Your Special Day

Your wedding is your special day and you want to make sure it's perfect. Finding the right venue is important, but many people say what makes or breaks a wedding is the music. Music is powerful enough to do more than accentuate the mood — it sets it and draws on something deep inside us. So whether you want your wedding to be formal or a dance party, picking the right DJ or band is essential to creating the atmosphere you've envisioned for months. To help you find the right fit, we've compiled a list of the best musicians in the area.

DJ Ciprian
DJ Ciprian is one of the most popular DJs on the East Coast and in the Charlotte area. He has been creating vibrant mixes for the past 14 years and is the regular DJ for The Mix at Six on 96.1 The Beat as well as the high-end lounge, Butter NC. His mixes are wonderfully energetic and smoothly transitional — and he has featured some of the hottest names in popular music today, such as Akon, Sean Paul, and Jason Derulo. If you're looking for an experienced DJ to set a fun, club atmosphere, then be sure to check him out at djciprian.com.

DJ Marty
When service and flexibility are priorities, DJ Marty is one of your best choices. He goes beyond his job description to help out with the wedding and accommodate you the best he can to give you memories of a lifetime. With experience mixing for both weddings and clubs, he is versatile and knows how to retain formality and when to turn the party up. Many of his influences are big names in progressive house and trance music—such as Kaskade, DJ Tiesto, and Armin van Buuren. In addition to mixing the latest hits, he can also bring back the oldies and lead favorite line dances. For more information, you can contact him at martydj.com.

Carolina Chamber Players
For a more formal wedding party, Carolina Chamber Players set an elegant mood. The group has been together since 1985 — and each member is also a part of the Charlotte Symphony. With more than 1,000 weddings played, they know just how to provide you with the best experience imaginable. They play pieces as a string quartet, meaning the group consists of two violinists, a cellist, and a violist. Some of their most popular pieces include works by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Vivaldi. To contact them or listen to sample songs, visit their Web site at ccplayers.com.

Diamond DJs
Diamond DJs have been together since 1997 and have provided service for more than 2,200 wedding receptions. Flexibility is one of their strong points; they offer a wide range of packages and services to best suit your vision. So whether you want your playlist to consist of today's hits, the classics, or popular songs from the 1980's, they have you covered with a library of 20,000-plus songs. Part of their charm comes from their ability to create the mood through uplighting, where they pick out beautiful colored bulbs to cast dramatic light and shadows on the walls. You can view their gallery and contact information at diamonddjs.net.

Providence String Quartet
Another choice for classical music is the Providence String Quartet. Weddings and wedding receptions are their specialties, so they know just what to do to make your big day run smoothly. Each member has been in multiple, prestigious orchestras around the country, and even out of country. Along with their vast amount of experience, they are also highly seasoned travelers and will be willing to go anywhere in the Carolinas for your wedding, including places far from Charlotte, such as Asheville. Because they have back-up musicians on hand in case one of the regular members is unable to make it, you can be assured they will deliver no matter what. Popular pieces include traditional classics such as Bach, Broadway tunes, and religious songs such as Amazing Grace. You can find out more information at providencestringquartet.com.

DJ Express
If you're looking for a service with more than one experienced DJ, then DJ Express is for you. They have 25 years of experience and have played at more than 1,000 weddings and receptions. Clients have expressed their gratitude over how friendly and dedicated they are; they will do more than show up to play and will make an effort to connect with you and your guests. In addition to having a wide variety of music to choose from — including classical, rock, and hip hop — they also provide karaoke and music videos if desired. However, music isn't the only thing they'll provide; you can also order props, decorations, and party favors for your guests! Visit them online at djexp.com.

Audio to Go
Audio to Go has grown in popularity and prestige in the past few years, and was awarded one of Gigmasters' Rising Stars in 2007. Owner Brian Hines has 10 years of experience specializing in weddings and 15 years of experience in the broadcast industry, having worked at stations such as 99.7 The Fox and 96.9 Kat Country. All DJs are extensively trained and provided with on-going training to make sure they are up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques. They are able to travel up to 500 miles from Charlotte in order to make your dream wedding come true. And, with a collection of 30,000 songs to choose from, you will be able to find your perfect playlist, whether it consists of old school titles from Village People and Abba or the latest pop hits. Additional services include light shows, photo booths, and video dance parties. You can check out testimonials and more at audiotogodj.com.

With all these stellar choices to pick from, it may be hard to make a final decision. However, as with anything, the key to picking the right DJ or band is to listen to samples of their work and contact them. Talking to DJs will show you who you click with — so you can make your day as perfect as you imagined.

Sarah Hudson