hi-society entertainment: the blog

Proudly Announcing: The Summer of Love @ Sumo Lounge, May 30, 2010

2010-03-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

Dear All Friends of Hi-Society... this one is for you. Three DJs. Drink specials. No cover. Our awesome clients and favorite people. Hope to see you May 30th, 1225 Samson Street, Philly.

-Tom

So You're EnGAYged: Alison & Heather.

2010-01-23T06:48:00.001-08:00

Please check out the wonderful profile of our two wonderful clients at So You're EnGAYged. They had these amazing words to say about us. (And may I add, their DIY craftiness should be an inspiration to all engaged couples.)

"Speaking of music, one of Heather’s major concerns was the task of finding a DJ. The last thing we wanted was to have a gold lamet cummerbund and matching bowtie show up waving the blow-up saxophones. (DJs please do not take offense to my shameless stereotyping). Our photographer was awesome enough to recommend Hi-Society DJs to us. These guys worked with us to blend the perfect mix of songs that kept the dance floor packed. Not to mention we gained two new friends who share our affinity for coffee houses and cheesy 80’s music…"

Voted Best of The Knot 2010!

2010-01-12T12:19:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Philadelphia and South Jersey brides who voted Jon and I "Best of Weddings 2010" by The Knot Magazine! So many people to thank... our wives for the dozens of lonely weekends, Steve Jobs for, well, everything, and the beautiful brides who voted. You made it possible!

In all seriousness, we're humbled by this. It will only make us work harder to live up to the rep of The Knot.

With the greatest of appreciation,
-Tom

2009 Goes Out with a Blast... of Snow!

2009-12-22T05:12:00.000-08:00

Our last wedding of 2009 will easily be the most memorable in our careers. Picture a four-hour, 30mph drive to Cape May, New Jersey. The only way to know you were still on the road was to stay in between the disappearing trees and spotting the whited-out signs humorously marked "Wildwood" and "Ocean City." It didn't seem right. Well, getting snowed in at the beautiful Congress Hall turned out to be a blessing in disguise! Sure, only half the guests could make the occasion, but these were the guests that mattered most. Not to mention that because all the guests were staying over, there was no shortage of spirited merriment (that's a euphemism for booze). It was a wonderful night topped off with an ear-numbing trudge through the 7" of snow that blanketed the beach to touch the ocean. Congrats to Regina and Steve, and their dog Chase, too! Truly a night to remember.

We finished out the year with 32 weddings. Jon got to play really cool hip-hop in a moon-roofed tent in Perkasie for Jessica and Derek. I got to sing-along to the Bouncing Souls and Alkaline Trio at a Stephen Starr-catered affair at TRUST with Dena and Patrick. We hit Jim Thorpe at the indie-rockin'-est event to date with Michelle, Vince, and their totally rad, custom tandem bike where we were first introduced to Old Crow Medicine Show and Peter Bjorn & John. There was the non-stop swinging' party that was a rainy night at the Omni with Jennifer and Steve capped off with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. We worked alongside a funky band in Manahawkin with a pop Congolese and old-school hip-hop bombardment for Kelley and Devis. Lest we forget the sheep farm, organic, vegetarian-friendly, outdoor experience with Becca and Steve (a lot of Steves this year). Debasri and Dan had a super cool, multicultural dance party for over 300 guests in Blue Bell ending with the Pixies. And then there was the heartwarming and 80s-pop-fueled wedding for Heather and Alison in Lambertville... the only ceremony that got me teary-eyed. I'm secure enough to admit that. Nothing's gonna stop you now.

All of our events are unique and memorable in their own ways, whether it be cool music, great toasts, amazing people, playing in 120 degree temperatures, floods, blizzards, accommodating guests who freestyle rap, play guitar, or sing to Dean Martin, setting up in ballrooms, barns, cabins, tents, stages, shark tanks, yes, shark tanks, churches, and beaches. It's been a great year. We were there for the people that did the different, the atypical, the green, the weird. That's what we're about and it became more satisfying with every event. We were honored to be a part of every wedding.

Congrats to all 64 of you! Please keep in touch. Happy new year.

-Tom

October 4th at the Doubletree on Broad!

2009-08-18T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hello, once again. We are heading into the busy booking and wedding season once September-October rolls around. We've been lucky enough to have been invited to do our thing at a lot of amazing weddings this year and there are even more coming up!

Anyway, Jon and I will be at the Bouche Productions Bridal Event on Sunday, October 4th at the Doubletree Hotel on South Broad, Philly. It's from 12-4. Come and say hi. There will be a lot of local vendors, workshops, and best of all... some free swag.

Oh, we also met this really great month-of OR full-service wedding designer/planner named Kimberly Fink. She is amazingly cool. If you are even a little bit busy with work and life on top of planning a wedding, give her a call or email her today. Planners aren't just for lucky TLC show entrants anymore!

Later!

-Tom

Tom & Jon on Lifetime Television!

2009-05-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Tom and Jon will be interviewed for the television show GetMarried on Lifetime ("Television for cool guys?") this June! We are really excited for the opportunity and cross our fingers we don't blank! Get more info and check out our profiles on GetMarried.com!

Hi-Society Nod in The Knot Magazine

2009-05-13T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hi-Society was mentioned in The Knot: New Jersey for an event we did back in October. It's not much, but it is The Knot.

Hi-Society on TV - Saturday January 24!

2009-01-23T06:04:00.001-08:00

Jon and I were interviewed by channel 6 ABC in Philadelphia at the Unbridaled Expo for a program called FYI Philly that will air Saturday, January 24, at 7pm. We may sound nervous, but it is still kind of cool. If you were there, keep an eye out for yourself as well!

After the UNBRIDALED Expo!

2009-01-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

We had an amazing time at the Unbridaled Expo on the 10th. We made a few new clients, met a few awesome vendors, and the time flew by. I have to say that Jon and I easily have the most interesting brides and grooms-to-be. Our 2009 weddings are going to include a dark, sexy, Portishead-y cocktail hour, African dub reggae by the beach, LL Cool J's "Doin' It," fun Indian/indie rock and hip-hop flavorings, and that's just to name a few.

It's going to be a great year, so congratulations to you all!

Thanks to Amanda and Carina from Love Me Do Photography for the pictures!

Our Set at the Unbridaled Expo... 1 Month To Go!

2008-12-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

We just confirmed that Jon will be featuring his DJ abilities in an hour long set at the Unbridaled Expo on January 10, sandwiched between two fashion shows featuring the Philadelphia Roller Girls! The set will begin at around 1pm.

It's going to be a mixed up set from cool cocktail music to motown to indie rock and hip-hop, but if you have song suggestions, let us know by posting a comment!

Additionally, some other vendors we know and trust will be there as well such as photographer Leah MacDonald, event planner Amore Weddings, Leigh Florists, and Ciao Bella Cakes! This is pretty much the hippest wedding expo Philadelphia has to offer, so we hope to see you there.

Happy planning.
-Tom

The "Unbridaled" Event Postcard

2008-11-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

See the posting below! Hope to see you there.

-Tomfile:///Users/tomleighwright/Downloads/Web-Button-09.jpg

"Unbridaled" Alternative Wedding Expo on January 10, 2009

2008-10-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

For all of those non-traditionalists taking the plunge, there is an event for you, too! On January 10, 2009, Jon and I will be at the Crane Arts Building, 1400 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA participating in a 6 hour bridal expo that would make Martha cringe.

It's called UNBRIDALED: The Traditional Wedding Expo Has Come Undone! Continuing the eco-friendly theme that we give our all to, the expo will feature local vendors, crafts, favors, photographers, hair and makeup experts, and even tattoo artists (you know... for the special gifts the bride and groom are supposed to exchange). It will also have your standard giveaways and tastings.

The planners expect over 600 people to attend this year. So if you fit the anti-bride mentality or want to make your wedding day a little edgy or unique, think about going! You can get more info at unbridaledexpo.com.

Last Night at the Aquarium

2008-10-02T04:49:00.000-07:00

So, last night turned out to be a blessing in disguise. At the last minute, we were informed that we were not going to be the featured entertainment at the Adventure Aquarium's invitation-only bridal expo. While at first disappointed, this gave us the perfect opportunity to actually talk with some really cool brides and grooms-to-be.

One nice, young couple is planning this great world-wide reception to feature music from motown to reggae to jazz and beyond. Another couple who runs a catering company was telling us how they heard Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers blaring through the kitchen doors at a recent wedding. (Unless the newlyweds are 12-14 years old, that is unacceptable.) Yet another couple we met quizzed Jon on his hip-hop knowledge and, to no one's surprise, he more than passed the test.

One thing is very clear. It's great to see more and more couples sharing our vision of having the reception be about great music. No funny hats. Skip "The Electric Slide."

You know, it's really hard at events like this to sell yourself as the anti-wedding DJ, but we want people to know you can entertain while catering to your own personal tastes, leaving the glow lights behind. We may not have a fleet of vans or ten guys on staff, but I guarantee, Jon and I work with you until we get it right.

Talk to you soon.
-Tom

The Camden Aquarium - October 1, 2008!

2008-09-29T08:50:00.001-07:00

Shark tanks... need I say more. Last week, Jon and I had the honor of being the featured entertainment for a vendor event hosted by The Knot magazine (perhaps you've heard of it). It was in the aquarium's beautiful Currents Ballroom overlooking Philadelphia from the Camden side of the Delaware, walled with 30 foot long, 15 foot high tanks filled with sharks and exotic fish. The fish loved the bass from our speakers adjacent to the glass and remained gathered next to Jon's head leading to his brilliantly-timed comment, "the fishes love me."

ANYWAY...
We're going to be there again for an exclusive invitation-only bridal expo on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. If you would like to be invited, shoot us an email at info@hisocietydjs.com and we'll add you to the list. We're happy to say that a few of our upcoming clients are on the list to go! If this is you, we are looking forward to seeing you again.

This is one of a select few opportunities throughout the year that potential clients get to see us in action, since we try our best to discourage wedding-crashing.

Until next time.
-Tom