ve seen and work really well are ones that are, of course, high energy. Calvin Harris’s We Found Love, The Darkness I Believe in a Thing Called Love or even Beyonce’s Homecoming Drumline come to mind. If it were my sole decision, we’d enter to the intro of Simon Says by Pharoahe Monch, but I have a strong suspicion that won’t be happening!

The first dance is also something we’ll need to turn our minds to. This will probably be decided a week before our big day, but for couples out there currently pondering their first dance, there is no wrong option. Pick a song that means something to you both.

 

 

The last song: wrapping up with a bang.

For the final song of the night, some ideas that come to mind are:

Taylor Swift’s Love Story. Yes I know it’s unoriginal, but it’s a bloody belter and still lands every single time!

Sandstorm by Darude. Who doesn’t love getting down to this track?,

Or maybe even some Blink 182’s First Date for those nostalgic feels – plus I think the lyrics “Let’s make this night last forever” is a nice touch to end the night on.

 

Considering the entertainment options for your wedding day? Contact Tim the DJ to craft the perfect soundtrack for your dream day moments.