Karaoke Forums

I donated my DJ services to work a wedding tomorrow. The bride is 18, getting ready to turn 19. Six months ago, she had a baby. Right after she had the baby, they found the cancer. It is now in her lungs and bones. They have stopped treating her, and she has between 2-4 months left to live, if the doctors are correct.

I'm struggling with this. I've DJ'd several weddings. The formalities and structure of the evening are not the issue. The ability to keep everyone upbeat and happy is. Every song about being together has a different meaning for these two young people. Every song about having a great future together...wishful thinking. The bride is so weak, she may not be able to dance the bridal dance with her new husband.

I haven't met the bride and groom. The groom's aunt asked me if I would do this for them. There was no way I was going to say no, but this is really going to be difficult.

Any suggestions/strategies for keeping things upbeat?

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Birdofsong

i think you should do what you normally would do. If the bride is too weak to dance, she will probably enjoy watching her guests smiling and enjoying her day. As for songs about being together.. unless someone has said for you to watch-it in regards to those songs... I would try not to worry about it. Your stress will rub off on the atmosphere. They're having a wedding with a DJ to have a happy day and not think about the bad stuff.
Without listening to the words of every song I play; seems like most are about love and having met 'that special person'... if it says something like "we'll be together forever"... well, they will be and that's ok. "Grow old with Me" might be one I would avoid, but the rest should be fine.
This is a wedding, a union... not a funeral...no sad allowed on your part I would bet they'd just like to try to forget cancer for a day.
Now, if someone gives a toast and says something... that is beyond your control.... you have to go with the flow. Be happy, that's what they want.
Good Luck.. I'm sure you'll do fine. I feel for you though.... it's hard for us not to get emotionally involved sometimes. It's a wedding day.. a happy day.. smile and know that you're doing something wonderful for the bride & groom and their families.

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

Having had friends with life-ending illnesses over the years, the common theme always seems to be this - "Treat me like there is nothing wrong". Of course everysituation has it's own subtleties, but my experience is that people just want to be treated normally.

-Chris

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-Chris

if she is too weak to dance suggest a wheel chair and the groom can hold her hand and she can move freely with the groom and be able to do the bride/groom dance.... or even have the groom sit in the chair with her on his lap and he can control the chair...

i've seen it done and it's very personal and intimate for the both of them.

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It's all good!