Can you describe GDG Elevated Events in one sentence? GDG is a premium DJ and MC service specializing in custom music, lighting, and luxury photobooth options for special events throughout Texas, featuring highly personalized planning assistance and stellar, 5-star client feedback across all review platforms. That's one sentence, right?
Can't we just set up a bluetooth speaker for our music? Of course you can! The sound quality just won't be nearly as good, music won't be mixed by a pro, and you'll have no MC helping host things. Without song ideas ahead of time when you need them, an expert reading the room live during open dancing, or pro mics and a full sound check ensuring everything's audible to guests, things will have more of a D.I.Y. feel. With no custom lighting tailored to your vision helping create that "special event" vibe, well... things just won't feel as special. Finally, even the most high-tech speaker money can buy won't help you plan your itinerary, host a fun game to engage your guests, or refer you to any other great vendors to help make every aspect of your celebration a smashing success!
Why should we hire GDG over another entertainment company? Some DJ services basically just show up and play songs. That's fine, assuming their sound system is great, they can read a crowd effectively, and mix various music genres. GDG is more than just a human jukebox, though. We're your partner in the entire event journey, offering insights on your flow of events, music ideas, custom lighting and photobooth enhancements, and other unique elements to help take your celebration to another level!
How can you do as good a job as [DJ company X] if you've never played my venue, and they have? Our work has us in new places and situations all the time, so flexibility has become one of GDG's main strengths. The key isn't how many times we've worked in a given location, it's how well we can adapt our equipment and services to make the most of your unique event in the space. We do this by verifying all our needs ahead of time, tailoring our set-up to the particulars of the venue, and bringing back-up gear to ensure you a smooth and fun celebration, whether it's our first time there or our 100th!
Can we give you a music list in advance, and can guests request songs? Yes and yes! We encourage these things to ensure all attendees a great time, and our guests of honor a celebration tailored to their unique personalities. We'll take as much or as little input as you'd like to share ahead of time, and fill in gaps as needed for smooth transitions and to keep your party poppin'! We even have a mobile planning app where you and some hand-picked pals can collaborate ahead of time to share music ideas with each other, and us!
Why are the uplights so popular? A special event is rather naked without a touch of specialty lighting, and our uplights create a unique ambience that transforms the entire look of your space. GDG's wireless units provide a truly elegant aesthetic with custom color(s) complementing your decor, and the clean, back-lit facade in front of the DJ booth is also part of the top package. As a bonus, we now offer "sound active" units as well that can sync to the beat during dance time and turn your whole venue into a nightclub!
Can we pick the type of props and backdrop we want for our photobooth? Yes! We have several prop packs we offer GDG clients, and should your event's theme warrant a different set of props, we can work with you on that as well. We love adding new, fun items to our prop library, and even combining what we have with things clients provide, at times. The same is true for the backdrops. We have numerous awesome options to choose from, and should you have your own idea, we'd love to hear about it and help make it happen!
Can we keep our DJ and/or photobooth longer if desired? Of course! We won't schedule ourselves for anything after your event, so GDG can keep rockin' as long as you like, and you can even extend time on-the-spot. This goes for both DJ and photobooth services.
What type of event does GDG most love to play, and why? It's tough to pick just one, as we love the variety in this industry... but probably weddings. It's really satisfying helping bring a couple's vision to reality on one of the biggest days of their life, and keeping guests engaged with a great blend of highly customized music, lighting effects, and even specialty games at times. We believe a wedding should feel celebratory... that's the point, after all! We also really enjoy the planning process and hosting events as MC, creating smooth segues between music and highlight moments. There's nothing worse than folks getting all dressed up and traveling to a wedding only to have it feel aimless and bore everyone to tears!
How would you describe GDG's style? Our style is expert, entertaining, and tailor-made. We take your unique tastes as our clients/guests and combine them with our own musical expertise to craft a fun and inclusive experience for all in attendance. Got specific music ideas already? We'll blend them together smoothly. Need a few gaps filled? We'll get a feel for things and add the right ingredient at the appropriate moment, ensuring you and yours go home saying, "That was OUR party, that was a blast!"
Why do clients love working with GDG? The best answer probably comes from our clients themselves! But in our minds, getting to know our collaborators as people, offering great recommendations, and helping things run smoothly will beat a DJ just showing up trying to "wing it" every time. We stay in close contact from the early planning stages through to the event itself, getting a real feel for your unique vision and goals, and helping you streamline things by eliminating the need to contract multiple vendors for DJ, lighting, and photobooth services.
Is GDG Elevated Events insured? Yes. A copy of our insurance policy is available upon request should any client wish to peruse it or share it with their venue.
Does GDG perform LBGTQ+ weddings/events? Of course! We're huge advocates for everyone's right to love, marry, and celebrate as they choose, and have had incredible fun playing a variety of LBGTQ+ weddings, unions, and parties over the years. We love being part of an inclusive community, so we're proud to serve these events!
Does GDG play events outside North Texas? Absolutely. While we're Metroplex-based, the greater Texas area and surrounding states are all within range for GDG Elevated Events! We often find ourselves in the Austin/Dripping Springs/hill country region when traveling outside DFW for a gig (if only for the food trucks!).
What's one thing you wish GDG clients understood better? Why? When fun is a major goal for a celebration (generally the case), clients should strive to blend their personal tastes with a few additional styles that'll work well for their group as a whole. For example, country may not be one's favorite genre, but if a good number of guests love two-stepping, it'll only make the experience better having a handful of these songs play during dance time. The same can be said for line dances, or other styles of music that may not be on one's personal playlist. Taking your guests into account and allowing us to field a few requests on-the-fly will go a long way toward making your event fun for all, create lots more great moments/images to look back on, and ensure everyone is glad they made the trip!
What's GDG's set-up like? What equipment do you use? Our standard service features a top-of-the-line RCF sound system, including wireless Audio-Technica microphones and multiple LED dance units, which produce a colorful array of dynamic lighting effects. We also offer a variety other extras, such as custom-colored ApeLabs and Chauvet uplights to dress up plain rooms and complement decor, Chauvet spotlights for wedding cakes, and an Epson monogram projector putting your custom design up in lights (couple's names+wedding date, hashtag, company logo, etc.). We recently added several luxury photobooth options, as well. Lastly, a good number of our wedding clients add on ceremony sound with lapel microphone for their officiant, extra speakers for sound in adjacent areas, and a projector/screen for dedication videos or slide shows.
What are some tracks that never get old for you, no matter how many times you play them? Major kudos if you can name every artist here... "P.Y.T.", "Suavemente", "Shoop", "Friends in Low Places", "You Shook Me All Night Long", "This is How We Do It", "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" and "Get Low" are all can't-miss favorites. For slower dances, a classic like Nat King Cole's "Unforgettable", "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley, or more contemporary songs like "In Case You Didn't Know" by Brett Young or "Say You Won't Let Go" by James Arthur never fail to evoke some real feelings. All undeniably great songs even a professional DJ who spins every weekend can enjoy hearing again and again!