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This week’s topics: wedding DJ vs live band, how to choose a wedding DJ, modern wedding entertainment ideas, what makes a great wedding MC, tips for creating a custom wedding playlist, how to keep guests on the dance floor, expert advice on wedding timelines, DJ-led ceremony music tips, how to handle last-minute wedding changes, unique wedding music trends, vendor collaboration during wedding day, North Carolina wedding DJ insights, GME Event Group spotlight, how DJs personalize wedding experiences
In this episode of Wedding Day Podcast, host Sonja Babich and co-host Chelsea Gibson, Editor of Oregon Wedding Day and Arizona Bride, sit down with Chris Garcia, Owner and Lead Entertainer at GME Event Group, to explore how personalized music and entertainment can dramatically enhance the energy and emotion of a wedding day.
Based in Arizona, Chris is a bilingual musician, vocalist and DJ who founded GME with a mission to deliver curated, high-touch wedding entertainment that’s both versatile and deeply reflective of each couple’s story. From romantic acoustic guitar during the ceremony to elegant live piano or violin at cocktail hour and a high-energy DJ set to close out the night, Chris and his team provide a seamless musical journey for modern couples.
Throughout the episode, Chris offers valuable tips on how to structure music around key wedding moments—from grand entrances and first dances to cake cutting and reception send-offs. He explains the importance of building momentum and maintaining energy, especially during longer wedding days, and emphasizes the role of a skilled DJ/MC in keeping things on schedule while still feeling organic and celebratory.
Couples will learn how Chris works closely with planners, photographers and videographers to ensure that the entertainment enhances—not distracts from—the overall wedding design and timeline. He shares how GME customizes every playlist to reflect the couple’s cultural background, personal tastes and guest demographics, ensuring that each guest—from grandparents to toddlers—feels included on the dance floor.
Additionally, the episode includes a look at Chris’s collaboration with violinist Kimberly Weston, a fellow GME performer, during the Arizona Bride Best of 2025 event at Wrigley Mansion. Together, they created a Bridgerton-inspired live performance moment, illustrating how layered entertainment (classical instruments with a modern twist) can elevate guest experience and fit perfectly within a themed or luxury celebration.
This episode also covers overlooked details like vendor access hours, audio infrastructure needs, bilingual MC services and why pre-event planning conversations around vibe and pacing matter just as much as the music itself. Chris’s warm energy and collaborative spirit come through as he shares examples of unique wedding requests, unexpected dance floor wins, and how his team keeps the focus on joy and connection.
This episode is packed with expert advice for couples looking to make music a meaningful, unforgettable part of their celebration.
This episode is powered by Dan Riggs Films, Ocotillo Golf Club and GME Event Group. Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
