Bay Area DJ Services for Weddings, Quinceaneras, Corporate and Private Events
We’re a Bay Area DJ service whose objective is to make your dreams come true. We have a wide range of music ready for every taste. Whether you like Top 40, 50s, 70s, 80s, country, Hip Hop, House, Jazz, Latin, throwbacks or everything in between, we will play what your heart desires. For us, it’s not just about playing music for you, it is about providing an enjoyable experience that you and your guests will remember. Our DJs also know how to mix and blend music smoothly for every section of your event. Why hire just any DJ service when you can hire Mastermind and know that we’ll take care of your every entertainment need at your party.
Wedding plan list to help you get ready for your special wedding day
If you’re planning your wedding, like many couples around this time of the year for next year, you’ll want to have a plan for your special day. This wedding plan list is brought to you by Mastermind DJs. Here is an 11 month wedding plan list which will help you even if you’re wedding is in six months. Print this wedding plan list and get some help – don’t do it on your own.
Wedding Plan List first 3 months:
Your wedding plan list is here – Mastermind DJs, a San Francisco Bay Area Mobile DJ Experience!
11 Months Before Wedding (good you have plenty of time)
How much will you spend? Create a budget
Decide on guests
Determine a time frame for your wedding date
Set the date
Select your theme
Select the colors of your theme
Make a list of ceremony venues
Where will your reception be held? Make a list of venues
Start requesting quotes from local DJs, caterer, photographer/videographer, and florist
Hire a wedding coordinator if your budget will allow it
10 Months Before Wedding (it helps to get someone to help you, sister, brother or friend)
Book your ceremony venue. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule
Book your reception venue. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule
Choose the members of your wedding party – maid of honor and best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearer,
flower girl as well as your ushers – and invite them to take these roles
Create your wedding website – optionally you can create a Facebook page
9 Months Before Wedding (Ask if anyone knows someone they’ve used in the past)
Book your caterer. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule and begin working on a menu.
Book your DJ and/or band. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule
Set up your registries. Add registries page to your wedding website.
Book your photographer/videographer and schedule engagement photo shoot. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule.
Book your florist. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule.
Search for an officiant.
Book your officiant. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule.
Reserve blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests. Add accommodations and travel info to your wedding website, so your guests know what to expect.
Send save-the-date cards (be sure your guest list is finalized first). Include hotel information for out-of-town guests, if it’s available, plus your website address.
Start shopping for your gown.
Wedding Plan List tip – research Pinterest, ask on Facebook for referrals for any vendors you may still need.
8 Months Before Wedding (Don’t forget to use Yelp, Thumbtack, WeddingWire, Wedding.com etc.)
Select your wedding dress and place the order. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule
Search for a wedding cake baker.
Order your wedding cake. Create deposits/payments schedule.
Finalize floral arrangements and design with florist.
Search for a wedding stationer for invitations, plus place cards, menus, announcements (if you’ll use them) and thank-you stationery (which you may need to order now).
Ceremony ideas: musician or DJ background music
Select an invitations service. Negotiate cost, deposit and payments schedule.
If there will be music during your ceremony, make sure to book your musician or negotiate with your DJ to also host the reception.
Plan for rehearsal dinner — who will host? Whoever is hosting should begin searching for a venue. You will also need to negotiate who will be invited.
7 Months Before Wedding (Don’t over think it, think of what will make your day simple, yet memorable)
Attend engagement photo shoot with photographer.
Search for a vendor to help with your hair, makeup, or any pre-wedding pampering.
Select your bridesmaid dresses and flower-girl dress, and have your attendants place their orders.
Purchase accessories for your gown, such as a veil, shoes, undergarments, and jewelry.
Choose groom’s attire.
Rehearsal-dinner host should finalize venue.
Book accommodations for your wedding night.
Book your hair and makeup trial appointment.
Plan and book your honeymoon, including travel, accommodations, and activities.
Wedding Plan List tip – 6 months to go and things are coming together. If you’re starting to plan with 6 months to go, make sure your budget is reasonable to your expectations. Remember that you’re not trying to impress anyone. Your goal is to have the wedding day of your dreams.
The Wedding Plan List for 6 months
wedding plan list – Mastermind DJs
6 Months Before Wedding (ask your dj or event coordinator if they have a quick plan guide they can share with you)
Finalize the text for your invitations and place the order. Also consider purchasing thank-you notes and wedding announcements from the same vendor.
Finalize the menu and service details with your caterer.
Choose your bridesmaids’ accessories (shoes, jewelry, etc.). Purchase or pass along the purchasing information.
Choose groomsmen’s and ring bearer’s attire (including a rental shop if they’ll be renting formal attire). Send them the information necessary to purchase or rent.
Purchase your wedding bands.
Check your gift registry. If items on your list have been discontinued, you may want to update the registry.
Design and start creation of favors.
5 Months Before Wedding
Discuss and confirm party plans for bachelor and bachelorette parties, as well as any shower that is offered, with your maid of honor and best man.
For an international honeymoon, begin to get your papers in order (passport, birth certificate, visas, vaccinations, etc.).
Ask your readers to be a part of your ceremony. Begin a search for readings, and discuss them with your officiant.
If you are handling the bridesmaid dress order, confirm the delivery date.
Schedule gown fitting appointments. Your first appointment should be directly after you receive the gown, and the last appointment should fall no later than three weeks before the wedding.
Provide guest lists to your maid of honor and best man for your shower, bachelorette party, bachelor party, and other social events.
Search for a transportation vendor (limo, bus for guests, etc.)
Book your transportation vendor. Create deposits/payments schedule.
4 Months Before Wedding
Stuff and send out wedding invitations.
Track gifts received from guests and send thank-you notes.
Check on your hotel room blocks to ensure important guests have made their travel arrangements.
Design your ceremony programs and print them. Create menu cards for the reception tables, if you’ll be using them.
Research local marriage license requirements. Schedule a blood test appointment if one is required in your state.
Don’t forget to check when the license expires and if there is a waiting period.
Decide on a guest book option.
Purchase or make gifts for your bridal party and close family. Don’t forget ushers, flower girls, ring bearers, and
readers!
Wedding Plan List tip – by this time you should have all your ducks in a row. By now you should have given the DJ your song list for every cue of your wedding and have hopefully had a conversation and cleared out your special dance song.
3 Months Before Wedding
Alert your wedding party to the rehearsal. The rehearsal-dinner host should send rehearsal dinner invitations.
Obtain a marriage license. Follow your state’s guidelines concerning how soon you can apply, and how long the license is valid for.
If you have a DJ/band, work on a list of ‘must-play’ and ‘do-not play’ songs. Be sure you also send them selections
for your introductions, first dance, cake cutting, father/daughter dance, anniversary dance, and last dance.
Determine your ceremony music selections and send the list to your ceremony musicians.
Shop for all additional accessories like undergarments, jewelry, headpiece, bridal purse, etc.
Create a wedding day schedule. Send the information to your wedding party and vendors.
Finalize any special preferences, readings, or other ceremony details (in writing) with your officiant.
Notify your maid of honor/mother/or friend to attend your final gown fitting so they can learn how the bustle will be tied.
2 Months Before Wedding
Verify with your reception venue to make sure your vendors will have access to the site when they need it.
Confirm delivery locations, times, and final arrangements with your florist. Make a list of who will get bouquets,
corsages, and boutonnieres, and recruit someone to oversee this on the wedding day.
Confirm the rehearsal details and wedding day schedule with your officiant.
Pick up the tuxedo/suit and try it on at the shop. See if there are any additional alterations to be made.
Confirm location, date, and time with your photographer. Create your ‘must-take’ photo list.
Confirm location, date, and time with your videographer.
Confirm all honeymoon travel plans. Give someone a copy of your itinerary and contact information in case of an emergency.
Shop and pack for the honeymoon.
If you’re having a receiving line, determine the order everyone will stand in.
1 Months Before the Big Wedding
If you have guests attending from out of town who have children, help them by locating babysitting options for
them.
Write your vows if you choose to personalize them. Send a copy to your officiant.
Pick up wedding rings and check the inscriptions before you leave the store.
Call guests who have not yet RSVP’d for the wedding and rehearsal dinner to get a final head count.
Create your seating chart. Make place cards or give typed names to your calligrapher.
Give the seating chart to your caterer, reception venue manager, and wedding coordinator.
Prepare your toasts and thanks to friends and family.
Send your transportation vendor the schedule, addresses, and contact phone numbers for the wedding day.
Confirm all final payment amounts with your vendors. Mail your payment checks or make arrangements for the
wedding day.
1 Week Before Wedding
Give final head count to the caterer. Confirm set-up instructions and menu items.
Confirm number of bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces with your florist.
Confirm head count, delivery time, and location with your wedding cake vendor.
Pick up your gown. Before leaving the shop, try it on to make sure there are no additional alterations to be made.
Drop off favors, place cards, guest book, pens, cake knife, toasting flutes, and all other reception items at the
reception venue.
Pull together wedding gown, veil, shoes, stockings, and a last-minute emergency kit (aspirin, makeup, hairspray, safety pins, mints, etc.).
After Wedding
Arrange for gown and veil to be cleaned and preserved. Make sure the provider is experienced in preserving wedding gowns.
Take the bridal bouquet to be preserved, or save a petal to be pressed for your scrapbook.
Do paperwork for official documents if you are changing your name.
Write thank-you notes for all the gifts you received at the wedding and before. Traditional etiquette gives you an 8-week grace period
We hope that this wedding plan list will help you through this special moment in your life.
wedding plan list – Mastermind DJs
Mastermind DJs is a Bay Area local DJ service specializing in weddings of any size. Our expert DJs will rock your crowd on the dance floor and entertain your guests all night. To find out about our availability call request a quote at Mastermind DJs – book us!
The art of making customers happy
So what is The art of making customers happy? From the looks of it, sometimes people think that being a DJ is an easy and kick back job but there is a lot more to it than just playing music for people. There is a lot of planning that goes behind picking the right music for your particular customer and ensuring that you have communicated every step of the way with them as to what you will need at their location and times during which you will be providing DJ services.
Preparing music based on their quick list is somewhat of an art. Is the human way figuring out what they might like based on what the customer gave you. While at the party, it is also a skill to be able to feel the crowd for what they’re liking and enjoying.
In summary, we pre-plan prior to the party and improvise during the party based on the vibe. Of course, we fill requests as our objective is to deliver an experience that everyone enjoys. Such is the case with our latest Halloween party, our customer was so happy that we received this post through email after we thank her for her business. This is what makes our day!
Top Songs for Halloween
Songs for Halloween – the Mastermind DJs playlist.
If you’re having a party this Halloween, here are some songs you should add to your playlist that will make your party theme even more spookier. These are some of the most qualified music for this awesome fun holiday! The following Halloween playlist was compiled by Mastermind DJs, your Bay Area DJ choice for any kind of event.
“This is Halloween” – Danny Elfman
“Highway to Hell” – AC/DC
“Dont fear the Reaper” – Blue Oyster Cult
“Creep” – Radiohead
“Superstition” – Stevie Wonder
“Addam’s Groove” – MC Hammer
“My Mind Playin’ Tricks On Me” – Geto Boys
“Nightmares” – Dana Dane
“Nightmare on my Street” – DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
“Freaks come out at Night” – Whodini
“Are You Ready for Freddy” – Fat Boys
“Werewolves of London” – Warren Zevon
“Deal with the Devil” – Pop Evil
“Ghostbusters” – Ray Parker Jr.
“Monster Mash” – Bobby “Boris” Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers
“Thriller” – Michael Jackson
“Tubular Bells Part 1” – Mike Oldfield
“Vampire Nightclub” – Art Department’
“People are Strange” – Echo and the Bunnymen
“Bela Lugosi’s Deak” – Bauhaus
“Lotion” – Greenskeepers
“Vampires” DJ Touche
“Monster” Kanye West
“Red Right Hand” – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
“Halloween” The Misfits
“Devil Walking” – Mark Knight
“Somebody’s Watching Me” – Rockwell
“Supernature” – Cerrone
“Pet Sematary” – The Ramones
“Ghost Town” – The Specials
“Time Warp” – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
“Surfin’ Dead” – The Cramps
“Season of the Witch” – Donovan
“I put a Spell On You” – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
“Dead Man’s Party” – Oingo Boingo
“Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads
“Scarecrow” – Strung Out
“Among the Dead” – Tim Armstrong
“Dracula” – Gorillaz
“Bat Country” – Avenged Sevenfold
“Bark at the Moon” – Ozzy Osbourne
“Science Fiction Double Feature” – Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
“Over at the Frankenstein Place” – Alkaine Trio
Tell us what you thought of this playlist of songs for Halloween. We’d love to hear from you. If you have more songs to add, drop us a note in the comment section down below. Happy Halloween and enjoy the spooky evening.
Tips and ideas for throwing a party?
If you’ve never thrown a party, this post is for you. The more planning you do ahead of time, the less stressful your party will be before and during the party. So allow us to give you some party tips to rock your house.
Start planning early, think of a theme or work on around the holiday that you’re celebrating. Planning early will allow you to think of ideas for that football party or Halloween party you’ve been thinking of throwing.
What’s on the menu? Think quantity as to how much food you’ll need, based on how many guests your having. Unless, of course you’re throwing a potluck party. Check back on the theme and see if the them can inspire the food. For example, a Cinco de Mayo party, you know you’ll need to have Mexican food. If you have a big budget party, hire a catering service.
The bar is open. Check out Bev and Mo and or talk to the guys/gals there. They are very helpful at giving you ideas for drinks within any budget. Again, let the theme inspire ideas for the drinks. If the budget allows, hire a mobile bar service.
The dance tunes. You might have your iPod do the music entertainment or you might hire a DJ, whichever the case, think of a playlist for your party. You might also ask your friends and family for suggestions to make it more fun.
Have fun!
Mastermind DJs is a San Francisco Bay Area mobile DJ service for all types of events. Get in touch with Mastermind DJs at (650) 200-0579.
Top local Bay Area places to hold your wedding
If you’re getting married and are planning on a location in the Bay Area, you might find that there are lots of places to choose from. Here just a few places we’ve loved through our own experiences:
The Hyatt Regency in Burlingame
This place has a great space and accommodations for all your guests a large parking space. Conveniently located at the heart of the Peninsula for those coming from the south and north locations of the Bay Area and if your guests are flying in, SFO is just within minutes away.
South San Francisco Conference Center in South San Francisco
This large conference center has been a great spot for large weddings but they can adapt to any type of event. They have a large parking lot, and in house kitchen for catering services and with other services such as security as well.
The Embassy Suites in Burlingame
This place has breath taking views of the Bay and a very beautiful setting for a wedding. Parking space is ample and accommodations will provide comfort to your guests who decide to stay the night.
Do you have any places you’d like to recommend? Drop us a comment on our Facebook page.
What is a party without the DJ?
There are times when in the planning stages of a party when budgets go wild and the last item at hand becomes the music and who will play it. We’ve had clients that confess to us that prior to seeking out a DJ, they actually considered having an iPod play lists in loop mode or their favorite app. While this might save you a lot of money, a party without a DJ can be a boring party. The app would not know what type of music to play based on the audience’s reaction to a song or even be able to pump the crowd when the party really gets going. These are some but a few thing that make the DJ at a party unique.
A professional DJ can adapt to the atmosphere happening on the dance floor and guide the crowd into a rocking party. In addition, a DJ service will sometimes provide you with an MC that will transition your party through important timelines that you designate for your party. It is important to note that your guests will be in tune with the food, they will be hungry and we’ll want to party after so that means that the music is equally important.
After all, if you’re throwing a party, why not make it memorable to you and your guests. So next time you’re planning a party, make sure the DJ is on your top 5 things to budget for. Make sure you have a few songs selected that you will require, your preferred genres and or provide this list to the wedding planner to ensure your DJ is well aware of what you’d like to hear. However, we would also recommend requesting that you meet the DJ if you’re working with a wedding planner as this will allow you to get to know the person that will entertain you and your guests for your special night.
DJ OneSeven owns and operates Mastermind DJs, a San Francisco Bay area Dj entertainment service.
Top wedding songs of 2015
If you’re looking for songs for your wedding. Here is a compiled list of popular songs of 2015 compiled by TheKnot.
“Thinking Out Loud,” by Ed Sheeran
“Coming Home,” by Leon Bridges
“A Sky Full of Stars,” by Coldplay
“Uptown Funk,” by Mark Ronson (featuring Bruno Mars)
“Run, Run, Run,” by Kelly Clarkson (featuring John Legend)
“Lay Me Down,” by Sam Smith
“Shut Up and Dance,” by Walk the Moon
“Sugar,” by Maroon 5
“I Want You to Know,” by Zedd and Selena Gomez
“Only One,” by Kanye West and McCartney
“Love You Like That,” by Canaan Smith
For more information about these songs check out https://www.theknot.com/content/hottest-wedding-songs-for-2015
Top 100 Most Requested Songs
Here are the Top 100 Most Requested Songs at weddings. Leave a comment and tell us which one’s your favorite!
Ain’t Too Proud To Beg | The Temptations
All of Me | John Legend
Amazed | Lonestar
At Last | Etta James
Baby Got Back | Sir Mix-A-Lot
Best Day of My Life | American Authors
Better Together | Jack Johnson
Billie Jean | Michael Jackson
Brick House | Commodores
Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison
Blurred Lines | Robin Thicke
Build Me Up Buttercup | Foundations
Bust A Move | Young MC
Celebration | Kool & The Gang
Cha Cha Slide | DJ Casper
Come On Eileen | Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Cotton Eye Joe | Rednex
Country Girl | Luke Bryan
Country Grammar | Nelly
Crazy In Love | Beyonce
Crazy Little Thing Called Love | Queen
Cruise | Florida – Georgia Line feat. Nelly
Cupid Shuffle | Cupid
Don’t Stop Believin’ | Journey
Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough | Michael Jackson
Dynamite | Taio Cruz
Fancy | Iggy Izalea
Firework | Katy Perry
Footloose | Kenny Loggins
Forever| Chris Brown
Friends In Low Places | Garth Brooks
Getting Jiggy With It | Will Smith
Give Me Everything | Pitbull
God Gave Me You | Blake Shelton
Gold Digger | Kanye West
Good Feeling | Flo Rida
Got To Give It Up | Marvin Gaye
Happy | Pharrell Williams
Haven’t Met You Yet | Michael Buble
Hey Soul Sister | Train
Hey Ya! | Outkast
Ho Hey | Lumineers
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) | James Taylor
Ice Ice Baby | Vanilla Ice
Ignition (Remix) | R. Kelly
I’m Yours | Jason Mraz
Jump Around | House of Pain
Just Dance | Lady Gaga
Kiss | Prince
Let’s Get It On | Marvin Gaye
Let’s Stay Together | Al Green
Letting Go (Dutty Love) | Sean Kingston
Livin’ On A Prayer | Bon Jovi
Love On Top | Beyonce
Love Shack | B-52’s
Low | Flo Rida
Marry Me | Train
Marry You | Bruno Mars
Mirrors | Justin Timberlake
Moves Like Jagger | Maroon 5
Old Time Rock n’ Roll | Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
O.M.G. | Usher
Party Rock Anthem | LMFAO
Play That Funky Music | Wild Cherry
Pour Some Sugar On Me | Def Leppard
Rhythm Of Love | Plain White T’s
Roar | Katy Perry
Rolling In The Deep | Adele
Safe and Sound | Capital Cities
Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) | Big & Rich
Say Hey (I Love You) | Michael Franti & Spearheads
September | Earth, Wind, & Fire
Sexy And I Know It | LMFAO
Shout | Isley Brothers
Stand By Me | Ben E. King
Stayin’ Alive | Bee Gees
Step In The Name Of Love | R. Kelly
Sweet Caroline | Neil Diamond
Sweet Home Alabama | Lynyrd Skynyrd
The Time (Dirty Bit) | Black Eyed Peas
The Twist | Chubby Checker
The Way You Look Tonight | Frank Sinatra
This Is How We Do It | Montell Jordan
Thrift Shop | Macklemore feat. Ryan Lewis
Timber | Ke$Ha
Turn Down For What | DJ Snake feat. Lil John
Unchained Melody | Righteous Brothers
Wagon Wheel | Old Crow Medicine Show
Wake Me Up | Avicii
Walk This Way | Aerosmith
We Are Family | Sister Sledge
We Are Young | fun.
We Found Love | Rihanna
What I Like About You | Romantics
Where Them Girls At | David Guetta
Where The Party At | Jagged Edge
Wobble | V.I.C.
Yeah | Usher
Yeah 3x | Chris Brown
You Shook Me All Night Long | AC/DC
We hope you enjoy the top 100 most requested songs at weddings list which you can use for your own selection of songs at your own wedding.
Mastermind DJ Entertainment and Event Management Service. We provide our services in the entire San Francisco Bay Area. To make an appointment with our event manager, give us a call at (650) 200-0579 or fill out our online form to make an appointment.