The Blog

DJ PRI — WEDDING PLANNING PHILOSOPHY

(How I work with you — and your planner)

Great events are a team effort

Most of my events include a wedding or event planner — and I love that.

Planners keep everything moving, organize details, and make sure the day runs beautifully. My role fits inside that structure: I focus on sound, flow, music direction, and the emotional rhythm of the night.

When we all communicate clearly, everything feels effortless.

🔎 Decisions need to happen early — with everyone looped in

Your planner and I can only build what we know.

That means:

• song decisions made on time
• forms filled out completely
• ceremony + reception details confirmed
• changes communicated clearly (and early)
• one version of the truth — not 57 text threads, 82 emails and 23 instagram DMs….

If decisions stall, everything downstream becomes rushed… and rushed usually means stress, limits, and extra costs you don’t want.

🤝 How I work with your planner (so nothing slips)

I coordinate directly with your planner on:

• timelines and transitions
• entrances + special moments
• cues and microphones for who and when
• setup + room layouts (floor plans)
• vendor timing
• backup plans if something changes last-minute

Your planner is your project lead.
I’m the specialist making sure the experience feels right.

But…

I still rely on you to make decisions when needed — and to respond.

Silence creates bottlenecks. Bottlenecks create chaos and disorganization. None of us want a shit show (pardon my language). Fun and magic needs to be planned, not treated like an afterthought.

🛡️ Built-in protection — for all of us

Because events evolve, my packages include realistic prep time, buffer, and contingency.

Not to pad pricing — but so:

• you aren’t scrambling and us vendors aren’t scrambling
• you aren’t surprised by additional fees later
• the night flows instead of reacting all evening

Planning ahead costs less than adjusting and adding on things later.

⏰ Deadlines exist to keep everyone calm

To protect your planner, me, and your day:

• planning forms + key songs are due by a set date
• custom edits and mixes require advance notice
• changes past deadlines may need rush fees or simplified options

It’s not strictness — it’s protecting the quality of your experience.

📌 Bottom line

Your planner, you, and I are on the same team — and together we’re coordinating with every other vendor, including the venue.

Venues set parameters around load-in, load-out, sound limits, power access, and timelines. Some are amazing, some are… challenging — but you chose the space for a reason, and my job is to help everything work within those realities.

We can get everyone aligned and keep the night flowing beautifully — as long as details are finalized and communication is organized ahead of time. Last-minute decisions are what create capacity limits, stress, and compromises none of us want.

⚠️ Compromises Happen When Events Are Under-Resourced

A beautiful, well-run event needs time, clarity, and realistic budget — including contingency.

When there isn’t enough room for any of those, something (or someone) ends up paying for it – usually you. Last-minute changes don’t just cost money — they drain time, focus, and momentum.

Teams have to reshuffle schedules, redo work, coordinate new plans, and make fast decisions — and when that happens, the quality inevitably shifts from intentional and elevated to reactive and “good enough.”

And compromises start to show up in places you didn’t intend:

• no sound checks and rushed setup
• less thoughtful transitions
• limited customization
• cheaper gear, fewer backups, no support staff when something goes wrong
• rushed communication
• “good enough” instead of “this feels incredible”

And that’s usually when the questions start:

“Can’t you just… add this?”
“Can’t we change this quickly?”
“Can’t we squeeze this in?”

The truth is, our industry is deeply interconnected.

One “small” last-minute request often means:

• shifting vendor schedules
• reworking timelines
• rearranging setups
• adding pressure to teams who are already coordinating moving parts

And I say this with love: most of us are supporting multiple weddings, events, and celebrations at the same time — not only yours.

When everything is organized early and properly resourced, we can say yes more often, collaborate smoothly, and create something unforgettable. When it isn’t, everyone is forced into reactive mode — and that’s where quality suffers.

A realistic plan and a healthy contingency protect all of us — and protect your day most of all.

See my DJ pricing and packages here: https://iamdjpri.co/wedding-pricing-details