The Hot Mix Journal

Tips, Stories & Inspiration

Four decades of wedding planning wisdom, DJ know-how, venue guides and event inspiration — straight from Scott and the Hot Mix Entertainment team.

Packed wedding dance floor with dramatic lighting near Rosemont

Wedding PlanningMay 21, 2026

The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Rosemont Wedding DJ

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. You’ve spent months touring the finest Rosemont wedding venues, tasting cakes, and finalizing your guest list. But when…

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Couple sharing a first dance in an all-in-one loft venue

VenuesDecember 20, 2019

The Benefits Of Having An All-In-One Venue For Your Wedding

The verdict is in. All-in-one venues are preferred by an overwhelming majority of today’s wedding couples. Why? Simple: It’s so much

Guest raising a glass to give a toast at a wedding reception

Wedding PlanningJuly 18, 2019

How to Give a Great Wedding Toast

If you’re reading this, you most likely are involved in a wedding either as the wedding couple or this has been shared with you by someone who wants you to be amazing when…

Professional corporate party with DJ and lighting

Corporate EventsJanuary 26, 2019

5 No-Brainer Reasons to Hire a Chicago DJ for your Corporate Event

Big parties come with big responsibility. Planning the location, food, and entertainment for guests is usually the minimum, and the more guests, the more important it…

Chicago wedding reception with a lively dance floor

Wedding PlanningNovember 19, 2018

5 Things To Do When Choosing A Chicago Wedding DJ

Your choice of wedding DJ can make or break your wedding. A wedding DJ can get your guests excited all through the event or slow them down with bad pacing and playing the…

Guests posing with props inside a wedding photo booth

Wedding PlanningOctober 14, 2018

Why Adding A Chicago Photo Booth Rental To Your Event Is So Worth It

We all want our weddings and parties to be memorable, and one of the best ways to get people to look back fondly on them is by adding a Chicago photo booth rental to the mix.…

Corporate event with guests dancing and stage lighting

Corporate EventsOctober 3, 2018

5 Reasons to Hire a DJ for Your Chicago Corporate Event

It’s all about balance when it comes to corporate events. While the venue may be filled with professionals, creating an upbeat and, most importantly, entertaining environment…

Elegant outdoor wedding party with a packed dance floor

Wedding PlanningJuly 23, 2018

Chicago Wedding DJ Prices Revealed

As you already know if you’ve done any research at all, Chicago Wedding DJ prices vary greatly. However, making your selection based solely on price is probably the biggest…

Modern wedding celebration with guests on the dance floor

Wedding PlanningMay 30, 2018

A Modern Approach to Traditional Wedding Planning

Trends may come and go, styles fade in and out of fashion, but there are certain aspects of planning a wedding that are unavoidable. Fortunately, as technology advances, we…

Close-up of professional DJ sound equipment at a wedding

Music & EntertainmentMay 30, 2018

Three Ways To Improve The Quality Of Sound At Your Indoor Wedding Party

The costs of offering wedding guests custom entertainment tripled in 2017, according to The Knot. Couples planning weddings are willing to spend more to make their big day…

Guests dancing outdoors at a summer wedding party

Wedding PlanningMay 7, 2018

Turn The Great Outdoors Into A Great Wedding Bash

“A place this beautiful is for living.” So ends the American poet, Ray Hansell’s, . What better day to remind yourself of the beautiful world we live in than you’re wedding…

High school students celebrating at prom

Prom & SchoolApril 21, 2018

How To Save Money On Prom This Year

Before we reveal our tips on how to save money on prom this year, here are some fun facts: The word “prom” can be traced all the way back to an 1879 issue of the Harvard…

Energetic crowd dancing in front of the DJ at an event

Wedding PlanningMarch 27, 2018

Why Save A Healthy Budget For Entertainment?

Chicagoans highly prize weddings, spending an average of a little over $16,000 on venues, and…

Students dancing under colorful lights at a high school prom

Prom & SchoolMarch 15, 2018

Tips For Simplifying Prom Planning So You Can Focus On Having Fun

Trends come and go, but prom really is forever. I’d even go so far as to say that there are two kinds of people in the world: those who go to prom and those who don’t. How…

Chicago wedding venue with skyline views

VenuesMarch 7, 2018

Best Wedding Venues In Chicago

Some of the nation’s best wedding venues are in Chicago. There’s tons to choose from to host your dream wedding. From open waterfront venues, gorgeous mansions, and fun…

Ornate Chicago ballroom set for a wedding ceremony

VenuesDecember 18, 2017

Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Venue

Choosing your perfect wedding venue and planning your event is fun and exciting. It’s also stressful and nerve-racking. When choosing your location, there are a few things to…

Happy couple celebrating on a packed wedding dance floor

Wedding PlanningNovember 30, 2017

Wedding DJ Reviews | Find The Best For Your Event

Every wedding needs music, and most couples choose to hire a DJ to get the dance floor moving after they say “I Do.” A wedding DJ can really set the mood of your party, which…

DJ mixing music on turntables under stage lighting

Music & EntertainmentJune 19, 2017

The Best Wedding Playlist – Music For Your Event

Brides have a lot of wedding planning responsibilities and the time passes by very quickly. It’s easy to hire a DJ who has their favorite playlist in mind, but some wedding…

Scott Smokin Silz behind the DJ booth at a Chicago wedding

Wedding PlanningJanuary 3, 2017

How Much Should A Wedding DJ Cost?

If you're planning your big day you may be asking yourself, "How much is a wedding DJ"? Here's the thing. Weddings can really add up, there’s no secret there. Finding the…

Elegant destination wedding ceremony overlooking a skyline

Wedding PlanningFebruary 4, 2016

How To Hire A Destination Wedding DJ

Destination Wedding DJ Scott Smokin' Silz has been a touring DJ for many years. Based in Chicago, Scott has worked around the country in all kinds of venues for all types of…

Bride and groom laughing during a fun wedding reception game

Wedding PlanningOctober 28, 2015

How To Play The Wedding Shoe Game And The Questions To Ask At Your Reception

How to play the wedding shoe game and the questions to ask at your reception: Here are 25 of the best questions to ask if you’re going to play the shoe game at your Chicago…