Portside Productions

11/10/2026

The bride knew exactly what was coming. Her reaction still made it. 😂

Their request: mix “Mambo No. 5” into their first dance at exactly 1:40, then invite everyone onto the dance floor.

I built a custom beatgrid in Serato beforehand, then slowed Mambo down live to match their first dance.

The prep was technical. The payoff was watching her hear it, the guests catch on, and everyone join them for the first song of the night.

Your first dance can have a plot twist. 🪩

📍 Venue: Private Home, Freeport, Maine
🎧 DJ: Portside Productions:
🎵 First Dance Song: Magic Man - Honey
📋 Planning: Olive and Co.:
🎻 Ceremony Musician: Katherine Liccardo:
💐 Florals: Clo Floral: .floral
📸 Photography: Jill Hoyle:
🍽️ Catering: Lake and Co.: .and.co
💡 Lighting: Maine Event Design and Decor:
🪑 Rentals: One Stop Event Rentals:
🧺 Linens: Nuage: &
✨ Specialty Rentals: A Family Affair:
💇‍♀️ Hair: Brittanie Vogel:
💄 Makeup: Bar Harbor Beauty:
🚌 Transportation: Country Coach

11/03/2026

Someone else’s must-play is your do-not-play. Both are valid.

I just shared four posts exploring the music choices from 59 weddings I DJ’d across 2025 and 2026. The most-requested songs, the do-not-plays, the ceremony covers, and the moments that made each celebration personal.

The do-not-play list especially got people talking. So here’s what I want to leave you with:

A song being banned at one wedding doesn’t make it a bad wedding song. A song being requested at twenty others doesn’t mean it belongs at yours.

Maybe it reminds you of your favorite people. Maybe you’ve heard it enough for a lifetime. Maybe you just don’t like it. You don’t need a better explanation.

Your must-plays help me understand what you’re excited about. Your do-not-plays help me understand what would take you out of the moment. Both matter when I’m finding music that connects you with the people celebrating alongside you.

59 weddings gave me patterns. Getting to know each couple is how I make their wedding feel like theirs.

What’s one song you absolutely want at your wedding, and one you’re leaving off? 👇

10/30/2026

Beyond the first dance 💃 Part 4 of 4, the final post in my series

I went through my last 59 weddings and pulled out the moments my couples added to make the night theirs.

→ 10 brides shared a dance with Mom, and 3 of them were surprises
→ The longest-married couple on my dance floor: 60 years
→ More brides dedicated their bouquet than tossed it
→ And yes, one couple arrived by helicopter

Swipe for ideas you can steal for your own reception.

That wraps up the series! If you missed the first three, scroll back for the most-requested songs, the do-not-play list, and pop songs, wedding version.

What would you add to your night? Tell me in the comments 👇

10/28/2026

Your favorite pop song, wedding version 🎻

I went through the ceremonies from my last 59 weddings, and the most-played artist wasn't who you'd expect. It was Taylor Swift. Her songs showed up 8 times, all as string and piano covers. (Yes, the same Taylor Swift 10 of my couples banned from the dance floor.)

My couples also walked down the aisle to Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Coldplay, Paramore, Goo Goo Dolls, and even a Zelda theme. Played by a string quartet or a piano, they still sound like a ceremony, but they mean something to you.

Swipe for every song and who covered it, so you can find them yourself.

What song would you want reimagined for your walk down the aisle? Tell me in the comments 👇

Save this for your ceremony planning.

10/26/2026

10/26/2026

I went through the do-not-play lists from my last 59 completed weddings. Here's what my couples did NOT want to hear.

→ 44 of 59 banned line dances. 25 named the YMCA by name
→ The most-banned song wasn't Sweet Caroline (13). It was "Happy" (15)
→ 19 couples banned Bruno Mars… yet "Marry You" was still a recessional 3 times
→ "Mr. Brightside" got banned 3 times and closed out the night at 4 weddings

Every list tells me who you are as a couple. What's on yours? Drop it in the comments 👇

Building your own do-not-play list? Save this and send it to your partner.

portsideproductions.com

10/24/2026

I went back through the timelines from 59 *completed* weddings across my 2025 and 2026 seasons to see which songs couples picked most for each big moment, from the processional to the last dance.

A few things stood out:
→ “How Sweet It Is” was the cake cutting song at 6 weddings, more than any song in any other moment
→ Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish” played at 8 parent dances, split evenly between father-daughter and mother-son
→ First dances were the most personal. No song was chosen more than twice

Which song would you pick for your first dance? Drop it in the comments 👇

Planning your wedding music? Save this for later and send it to your partner. Ceremony, cocktail hour and reception music, planned with you song by song.

portsideproductions.com

10/20/2026

08/03/2026

Congratulations to Sheila and Daniel! They brought all of their favorite people to Maine for a weekend filled with great food, plenty of laughter, a packed dance floor, and, most importantly, a celebration of their marriage. We’re so happy they asked us to be part of such a special weekend!

Vendor Team:
Venue: French's Point
Planner: Jessica Riley Events
Photography: Lexi & Matt Photography
Caterer: 111 Maine | Catering
Makeup: Glow Salon
Hair: Kati Look
DJ: Portside Productions
Florist: Field
Dress: Lace & Liberty
Officiant: Friend
Rentals: Wallace Events & Reverie
Photobooth: Social Selfie

06/29/2026

We had an amazing time partying with Emily and Parker at the Inn by the Sea earlier this month. Couldn't be happier for these two! What an amazing party.

Emily and Parker knew they were facing a unique challenge when they...