The sample pack

1 — THE CLIENT PLANNING FORM (EXCERPT)

Northbeat wedding planning form

Hi — I’m Mara, your DJ. Fill this in once, any time up to three weeks before the day, and I’ll build your night from it. Nothing here is a trick question: if you don’t know yet, write “not sure” and we’ll settle it on the final call.

• Your names, as they should be announced — spell them the way they sound (“REH-yes”, “PREE-ya”). I will say them the way you write them, every time.
• Grand entrance — who walks in, in what order, and to what song? Include the wedding party if they enter to music.
• First dance — song, artist, and whether you want the full track or a fade at a time you pick.
• Parent dances — songs and who dances; tell me any family situation I should steer around on the mic.
• Cake cut / bouquet / garter — which of these are happening, and the song for each if you care; if you don’t, I’ll pick from your must-play list.
• Toasts — who speaks, in what order; I’ll have the mic to each speaker before they stand up.
• Last song — the one everyone leaves humming, and whether you want a private last dance after guests head out.

2 — THE MUSIC QUESTIONNAIRE (EXCERPT)

Music, requests and the do-not-play list

• Ten must-plays — the songs that must happen even if the floor is empty (it won’t be).
• The do-not-play list — artists or songs I should never touch tonight. This list wins over any guest request, every time.
• Guest requests — Northbeat’s policy, said once: I take requests all night and play the ones that keep your floor moving; anything on your do-not-play list is a warm “can’t tonight — couple’s orders” from me, so it never has to be a no from you.
• The vibe curve — dinner feel (jazz, soul, acoustic?), early floor (motown, 2000s pop?), late floor (house, reggaeton, country?). Three words per slot is plenty.

3 — THE RUN SHEET (AS THE DJ READS IT)

Reyes & Priya — Sat 6/14 — Harbor View Hall

• 4:15 — Load in, sound check done by 4:45 (ceremony mic to officiant 4:50)
• 5:00 — Doors / cocktail: jazz set, low — venue contact: Dana, side door
• 6:10 — Line up wedding party in hall — names card taped to booth: “REH-yes”, “PREE-ya”
• 6:15 — Grand entrance: “Golden Hour” from the drop · couple last · straight into…
• 6:45 — First dance, full song · then parent dances back-to-back
• 7:05 — Dinner set · toasts at 7:40: Sam (best man), Lila (sister) — mic to each before they stand
• 8:25 — Cake cut (“Sugar”) · 8:30 open floor — do-not-play list taped to case
• 10:55 — Last song “Piano Man”, full room · 11:00 private last dance, lights down

4 — THE CLIENT EMAILS (EXCERPTS)

Booking confirmation + deposit

“You’re booked for Saturday, June 14 — I’m holding the date from today. To lock it in, the deposit is $200 by card or transfer within 7 days (the link’s below); the rest is due the week of the wedding. The planning form will land in your inbox about eight weeks out…”

The final-details check (two weeks out)

“Two weeks! I have your form from May 2 — three quick things before I print your run sheet: (1) is Sam still first toast, (2) confirm the last song, (3) any new do-not-plays? Anything after Friday, just text me…”