Spencer and Kit's wedding at Friendship Botanic Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana, is one of my all-time favorites. Not just because of the setting, but because of the couple. These two love music and festival culture, and they trusted me to take their reception from classic wedding party to full-on EDM celebration in a single night.
Two Music Lovers With a Plan
Spencer, Kit, and I clicked from our very first consultation. They knew exactly what they wanted: a beautiful garden wedding, followed by a reception with two distinct phases of dancing.
Part one would be for everyone: familiar wedding favorites, throwbacks, and high-energy songs that every generation could get behind. Part two would transform the night into a festival-inspired EDM experience with house music, electronic remixes, and recognizable party anthems.
Symphony Garden and the Celebration Pavilion
Their ceremony took place in the Symphony Garden, surrounded by greenery with a beautiful fountain behind them. From there, everyone moved to the outdoor Celebration Pavilion for the reception.
Racing the Storm
Outdoor weddings keep you on your toes. During setup, a large storm rolled in and threatened the whole day, so I had to make adjustments to keep the equipment protected. In the end, the weather cooperated.
Then came one of my favorite moments of the year. While I was sound-checking with some house music, I noticed Spencer and Kit taking photos off in the distance. The second they heard the music, they started dancing. The wedding hadn't even started yet, and I already knew it was going to be a great night.
Phase One: Something for Every Generation
The first half of the reception was all about getting everyone on the floor together. Throughout the night, guests across different generations complimented the music, which is exactly what you want before you take a party somewhere new.
Phase Two: Festival Mode
Switching a wedding crowd into EDM can lose people if it isn't done carefully. The key was keeping it accessible. I leaned on recognizable songs and approachable electronic remixes, and the crowd stayed with me the whole way.
One of the highlights was a remix of “Doses & Mimosas.” I grabbed my 360-degree camera, walked onto the dance floor, and captured the crowd's reaction from right in the middle of it.
Spencer & Kit Take the Decks
During the EDM portion, I invited Spencer and Kit behind my DJ decks and had them play a song. For two people who genuinely love electronic music, getting to drop a track at their own wedding was a moment I won't forget, and I hope they won't either.
