Updating my review to address Allen's response commentary 4/8/24:
I've waited 6 months to write this review to fully let my thoughts marinate and let the dust settle, as the saying goes. In short, I would say DO NOT BOOK. Allen was by far the biggest disappointment of our wedding day and the worst, I mean worst vendor that we booked.
My husband & I were so excited to look for a DJ that would capture our wedding night - bringing the excitement and getting the crowd going on the dance floor.
Our wedding was at Botanica, and with TMV venues, you are required to use a particular DJ from their list. We looked for a DJ with 3 factors in mind: kind/professional/organized, somewhat affordable prices (we had approx. a $2k budget for a DJ), and was open to our friends (who are professional DJs) hopping onto the set for a little bit. Allen achieved each of these in our initial conversations.
Preparation: I provided Allen with a detailed timeline excel link with a "music" tab on that doc with every song of the night, when/what announcements to make, playlists titled to the way he requested, speeches (when/who by name), and hyperlinked all necessary songs for convenience. We felt confident that based on the emails and pre-wedding meetings taken place, Allen was going to do an excellent job. Allen is kind, asks questions and makes you feel confident in his abilities. This information was both provided digitally and printed (out of courtesy).
Here's a high level on what execution looked like:
1. Ceremony: Allen walked up to the officiant mid ceremony 2-3 times (captured by our video team). 1 issue was the mic not working mid ceremony (photo screenshotted from our videography). The 2nd issue was we had asked for no podium stand at the altar and he set it up as our bridal party is walking down the aisle?! (This was the 2nd time he walked up mid ceremony, as noted-provided there is no podium in the image). Walking down the aisle song was cut incredibly short for a long silent pause as the "handoff" from my mom to husband was done.
2. Announcements: did not make any announcements, unless I was going to the DJ booth requesting and re-requesting. When announcements were made, it was said so quietly that guests could not hear what was being said.
3. Timeline: Allen missed virtually every event that needed to take place other than when we had again gone up to the DJ booth letting him know we needed to do it. Our photographers were extremely helpful in helping keep us on track or we would not have gotten to this. Examples are: A. Money dance:Allen requested we chose multiple songs, he cut the dance short as people were still paying/dancing transitioning to our Longest Couple Song. B. Longest Couple Dance song was then incorrect and there was unclear instruction to exit the dance floor as you've been together X amount of years. C. Bar closed missing an event "Thunderstruck" which was slated to have 2 announcements before. D. He forgot we were doing a photo dash to each table and I ran across the dining room to remind him to get started following our first dance (he called up the first speech instead).
4. First Dance Song: Started mid-song (5-10ish seconds in) throwing my husband and I completely off our routine and playing catch up. We had taken dance lessons prior to, so a proper start was necessary.
5. Names of speakers/wedding party: Forgot pronunciation and sequence of wedding party/ who was who for speeches. Inquired with random guests for this information (confirmed by 2 different guests who discussed with me after). Additionally, called the best man the father of the groom's name & called my godparents my grandparents, twice (who are passed away).
6. Playlists // Must Play Songs: songs were jumbled and not well executed. For example, we transitioned from the dinner reception to the outdoor dance floor in a conga line. Within 10 minutes or so, Allen played Mr. Brightside by the Killers and Clarity by Zedd... our footage reflects maybe 20 people on the dance floor (guest count was 175 for perspective) with guests getting drinks before coming to the dance floor. These are notorious late night songs and this was mentioned in prep meetings of the importance of playing with people on the dance floor. HUGE miss and misjudgment by an experienced DJ.
*confirming our friends did play for a period of time (as discussed in pre-booking) almost directly after these songs as I was shocked at the execution. my husband jokingly teased if Allen or our friends were better.
All in all- it was a rough experience and we would not recommend. Unfortunately outside of our own personal thoughts, nearly 25 guests have mentioned how wonderful the wedding was except the DJ execution.
Allen was made aware of this disappointment night of, so this review should come to no surprise. No follow up was made following our big day outside of the commentary on this review. Thanks for reading and best of luck in your decision making! read more