Vendor Spotlight: DJ Tiz Laney, Entertainment and Lighting

Tiz Laney worked the second wedding ever held at The Cabin at Old Spur. That was May 2018, not long after we opened to the public, and he has been coming back ever since. He has seen nearly every change and addition we have made in that time, and he is one of our preferred DJs for couples who want their reception handled by someone who already knows the property.

“I have witnessed almost every change or new addition over the years and have always appreciated the attention to detail on this property. I enjoy working at this well-managed venue because of its beautiful scenery and excellent amenities for couples and families.”

DJ Tiz Laney with a couple at his DJ booth showing their custom monogram at The Cabin at Old Spur

Tiz Laney at his booth with Logan and Kevin, June 2022. The booth screen carries their custom monogram. Photo courtesy of DJ Tiz Laney.

When we asked him about his history here, he went and found his own post from that first night in May 2018, back when the pavilion was new and most of what is here now did not exist yet.

DJ Tiz Laney's 2018 Facebook post from an early wedding at The Cabin at Old Spur

Tiz Laney’s own post from that night, May 2018. Photo courtesy of DJ Tiz Laney.

A DJ who does not want to be the story

Ask most couples what worries them about hiring a DJ, and the answer is some version of the same fear: a stranger with a microphone taking over the night. Tiz is direct about where he stands on that.

“I am more of a passive DJ, meaning I will not be running around with the microphone shouting at your guests or constantly on the microphone promoting myself. I believe weddings are a once in a lifetime day and I should not be the center of attention.”

He still makes every announcement that needs making, and he is clear that his job is to keep the dance floor full once open dancing starts. The distinction is between running the night and performing in it. He puts the same idea another way when he describes his approach to planning: “I have always taken pride in perfectly executing a bride’s vision, not my vision.”

View from behind the DJ booth of a full dance floor under the pavilion at The Cabin at Old Spur

The view from behind the booth. Photo courtesy of DJ Tiz Laney.

He describes himself as an open-format DJ, which means he is not committed to one genre and can move across the mix of guests a family wedding actually brings.

Why the property suits his setup

The practical reason Tiz works well here is his ceremony package. It runs on battery power, which means it can be set up anywhere on the seventy-three acres without a run to an outlet.

“My battery-operated ceremony package add-on is ideal for this location, as it can be seamlessly deployed anywhere on the property. With the system the sound system can be placed up front as opposed to the rear for a more natural sound amplification during the ceremony.”

The second half of that matters more than it sounds. Because the speakers do not have to sit near a power source at the back, he can place them at the front where the couple is standing, so the sound reaches guests from the same direction as the voices they are watching. The package includes two wireless lavalier microphones and up to two handheld microphones, which covers the couple, the officiant, and anyone giving a reading.

It also gives him room to move once the vows are done. “This also allows me more flexibility with the transition from the ceremony to the reception. This ensures a more positive guest interaction experience during cocktail hour.”

DJ Tiz Laney's booth with speakers and intelligent lighting set up at The Cabin at Old Spur

The DJ booth set for a ceremony, with our logo on the screen. At an actual wedding it carries the couple’s names. Photo courtesy of DJ Tiz Laney.

What the weekend changes

Couples who marry here have both cabins for the weekend, so the wedding party sleeps on the property Friday through Sunday. Tiz has worked enough venues to see what that does to a reception.

“I believe the couple staying on site allows a more personal and enjoyable experience for everyone. As opposed to many other venues there is never a rush to end the night due to them having to leave. Some of my favorite memories are the ‘after hours’ conversations with couples and/or their parents.”

Wedding guests dancing under colored lighting at The Cabin at Old Spur

Late in the night on the dance floor. Photo courtesy of DJ Tiz Laney.

What is included

Tiz offers two wedding packages, Premier and Ultra. Both include DJ and MC services, a sound system, dance floor lighting with DMX intelligent control, LED uplighting in the color of your choosing, a custom monogram on his DJ booth video screen, and unlimited consultations. Ultra steps up the lighting with glow tubes and a custom light show for the special dances, doubles the uplighting, and adds monogram projection onto a floor, wall, or ceiling.

LED uplighting and intelligent lighting at a fall wedding reception at The Cabin at Old Spur

Uplighting and intelligent lighting set for a fall reception. Photo courtesy of DJ Tiz Laney.

Add-ons include ceremony sound and microphones, a social photo booth, an audio guestbook built on a vintage phone with the option to press the recordings to vinyl, custom song mixes, and fill speakers. The photo booth is digital rather than a printer, so guests receive their collages by text, email, or AirDrop, and you receive a link to everything afterward.

The unlimited consultations are not a throwaway line. He does not cap the number of calls or planning meetings, and he does not bill for them.

Twenty years in

Wedding DJ Tiz Laney of DJ Tiz Laney Entertainment and Lighting

Tiz Laney. Photo courtesy of DJ Tiz Laney.

Tiz started DJing weddings around 2002 and moved to weddings as his primary business in 2016. His background before that runs through nightclubs, festivals, and private events across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. He has been at it long enough that the weddings have started to come back around.

“What I find particularly rewarding is encountering former clients years after their wedding and observing the wonderful families they have established.”