DJ Drew | Boulder Wedding Vendor Spotlight
What's your name?
Drew Reges
What is the name of your business and what do you do?
Drew Reges - Guitar, Voice, and DJ Services.
I provide performances as a soloist or with my band. I play classical guitar for wedding ceremonies; popular music (singing and playing) for cocktail hours; and MC and DJ services for receptions. This is all accompanied by full sound and light services to make everyone's event a fun and stress-free party from beginning to end.
What is your favorite beer?
Bell's Oberon is a tasty summer beverage.
What is your favorite outdoor adventure?
Snowshoeing all over the valley in Breckenridge, usually with a snowboard on my back.
How did you get into the wedding industry?
I met some local professionals almost ten years ago who brought me on for a ceremony. Within a couple of years, I was booking solid every summer. It's been a very rewarding progression from pub and party work to helping couples celebrate their day.
Who is your ideal client?
I feel that I do my best with clients that love all types of music. If I can keep people laughing and dancing all night by playing music by everyone from Michael Jackson to The Lonely Island, I'm going to be working in my wheelhouse. It's a big reason I encourage sit-down consults prior to booking; personality fit is a key indicator. It's always productive to meet up for happy hour to discuss the vision for the day.
Tell me your favorite wedding story - either your own or a client’s!
A few years ago I was hired to "simply play some background music" for a crowd that "wouldn't be big dancers". I made sure I had the go-ahead to play to the audience if they wanted to boogie, but was warned that I shouldn't feel awkward if everyone is just cocktailing all night.
About an hour into dancing I couldn't even touch my laptop because the floor was shaking so much. This crew of 70 people REALLY wanted to dance. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the couple underestimated what kind of party they had on their hands! It was a happy 180 from the original expectations!
What is the process for a couple working with you?
I'm typically contacted via email where we'll confirm dates, location, needs, and bid prices based on those criteria. I love to meet clients prior to booking to get a feel for the goals and vision of the day, but most importantly to ensure I'm the best musician for the job. From there, we confirm the booking and begin to figure out details via questionnaire and emails. A majority of my clients are from out of town, but where possible, consults are scheduled to dial in the timeline for the day and all necessary details.
If I've done my job right, the wedding day itself is the easiest part of the process. All the wheels are in motion and it's time to celebrate.
What's your most frequently asked question from wedding clients?
“Do you know how to tie a bow tie?” The answer is, “Yes, I do. I will help your dad out once I'm done setting up these lights.” I'm also happy to shorten the first dance and parents' dances, too.
Who or What inspires you?
Traveling and performing abroad has taught me that music unites people. Great artists push consciousness and understanding further through their work. It's a high honor to be involved in such a vocation.
What's your best advice for couples before the wedding?
Don't stress too much! Myself and my fellow professionals are on hand to knock out any little details that come up during the day so that you don't have to. Figuring out a 30,000 foot view of the day will go a long way to helping guide us in delivering the best party possible.
What's your best advice for couples on their wedding day?
Allow yourself some time to enjoy dinner, socialize, and relax during the event.
What's your best advice for couples after the wedding?
Give yourself a day or two before traveling, if you can, to relax and enjoy Colorado! You've put a lot of work into socializing and providing a party for your friends and family. Now take in some of the beauty that made Colorado the best choice for your wedding day.
I believe it's more about the marriage than the wedding. So what's your best relationship advice?
Don't treat anything anymore seriously than is absolutely necessary. Life is pretty demanding by default. Laughter disarms and heals, so the more you can do that together, the easier all the serious stuff will be.
What's the best way for a couple to contact you?
E-mail me at drew@drewreges.com or call me at 906.370.7399. Visit my website, too, at www.drewreges.com for some more information as well as some samples of ceremony music.