We hired Kenny Smith with The Simple DJ for my sister's wedding. I'm writing this review from a unique perspective, as someone who has coordinated weddings since 2020, as a guest, ...and as a member of the wedding party. Because I've seen many weddings from behind the scenes, I wanted to provide honest and constructive feedback based on our experience.
What went well:
Kenny was a strong MC. He clearly explained what was happening next, kept guests informed, and did a great job leading the anniversary dance.
Areas for improvement:
Several guests, including venue staff, commented on Kenny's very strong body odor. I mention this not to embarrass anyone, but because professionalism includes presentation, particularly when working closely with couples, guests, and vendors throughout such an important event.
The biggest disappointment involved the couple's grand entrance. My sister and her husband specifically requested a particular hip-hop song and had practiced singing along to the opening verse as they were introduced. Instead, a different version was played, and the beginning of the song, the part they had rehearsed, was skipped entirely.
Music selection throughout the evening was another challenge. During planning meetings, my sister emphasized that she did not want full songs played and preferred transitions to keep the energy high. Instead, many songs were played in their entirety.
The playlist never reflected the musical style the couple had discussed beforehand. While some requested songs were included, much of the evening felt like a standard wedding playlist rather than one tailored to my sister and her husband's preferences.
Early in the reception, my sister asked me to speak with Kenny because they were running behind schedule and she wanted him to get into the music she knew would keep guests on the dance floor. She is a huge Drake fan and specifically requested Drake songs. When I relayed her request, Kenny responded, "I'm only three songs in." I explained that the request came directly from the bride, but the playlist was not adjusted. Only one or two Drake songs were played throughout the night.
One of the qualities couples typically look for in a wedding DJ is the ability to read the room while also adapting to requests from the couple in real time. We were disappointed that there didn't seem to be much flexibility, even when the request came directly from the bride.
Finally, the evening ended with "Closing Time." While it's certainly a common wedding exit song, it felt out of place given the couple's communicated preference for an urban and hip-hop focused reception. Ending with a song that reflected their personal taste would have been much more fitting.
Overall, I was surprised by this experience given the many positive reviews for The Simple DJ. I'm not sure what was different about my sister's wedding, but unfortunately the music ended up being one of the biggest disappointments of the day for her.
I hope this feedback is received in the constructive spirit it's intended. Kenny has strengths as an MC, but with more attention to client preferences, flexibility during the event, and overall professionalism, I believe the experience could be significantly improved for future couples.