The Wedding DJs for your wedding, party, bachelorette…

Insights from the mind behind Cape Town's legendary wedding DJs

Last updated: 06 November 2024 

He’s planned private parties for Jared Leto, Black Eyed Peas and Kylie Minogue. And a three-day Indian wedding with fire stilts and 25 artists. Oh, and a wedding along the Tuscan riviera bringing Africa to Europe with flair. 

Shaun Westwood, founder of The Wedding DJs, knows that making your wedding, bar mitzvah, birthday party, or bachelorette, truly unforgettable is an art. We spoke to him.

They make all events an unforgettable experience. Image: The Wedding DJs

1. I started The Wedding DJs because… 

There was an industry shortage of experienced DJs, who aren’t just cheesy. A lot of couples don’t want run-of-the-mill obvious wedding songs. I help them curate bespoke events, thanks to decades of experience in the industry.  

My background is owning & managing some of the most iconic nightclubs in South Africa, including Opium, Chevelle, Zsa Zsa, and Darling. Opium hosted some of the biggest names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Metallica, Nicholas Cage and Ethan Hawke, and acts like Goldfish, Shaun Duvet, Dean Fuel had residencies there. 

2. What sets The Wedding DJs apart is… 

We have 30 acts who are exclusively signed with us: From afro-beat sensations and jazz bands to solo guitarists, saxophonists, traditional African and Indian artists, and even a youth choir. Some of our DJs are touring festival DJs that play at the biggest events and clubs overseas, and have extensive experience across niche weddings, commercial events, and underground spaces. 

We create artists and bands too. If you tell us, “I want a New Orleans-style jazz band with a Hugh Masekela sound and a black female vocalist,” we can make it happen.

3. The most memorable event I’ve done is… 

A three-day Indian wedding with 400 guests and a budget of R20 million. Each wedding day was a full wedding setup at different locations, some days more than 1 location on the same day. We had 25 different artists, fire stilts, and a coordinated dance with the bride. The finale was hosted at one of the top wedding venues in South Africa and they even built a glass marquee structure next to the venue specifically for this wedding.

They curate the perfect atmoshphere for events. Image: The Wedding DJs

4. If I had to spotlight three The Wedding DJs artists, it would be… 

Incredible Afro. It’s an Ibiza-meets-Africa sound; a uniquely African act incorporating inter continental music from lounge to upbeat afro-house ideal for a cocktail party. Lee Thomson is the DJ in this band who also plays a trumpet live with Bongani Sotshononda, the best marimba player in SA, and Nceba Gongxeka on percussion/multi-instrumental musician.

Valve State. They play intelligent electronic lounge and Ibiza-like sounds for people who want international-style music. It’s a DJ and jazz band, with Richard Marshall and Jason Reolon on keyboard player and Lee Lips on trumpeter.  

The Sentimentals. They’re a four-piece pop cover band with a focus on 80s synth music. Pixie Bennett on vocals, Craig De Sousa as the DJ, Liam Mc Dermott on vocals and guitar, and Raiven Hunter joins them on keys, sax and backing vocals. It’s high energy, vibey – great for opening up a dance floor (even your granny will boogie to them). 

5. DJing is an art because… 

Anyone can play the latest pop hits or old school bangers; a good DJ creates an atmosphere and matches the energy of the evening. 

For example, when the guests arrive, I might play ambient music that’s not too vocal-heavy; when the bride enters, I crank the volume up to make it more impactful.

Towards the end of dinner, I play stripped-down versions of classics to slowly increase the energy for dancing. It's stressful for a couple to dance in front of everyone, and if you build the energy during dinner they feel more comfortable.

6. Wedding planners love working with us because… 

We’re more than just DJs; we’re a full-service event company that helps you create the perfect mood and atmosphere for a memorable event. We supply all the sound, lighting, and dancefloor technical requirements, set up entertainment solutions, manage the artists and flow of musical experiences, and pack up after the event. I also have a very good reputation for delivering on a brief. Couples who have a niche or very specific vision book us.

7. The craziest event I’ve organised is…  

A private party for Jared Leto, while his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, was on tour in Cape Town. He hosted it at a private mansion and had several costume changes during the night (including a priest outfit and gimp suit, it got a little wild..).

A glimpse into the parties hosted. Image: The Wedding DJs

8. If I could change one thing about weddings, it would be…

How people use the venue space. You should put the dancefloor near the bar, and the DJ box on the dancefloor. Not in the corner. If you want a party atmosphere and for your guests to dance, don’t do this. It creates a weird flow in the room. Some couples want to hide the DJ, sound and light equipment in the corner, and although this means you might get better photos, it puts a damper on the party vibe.

9. I wish more people knew that… 

We don’t only do weddings. House parties, birthday celebrations, bar mitzvahs, engagement parties, bachelorette parties, wedding after-parties… We are experts in corporate events & have done work for some of the biggest brands in SA including Discovery, Sanlam, DHL, EatOut Magazine, etc. 

And secondly, no wedding is too small. Yes we do grand events, like a two-day wedding on the Tuscan riviera, but we’ve also done a 12-person wedding during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

10. One thing nobody knows about The Wedding DJs is… 

That we’re also an artist development agency. We create & build talent, help with mixes, train them on how to organise their music and run the event, get them a recording space, and even help them secure residency shows. Kings Club is a five-piece band that we put together and they’ve booked four international shows in Majorca, Dubai, Saint Tropez, and Miami. 

Shaun Westwood, founder of The Wedding DJs. Image: The Wedding DJs

BOOK THE WEDDING DJs 

The Wedding DJs aren’t just a full-service event company; they’re facilitators of experiences that people will remember for life. They’re in the business of memory making. For more info on cost and how to book, see below. 

Read more: via The Wedding DJs website
Contact on: Via the website; 021 410 8095; @the_weddingdjs
Cost: From R15 000 (excluding VAT)

By Julia Rowley

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