Project Engaged

Eddy Mac + Aleks Mac

Welcome to Project Engaged! This podcast is for fun-loving couples planning their non-traditional weddings! We started out with a focus on wedding suppliers (Seasons 1 & 2) but from Season 3 onwards it's all about YOU - awesome couples planning their epic big day!

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Throwing out the wedding rulebook with Jacinta from Champagne Electric

    Welcome to another episode of Project Engaged! We were very excited to sit down and chat with Jacinta from Champagne Electric about throwing out the wedding rulebook and prioritising your party's atmosphere over its aesthetic. Here is the breakdown of what was discussed: Host, don't perform Instead of staging a performance for social media content, couples should approach their wedding as if they are hosting a great dinner party (with a banging d-floor). The only actual legal requirement is a celebrant, so you are entirely free to throw out the rulebook and skip traditions (like public vows) that don't feel authentic to you. Prioritising vibe and energy A beautiful aesthetic means very little if you aren't actually present and connecting with your guests on the day. To keep the energy high, you should include interactive elements and great party lighting - like disco balls or a even "rave cave" setup by a laser professional - and remember that your guests will follow your lead on the dance floor. The "Vibe Brief" and budgeting Start your planning by creating a "Vibe Brief" to establish your top three non-negotiables, such as booking an in-demand photographer like Jackson Grant or securing a top-tier DJ. Allocate your budget to these priorities first so they can serve as your "North Star," and be willing to compromise on the remaining details without stressing. Mastering the flow Opting for a 90-minute cocktail hour ensures you have enough time to take photos, decompress, and actually enjoy the party with your guests rather than missing it. Work with an experienced wedding professional to review the run sheet, but remain flexible on the day; delaying a speech or first dance by 10 minutes to maintain the room's energy is always worth it. The "Vibe Killer Cut" (saving money) If you need to slash your budget quickly without ruining the atmosphere, the most effective method is ruthlessly trimming your guest list by dropping colleagues, unknown plus-ones, and children. You can also skip traditional wedding favors - unless they are highly practical like family-farmed olive oil - and save on florals by repurposing your ceremony arrangements at the reception. Mentions: One More Song DJs: (us!) Jackson Grant: The one and only and highly sought-after wedding photographer Weddings by E: Shoutout to Elizabeth for her planning and coordination work Daniil from Pyrotek FX: The laser professional who set up a full rave cave experience with trusses and lasers at a winery wedding Venues: Polperro Winery, Glasshaus, Gather and Tailor and The Wool Mill.

    1h 26m

  2. 12 FEB

    Navigating sound restrictions at your wedding venue

    We're back in episode 3 of season 6! In this episode, we tackle the unexciting but crucial topic of sound restrictions at your wedding venue. We chat about sometimes strict noise rules are becoming the norm due to complaints from neighbors in high-density areas and EPA limits in more regional locations (like the Yarra Valley). We break down the different forms these restrictions take, from mandatory in-house sound systems that may lack clarity to the dreaded "sound limiter" - a device that can cut the power if the volume gets too loud (eek!), potentially killing the vibe and even damaging equipment...! To help you navigate this, we chat about the importance of raising the sound issue before booking, suggest you use AI tools to scan contracts for hidden decibel limits and ask to hear in-house systems at actual "dance floor volume". We also share some unique workarounds professional DJs use, such as cutting bass frequencies that travel through walls, using "satellite" speakers to spread sound, and adding "foldback" monitors to boost volume on the dance floor without tripping venue sensors. We hope you enjoy this episode!  Eddy + Aleks xx

    38 min

  3. 4 FEB

    Our most commonly asked questions about wedding receptions

    In this episode of Project Engaged, we dive into the most commonly asked questions from couples about wedding receptions! We provide some advice on how couples can effectively brief their DJ on music tastes and genres, while discussing the nuances of handling guest requests (including saying no to The Nutbush, of course!). We also break down the absolute necessity of having a designated MC, share strategies for maximising dance floor time by working backward from the end of the night, and weigh in on whether adding a saxophone player to your DJ package is worth the investment (spoiler, it is!). Show notes and mentions: Here are the specific resources and topics mentioned on this episode: • Vibe Playlists: We share this with couples to help cluster genres, such as "Get Funky" (disco/funk) or "Down and Dirty" (R&B/hip-hop). • MC Blog Post: A handy set of tips to "hack" the MC role if you have asked a friend or family member to take on this role. • Vendor Shout-outs:     ◦ Tim the DJ Sax     ◦ DJ Emily Gracie     ◦ Kenny (sax player)

    51 min

  4. 14 JAN

    Our most commonly asked questions about wedding ceremonies

    Wedding logistics don't have to be a buzzkill. In this episode, we're stripping back the stress and sharing the practical tips that actually make a difference to the vibe of your day. We're diving into why Bluetooth is a "no-go" for ceremony music (trust us, your walk down the aisle deserves better!), how pre-ceremony drinks act as the ultimate social lubricant, and the secret to handling your wedding party so everyone feels like a legend, not a mannequin. Plus, we introduce the "fast photo minute" - our favorite way to keep your ceremony unplugged but memory-filled - and break down the difference between legal, personal, and "ninja" vows. Whether you're worried about standing awkwardly or wondering if a rehearsal is actually worth it, we've got you covered. Featured in this episode: Recorded at Meet and Gather in Richmond, a creative event space by Jacinta from Champagne Electric. Venues Mentioned:     ◦ Post Office Hotel, Coburg     ◦ Belbrae Harvest     ◦ Captain Baxter     ◦ Poodle Bar, Fitzroy     ◦ Glasshaus Brucke     ◦ The Terrace at the Botanical Gardens. Planning Resources: Personal Vows Guide: Check out our One More Song blog for a deep dive into tips on how to get started with your personal vows. Connect with us: Instagram: @onemoresongdjs & @projectengaged. Website: onemoresong.com.au. Subscribe: Don't forget to subscribe to Project Engaged on your favorite podcast platform.

    54 min

  5. SEASON 6 TRAILER

    Introducing Season 6!

    We're back! Introducing Season 6 of Project Engaged! We can't wait to be back in your ear holes with some very practical wedding tips for couples wanting a modern, relaxed and non-traditional wedding! The first episode of season 6 will drop in a couple of weeks!

    6 min

  6. 11/02/2025

    Aria Top 10 of 1989 with Dani from Logan Ent. & Events

    On this week's episode of Project Engaged we have another special guest - Dani from Logan Entertainment and Logan Events - to help us count down from 10 to 1 of the ARIA Top 100 charts of 1989! Dani is a multi-talented individual who sings, DJs, runs an entertainment agency (Logan Ent.) and a planning + styling business too (Logan Events). Like we said, multi-talented! Dani was able to bring so much to this episode of the podcast as she was not only looking at the count down from the perspective of a DJ, but a singer, too! We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did! Eddy + Aleks xx

    1h 9m

  7. 15/11/2024

    Aria Top 10 of 2009 with Celebrant John

    On this week's episode of Project Engaged we have a very special guest - Celebrant John - to help us count down from 10 to 1 of the ARIA Top 100 charts of 2009! John is a fellow "Triple Threat" as he is not only a celebrant but a DJ and MC too! This quote from his website really resonates with us: "As a DJ, it's more than just pressing play or being a human jukebox, my experience has taught me how to read a room.". And yes, we know last week we did say we were going to tackle 2005 in the next episode episode, but we couldn't pass up the chance to have John on this poddy and we gave him the honour of choosing a banger year (and it is a BANGER!). We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did! Eddy + Aleks xx

    1h 20m

  8. 11/11/2024

    ARIA Top 10 of 2016

    On this week's episode of the podcast, we travel back to 2016 and run through 10 to 1 of the ARIA Charts to see which songs made the list! As always, we peek across the pond to the US to see what they had in the Billboard Top 10 (mainly to see how many were on our list, too!) and for you indie-heads out there, we check out Triple J's Hottest 100 top 10, too! In our chats we talk about how "playable" each song from the top 10 list is at the weddings we play and any stories we have of these particular tunes! Eddy + Aleks xx

    35 min
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About

Welcome to Project Engaged! This podcast is for fun-loving couples planning their non-traditional weddings! We started out with a focus on wedding suppliers (Seasons 1 & 2) but from Season 3 onwards it's all about YOU - awesome couples planning their epic big day!

Information

  • Creator
    Eddy Mac + Aleks Mac
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Project Engaged