08/25/2025
Yes, this really happened. I'm a wedding DJ. Because I'm super organized, I always go to the Best Man during dinner to make sure he's ready to give the first toast. I also go to the Maid of Honor and let everyone including the parents know they have special dances coming up.
So, I'm doing a wedding at the Camp Pendleton Marine base in San Diego and I ask the groom to point me to the Best Man's table.
Me: "Hi guys, which one of you is the Best Man?"
Jokingly, two guys both answer.
"Well, one of you has to start the toasts."
"We are both doing it!"
(This wasn't discussed. Nobody told me - a last minute change)
I give them both a couple of quick pointers on proper mic technique, thank them, and leave to go find the Maid of Honor.
"Hey DJ, wait, wait! Which one of us goes first?"
Despite being formal, this was definitely a party crowd so I was a little less reserved and we could all joke around with each other.
"Hey, that's on you guys. Nobody told ME you were both doing it."
They engaged in playful "tough-guy" banter with each other over who was to go first, but it started to turn more serious, and seeing how many empty beer bottles were on the table already, I felt the need to de-escalate the situation.
"I guess you just have to arm-wrestle for it".
The table erupted. OMG, what did I just do? These guys are all like 19-24 years old, just out of boot camp, full of confidence and overflowing with testosterone and I just threw down a challenge! They were going nuts. The light bulb came on over my head. An opportunity had just occurred!
Dinner was coming to a close so I literally ran to the back, found some staff members and said, "Quick! I need a two-top (a small table) with a tablecloth and two chairs to the dance floor right away. Can you help me?"
I ran back to the DJ system, cued up 2 certain songs, took a deep breath and practiced a quick intro in my head. I explained the dilemma to the crowd - 2 Best Men, both want to go first and neither one is backing down. "What do you think, should we have them arm wrestle for it?" The crowd went crazy! It was like the final touchdown of the Super Bowl and it took me a bit to calm them down enough to even hear the music. I brought them out to Eye of the Tiger from Survivor. (Theme from Rocky III)
To the roar of the crowd, the match went down and it was a great way to transition from dinner to the celebration. Memories were made, bonds were created, friendships strengthened, and these are the special touches I do that make weddings fantastic.
