Some of the best weddings take me beyond the usual Los Angeles venues, into canyons, ranches and country clubs an hour or more from home. I'm DJ Sam House, and here are some favorite celebrations from 2008 to 2010, from Camarillo and Santa Paula to Topanga, Malibou Lake and La Jolla.
Camarillo
Marc and Melissa, McCormick Ranch (August 2008). What an amazing couple. They kept the attention of their guests from start to finish, and the dance floor was packed all night. When the night was over, everyone begged for more.
Wesley and Sryvilay, Spanish Hills Country Club (June 2009). The ceremony and reception went smoothly, and everybody had a blast dancing to some cool Cambodian music. We even had a photo booth, provided by sarahkchen.com, with silly gear to wear. I went with the oversized gold shades and the Mickey Mouse gloves. Classic!
Santa Paula
Josh and Jamie, Family Ranch (November 2009). The barn was transformed into party central, and we kept the dance floor bumping all night long. A ranch wedding like this one proves that a rustic space can hold an awesome party.
Topanga Canyon
Ben and Sanja, The Mountain Mermaid (April 2010). Nestled in Topanga Canyon, The Mountain Mermaid is an exceptionally beautiful place for a wedding. We played everything from Sinatra to disco to hip hop to Croatian music. We covered it all, and it was a blast.
Malibu Lake
Dan and Candace, Malibou Lake Club (August 2009). The whole night went great, and we kept the dance floor going until the very end. Dan and Candace had an awesome family and a super group of friends.
La Jolla
Christopher and Claret, Torrey Pines Hilton (August 2009). A bright, sunny day in Southern California is perfect for a wedding. The ceremony went smoothly and everyone had a blast at the reception. Christopher and Claret seem like a perfect match.
Persian and Italian traditions
Ali and Geraldina (August 2008). Between Ali's Persian family and Geraldina's Italian family, we danced the tarantella and danced Persian style. We had way too much fun.
Planning tips for weddings away from the city
- Visit the site first. Rural and canyon venues are beautiful, but power, shade and sound need extra planning.
- Build in travel time. Your DJ, vendors and guests will all travel, so factor in distance and traffic.
- Add a fun extra. A photo booth, a signature dance or a barn transformation gives your wedding personality.
- Mix the music. Ben and Sanja's Sinatra-to-Croatian playlist shows how a varied set can please every generation.
Planning a wedding of your own? I'd love to hear about it. Say hello here, or take a look at my wedding DJ services.