From a Healdsburg dinner to a dance floor under the trees on the Russian River: Afro and tribal house, soulful electronic, hip-hop and the classics, played live. Twenty-five years and more than a thousand nights behind the decks.
Sonoma County
One county, many kinds of wedding
Sonoma County holds several wedding worlds: vineyard estates in the Sonoma Valley, downtown Healdsburg, the redwoods along the Russian River, Petaluma's old downtown and the coast at Bodega Bay. Each asks something different of the music, and of the setup.
A coastal ceremony needs a mic that shrugs off the wind. A vineyard can put the nearest outlet a long way from your vows. And every venue keeps its own hours. I plan for your venue, then read the room from the first toast to the last song.
Set up under the oaks at Kunde Family Winery, Kenwood
How I plan it
Built for the place you chose
01
Timed to your venue
I get your venue's rules on our first call and build the timeline back from them: entrances, toasts and first dance early, the dance floor protected, and a last song you chose rather than one that got cut off.
02
Wind, vines and redwoods
On the coast the afternoon wind comes up, so the ceremony is set up for it, with backup gear within reach. Out in the vineyards and under the trees, we plan power and placement before the day.
03
Dinner, then the lift
Dinner is for talking. The music sits under the conversation and builds as the plates clear, so the dance floor fills on its own.
04
Your music, shaped together
Questionnaires and a curation call, your must-plays and hard passes, the versions you love. When I arrive, I already know your night.
What it costs
Starting prices, stated plainly
Every wedding is built by hand; these are the starting points. Your estimate follows your date, your venue and the night you want.
01
Your wedding
Ceremony, dinner and dancing
Vineyard, coast, redwoods or a downtown ballroom: your must-plays and my read of the room, from the processional to the last song.
Included
Ceremony sound with a wireless mic for your vows and backup gear on hand
Dinner music that sits under the conversation, then lifts
MC for every entrance, toast and first dance
A night planned around your venue's own music hours
Weddingsfrom $3,000 ceremony and reception, up to 8 hours
02
The weekend
Welcome party, rehearsal dinner, after-party
Friday on the patio, Saturday on the dance floor, the after-party once the venue's hours end: Selector Sessions carry one sound across the whole weekend.
Included
A set built for the room, your guests and the hour
My own programming: Afro and tribal house, soulful electronic, hip-hop and the classics, reworked
A wireless mic for a welcome or a toast
Selector Sessionsfrom $1,500 a set up to 4 hours
03
The Journey
Sound bath into ecstatic dance
A live sound bath under the trees or over the hills, then a dance journey. Its own evening in the weekend, or the moment nobody forgets.
Included
A DJ set that flows into a live sound bath, then a facilitated ecstatic dance
Crystal singing bowls, gongs and other instruments, indoors or out
Starting prices are for ordinary dates. Holidays and holiday weekends start at $3,000. Travel, when there is some, is added to your estimate.
Prefer to talk it through first? once the starting points feel right.
The Sound
Hear it before you book
People book me for a feeling: warm, rhythmic, a little unexpected. Press play and keep it going while you read. The player stays with you at the top of the page.
We used DJ Wayne for our Sonoma wedding based on the recommendation of a friend. He was fantastic from start to finish. ... Wayne set up in multiple locations at our venue for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and in each location the sound quality was good.
WeddingWire Review
“
★★★★★
The dance floor at our reception was full the entire time and a year later I still get compliments on the music. Even the service staff came out of the kitchen to join in the fun towards the end of the night making for an unforgettable moment at our reception.
WeddingWire Review
“
★★★★★
Wayne DJ'd our wedding, and one of the most consistent things we heard after our wedding was "Your DJ was amazing!" He is warm, friendly, thoughtful, professional, creative ...
What time does the music end at Sonoma County weddings?
Each venue sets its own hours. The Bodega Bay Secret Gardens ends music at 9 p.m. on weekdays and Sundays and 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and Kunde Family Winery reserves its event space from 4 to 10 p.m. I ask for your venue's rules on our first call and plan the night around them.
Which parts of Sonoma County do you cover?
All of it, and it is home: I am based in Petaluma. The Sonoma Valley from Sonoma and Glen Ellen up to Kenwood, Healdsburg and the Dry Creek and Alexander valleys, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, the Russian River at Guerneville and the coast at Bodega Bay. Travel, when there is some, is added to your estimate.
Can our wedding include a sound bath or an ecstatic dance?
Yes. A live sound bath can settle everyone before the ceremony or after dinner, and an ecstatic dance journey can open up the last hour of the night, inside your venue's music hours. Add the sound bath in the estimate on this page, or book a short call and we'll plan the dance together.
How much does a Sonoma wedding DJ cost with you?
Weddings start at $3,000, which covers the ceremony and reception, up to 8 hours of music. The welcome party, rehearsal dinner or after-party is a Selector Session, from $1,500 a set ($3,000 on holidays and holiday weekends). For your price, the estimate on this page takes a couple of minutes.
Do you play outdoor and coastal weddings?
Often. On the coast the wind comes up in the afternoon, so I set the ceremony up for it, with backup gear on hand. In the vineyards and under the redwoods, where power can be a long way off, we plan the setup on our first call, and the estimate adds a generator if you need one.
Can you play our after-party?
Yes. When your venue's hours end, a Selector Session keeps the night going at your hotel, a house on the river or wherever your people land, as long as the space allows music.
How do we hold our date?
Get an instant estimate here, or book a short call. A 50% deposit reserves the date.
Is this a fit?
Are you available on our date, and do you book another event that same day?
I book one event a day, so your wedding date is never shared with another booking.
How many weddings do you DJ a year, how long have you DJed them, and is weddings your main work?
I DJ about 16 weddings a year now. I also DJ clubs and music festivals, which I love. About 15 years ago I did around 40 weddings a year. I'm very good at weddings, and I also enjoy the creative freedom of the other events I do now.
What makes you different from other wedding DJs, and why do you like doing weddings?
Every couple is different, and so is every connection. What matters most to me is that we feel like a good fit and genuinely enjoy each other. I'm personable, adaptable and flexible, and I bring care and experience to every event. I love weddings because they celebrate love and a deep commitment to another person, and I'm honored to be part of that. Let's talk and see if we feel a good connection.
Have you worked at our venue before, and will you visit or check the sound limits beforehand?
Some venues I know well, and others I'm meeting for the first time. Either way, I check the space and its sound requirements ahead of time, so the music sounds great and fits the room. I'm a detail-oriented perfectionist. A wedding happens only once, so I give it my full attention to make your day as special as it can be.
Who you'll work with
Will you personally DJ our wedding, do you bring an assistant or second DJ, and can we meet or call you before we book?
It's just me. I'm not part of a large company that sends DJs you've never met, so you get my personal attention from our first conversation to the last song. Sometimes I bring a set-up assistant, depending on the event and the venue.
Proof of quality
Can we see a video of a past wedding, read reviews, and speak with recent references?
Yes. You can see video of past weddings, read reviews, and speak with recent references.
Can we watch you perform at a live wedding before we book?
I don't invite visitors to other couples' weddings. Every couple deserves a private, special day, and I want each one to feel safe and comfortable. I'm glad to share recent videos and reviews, and we can talk on a call so you get a feel for my style.
Your music
How would you describe your style, which genres do you play best, and do you blend songs live?
I play a wide range of music and blend songs live, so the night can move from Afro and Latin house to soulful disco, hip-hop, R&B and more. I shape the mix to your guests.
How do we build the playlist with you, and can we send our own songs or links?
Usually it's a combination of all three, depending on you, your guests, and what works best for your vision. You can fill in a shared form and send me your own songs or links. I can draft the playlist for you to review and approve. And we can go through it together, live, on a call.
Can we give you must-play and do-not-play lists, and what happens when a guest asks for a do-not-play song?
Yes. I follow both lists. If a guest asks for a do-not-play song, I politely decline.
Will you help choose the first dance, processional and other special songs?
I suggest, you choose. I'm happy to offer ideas, and the final choice is yours.
How big is your music library, do you play from local files or streaming, and will you learn songs we want that you don't already have?
I play from local files, so your set doesn't depend on Wi-Fi. I'm also happy to learn songs you want that I don't already have, at no extra cost.
Do you play cultural, religious or non-English music?
Yes. Send me a list of the music you'd like, and I'll make sure it's part of the night.
What happens if we don't like a song you're playing?
I swap it right away. Just let me know.
The dance floor
How do you get guests dancing, and what do you do when the floor is empty?
I use many approaches depending on the moment, but I always start by reading the room. When guests respond, I follow their energy. If your request list isn't getting a response, I'll check with you first, because I'd love your permission to play what I know works. Then I'll switch things up to keep the floor moving.
What makes a great dance party, in your view?
There's no single formula, because every wedding and every guest list is unique. One week I might celebrate with an all-Indian group, and the next with guests from Manhattan on the groom's side and San Francisco on the bride's side. What matters most is being present, reading the room, and staying flexible so the music serves the people in front of me.
Emcee, timeline and the people around the day
Will you be the emcee, and do you bring microphones for the ceremony, toasts and speeches?
Hosting means different things to different couples, so I'm happy to do as much or as little talking on the mic as you'd like. Some couples prefer no announcements, and for those celebrations I can keep things DJ-only. If you'd like a relative or friend to host, I'm open to that too.
How do you move from dinner to speeches to dancing, and do you run our timeline?
We agree the cues together on a call.
How do you work with our planner, photographer and videographer?
It's always a combination of three approaches, depending on what works best for you and your team. I take cues from your planner, who runs the day, and I follow their lead. I coordinate directly with each vendor, talking with your photographer and videographer myself. And I work with whoever is running the day, following the person who is coordinating.
Will you coordinate with our wedding planner ahead of time?
Yes. I always coordinate with your planner in advance and adapt to their process. We work as a team: they manage the master timeline and logistics, and I bring expertise on entertainment, energy, and reception flow.
This partnership works best when the relationship is collaborative. I've DJ'd more than 1,000 events. I am a professional hired for my experience and judgment. I treat planners as colleagues with the same level of experience and expertise that I bring, which supports a smooth day. Establishing this early keeps the focus on your celebration and prevents unnecessary friction.
If you already have a planner (or when you hire one), feel free to send them this note:
Hi [Planner's Name],
We're working with Wayne Noel as our DJ. He coordinates closely with planners and adapts to their process. He views the relationship as a partnership: the planner manages the master timeline and logistics, and he brings professional expertise on entertainment, energy, and reception flow. He's DJ'd more than 1,000 events.
He finds that when this collaborative relationship and roles are clearly established early on, they produce the smoothest days for everyone. Looking forward to collaborating with you.
How many breaks do you take, how long are they, and what plays during them?
I'm fully focused on your event all evening. The only time I step away is a short restroom break of five to ten minutes, and I start a long song first so the music never stops. I'm happy to eat at my table. If you or your planner would prefer otherwise, I'll have a pre-mixed set playing while I eat away from the setup.
How many hours are covered, and does that include the ceremony and cocktail hour?
It depends on the package you choose, and I'll walk you through what each one covers.
Equipment and the day itself
What equipment do you bring, and what must the venue provide, such as power, space or a table?
I bring all of my own gear. The venue provides power and space.
What is your backup plan if equipment fails or the power goes out?
I carry a spare of each key piece.
What if you get sick on the day? Who covers for you?
I know how important the right vibe is. I have a few trusted local DJs, and I'm glad to introduce you so you can find one you connect with. If their rate is higher than mine, I cover the difference.
How early do you arrive, how long do setup and breakdown take, and do you do a sound check?
I prefer to arrive at least three hours before guests arrive, and I'll take more time when it's available. If there's less than three hours, there is an additional fee for extra set-up assistance. I always do a sound check before guests arrive.
Do you carry liability insurance?
Yes. I can send a certificate of insurance on request.
If the wedding is outdoors, what is your plan for weather and sound?
It depends on the venue, so we'll review the weather and sound plan together ahead of time.
Do you offer lighting, uplighting, a photo booth or a screen?
Lighting is the only extra I offer.
Do you need a meal provided, and do you have a dress code or conduct policy for your team?
No meal is needed. For dress, I keep to business casual.
Money and contracts
What is in your package, and what costs extra?
My pricing starts at $3,000, and every wedding receives a custom quote based on your day. Use my estimator to see a sense of your investment: Get your estimate
Does the price include setup, breakdown and travel, and if not, what do those cost?
Use my estimator for the setup, breakdown and travel details. It shows what's included and what can add to the cost: Get your estimate
What is the overtime rate, and what happens if the night runs late?
Overtime is a flat fee per extra hour, written into your contract before you sign.
What is the deposit, when is the balance due, and do you offer payment plans?
The deposit holds your date. The balance is due before the wedding.
Do you provide a written contract?
Yes, every booking has a written contract.
What is your cancellation, rescheduling and refund policy?
The deposit is nonrefundable, and it can be applied to one rescheduled date. No final payment is owed if you cancel more than 30 days out.
How far in advance should a couple book?
As early as possible, because dates fill fast.
After booking
What do you need from us, and by when?
Everything is due 30 days before your event. We'll have a phone call then to go over everything.
What happens after the wedding, such as feedback, and do you keep our set list for anniversaries?
It depends on what you'd like. I always keep your set list. If you have a brunch, daytime or pool party the next day, we can talk about that too.
Your date
Tell me about your Sonoma wedding
Your date, your venue and the feeling you want in the room. I'll take it from there.
