We have had the pleasure of getting to know Yan Volodarsky and the team over at Elite Entertainment over many years working together. They are always the ultimate professionals and we have found them to be both very reliable and fun to work with. Elite are always the ultimate professionals, whether they are providing DJ services, lighting and decor or a photo booth. We love ever opportunity we get to work together and highly recommend them to all of our clients. Be sure to check out their website at myelitedj.com or give them a call for more information at 303-422-3218.
-How did you get into the world of wedding entertainment?
DJing is not just a job or hobby, but a passion. What better way to experience than by sharing it with others? When two songs are at your fingertips and they blend perfectly together, that musical expression grabs the emotions of your audience. Most of our DJs started years ago, playing bars and clubs along with other social events. These events are fun, but they don’t always give us that fulfillment of being part of a special moment. Weddings allow us the opportunity to make a true difference for someone, and we thrive on creating these memories.
-What services does Elite offer?
Though Elite started as a DJ company a decade ago, it has now become one of the best DJ, Photo Booth and Lighting & Decor companies in Colorado. We pride ourselves on providing the most talented DJs, the most unique Photo Booth experience, and stunning Lighting & Decor installations.
-What distinguishes you from other entertainment companies?
Our mission is customer service. We are here to help you create the most memorable experience for you and your guests. We want you to feel comfortable and at ease with the entire planning process. Elite seamlessly transitions our couples through every step, from the booking process to the planning and final preparations. We are here to make sure you have the peace of mind knowing that when the day comes, we are the vendor you will have to worry least about.
-What do you enjoy most about the entertainment business?
Every wedding is distinctive, different, and has its own personal soundtrack. We love to be able to come into work and have something exciting and new to do – it allows us to treat each wedding as a uniquely-tailored event.
-What are some key tips for a bride and groom to have the best DJ experience possible?
Make sure your DJ is an MC as well.
DJing for us is only 40% of the job – the other 60% comes from our ability to MC and coordinate the flow of events. We are not the cliche wedding singer, or some cheesy old guy talking on the microphone all night long. We are there to formally introduce you and your husband or wife. We make sure your guests know it’s time to have a seat for dinner. We want to make sure nobody misses any of the important festivities of the night, such as your first dance or cake cutting. MCing doesn’t extend to JUST the work on the microphone, either. We are also there as an additional coordinator – someone who is making sure the day is running smoothly, streamlined and without any hiccups. This is accomplished by going above and beyond; connecting with all the other important people of the night. For example, we will make sure your best man and maid of honor know how to hold the microphone before the toasts. We’ll make sure to find your photographer before the toasts to make sure they are prepared and don’t miss the great photo opportunity. We connect with your catering team to make sure champagne is out on the tables before we make the announcement; essentially, all of those “little things” that are often overlooked… we have thought of those! We’ll scan the room to make sure other wedding participants (Family, Wedding Party. etc) and guests are around for the big moments. In our opinion, the smallest details can make the biggest difference.
Make sure your DJ has a planning site or a way for you to provide all of the special songs.
A lot of our success has to do with our approach to wedding planning. We have a very intuitive planning site which is self-paced and very user-friendly. Our couples will receive a username and password to go online and customize every single detail for their special day. There is also a section for creating custom playlists for every major category of the event (dance playlists, cocktail/dinner requests, and special music that will serve a purpose in the wedding/reception itself). Our planning site allows our couples to participate in music selection at ANY level, and we are happy to fill the gaps! You’ll be able to pick and choose all of your music as well as ensure we know what you DON’T want to hear with your “Do Not Play” list. We are easy going and want the music selection process to be fun and collaborative. Our DJs are industry professionals and they are there to read the crowd and really understand who your guests are. The ages, the energy, the timing… it all serves as valuable information during the event to make sure our set is custom-tailored to your particular group. Our DJs also use the most updated equipment, and our on-site setup is clean and organized.
Make sure your DJ has a back-up plan and is insured.
We carry backup equipment and always have a back up DJ on rotation for any given night. We are fully insured as well, assuming something happens beyond anyone’s control.
Make sure your DJ has everything needed and has updated equipment.
All of our equipment is less than a year old. Within our inclusive pricing we provide all the necessary equipment for the night. This includes microphones (one wireless lapel for the officiant and a wireless handheld for toasts, readings and to MC). We also bring lights for dancing and a decade that covers the front of the DJ table. We pride ourselves on having a “clean” look, eliminating most of the wiring and equipment from the field of view of your guests.
-Why should couples have a photo booth at their wedding?
Adding a photo booth to your wedding helps create another experience for you and your guests to share. Our booth is open-air style, viewable on all sides and able to fit more than two people. We provide unlimited custom prints in both 2×6 (filmstrips) and 4×6 (postcard) layouts. We have a fun social sharing station where guests are able to send images directly to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter as well as standard text and email. The photo booth is meant to be an experience that is memorable and fun, which is why all booths with Elite come with an assortment of props, backdrops, and an engaging on-site booth attendant.
-Why should couples have special lighting and what are some of the things they can do with the lighting?
Lighting & Decor is a great way to use aesthetics to add even more to your special day. Does your venue lack something that could be enhanced with Lighting or Decor services? Designed by you and executed by us, we help take your vision and put it to fruition. We have a very talented design team as well as a strong group of onsite crew members trained in every aspect of our Lighting & Decor services. From pipe and drape to custom chandeliers, no job is too small or too big.
-Who is Elite’s ideal client?
Our perfect client recognizes our passion for detail, regardless of the service(s) they have chosen. We have done events of every size, in every corner of Colorado, during every time of year. We also have customized package deals on some of our most popular services. Our couples choose Elite for the convenience, knowledge, and unparalleled experience that we have provided for a decade.