Real New Jersey Wedding Entertainment: Megan & Dan at Wave Resort, Long Branch
Some rooms you have to warm up. Megan and Dan came in with a plan to get people moving from the very first song. Their wedding at Wave Resort in Long Branch had everything we love about New Jersey wedding entertainment done right: an ocean view, a couple who knew exactly what they wanted, and a family that showed up ready to celebrate.
Here’s how the night came together, song by song.
A Wave Resort Wedding on the Jersey Shore
Wave Resort sits right on the ocean in Long Branch, in Monmouth County. Megan and Dan kept the whole day there. The ceremony was set for the balcony overlooking the water, on the same level as the High Crest ballroom, with a plan to move inside if the weather turned. That’s the kind of detail we like to see on a planner. It means the couple thought it through, and it means we can be ready either way.
Their wedding colors were champagne, dark blue and green. For the room, they went with amber and candlelight uplighting. Warm light in a room that looks out over the ocean is a simple choice that works every time.
The Songs That Made Megan & Dan’s Wedding
The grand entrance: “Jubel” by Klingande. Megan and Dan skipped the full bridal party intro and kept it to just the two of them. Their note was clear: let the song play for a bit before calling us out. That build matters. It gives the room a second to feel the beat before the doors open, and it gives the MC a runway. By the time Mike called out Mr. & Mrs. Dan DeMarino, the room had already felt the build. If you’re picking yours, here are more grand entrance songs that work.
The first dance: “Forever” by Rome. This one was smart. They went straight from the entrance into the first dance with no pause, about 90 seconds of it, with guests standing around them. No sitting down, no reset, no energy lost. It keeps the whole room in the moment with you.
The father-daughter dance: “My Girl” by The Temptations. Right out of the first dance, Megan danced with her dad, Rich. They wanted about a minute and twenty seconds, fading after the second chorus. “My Girl” is a classic for a reason. Everybody in the room knows it, and it hits just right for a father-daughter dance.
Uncle Mark’s “Squeeze Box.” Megan and Dan skipped a second parent dance, and in its place came one of my favorite kinds of requests. In the middle of the reception, once the drinks were flowing, Megan’s Uncle Mark took the mic to sing “Squeeze Box” by The Who. It’s a family tradition at their weddings. That’s the stuff you can’t plan for a stranger’s wedding. You can only make room for it, and a good MC knows when to hand over the mic.
What Megan & Dan Booked
Megan and Dan booked the Mystical Stellar Wedding Package and built on it with a few enhancements that fit how they wanted the night to feel.
Each one did a job. The glam booth gave guests something to do between sets and a print to take home. Dancing on Clouds turns a first dance into a picture. And full room uplighting changes the whole feel of a ballroom once the sun goes down over the water.
Keeping the Night Moving
The ceremony started with a prelude of John Mayer, the Beach Boys, Jack Johnson and Bob Marley, which fit a beach wedding perfectly. After the kiss came the announcement and “Electricity” by Dua Lipa to walk them out. Cocktail hour was live music, and Kordell brought the sax.
Then came the flow. Megan’s dad spoke first, then three toasts, then Megan and Dan said a few words of their own. Mike ran that order on the mic, and Co handled the music in between. If you want a team that runs the room like that, grab a quote and we’ll talk it through.
What NJ & NY Couples Can Take From This One
Know the energy you want and say it. Megan and Dan wrote “High Energy” on their planner and built their timeline to match, going straight from the entrance into the first dance and the father-daughter dance. And leave room for the family traditions. Uncle Mark’s song will be the story people tell.
If you’re planning a shore wedding, a wedding package with the right add-ons for your room goes a long way.
Congratulations to Megan and Dan, and thanks to the whole family for making it easy to celebrate with them. Watch the highlight short above, and if you’re planning your wedding in New Jersey or New York, reach out. We’re booking dates now.
Wedding entertainment questions couples ask
Who will MC and DJ our wedding with Mystical Entertainment Group?
Every wedding gets a dedicated team. For Megan and Dan, that was Mike Schaffer on the mic and Co Ardolino as DJ. We match your MC to the energy you ask for, and you’ll know who’s leading your night before the day comes.
Can we go straight from our grand entrance into our first dance?
Yes, and it’s one of the best ways to keep energy up. Megan and Dan went from “Jubel” right into “Forever” and then the father-daughter dance. Tell your MC how long you want each song to run and they’ll handle the fades.
Can a family member sing or take the mic during the reception?
Absolutely. Put it on your planner with the song and the timing you want. At this wedding, Uncle Mark sang “Squeeze Box” mid-reception, and the team was set up for it ahead of time.
How much does wedding entertainment cost in New Jersey?
It depends on your package and the enhancements you add. Here’s a breakdown of what a wedding DJ in NJ costs, and for your date and venue, the best move is to grab a quote.
