You want your reception dance to be both romantic and fun. To get that balance, you need a disc jockey with experience. At a rate of three to six weddings per week, it's no mystery that Music Central Entertainment knows how to DJ a wedding with the professionalism and confidence brides look for. Owner, Rob Aitken, personally DJs events for his company fifty out of fifty-two weeks a year, which allows him to keep in tune with what services couples are looking for. Music Central is also fully-staffed with an additional five DJs - all trained, equipped and ready to provide music that'll keep your guests dancing all night long!
What to expect...
Music Central provides hours of music, lighting effects, Master of Ceremony services and even karaoke, for prices starting at $439 per event. Considering the cost of most of the elements that go into a wedding, the services that Music Central provides for your wedding reception are priced to impress.
Prior to booking, Rob is more than happy to sit down with you to answer any questions. This is also a great chance to meet Rob and learn more about the options for music, lighting, the various packages, slideshow equipment, ceremony options and much more. Closer to the wedding date, Music Central will meet with you, in person if possible, for a consultation to discuss the details of the wedding. This usually happens a few weeks before the wedding. This is a great time to discuss the more in-depth details such as musical likes and dislikes, additional services needed, such as MC services, or to go over any specific song request lists. He says that, "... it's important for every client to have a chance to meet Music Central and discuss what they want and don't want at their wedding." Rob says that the bride and groom's preferences and tastes are what it's all about.
Music Central places emphasis on working within whatever guidelines his clients give them, whether it is a themed wedding, a specific list of songs you want played at certain times, or specifics about what you don't want played at your wedding. There are still many couples that simply leave music choices up to the DJ. Either way, Rob is dedicated to delivering what his clients ask for.
So, what's the difference?
Rob is a big part of what sets Music Central apart from other DJ companies. With a great personality, five kids at home, and a huge love of music, he provides couples with the face-to-face service that is so rare. "Really, I'm a former musician myself. Just about any DJ you meet is likely a frustrated musician and/or a huge music fan!" Rob insists that a DJ needs to love music to work in this field. "I needed a way to justify my record-buying addiction. This was the perfect fit!" And that was how Music Central was born in 1983.
Rob is a big believer in supporting the music industry and continues his love of purchasing music. Music Central buys music on a weekly basis not just to keep up with what’s new but also to bolster their back catalogue. Music Central’s office library now consists of well over 6000 CDs. All their music is legal and appropriately licensed with the A.V.L.A. Rob states, "If you want a song and we don’t have it we’ll go to great lengths to find it for you." Take for instance, the cool new "lounge" music that Rob recently added to his music collection- offering the perfect vibe for your cocktail hour or, to set the tone during dinner.
In addition to constantly updating their music library, Rob believes that it is just as important to constantly update their equipment. When you book with Music Central, you know you are getting top notch music AND equipment.
For example, Rob has a patio speaker that is set up outside. When guests step outside for a breath a fresh air, they can still enjoy the music at your party!
Music Central tries to provide as many personal touches as possible throughout the couple's wedding day. They work with the couple to determine appropriate and meaningful songs for things such as the first dance of the bride and groom, mother-son dance, father-daughter dance, garter and bouquet toss and special songs chosen for family and friends.
Options and promises!
Music Central's packages for reception music range from $439 to $659, depending on specific services required and number of hours you need a DJ for. Some of your options are:
• Ceremony music
• PAs for ceremonies (musicians, vocalists, officiants etc.)
• Music for reception and dance
• Dinner music
• Karaoke packages to keep your guests laughing & involved
• Additional lighting effects to jazz up the dance floor
• Vocalist background music available (for ceremony, etc.)
• The disc jockey can assist with or handle Master of Ceremony duties if required
"One of our top priorities is to lessen the client's stress and to make sure the evening runs as smoothly as possible. That's what we're best at. It's more than just music; it's about the event as a whole," Rob told us. This philosophy has kept Music Central in good standing with many of their clients, including top London names (and some other Ring favourites) such as The Convention Centre, Lamplighter Inn, Hilton, Sunningdale Golf & Country Club, The Windermere Manor and Elsie Perrin Williams Estate.
Packages and the nitty gritty of it all
Ceremony Music
Starting at $140
• A very popular choice for your ceremony music
Bronze Package
$439
• Up to 4 hours of music (dance from 9 pm - 1 am)
Silver Package
$549
• Up to 6 hours of music (dance from 7 pm - 1 am)
Gold Package - The Ultimate
$659
• Up to 8 hours of customized music (cocktails, dinner & dance from 5 pm - 1 am)
• Free use of cordless microphone
• DJ available to act as MC, if required
• Vocalist background music available
Platinum Package
• Includes everything in the Gold Package and more
• Ceremony music
• Remote set-ups
• Speak with Music Central for more specific details
All packages include...
• A professionally trained and properly attired musical host/hostess
• On-site staffing throughout
• An extensive CD library and professional sound
• Free wedding consultation
• Use of request cards
• Advance set-up for in-town locations, if necessary
• Use of a microphone for speeches etc.
Packages do not include...
• HST & travel fees (usually average $40, but are based on distance and location).
Rob says that there are add-ons to each package to make them completely customizable including ceremony music and lighting packages... anything to suit the couple's needs, including Stag & Doe packages. Music Central also offers a Stag & Doe discount (a value of almost $100) when you book your wedding with them.
Karaoke is becoming an increasingly popular (and fun!) choice for many couples. Rob says that as one of London and area’s main suppliers of karaoke entertainment, they have a huge library of karaoke background tracks available to you. If you have someone who wants to perform a particular song, he can even let them practice with the background track beforehand. Karaoke is a great idea for the kissing game or to raise money at the Stag & Doe.
What's new at Music Central?
Music Central now offers a forty-two inch plasma TV that is transportable to your event. Rob says it's great for the lobby or entrance of your event, or could be used at a wedding to show a slideshow of photos. This is particularly great for couples who are having a Destination Wedding and wish to show the wedding ceremony photos at their reception to extended family and friends. If you'd like, Music Central can put your slideshow to music.
Rob also told us that he's one of two companies in the area that has the Open Air Photobooth® available for weddings, proms, and fundraisers. The booth comes with options for seating and backdrops, but the openness of it allows for more interaction between guests while they're posing for fun and crazy photos. Guests can keep a copy of the photos, as well as give a copy to the couple as a keepsake of their wedding in a customized scrapbook. With props available and development taking less than a minute, this is sure to keep your guests entertained for hours (when they're taking a break from dancing, anyway).
One of the coolest parts booking a photobooth with Music Central is the green screen's they use. It allows you to choose your own background image for your photos. Brides that have booked with Rob have used everything from beach scenes to forest scenes to cityscapes as their backdrops.
With live music becoming more and more popular at weddings, Music Central, is thrilled to work with Don Baker- a fantastic live performer who plays keyboards and sings and would be perfect for ceremonies and cocktail hour. We were told that Don has years of experience and has entertained at many high end events (weddings and corporate). "He's versatile and does killer versions of Elton John and Billy Joel tunes," Rob told us.
You might also see some new faces at Music Central as Rob has added more DJs to the biz, including ones with club DJing experience, like DJ Ruckus.
And, with the addition of Music Central's School of Spin, a DJ School and Music Academy, Rob has noticed that the staff's performance level has increased quite a bit. Rob told us, "The bar has been raised. This is a positive off-shoot of having the School of Spin as part of the Music Central family."
Preparation is key
Music Central is prepared for ceremonies and/or receptions in remote locations such as beaches and parks. If you are planning a wedding anywhere where you may be concerned about power outages (or where there is no power source), Rob can make sure that the party won't stop if you book their portable generator. For a small fee of $100, you can be assured that your remote location reception will run smoothly. The generator is built with new whisper quiet technology so noise is not a factor. On several occasions Music Central has come to the rescue during an emergency power outage. Their back-up staff was called to deliver a generator and the party continued on.
One of our favourite things about Music Central is their Field Manager. The Field Manager makes sure that your event is running seamlessly by driving around to each venue and checking that your DJ has everything they need for a flawless event (how great is that!?!).
Details, details, details
• Rob and his associate disc jockeys will always attend your wedding dressed appropriately.
• Music Central requires a $100 deposit to confirm and hold your wedding day for their services.
• Music Central now has a new storefront at 1496 Dundas Street East in London (by appointment). However, Rob is more than happy to meet you at a place that is convenient for you.
• Suggested book ahead time is one year, if at all possible.
• There are six DJs on staff including Rob and he will try to match up the personality of the DJ with the couple to ensure a good fit!
• Music Central is a member of the Canadian Disc Jockey Association (CDJA), The London Chamber of Commerce, Tourism London and are A.V.L.A. Licensed.
• During their busy season, Music Central does up to 6 weddings per weekend.
• Music Central now accepts debt and credit card payments.
In other words...
"Thank you SO MUCH Music Central for being the Best! :)
Rob, thank you for taking the time to meet with us and getting to know what music we love and matching us up with Greg who did an incredible job as our DJ! Thank you for taking our last minute song list the day of the wedding and incorporating our songs into the night. Everyone had a blast and everyone was on the dance floor which was pretty amazing! Thank you again for an AMAZING job!! :) " - Ania & Ken
"…we couldn't have asked for a better night and Richard did a fabulous job! He was very professional and accommodating and kept the dance floor bumpin' all night long! Thank you and him so much!" - Sarah & Brent Van Kessel
"Thanks Rob! You did a fantastic job! We will definitely recommend you to anyone who inquires!" - Nicole & Jamie, married Saturday, August 22, 2009
"I just wanted to say thank you for a successful and professional display during the reception of my daughter’s wedding. The selection and mixture of music was excellent as was the conduct of your DJ, Dave… Thanks again and we'll be sure to pass the good word along to our many friends." - Michael (father of the bride)
"Rob & Amy, we cannot thank the two of you enough for your kindness and hard work! Our reception was absolutely amazing. Our friends and family can’t stop talking about how great the night and how wonderful you were, Amy! We are very blessed to have such caring people in our lives and we will never forget your generosity." - Katie & David Escaf
"Rob, I want to thank you SO VERY MUCH for the incredible job you did! I still have people approaching me to say how great the DJ was, how much they liked the music that was played and how fun and danceable our reception was. You really played a huge role in making the night incredible and memorable for us. I cannot thank you enough! Please feel free to have anyone contact me directly if they would like a reference. You're awesome!" - Jen & Greg Dawson
"Dear Rob, Thanks for making our wedding reception a blast! We appreciated the time and energy you invested ahead of the wedding to ensure that the right music (and the right genre) was played at the right time! …Our sincerest thanks, and if there is anything we can do for you – don’t hesitate to contact us. We won’t hesitate recommending your services." - Greg Lacko & Krystal Taylor
"Hey Rob… just want to say that Austin did a great job at our wedding. The wedding music was great and the dance music got everyone moving all night. Great time! Thanks again." - Lorie & Ted Johnston
"Thanks Rob, Sam was an absolute awesome DJ. We are so happy with your choice for us. We haven’t ever gone to a wedding where the DJ was able to keep the dance floor as packed and actually had people fighting for space all night long. He made our party a hit! Thanks for everything." - Jenna Muegge & Mark Ferguson
"It was a pleasure working with Rob Aitken of Music Central for our wedding. His professional demeanor and positive attitude put us at ease. He knew all the right questions to ask to really understand what we expected from him on our big day. He exceeded all of our expectations. He was always just an email away, and responded in a very timely manner. He was very patient with me when I kept changing my mind on him and did everything in his power to give me what I wanted. He even searched high and low to get a rare song for me to play for the father/daughter and mother/son dance. The DJ he set us up with was perfect. Adrian kept everyone, old and young, on the dance floor all night and remained courteous and professional throughout the evening. He was a huge hit. I was very nervous about choosing the right DJ for my wedding because their service can make or break the party. My experience with Music Central was phenomenal. I highly recommend Rob and his team." - Paula & Steve, October 16, 2011
"Rob, Thank you! The wedding was fantastic, we are so happy with how everything went. Adrian was awesome, and really got the dance floor going! Ryan and I ended up staying until 1:30 because we were having way too much fun dancing to leave! Please thank Adrian for us. We had many guests compliment the DJ! Thanks for all of your help organizing everything. The lights around the room were wonderful!" - Tamara & Ryan
Want to hear more music?
If you're interested in talking to Rob Aitken or his staff at Music Central Entertainment, you can contact them by phone at 519-680-0698, or toll-free at 1-888-537-6511. If email is better for you, reach them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Visit their brand new storefront at 1496 Dundas Street East in London (by appointment). Check out their website at www.musiccentral.ca for more on their services.
