J Helbig Cheese-Free DJ+MC

rk with. You guys were great couples & your guests were so much fun. All the best to the two of you.

your guests had a great time. Best wishes to you two!

ch your friends and family came to party!! I had a blast and wish you two nothing but the best! Thanks for the honor of DJ/MC your wedding.

t at the end of the evening and how you perceived I came across. It’s my intention to never come across that way and I need to make some adjustments. I must say I was completely taken by surprise to read this. I know when I checked in throughout the evening both of you were saying you were happy and were having a good time. I had no idea whatsoever during the entire evening that something was amiss (because I would have made adjustments at that time) as none of this was ever brought to my attention. With that said, I do need to unpack this and address what was stated – especially based on how the night went & how complementary you both were at the end of the night – as this I was taken by surprise to read this and not a true representation. SOCIAL ANXIETY: I did not know about this as this is something that I would definitely remember & note (just like when couples tell me they don’t like being in the spotlight). When I’m aware of situations like that, I actually suggest things that would keep the “spotlight” off of the couple. I even tell couples that I have an approach where you do NOT have to do everything in a reception “just because” it’s a wedding reception. I do not recall “pressuring” or “pushing” either of you to do a “welcome” speech as that is not me & how I do things. In fact, I tell every couple when I ask that it’s not something you have to do & *if you choose* to do it, it doesn’t have to be scripted. But I make it a point to say – several times – it’s not something you have to do. I do apologize that you felt pressured & came across that way. FINAL CONSULTATION: There are some misrepresentations regarding this – including the claim about a missed rehearsal. We had agreed on the original final consultation for Tuesday, October 29 at 6:30PM. When it came time to scheduling our final consultation the week prior to the wedding, you had responded to an auto-generated email reminder (about finishing up planning forms & the deadline to do so – which were not completed – & schedule a final consultation), stating “I won't be able to do it that Tuesday at all or Monday after 6. Any other day should be fine.” I suggested Wednesday, October 30th at 6:30pm. You had responded “Yeah! That should be fine!” Then, a few minutes after you sent that response, you sent an email stating “Oh actually we might be having our rehearsal then now that I'm thinking about it. Our actual wedding is the 31st. Can you do it any earlier or Tuesday?” We agreed on Tuesday evening 10/29. The day before a final consultation, the system is set-up to send out an email reminder the day before that states meeting time & date AND that it would be virtual (it’s in bold). That email also contains a link to connect virtually AND a phone number to call to connect as a phone call if virtual is not possible.. On the evening of our virtual meeting, I logged on at 6:30pm and stayed on for 30 minutes. At no time during that did you connect. I then sent an email stating we needed to reschedule and we rescheduled for the following day (Wed 10/30/24 at 6:30pm). You said this time was fine. I did send an email that I was running 10 minutes late because of traffic after dropping my son off at practice. The only time you mentioned your rehearsal was setting up the original consultations and we scheduled around it. But, you stated you missed your rehearsal and that is simply NOT TRUE because we scheduled around that on another day. I schedule virtual final consultations because that gives us a chance to connect & meet “virtually” and discuss everything that way. I never do final consultations via email because they are very impersonal & it doesn’t allow us to develop any kind of connection (which is very important for a wedding). Plus, it allows us to discuss much more and the intricacies, etc. that can’t really be done via email. GARTER REMOVAL COMMENTS: As far as the garter removal element, the way I did it is something I sometimes *suggest* on the spot depending on how the crowd is and the couple. Since the crowd was really into stuff, I suggested it before we did it (and I did not ask “on the mic”; it was between you and I). Again, if I had any knowledge of social anxiety, I never even would’ve suggested doing the garter removal the way we did (plus, if I remember correctly, your spouse had some props during the garter removal). MUSIC/MC COMMENTS: As far as the comments about this music – and this is something I’m very particular and specific about based on my overall experience – majority of the songs you two has listed as either “Gotta Hear” & “Would Be Cool If We Heard These” were not dancing songs (and part of my planning process is telling couples to consider non-danceable stuff that they’d like to hear during dinner). So, of course, the music listed that fit during the dinner portion was played during that time (and to clarify even more: Unless the couple is there and/or they want a particular format, songs couples list are NOT played during the cocktail reception because the couple is generally not there. Couples are aware of this) Out of the (almost) 40 songs listed, ABOUT 6 of them were straight-up dance songs. It has nothing to do with my “personal taste” (as I’m not there to play songs I like), it’s about programming the proper soundtrack – especially when the couple provides songs they “gotta hear.” In regards to the claim about special songs that were missed, none of these songs were noted accordingly by the couple on the planning form. When they’re noted, I make it a point to ensure the couple is going to be in the room (I also generally go up to the couple to let them know so they don’t leave the room). IN FACT, one of the things I make a point to ask during the final meeting is if there are any songs that are listed are intended to be for slow dances. There was a song by Yung Gravy (“Betty”) that was noted on the form as a favorite of your son. I started to play it and when I realized he wasn’t in the room and people went to get him, I had some fun with it and played something else (and said something along the lines of “we’ll play that when he gets in here”). And I did play it later and acknowledged it as “for” your son. Part of my style – and it’s very apparent & further clarified during an initial phone call – that I am NOT a MC that constantly talks on the mic like most wedding DJs. If I’m opening up the mic, it’s to make an announcement of some sort that is actually needed or to mention a dedication or a request. I never talk on the mic “just to talk.” That is part of my branding and is well known by all of my couples (and a huge appeal). I execute a more “relaxed” and fun vibe without the constant (and generally) unnecessary talking on the mic. Again, all of this is well-known to couples as it’s on my website & I further state. Also, part of my planning with my couples is asking what type of crowd it is (if it's a dancing crowd or more chill as I do not go into each wedding with the same mindset). My philosophy, unlike most DJs that berate guests, is that all of the guests enjoy doing what they’re doin. I was told it was mostly going to be a chill crowd. And, for the most part, they were (as they were also hanging out on the back patio area, too); when it’s a chill crowd, I adapt accordingly. I execute a more “relaxed” and fun vibe without the constant (and generally) unnecessary talking on the mic. Again, all of this is well-known to couples as it’s on my website & I further state. If people requested stuff, I played it (unless it was on a do not play list. And that was the case with some songs requested that were on your list). As was acknowledged, I am thorough because I truly care about each couple’s wedding that I do. I state to all of my couples that “I treat your wedding as if it were my own” (and another reason I do final consultations the way I do because developing a connection between the parties is pertinent to a successful event. Yes, I do care about my reputation as a sole proprietor, which is why I feel to respond as the review isn’t an actual representation of what happened & just an blatantly unfair attack. Especially when none of this was ever brought to my attention & when asked during the night, was told the complete opposite (which is why reading this review shocked me so much & somewhat question where it came from). It doesn’t serve a purpose to bring up alleged issues up after the fact (not to mention, my contract clearly states that a couple shall bring up any issues during an event so they can be addressed on the spot). The last thing I would EVER want is knowing that at the end of the night a couple was feeling like this way. And believe me, I am one to take responsibility if I knowingly mess up (like if a couple is shy/doesn’t want to be the center of attention AND I still do things that do that – and more, or if I did not play any of the songs the couple wanted to hear) – I would deserve to get called out & I would accept responsibility. But, that was not the case here because that is NOT the person I am, and it would go completely against what I stand for and why I do what I do. All of my other reviews back that up! Again, I am so sorry that you felt the way you did. I really wish I knew as both of you were telling you were having fun/good time & at the end of the night were very complimentary. I truly left the venue at the end of the night believing that. I will take a look at some processes, make adjustments (as it’s always good to if some things need to be tweaked, etc) & consider adding some stuff to my forms to further assist in planning in the future. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed working with you two & really had a good time entertaining you two & your guests.. Plus, the Halloween theme was awesome. Again, I apologize and will take what was stated and make adjustments. All the best to the two of you!

you two and your guests. All of the best to you two.

ou two had a good time and that you two -- and your guests -- enjoyed themselves.

eryone -- just like at your brother's wedding -- were a great time. Thanks for the kind words and for the honor to DJ/MC your wedding, along with the trust you two put in me. All the best! - Jack

e longer (and I know your guests would have as well). Thank you so much for your kind words and for the trust you two put in me to DJ/MC your reception. All the best to the best to the two of you! - Jack

ad fun. Everyone was so much fun, I didn't want the night to end. The weather was excellent and dancing under the stars was a hit! I was honored to be part of your day. Take care and thanks again! - Jack