Mehndi and sangeet DJ Birmingham

The nights before the wedding

For many families, the celebrations start days before the wedding itself. The names and customs vary: a Punjabi family might hold maiyan, a mehndi and a jaggo; a Gujarati family might have a sangeet with garba and raas; a Pakistani family might hold a dholki and a mehndi; a Bengali family might celebrate a gaye holud. Some families combine several of these into one big night.

What they usually share is a more relaxed, family-led feel than the reception. Aunties lead the singing, cousins perform routines they have rehearsed for weeks, and the dance floor fills with people who know each other well.

What a DJ does at a mehndi

At a mehndi or maiyan, the DJ often plays a supporting role rather than leading the night:

• background music while henna is applied and guests eat
• stepping back for traditional songs, a dholki or a family singalong
• picking up the energy once the formal part is done
• playing the songs the family always dances to, without needing to be asked

A good mehndi DJ knows when to turn the music down and let the family take over.

What a DJ does at a sangeet

A sangeet usually asks more of the DJ. There may be:

• entrances for the couple and their families
• a programme of rehearsed performances, from both sides
• speeches or a short welcome
• a long dance floor once the performances are over

That needs a running order, edited tracks in advance and someone confident on the microphone. Agree who will host the running order: a family member, a friend or the DJ. Our Bollywood DJ page has tips on preparing performance tracks.

Garba and raas for Gujarati families

For many Gujarati families, garba and raas are a central part of the pre-wedding celebrations. Circle dances have their own rhythm, and the DJ needs to keep the tempo steady and build it gradually so dancers stay together. Tell us if you want garba and raas, roughly how long you would like to dance, and whether you want traditional songs, modern remixes or both.

At home or in a hall

Many mehndi nights in Birmingham take place at home, in a marquee in the garden or in a community or function hall.

At home

• a compact setup that fits a living room, conservatory or garden
• a socket close by, and a safe route for cables
• a sensible volume and finish time, with neighbours in mind

In a hall

• the hall’s own setup times, sound limiter and curfew
• access and parking for the DJ’s equipment
• lighting suited to the room

Our guide on what a DJ needs from your venue lists the questions to ask a hall.

Adding dhol

Dhol is a natural fit for a jaggo, a mehndi or a sangeet entrance. If you want it, read about booking dhol players alongside your DJ, especially the points about volume indoors.

One DJ for every night

If you are also planning a big reception, it can help to use the same DJ throughout. Our Asian wedding DJ page explains how we match you for a multi-event wedding.

On cost, quotes for these nights vary a lot with the number of events, the hours, the setup, lighting and dhol. The matched DJ quotes you directly.

How we match you

Tell us about each pre-wedding night: what it is called in your family, the date, whether it is at home or in a hall, and the music and performances you are planning. We pass it to the one Birmingham DJ who specialises in these nights, and they contact you directly.