Hey! I’m Mike, I go by DJ AXCESS, and I’m a travel DJ, hype man and public speaker based in Columbus, Ohio. Traveling to DJ a wedding isn’t just about packing gear and hopping on a flight. It’s about professionalism, preparation, and staying sharp in unfamiliar environments. Recently, I flew out to Denver to DJ my cousin’s wedding, and while this was a family event, I treated it like any other destination booking because when people trust you with their wedding, you show up with intention.
This post breaks down the entire process I followed from pre-trip planning to packing, vendor communication, setup, and post-wedding reflection. If you’re looking to take on travel gigs with confidence, there’s plenty here for you.
1. Treat Every Gig Like a Professional Booking
Even though this was family, I didn’t cut corners. I ran it like I would any out-of-state event. I started by having the couple reach out to their venue for a preferred vendor list. From there, I researched local DJ companies to find one that matched the vibe and expectations for the day.
Tip:
Make your website friendly for both couples and DJs. When someone like me comes into your market looking for support, your website could be the reason you land a rental gig.
I ended up connecting with TH Entertainment in Denver. We had a solid conversation, aligned on expectations, and they handled the local rentals. From the beginning, I positioned myself as the client even though my cousin technically signed the paperwork because clear communication flows best through a single point of contact.
2. Lock in the Tech Details Early
One of the biggest challenges in travel DJing is dealing with unfamiliar gear. To avoid surprises, I scheduled a call with the rental DJ and the saxophone player (who would be joining us for cocktail hour) a week and a half before the wedding. We covered everything: timelines, setup, gear, inputs/outputs, and cable routing.
Tip:
Always review the microphone situation. The rental company mentioned they used Bluetooth mics. I don’t recommend this for receptions, especially when the speaker is far from the mic user. If you can’t bring your own wireless system, make sure to test theirs thoroughly during setup.
3. Build Relationships at the Venue
I arrived two days early to account for any travel issues and to have time to acclimate. If your schedule allows it, I highly recommend doing the same.
Once on-site, I immediately introduced myself to the catering manager and reviewed the timeline. If you’re new to a venue, this is your opportunity to build trust. Be confident, clear, and collaborative. When vendors trust you, the day runs smoother—and you avoid being micromanaged.
4. Packing for Success
For this gig, I packed heavy: four bags including my Ableton Push 3, my Rane Performer, camera gear, and backup equipment. I flew Southwest, which gave me two free checked bags, but I quickly learned that four bags are too many to maneuver through an airport solo.
Here’s a breakdown of what I brought:
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Rane Performer: Needed for a high-pressure wedding like this. The local rental was a Flex 4 not ideal.
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Ableton Push 3: First time bringing it out for a gig. I used it during cocktail hour for a hybrid live performance.
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Camera gear: Sony R8 with two prime lenses, DJI Pocket 3, a mini flash, and LED light.
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Headphones: Three types, over-ear, IEMs, and backup in-ears.
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Travel Garment Bag: Suit, shoes, and clothes for the weekend.
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DJ Backpack: Cables, adapters, laptop, iPad, power banks, and other essentials.
Tip:
If you’re filming content, build your packing strategy around gear protection and efficiency. I opted to check my larger camera bag and garment bag, while carrying on my DJ backpack and tech essentials.
5. Set Load-In Expectations Ahead of Time
We agreed with the rental DJ to arrive 2 hours before guest arrival, even though their default was 90 minutes. That buffer paid off—holiday weekend traffic delayed everyone, but we still had time to set up comfortably.
Tip:
Always push for an earlier arrival when possible, especially if you’re working with unfamiliar vendors. A little margin makes a big difference on event day.
6. The Performance
We were using Evolve EV50s, classic wedding speakers, with uplights and a JBL Eon One for the ceremony. Darius Starks, the sax player, handled pre-ceremony music, then we performed together for cocktail hour using the Push 3.
Reception music was intentionally structured:
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Early reception: Old-school cookout classics, Latin, Haitian, and Afrobeat.
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Late-night: Club hip-hop and “ratchet” party tracks like Key Glock and NBA YoungBoy.
I knew my role. The couple told me, “Start the party for everyone, then give us what we want.” So I structured the night accordingly, watching them closely to decide when to shift genres or change tracks.
7. Know Your Limits and Plan for Recovery
The night went well. Guests were happy. The couple was thrilled. And I took Sunday off to be with family. It was one of the best decisions I made.
Tip:
If you’re working a family wedding, consider offloading MC duties. Next time, I might have a local DJ handle all the announcements and transitions up until dancing starts, so I can stay present with loved ones and still deliver a high-energy set when it counts.
Final Thoughts
Travel DJing requires a mindset shift. It’s not just about your skills, it’s about how you plan, how you communicate, and how you adapt. From building vendor trust to navigating rain delays and packing camera gear alongside your controller, every detail matters.
Would I do this all again? Absolutely. But I’ll probably consolidate down to three bags, stay in sync with local vendors earlier, and maybe consider bringing a second DJ for support at family weddings.
If you’re a DJ looking to expand into destination events, I hope this gave you a practical look at what it takes.
Questions about gear, travel logistics, or working with venues? Drop them in the comments. Let’s keep building a better DJ community together.
