Wedding Vendor Field Notes | Adagio Djay Entertainment
In today’s Vendor Highlight, we’ll be chatting with Carlie from Adagio Djay Entertainment! Adagio set the stage for corporate events, weddings, private parties, and more, and they make sure your guests get on and stay on the dancefloor. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Adagio offers a very nuanced and service-oriented entertainment experience. With great attention to detail and to the couple, you’ll have a intentional and amazing time with Adagio! They’ve won countless awards over the years and have a plethora of amazing reviews - hire them and experience the magic for yourself!
01. Tell us the story of how your business got started!
“Back in 1989, Jay Brian Kochendorfer started this business at the age of 14, playing for birthday parties and school dances. By high school, he had multiple DJs working for him, and more than 30 years later, we continue to serve with integrity and passion in everything we do. Adagio Djay Entertainment has evolved into the area's most popular full-service DJ company offering award-winning DJs, Live Musicians, Mood Lighting, Ceremony Sound Systems, Videography, and Dance Instruction.”
02. What’s your favorite wedding trend(s) right now?
“During the height of COVID, micro weddings were a necessity that many couples did to carry on with their wedding plans. Now we see a trend of couples having a smaller, more intimate ceremony, followed by a big party that more guests are invited to. I love the idea of close friends and family witnessing the marriage ceremony and then everyone else arriving for the dance. Couples get to save money with a smaller guest count for dinner and then have the big party they want later in the day. When it comes to the dance floor, the more the merrier, and this trend provides just that!”
03. What wedding trend(s) are you over?
“Dollar Dances. They keep happening less and less, so I’m glad they’re slowly fading away. Totally understand why people do them; it’s just not as fun for the DJ to play several slow songs in a row. However, I just did a wedding where the bride and groom announced that the money raised by their dollar dance was going to be donated to charity. So that was a nice twist!”
04. What’s something you wish every planner told their couples?
“Have fun! This is your day so make choices that bring you joy. I think it’s so easy to get caught up on all the little details and doing things “the way they should” that people forget to do things the way they want. It can be as simple as choosing a quirky song to have the bridal party to walk down the aisle to (my husband and I chose “Concerning Hobbits” from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack for our wedding party processional as a way to remind us to have fun and enjoy the day).”
05. What would be your dream destination wedding location to work?
“Someplace tropical would be amazing! Especially in the middle of a Minnesota winter. Something like Hawaii or Cancun.”
06. What is your favorite part of a wedding day as a vendor?
“My favorite part of the wedding day is announcing the grand march. There’s just something about being able to start the celebration off with a high-energy announcement. I love getting the crowd to their feet as we cheer on the newlywed couple. Plus, people have started getting creative with their grand march and really making it their own.”
07. What was something you dreamed of having being part of your wedding when you were a kid? Did you / will you still include that?
“When I was young, I dreamed of having a massive bedazzled three-teared wedding cake. White as snow and reaching towards the heavens. Many years later, we ended up having a one-teared cake that blended all of our wedding colors in a watercolor design. So comically, almost the exact opposite of my childhood dream.”
08. What is one of your go-to songs to open the dance floor?
“I find that either September by Earth Wind and Fire or Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars are great songs to open the dance floor. There’s something about those songs that bring all ages to their feet and creates a fun vibe for the party to get started.”
09. What’s your favorite place to grab a bite to eat and/or drink right now in the Twin Cities right now?
“I absolutely love Nye’s Bar on Hennepin Ave in Minneapolis! The atmosphere of this piano bar is just a cool place to be with high-quality drinks and a classy atmosphere. And the best part is requesting songs for the pianist to play throughout the night!”
