When the sun sets over the Yarra Valley vineyards and the fairy lights begin to twinkle at Rochford Wines, something magical happens. The music starts, and couples find themselves at the heart of their dream celebration – thanks to the incredible team at Tonic DJs.
“It’s more than a gig. It’s the opportunity to give a couple the best day of their life – which we take seriously in the most fun way,” shares the Tonic DJs team, whose passion for creating perfect wedding moments is evident in every event they are part of at Rochford Wines.
A Match Made in Musical Heaven
The supplier partnership between Rochford Wines and Tonic DJs feels natural – both share an unwavering commitment to creating exceptional wedding experiences. “The staff at Rochford are just wonderful. Not only can you see their experience and professionalism in all the work they do, but it is plainly obvious that they love what they do too!”
What makes this venue-entertainment duo so special? Picture this: a stunning dance floor centered in the heart of the action, panoramic vineyard views that keep outdoor guests connected to the celebration, and the freedom to keep the music pumping into the night. It’s a recipe for celebration perfection.
Beyond the Basic Beat
Tonic DJs isn’t your average wedding entertainment service. With qualifications in sound engineering, years of event management experience, and a team trained specifically for weddings, they bring a level of expertise that transforms good celebrations into unforgettable ones.
“We want to give couples the wedding they want,” they explain, “so everything we do and say is bespoke to them with the goal of everyone (old, young, and in between) having the best time.”
Their commitment to excellence extends beyond the music. They’re Australia’s most eco-conscious DJs, partnering with Greenfleet to ensure carbon-neutral travel to venues. Plus, with 24-hour support available (though they’re yet to receive that 3 AM call!), couples can rest easy knowing they’re in capable hands.
Creating Your Perfect Soundtrack
How do they craft the perfect playlist for each couple? It’s all about asking the right questions and understanding that every wedding is unique. Whether you’re after “wedding bangers” or have a specific playlist for every hour, Tonic DJs work their magic to create a night that’s uniquely yours.
From timeless classics like “Can’t Help Falling in Love” to modern hits, they’ve mastered the art of reading the room and keeping the dance floor packed. And those must-play favorites? “Nutbush, Mr Brightside, and anything by ABBA!” they reveal with a laugh.
More Than Just Music
What truly sets Tonic DJs apart is their comprehensive approach to wedding entertainment. Their MCs don’t just make announcements – they’re event coordinators, timeline managers, and atmosphere creators all rolled into one.
They’ve introduced unique elements like their audio guest book telephone, the popular ‘Shoe Game’, and even choreographed group dancing that turns strangers into friends on the dance floor. “It’s why understanding the couple, their guests, the event, and reading the room is so important,” they explain.
Magic Moments at Rochford
The venue’s layout at Rochford Wines perfectly complements Tonic DJs’ style. “With the dance floor and bar in the middle of the action, it encourages people to mingle, move around the space, and keep all the fun front and centre,” they share. Those farewell sparkler arches down the brick path? Pure magic every time.
Some of their most memorable moments include watching grandparents become the life of the dance party, surprise musical performances during speeches, and seeing couples completely lost in the moment, surrounded by their loved ones “going nuts” on the dance floor.
Planning Your Perfect Day
For couples planning their wedding at Rochford Wines, Tonic DJs offers this golden advice: “It’s all about you so do it your way! Include things that make you happy and leave out anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
The perfect wedding isn’t about following trends – it’s about creating moments that reflect who you are as a couple. Whether that’s a carefully curated playlist, interactive entertainment elements, or that special final dance when all the guests have gone home, Tonic DJs and Rochford Wines are here to make it happen.
Ready to start planning your perfect wedding soundtrack? The team at Tonic DJs is always available for free, no-obligation advice. After all, as they say, “Having experienced people such as those at Rochford and Tonic DJs available to guide you through it all can be invaluable.”
Q&A with the Tonic DJ team
1. What are some of the most popular first dance songs? Any tips for couples stuck on choosing their song?
‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ is such a beautiful song and couples are often requesting either the Elvis classic or more modern covers of it. I think a song as well-written as that will remain timeless. More contemporary choices include songs by Ed Sheeran and Chris Stapleton. Increasingly, couples are finding lesser-known songs or alternative versions of well-known songs, which we love to play and see the reaction on guests’ faces.
Tips? If you don’t have an obvious choice then know that there is no need to spend months listening to playlists to find the perfect song…there are just too many great songs out there! Simply decide what mood you want for it (ie. Romantic, playful, elegant etc) and make a short-list using Spotify’s browse, playlists, or radio function and adding songs you like to it. Then, find an evening to pop open a bottle of wine, make a small dance floor somewhere in your house, and play the songs (just to the end of the first chorus is enough) while actually dancing to it. When you hit the right song, you’ll know!
Above all, place as much effort and emphasis on this moment as you like. Your guests probably won’t remember the song, but they will remember the feeling of seeing two people they adore in love and sharing that moment together, so you do you.
2. How does having a great MC help create a seamless and fun wedding reception? What are the benefits of choosing a professional over a family member or friend?
Great question! There’s much more to being an MC than being an MC. We know that MCs need to be engaging, a great public speaker, maybe have some witty banter, and many people may have a friend or family member that matches that description. However…
In our opinion, a great MC should do a lot more than just talk on the microphone. They should be the one that can tie the whole event together, making sure all of the stakeholders (including the venue, vendors, guests, and of course the couple) are prepared for every moment. Think of them as your primary contact throughout the night, ensuring everything that’s arranged is coordinated and going to plan. They should also be there if there are little hiccups throughout the event. For example, perhaps you had to shift sunset photos due to bad weather. The MC should be able to make suggestions regarding the schedule and coordinate everything while keeping the rest of the event running smoothly.
Hiring a professional MC also allows all family and friends to enjoy the party without the pressure of running the event, worrying what’s next, or if they are sober/loose enough to do the job. It’s so easy to lose track of time when you’re a guest so leaving it to the pros is a much better option. There can be a number of formalities and inclusions in a reception and regardless of whether you are going for something formal or more casual, having an expert that knows how to flow from one formality to the next, knows how to encourage the appropriate response from the room, and importantly knows how to direct the newlyweds so that they aren’t left awkwardly wondering what to do, can make a big difference. Delivering all of this in a fun, warm, and relaxed manner is when couples really see it was well worth the relatively small additional cost.
Our approach at Tonic is very ‘client centric’, and we are experts at understanding our brief and helping couples feel comfortable and confident that the reception is in safe hands. Venues also love when we are there to MC too for the same exact reason.
3: Your best advice? What’s your number one piece of advice for couples when planning or on the day of their wedding?
Planning – it’s all about you so do it your way! Include things that make you happy and leave out anything that makes you uncomfortable. Find venues and suppliers that are flexible enough to go with your vision and consider their advice…we’ve done it hundreds of times!
On the day – remember any delays at the start may mean less time for things later. The classic is if everything from the entrances onwards is delayed by just 15 minutes, it can leave you with an hour less time on the dancefloor than you wanted. Our MCs will always try their best to get things back on track, which is one of the reasons venues and couples love us.
To enquire and connect with Tonic DJ’s https://www.tonicdjs.com.au/