Ken Schaffer Entertainment

21/07/2024

What an amazing day celebrating with Paula and Laura in an intimate wedding right at their home, overlooking Absecon Bay. The setting was magnificent.

As a boutique style DJ Entertainment company, our team is very involved in creating a perfect plan that includes a personalized timeline and soundtrack for each client’s unique vision.

This particular wedding was extra special as Paula has become a dear friend and she’s a fellow wedding professional. Being a wedding photographer, Paula works with many DJs weekly and she chose Ken Schaffer Entertainment for her own wedding celebration! I considered that an honor and the ultimate compliment from one wedding professional to another.

As family and friends gathered, you could feel the love and energy right from the start. After our brides exchanged vows, the party started immediately. 32 guests gathered under one tent and we had a full dance floor starting with cocktail hour! What a fun night with a great group of people!

14/07/2024

Today’s assignment is a very intimate wedding that includes only 16 guests spanning two countries. We’ll have some close friends from Albania joining us for this afternoon’s celebration.

Today’s client fully understands the importance of quality entertainment. Many home weddings of this size simply setup a playlist for background and they typically fizzle out right after dinner when we’re really just ramping up! The role of a professional is so much more than playing music. In fact, entertaining 16 guests is much more difficult than a crowd of 200. You must insert yourself into the celebration and become part of it and music selection and creating special moments must be spot on!

16 guests, but it still requires extensive preparation:

-Investing the time to fully understand the clients vision.
-Researching and gathering the RIGHT music. In this case, a considerable amount of Albanian and Italian hits that are more obscure to us in the US.
-Creating the perfect timeline and executing it flawlessly.
-Setting up the main system first and then providing expert battery powered, wireless sound on the beach in LBI, 20 miles away, and possibly an hour each way with shore traffic!
-Returning in 100 degree temps for a 4 hour outdoor dinner reception.

We truly appreciate clients who recognize the value we bring to the table. Essentially, today’s role is not only DJ entertainment, but it’s audio expertise on the beach and taking on the role of being the wedding coordinator for the day!

We truly love days like this, creating lifetime memories and celebrating with strangers who often become friends…

10/07/2024

Back again for another great Cruisin’ Event in Downtown Toms River! DJ Jacob Hackett is helping out, picking some great oldies tonight!

29/06/2024

In this business, you never know who you’re going to run into… I’m 90 minutes North and I hear a friendly “Hey Ken!” Paul and I have been friends for years and I just did his wedding last December. Now he’s the GM at Avenue and it looks like we’ll be working together again….

29/06/2024

Tonight’s wedding brings us to the beautiful rooftop at Avenue on the ocean in Longbranch.

Kevin and Darlene wanted more of a casual, cocktail vibe, so we’re taking over the restaurant and nightclub space to achieve that. Incredible views. Definitely a Miami vibe going on right now as we await the arrival of our guests.

Beach ceremony at 5 and the celebration begins at 6…

13/06/2024

12/06/2024

We’re here on the second Wednesday of the month, in season, going on 12 years strong… Even when Cruisin’ lands on your birthday!

Made our traditional stop at Capone’s for dinner before starting the show. Lori now has Wednesdays off, but Jacob has pull. She scheduled her Wednesdays this summer to serve Jacob and she even reserved a table on an otherwise packed night with graduation parties!

Ready to roll at 6 with some great oldies till 9!

08/06/2024

What a fun destination wedding coming from upstate New York, celebrating at the luxurious Icona Resorts of Diamond Beach, Wildwood Crest, NJ.

When planning a wedding or any event from a distance, choosing the RIGHT vendors is the best way to ensure a fun, stress-free experience. Ask your banquet coordinators as they know best. And I may be a bit biased saying this, but finding the right entertainer that aligns with your vision is truly one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make.

In the digital world, DJs are a dime a dozen, but a true, seasoned wedding professional is priceless. Anyone can “push buttons” and play music, but the art of being a persuasive, compelling emcee with stage presence, programming and mixing the right music at the precise, appropriate moment is an acquired skill that only comes with experience. Planning, timing and intuition are everything.

A true professional will transition in and out of genres in a seamless manner that keeps everyone satisfied and involved in the fun. With a diverse audience, we look for opportunities to create special moments. If your DJ is on their feet and intently focused on the audience, chances are he or she is constantly reading the room and intuitively picking up on signs of what to do next, in real time. It’s not planned. It’s a symbiotic relationship between the entertainer and his or her audience.

Last night’s wedding began with a strong opening that set the tone for a great evening.

We had our formal introductions, first dance, parents dances and then went immediately into a ballad dedicated to close loved ones no longer with us, at the bride and groom’s request. That packed the dance floor. We then shifted our attention to the flower girl who loved the movie Trolls. Showcasing her and playing her favorite Justin Timberlake song got the bridesmaids excited, which in turn, built momentum on the floor. We had a packed dance floor with high energy for a solid 20 minutes before dinner and that set the tone for an amazing celebration.

While this all seems to have flowed naturally, it only happened because of proper planning, knowing the right questions to ask in advance, and the knowledge and intuition to execute flawlessly once the celebration began.

Don’t hire the friend of a friend because he was really “affordable” and comes highly recommended. Winning a popularity contest through the local pub and entertaining successfully at a wedding are completely different worlds. Choose wisely and create incredible memories that will last a lifetime!

07/06/2024

Our home for the next 8 hours… Setting up battery sound on the beach, cocktail hour and reception. Looking forward to celebrating with Marissa & Andrew!

02/06/2024

Ready for a fun celebration as Nelson and Eva say I do! It’s always great working with an amazing vendor team that includes people I’ve known for years and worked with in other capacities as well.

Spike, who I’ve known for years through WIBG Radio, is here managing the facility and it’s great to reconnect! Michael Russell Walsh is handling the photos and while I’m providing the ceremony sound, Susan is providing the music on the Violin.

We have a great team and a great celebration just unfolding now…

31/05/2024

Event entertainment is more than just pressing play on a playlist. From coordinating and managing the timing between important moments during your event to having the flexibility and knowledge to seize the moment when it’s right, you want to have a professional in the booth to make sure your event runs smoothly!

27/05/2024

Today, we’re remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice 🇺🇸

27/05/2024

What a fun wedding at Icona Diamond Beach! Thank you Valerie and Tony for placing your trust in Ken Schaffer Entertainment!

Choosing the right entertainer for your wedding is one of the most important decisions you'll make when planning your wedding. Years from now, guests may not remember the color of your decor or those fancy chair covers, but they will remember what a great time they had if the music and presentation are on point. Each and every wedding handled by Ken Schaffer Entertainment comes with our commitment to excellence. We know exactly what to ask to ensure a personalized experience that’s uniquely yours.

ICONA Diamond Beach ICONA Avalon Shaun Reilly Photography Brian The Rev
What a great team of vendors! Thank you all.

27/05/2024

Being an event DJ - MC was a teenage hobby that became a lifetime passion turned career for me. I’ve developed countless professional relationships and have worked with thousands of couples over the years. Many have become good friends, as the case is here with the Carano and McCardell families. I met Charlie through corporate client Bass Pro Shops a decade ago and we connected immediately. Now I’m working my way through their family, handling all their weddings and milestone celebrations!

It’s so nice to see a post from Phoebe and Andrew on their first anniversary. Looking back, a great time was had by all!

Ken Schaffer Entertainment ICONA Avalon ICONA Diamond Beach

22/05/2024

What a fun wedding… and we made it in the video preview! Thank you Sia and Shaun Reilly Photography!

19/05/2024

People often have the misconception that a DJ works 5-6 hours on the weekend, playing music at an event.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

That’s like saying Joe Namath played football for a few hours on Sunday afternoons.

While a party DJ can show up and play, a wedding entertainer’s role includes far more preparation, planning and responsibility. We begin months and sometimes years in advance, gathering pertinent information. Along the way, knowing the right questions to ask, we create a personalized soundtrack and timeline. Then on the morning of each celebration, we’re up early, reviewing and rehearsing our day and then setting up sound and lighting in multiple locations before the first guest even arrives.

As wedding entertainers, our team puts atleast 20 hours into each event to ensure that it’s perfect for each and every client. When a wedding day seamlessly flows from one special moment to the next, that doesn’t happen by chance. It was planned and coordinated in the hands of a professional who has done this hundreds or even thousands of times and one who approaches each new assignment with the same passion as their very first wedding.

You’re on your feet for 12-14 hours. Every single song matters and each client request is carefully crafted into a plan at the appropriate time. That plan also evolves as we’re intently focused on the vibe and energy of the room as each piece of the puzzle is put together from start to finish.

If the outcome of YOUR wedding is important to you, choose vendors wisely. Don’t rely on social media recommendations as friends giving advice often have no idea about the advice they’re giving. A great local bar DJ who is popular in the pub is typically NOT a seasoned DJ-Emcee capable of orchestrating an elaborate high-end wedding with many moving parts.

Ask the banquet managers who they recommend. They have the benefit of working with a wide range of entertainers and other vendors from novice to the best. Trust their experience…

I’d say Valerie and Tony had the time of their life last night and starting Monday, we’ll be focused on making sure next weekend’s events are equally on point and the best that they can possible be!

The biggest mistake any couple can make is to shop solely based on price and social media recommendations. Check reviews, ask banquet managers and do your research! A full service production is far more involved than someone playing on the side. It’s truly night and day. The value a true professional offers is priceless and we simply can’t do what we do and compete with those who are transitioning from the bar and party world to weddings. Choose wisely and invest in peace-of-mind, a stress-free experience and creating lifetime memories.

ICONA Diamond Beach Ken Schaffer Entertainment Shaun Reilly Photography Brian The Rev

19/05/2024

What an awesome idea as a special touch or surprise wedding gift.

Meet Stine, pronounced “Stee-ah”, a Norwegian artist based in Central New Jersey. She’ll arrive hours before your celebration to paint the background scene and then masterfully paint a beautiful portrait that evolves as the night goes on.

Very nice touch. As we entertain with music, Stee-ah entertained as guests watched her beautiful art evolve throughout the evening…
Ken Schaffer Entertainment

18/05/2024

We’ve got the A Team today… working with the incredible staff at ICONA Diamond Beach Shaun Reilly Photography Brian The Rev Ken Schaffer Entertainment. The sun came out for a beautiful ceremony this afternoon. Now it’s time to celebrate with Valerie & Tony!

18/05/2024

What a fun idea as two become one…

18/05/2024

Two benefits of hiring a professional are preparedness and flexibility. Today’s wedding is planned outdoors. Ceremony on the beach, cocktails at the beach bar and a tented reception.

Ceremony strike time is 4:30pm and the clouds and rain appear to be rolling out at 4:00pm.

We’re setup and ready in two locations and our beach ceremony sound cart is ready to roll, wherever we need to park it! Sound check done and all we need to do is push it into the tent or on the beach, depending on the weather. Completely self-contained with our own power source on board!

16/05/2024

Playing some welcoming music for the unveiling of the incredible Madison Resorts of Wildwood Crest. This property is nothing short of amazing. The photos don’t do it justice…

16/05/2024

As a professional DJ entertainer, you definitely want someone well-versed as an audio-visual technician too.

That is a big part of the job as modern weddings often require multiple sound systems for remote ceremony needs and other logistics that only a true professional can accommodate.

Many couples are encouraged to “ditch the traditional mic” in favor of aesthetics. Bridal experts often suggest wireless lapel mics instead of a podium or Microphone on a stand, front and center in all of your photos.

In some cases, there simply isn’t a “lapel” to hide the small mic element as we would on a groom’s lapel. In this case, we carefully attached a lapel mic to this Officiant’s binder so it was perfectly placed in front of her, but not visible to the audience. The vows and ceremony were crystal clear and the photos looked great too!

15/05/2024

Pro Tip: Consider a photobooth for your wedding as it brings families together and gets great candid shots that you would never expect otherwise! Plus, it’s a great keepsake for your guests to remember the night! 📸🪩

06/05/2024

This is how true professionals roll. There’s an unspoken brotherhood among professionals in the entertainment industry. We help each other, even as competitors at times.

Saturday morning at 7:30am, I knew something was up when an industry friend was calling that early. Sure enough, he was stressed. One of his top DJs was hospitalized and there was a wedding to cover in just a few hours.

Knowing our schedule was flexible, I willingly jumped in and I know this company would do the same for me in an emergency. I had a DJ available to cover me on a birthday party and dug into the planning forms emailed with exactly two hours to prepare. This includes getting a feel for their taste in music without the benefit of a consultation, reviewing names and pronunciations, downloading specialty music and essentially recreating the timeline in my own format without a moment to spare.

My assistant John jumped in too and covered the Photobooth. Situations like this are delicate. There’s no sense unnecessarily upsetting a bride or even telling her what is happening until a comfort level is achieved. This is where experience comes in, making sure the ceremony and cocktail hour were flawless and setting a professional tone first. By the time I made it a point to formally introduce myself, the bride already had a comfort level. This was a destination wedding and I could have just used a different name, but honesty is the best policy. Once I proved myself without actually speaking, it was much easier to explain the emergency and the fact that I was prepared, but a fill in for the day. I’d say by the crowds reaction, and their feedback throughout the night, these two families had the time of their lives!

Sometimes we have to just jump in as a “white label” for others. Amateurs compete. Professionals help one another and all worthy ships rise together with an incoming tide. And thinking about it, I probably worked harder than ever because this was someone else’s job. Despite who is responsible, the show must go on and perfection is mandatory!

03/05/2024

We had a lot of fun tonight covering Holy Spirit High School’s Junior-Senior Prom at the beautiful, Historic Flander’s Hotel in Ocean City, NJ.

Tonight’s event was dedicated to my good friend DJ John Bewley who is hospitalized, going through some difficult times right now. John is such an inspiration as he finds a silver lining in everything. He’s very positive and optimistic at a time that many others would crumble. John is a respected and popular teacher at Holy Spirit High School and a DJ with KSE. Tonight was his night to DJ for his students, but we pulled the team together and made sure the kids had a blast in his honor! Get well soon John! The kids need you back, strong and healthy and many were asking for you tonight!

02/05/2024

Working at The Flanders Hotel tonight with DJ John McKernan for Holy Spirit’s Junior/Senior Prom! 🪩💃🕺

01/05/2024

I love these then and now photos.

Being involved in multiple businesses, people often ask why I would still want to do weddings at this stage of my life. The truth is, I still love what I do as much as I did as an eager teen with more confidence than I should have had back then! I got through my first wedding, pictured here at 17 or 18 years old, winging it with a neighborhood photographer guiding me on what to do next. I guess I’ve put in the time to master my craft since that day….

Today I’m more selective on the work I personally take on, but I truly enjoy getting to know my clients, gathering the right information, and putting a personalized plan in place that exceeds their expectations.

It took my mother many years to accept that this was what I wanted to do, but after seeing me grow a multi-op company in Phila and accumulating several rental properties by spinning records back then, she finally accepted it as a viable business. That may have been the only time mom was wrong as she was always insightful and on point.

I have a great team around me and still have a few years left in my tank! They say that the day we stop learning and investing in our own knowledge is the day we stagnate. Still relevant today, many years later…

01/05/2024

Tonight’s office going back in time for a convention group hanging out in AC. DJ Ken is spinning the music along with emcee extraordinaire, Ruben, one of the great Boogie Nights Emcees working the floor. We’ve got this!

15/04/2024

Taking the stage tonight at the former Casbah, now the Daer Nightclub in Hard Rock, AC.

Tonight’s National Convention group had a blast last year and asked me to return. It’s nice to develop annual relationships that become recurring events on the calendar.

Sound check at 7. Doors open at 8. Let’s get the party started…

14/04/2024

Two old DJs reconnecting…