Professional, inclusive DJ with a PhD in Music
$1,200 starting price
Raleigh (Triangle), Greensboro (Triad)
Service area
Stephen Downing
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (3X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
As a freelance musician and DJ, I specialize in creating unforgettable experiences for weddings and events, with a focus on inclusivity and celebrating love in all its forms. From curating the perfect ambiance for your ceremony to keeping the dance floor packed all night, I provide full-service entertainment, including customized music, venue and dance floor lighting, and seamless transitions to make your event truly unique.
I take pride in catering to diverse and inclusive events, working closely with you to create a soundtrack that feels authentic to your style and reflects your vision. Whether you’re looking for timeless classics, unexpected favorites, or high-energy hits, I ensure your celebration is as special and memorable as you are.
In addition to my work as a DJ, I’m a professional composer and musician with multiple degrees in music, including a Ph.D. in Music Composition from Duke University. My music has been performed by professional artists worldwide, and I bring that same passion and attention to detail to every event I DJ.
I believe in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all couples, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand the importance of celebrating love in all its forms. My mission is to create a safe and affirming space where you and your partner can enjoy an unforgettable wedding experience.
As your DJ, I pride myself on delivering a seamless and memorable experience. From the moment we start planning, my approach is simple, transparent, and flexible, allowing you to fully customize the music to reflect your style and preferences. When you book me, you’re getting more than just a DJ—you’re getting someone who is committed to making your celebration as unique and special as your love story.
Prices & packages
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Details
Equipment
Audio/Visual Equipment
Sound Equipment
Music Genres
African
Arabic
Bluegrass
Bollywood
Caribbean
Celtic
Classical
Country
Dance
Disco
EDM
Flamenco
Folk
Hip-Hop
Indian
Jazz
Klezmer
Latin
Mariachi
Persian
Polka
Pop
R&B
Rock
World Music
Music Services
MC Services
Recorded Music
Sound Equipment
Wedding Activities
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Wedding
After Party
Ceremony
Reception
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Stephen Downing
Owner
As a freelance musician and DJ, I specialize in creating unforgettable experiences for weddings and events, with a focus on inclusivity and celebrating love in all its forms. From curating the perfect ambiance for your ceremony to keeping the dance floor packed all night, I provide full-service entertainment, including customized music, venue and dance floor lighting, and seamless transitions to make your event truly unique. I take pride in catering to diverse and inclusive events, working closely with you to create a soundtrack that feels authentic to your style and reflects your vision. Whether you’re looking for timeless classics, unexpected favorites, or high-energy hits, I ensure your celebration is as special and memorable as you are. In addition to my work as a DJ, I’m a professional composer and musician with multiple degrees in music, including a Ph.D. in Music Composition from Duke University. My music has been performed by professional artists worldwide, and I bring that same passion and attention to detail to every event I DJ.
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.025 reviews
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Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
DJ Stephen received glowing reviews for his exceptional services as a wedding DJ, with multiple reviewers praising his professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to keep the dance floor lively throughout the night. Couples appreciated his communication, flexibility, and willingness to accommodate specific song requests and preferences, ensuring a memorable and fun atmosphere for their special day. Stephen's thorough planning, seamless execution, and inclusive approach towards queer celebration were highlighted as key factors that made him a highly recommended choice for weddings, with guests enjoying his music selections and upbeat energy.- Top reviews
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Lucy T
5.0
2/04/2025
Stephen was so great to work with for our wedding! From our first call with him, we knew that he was dedicated to our vision, and we really appreciated his flexibility throughout the process. His package pricing was customizable to meet the needs of our budget, and his organizing tools allowed us to adjust our timeline / songs / requests as we continued throughout the wedding planning process. He also provided some helpful tips for timeline and setup based on his substantial experience with weddings! He created a song list for dinner and cocktail hour that we absolutely loved and was exactly what we were looking for, and we’ve been listening to it regularly even since the wedding! And multiple guests came up to us during the wedding to say how much they were enjoying the music. Even though we had a smaller wedding, he did a great job of reading guests’ energy and there were always people having a good time on the dance floor!
As a queer couple looking for a DJ to set a tone of celebration and queer joy for the evening, working with Stephen was honestly such a gift. We would absolutely recommend him as a DJ for any event!
Christine L
5.0
12/10/2024
Stephen was so amazing to work with! We were very particular about the timing of our entrance and first dance songs and he nailed everything to a tee. He was also really considerate on our must-play and do-not-play song lists, which is something that I know has been an issue for other friends' weddings. He was communicative and professional. I could not recommend him more!
Any questions?
Kristen B
5.0
11/15/2024
Stephen was absolutely fantastic! He was able to read the vibes of the room throughout the night and played some absolute bangers. Our dance floor was packed all night long and we got multiple compliments about Stephen from our family and friends. He was easy to work with and would recommend him to anyone!
Claire M
5.0
9/06/2024
DJ Stephen was an excellent choice for our wedding reception at the University Club in Durham. He is a very thorough planner and was so helpful with the collaboration process. On the day of, he set everything up, provided cocktail hour music, made announcements and effortlessly conducted a large group of people throughout the evening, and had everyone dancing their hearts out (the floor never emptied at any point). He took requests and seamlessly transitioned between our favorite songs - my family and guests were so impressed! Thank you, DJ Stephen!
Maia M
5.0
8/20/2024
Stephen was great! He captured the type of music I wanted during the wedding and the dance floor was never completely empty when it came time to dance.
Jamie R
5.0
8/03/2024
DJ Stephen did a perfect job with our wedding. He kept the night fun and people dancing. He played throwbacks based on my husband and my high school/college years, songs we requested, and took requests from the crowd. He knows how to read the room, and what the audience wants even more than they do. I would recommend him to anyone!
Vendor response 08/03/2024
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure being a part of your sp...
ecial day. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness!
Yvonne A
5.0
7/26/2024
Stephen was the DJ at my daughter's wedding on 7/13/2024. The music, his professionalism, and the fun he created helped to make the evening special. I was particularly impressed by how he was able to get the crowd moving without blasting the music. Hire, Stephen - he's fantastic!
Vendor response 08/03/2024
Thank you for the lovely review! I'm so glad the music was a hit and that everyone had a b...
last. All the best to you, Liz, and Phil!
Caitlin H
5.0
6/25/2024
Stephen was so helpful throughout the entire process. He was a great communicator and made the planning process very easy for us. The day of the wedding was seamless and he helped ensure we had an awesome party with our friends and family. Highly recommend Stephen for anyone looking for a DJ!
Vendor response 08/03/2024
It means a lot to hear such kind words! Your wedding was an incredible event, and I’m so g...
lad I could contribute to making it special. Cheers to a wonderful future together!
Nancy G
5.0
6/12/2024
Great DJ. Lots of fun and very professional
Vendor response 08/03/2024
Thanks for the amazing review! It was an honor to DJ your wedding.
Steve G
5.0
6/11/2024
Stephen Downing was an excellent DJ. He was professional, had worked at the venue before, and delivered exactly what he said he would. If you're hosting an RDU area wedding you should make him your first choice. He understands what you're going for, and needs very little instruction to help you achieve your vision. This may not seem like a big deal right now, but trust me - having competent low maintenance vendors who know the venue on the day of your wedding is extremely valuable. Stephen does that so well.
Vendor response 08/03/2024
I appreciate your fantastic feedback! It was a joy to help make your wedding day unforgett...
able. Congratulations again!
Jonathan V
5.0
6/07/2024
Stephen Downing was an excellent DJ. He was on time, very professional, and listened to our requests. We really liked that he took the time to talk with us and pre-plan our requests. He delivered everything as promised and I would recommend him to anyone.
Vendor response 08/03/2024
Thank you for the lovely review! I'm so glad the music was a hit and that everyone had a b...
last. All the best!
Andie C
5.0
6/06/2024
Stephen was so great to work with for our wedding! He did a great job and was very thorough. When we first spoke he was also upfront about what we thought we needed and didn't need which was super helpful! Stephen made everything super easy and was very professional! Highly recommend!!
Vendor response 08/03/2024
It means a lot to hear such kind words! Your wedding was an incredible event, and I’m so g...
lad I could contribute to making it special. Cheers to a wonderful future together!
Stefan G
5.0
6/06/2024
DJ Stephen Downing was the perfect wedding DJ!! He was super flexible/accommodating of whatever we wanted and did an awesome job emceeing. I’d recommend him to anyone!
Vendor response 08/03/2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! It was great to see everyone having such a fantastic ...
time. Wishing you all the best in your married life!
Chandler W
5.0
11/05/2023
Stephen was so great! He put together the perfect wedding playlist for us that was exactly what we wanted to get everyone dancing. The dance floor was hopping the whole evening!! He was also very communicative with us throughout the whole process and very easy to work with. Just overall such a positive experience. We would highly recommend him if you're looking for a DJ! :)
Vendor response 11/08/2023
Thanks so much Chandler! Your wedding was so much fun and amazing!
Jake W
5.0
5/01/2023
We recently hired DJ Stephen for our wedding reception and we couldn't have been happier with our choice. He was a true professional and made sure that the music was always on point.
DJ Stephen was always very responsive and easy to communicate with. He took the time to understand our music preferences and played a mix of songs that kept everyone partying on the dance floor. He also had a little notepad for people to make requests.
He arrived early to set up his equipment and was ready to go before any guests arrived. He kept the energy level high throughout the night. He was also very flexible when it came to making announcements, especially when we had some last minute changes.
Super recommend for a queer friendly, cool, and professional dj!
Ellie O
5.0
5/01/2023
DJ Stephen was so great! From our first phone call, all the way through the process, he made us feel at ease. He took care of everything so we didn't have to worry about it, but he also let us have as much of a say in everything as we wanted. We also liked that it was just him and not a whole big company, so we knew who we were getting and didn't have to wait around for responses like we have with some of our other vendors.
And we loved that he took requests from our guests! We would definitely recommend DJ Stephen
Paige A
5.0
3/20/2023
Stephen and Kimmy were so awesome to work with! They really helped set the vibe for our wedding and even joined in on the dancing from behind their booth.
Vendor response 11/08/2023
Thank you Paige! You know we've got some pretty great dance moves behind the booth! 🕺🏻💃...
🏻
Breana P
5.0
3/07/2023
DJ Stephen was fantastic! He did both ceremony and reception music for our wedding, and was super friendly and easy to talk to. We had a small wedding and I initially wasn’t sure if we needed a DJ or could get by with something like Spotify, but I’m so glad we made the decision to hire a DJ, Stephen specifically. I also didn’t have a clear vision of music needs, so I was grateful for Stephen’s insight - he helped us figure out what music and transitions would work best for our size and setting when we were being indecisive. He was easy going and flexible, accommodating a very last minute change to our playlist. Also quite impressed with his ability to read the room and get people on the floor, even with our wedding being as small as it was! Overall, the vibe ended up being exactly what I wanted thanks to Stephen. Highly recommend - thanks so much!
Nicholas F
5.0
3/03/2023
Attentive, detail-oriented, experienced, and loaded with everything we needed for a fantastic wedding reception, DJ Downing was the perfect wedding DJ! Highly recommended!
Katie O
5.0
2/21/2023
Stephen made our wedding so much fun!
We loved his vibe just from his page, but after our consultation call we were sold. He was communicative throughout the process and made sure we felt ready going into the day. It was so nice to not have to worry about any of it. He came early to set up and was so professional. He handled our cocktail hour music, announcements, mics for speeches, and got everyone dancing right away after dinner! We loved his selection of music and that he took requests from all our guests! His wife was there to assist, and they were both dancing behind their booth the whole time, and it was awesome to see them having so much fun too. You can tell he really enjoys what he does.
We would definitely recommend him to anyone!
Vendor response 11/08/2023
Thank you Katie! It was so great working with you.
Bailey P
5.0
8/07/2022
DJ Stephen was awesome! The reception was an absolute blast, he had our friends and family out on the dancefloor all night long. ABSOLUTELY recommend!!
Regina E
5.0
7/13/2022
DJ Stephen was such a pleasure to work with! His music selection was amazing, and he included every single one of our requests. The lighting really added to the party vibe of our wedding. The dance floor was packed all night long!
Kimmy F
5.0
7/06/2022
DJ Stephen was awesome! He was super fast with all his responses to our questions, and he made us feel so at ease about the whole thing. He was very professional and had everything set up and ready so we didn’t have to worry about it at all. I loved his song choices, and that he let us add in all our must haves. We got lots of compliments from our guests about him, and we would definitely hire him again if we ever host another big event.
Vendor response 11/08/2023
Thank you! Easy to play all of your must have songs when you have such great taste!
Hope L
5.0
7/01/2022
We are so glad we picked DJ Stephen for our wedding! Peter was incredible to work with from start to finish. He gave us great ideas for our songs and worked with us extensively on the format of our wedding in a very short period of time. He's also an awesome emcee, funny and warm and just the perfect person to conduct the flow of the reception. We got so many comments from friends and family that we had picked the perfect DJ, and I could not agree more!
Nicole P
5.0
7/01/2022
Stephen was great! We got married in October 2019. He listened to our preferences before the big day and was very communicative about his process. On our wedding day he was extremely professional, fun, engaged with the family, and was an overall joy. And he played ALL of our requests!
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Stephen Downing
OWNER
Typically responds within 24h
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