Some weddings have a little bit of everything, and Kaitlin and Matt's October 24, 2026 celebration at Venue 324 in Jefferson City, Missouri, was definitely one of them!
From a beautiful courtyard ceremony to a dance floor filled with 2000s throwbacks, indie favorites, and hip-hop, this was a fun night from start to finish.
As the DJ behind Jazzy Josh DJ & Events, one of my favorite things about weddings is getting to work with couples who want their music to reflect their personalities. Kaitlin and Matt had a great mix of musical tastes, and bringing it all together made for a memorable celebration.
A Beautiful Courtyard Wedding at Venue 324
If you've never visited Venue 324 in Jefferson City, it's a pretty unique setting for a wedding. The exposed stone walls, overhead fabric canopies, and warm string lighting give the courtyard a ton of character.
Kaitlin and Matt held their ceremony in the covered courtyard, surrounded by approximately 90 of their closest friends and family members.
I provided ceremony sound and worked with their officiant, Nathan, to make sure every musical transition happened at just the right moment.
Their ceremony playlist was anything but ordinary!
Matt made his entrance to "Holy Roller" by Zach Bryan, followed by beautiful violin arrangements of "I Wanna Be Yours" and "Young and Beautiful" for the wedding party.
The flower girls and Kaitlin entered to an instrumental version of "Sweater Weather," while "To Build a Home" helped set the mood during the ceremony.
And when Nathan introduced the newlyweds as Mr. and Mrs. Kastens, Tyler Childers' "Angel Band" was the perfect way to send them back down the aisle.
I love when couples put their own spin on ceremony music instead of feeling like they have to stick to traditional wedding songs.
Cocktail Hour, Dinner, and a Few Special Moments
Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour with a mix of jazz, acoustic, indie, and classic favorites.
We kicked off the reception with the wedding party entrance and then welcomed Kaitlin and Matt to "Electric Love" by BØRNS.
Dinner was served buffet-style, and I helped keep everything organized by dismissing tables and coordinating announcements throughout the evening.
The dinner soundtrack featured everything from Dean Martin's "Mambo Italiano" to indie and alternative favorites.
After heartfelt speeches from the wedding party, it was time for cake cutting and the couple's first dance.
Kaitlin and Matt chose "Beyond" by Leon Bridges, a beautiful song that fit the relaxed, romantic atmosphere of the evening.
One of the things I really enjoy about weddings with around 90 guests is how personal everything feels. You get those special moments with family and friends while still having plenty of energy for a great party.
2000s Throwbacks, Indie Favorites, and a Packed Dance Floor
Once the formalities were finished, it was time to turn things up!
Kaitlin and Matt wanted a wedding reception that felt like them, with a mix of indie, alternative, 2000s nostalgia, and hip-hop rather than the same traditional wedding playlist.
And their guests absolutely delivered.
One of the biggest surprises of the night was "Baby" by Justin Bieber. The crowd went absolutely crazy for it! 😂
We also got into some Chance the Rapper, including "Cocoa Butter Kisses," and Aminé's "Caroline," along with plenty of other throwbacks that kept everyone singing and dancing.
Those are some of my favorite DJ moments. When you find the right songs for the right crowd, everything just clicks.
Rather than sticking to a predetermined playlist, I was able to follow the energy of the room and keep the music moving through different genres throughout the night.
That's what I love about being a Missouri wedding DJ. Every couple is different, and their reception should reflect that.
Venue 324 After Dark Is Something Special
One thing I have to mention is how great Venue 324 looks after sunset.
The historic stone walls, overhead string lighting, and fabric canopies create a really cool atmosphere once the lights go down.
We added colorful uplighting to highlight the stonework and brought in dance floor lighting to give the reception a completely different feel from the ceremony.
The combination of warm string lights and colorful lighting made for some fantastic photos throughout the night.
And with the dance floor right in the courtyard, everyone could be part of the celebration, whether they were dancing or just enjoying the music.
It's a great example of how lighting can help transform a wedding venue without taking away from its natural character.
For couples exploring wedding locations around the capital city, Visit Jefferson City is a helpful resource for discovering more about the area.
A Wedding That Was Completely Their Own
What made Kaitlin and Matt's wedding especially fun was how much of their personality came through in the music.
From the alternative ceremony selections to the laid-back cocktail hour and the mix of nostalgic pop and hip-hop on the dance floor, everything felt intentional.
We even incorporated a fast-paced table dash with Bad Bunny tracks so the couple could grab photos with their guests before the party really got going.
And after a full evening of celebrating, they planned to close things out with a private last dance to "Loved by You" by KIRBY.
It's those little personalized touches that make weddings memorable.
Congratulations, Kaitlin & Matt!
A huge thank-you to Kaitlin and Matt for choosing Jazzy Josh DJ & Events to be part of their wedding day!
From the beautiful courtyard ceremony to the dancing, singing, and celebrating throughout the night, it was a blast getting to work with you both.
Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Kastens!
And a big shoutout to Venue 324 for providing such a great setting for the celebration.
Planning a Wedding in Jefferson City or Central Missouri?
If you're planning a wedding at Venue 324 or anywhere around Jefferson City, Columbia, or throughout Missouri, I'd love to help make your celebration unforgettable.
At Jazzy Josh DJ & Events, I provide professional wedding DJ and MC services, ceremony sound, dance floor lighting, uplighting, and personalized music planning.
Whether your wedding soundtrack includes classic love songs, indie favorites, 2000s throwbacks, or a little bit of everything, we'll work together to create something that fits your style.
You can explore my wedding DJ packages and services, check out more celebrations on my Recent Events page, or visit Jazzy Josh DJ & Events to get started.
I'd love to hear what you're planning!
Wedding Details
Couple: Kaitlin Gelina & Matthew Kastens
Wedding Date: October 24, 2026
DJ & Entertainment: Jazzy Josh DJ & Events
Services: Ceremony audio, DJ/MC, reception sound, dance floor lighting, and uplighting
Music: Indie, folk, alternative, 2000s pop, and hip-hop
