On November 16, I had the honor of DJing Mia’s Sweet 16 at the Italian Center in Verplanck, New York. This wasn’t just another event for me—it was extra special because Mia’s parents are close family friends. When they asked me to be part of such an important milestone for their daughter, I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
Leading up to the event, Mia’s mom and dad were incredibly easy-going and trusted me completely to create an unforgettable celebration. Their confidence in my experience made the planning process smooth and enjoyable. It’s always a great feeling when clients give you the creative freedom to design a perfect party.
The Setup
The day of the party, I arrived early to set up and was immediately impressed by the gorgeous decorations. It was clear how much thought and effort Mia’s family put into making the venue shine for her special day. For the event, we brought the full package: sound, lighting, a photo booth, Mia’s name projected onto the dance floor, stages, smoke effects, and the crowd-favorite cryo-cannon. Everything was in place for a spectacular night.
High-Energy Introduction
As guests arrived, I could tell this was going to be an epic night. The energy in the room was electric. After the cocktail hour, we officially kicked things off with a high-energy introduction. With all of Mia’s friends and family gathered around the dance floor, I introduced the family. Then, the moment everyone was waiting for: Mia’s grand entrance.
To the tune of What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction, Mia was escorted to the dance floor by her brothers. As she made her way to the center, her friends and family swarmed in to join her. From that moment, the party was on fire, and the energy didn’t dip once all night!
Special Moments
Mia’s candle-lighting ceremony was a beautiful highlight of the evening. She took time to honor her closest friends and family by inviting them to help light each candle. The dance with her dad was touching, and his heartfelt speech brought smiles and a few happy tears to everyone in the room.
But the real magic was on the dance floor. The music brought everyone together, from Mia’s friends to her parents’ generation. It was one of those rare events where the vibe was so infectious that no one wanted to sit down.
A Night to Remember
Before I knew it, it was 11 PM, and the dance floor was still packed. Everyone was having such a great time that no one wanted the night to end.
Although I’ve done countless Sweet 16s in the past, I’ve focused primarily on weddings in recent years. It was a lot of fun to switch gears and bring the same level of energy and excitement to Mia’s celebration. A huge thank you to the Capicotti family for trusting me with such a special occasion. I can’t wait to celebrate with them again—maybe for another Sweet 16 or wedding 😉
Check out this video for some of the highlights from the night. Mia, happy Sweet 16! Wishing you all the best in the exciting years ahead!
Until next time,
Richie Gagliardi
Founder, DJ Live
