DJ at Hoher Darsberg

Two hours on the road, nothing in my bag but my laptop and, when I'm shooting too, my camera. The couple's playlist is already in my ears. Then up the narrow road through the forest until the clearing opens up. Driving up to Hoher Darsberg never feels like work.

I'm the resident DJ there, often the photographer too, and by now mostly one thing: a good friend of the house. In this post I'll tell you how that happened, what it feels like to work at Hoher Darsberg, and what makes this wedding venue near Heidelberg so special.

01How it all started

The story is actually pretty simple. My daughter Sarah was looking for an apprenticeship as an event manager and wedding planner. Through my buddy Freddy we found Hoher Darsberg. After the interview it was clear: we were all on the same wavelength. Sarah did her training there.

At some point the team found out that I DJ on the side. Then came Covid, a DJ dropped out, and I got my chance. I also did some photography in between, trade fairs and small jobs at first, no weddings yet. Single nights turned into more and more weddings, and I really grew as a DJ during that time. Today I'm the DJ at Hoher Darsberg.

02Two hours' drive, zero boredom

From my place to the Darsberg it's about two hours. I love that drive. In the car I listen to the playlists couples have sent me in advance. So I already have the vibe in my head before I arrive.

By the way, I don't have to haul any gear. Sound system, lights and DJ booth are permanently installed at the Darsberg, up on the terrace as well as down in the after show room. I just bring my laptop, and my camera when I'm shooting too. For you that means: no hours of setup, no cable chaos, and the party can start right away.

And the suppliers are looked after too. When I'm there as DJ and photographer, it's a very long day. I always get something to eat, can grab a coffee any time and have a bed for the night. Sounds obvious, but it isn't. I know venues where food and drinks for the crew are lacking, and at some point you feel it in the atmosphere.

03More than colleagues

Over the years real friendships have grown at the Darsberg. With the Frey family, whether senior boss Jürgen or Jutta, I always have great conversations. As a hospitality guy myself, that's incredibly valuable: talking to people who built a venue like this and bring so much experience.

With the sons Stefan, Basti and Julian, who everyone just calls Jules, I share a love for tech, lighting and music. We swap ideas all the time, they push me and sometimes criticise me too. That's exactly what's good for me.

And then there are the people I work side by side with on wedding days. With Flo I can talk about food for hours. With the service team, the wedding planners and the office team it's great every single time. And with suppliers like Jeannette, Simon and Vincent, colleagues have long become friends.

04What makes Hoher Darsberg special as a wedding venue

I've played a lot of venues. This is what makes Hoher Darsberg special for me:

The hall is bright and open, with tall arched windows and lots of light. Round tables or one long table, lavish flowers or a sweet table to dive into: your decor can be done exactly the way you imagine it.

05The food

Let's be real: food is a matter of taste, just like music. No chef pleases everyone, and no DJ does either. But I think the quality at the Darsberg is really high. And don't forget how hard it is to nail a menu for that many guests with vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and every allergen covered. Flo and his team pull it off every time.

06A DJ booth on wheels

What I love about Basti and Jules: they're always thinking about what could be done better. Something I'm really enjoying right now: guest lists are getting smaller. Costs have gone up a lot lately and couples invite much more consciously. In the end only the people you really want to party with are there. And you feel it at every party: the crowd works even better than it used to. But if the room is too big and the bar and dance floor are too far apart, the energy gets lost. So the guys simply built a DJ booth on wheels. We roll it closer to the bar, and the night instantly feels right.

07After show room and wine lounge

For many it's the highlight: the after show room. Top sound, top light show, and fog is allowed. Meaning: beams and effects really cut through the room. Right next to it is the wine lounge for everyone who prefers it quieter and would rather chat over a glass of wine. Midnight snack, good cocktails, cold beer, and the best part: there's no curfew in the after show room. I play as long as the crowd can still stand. Or until even the last ones are completely done.

In the after show room it often goes like this: at some point only the real party crowd is left. And depending on what they're in the mood for, it genuinely feels like a proper club. This is where I can go all out as a DJ and show what I've got, and people go all in with me.

You know how it is at weddings: Uncle Tom and Aunt Erika are of course there, and if the music gets too heavy early on, they look a bit puzzled. Totally fine, they get their moments throughout the night. But in the after show room, it's allowed to really bang.

08What guests don't see

What many people don't realise: behind the scenes at the Darsberg there's a well oiled team. Florists, video, celebrant, photography, service, kitchen and me at the booth. We know each other, we trust each other, and many of us have become really good friends over the years. Everyone knows what the others need, often before they even ask.

And that's exactly what you feel as a couple. Your day feels seamless, because it's not separate suppliers working side by side, but people who are all fired up for your day together.

This photo was taken at a midweek wedding. Hoher Darsberg is known for that too: many weddings here don't happen on the usual Friday or Saturday, but on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays or before public holidays. Dates like Whit Sunday or the Wednesday before Corpus Christi aren't on most people's radar. But once you're dressed up and holding your first glass at the apéro, nobody knows what day of the week it is anyway. For exactly these days we built a package together: “Simple but Elegant”. You really have to check it out on the Hoher Darsberg website .

And how emotional a day like this is becomes clear at the congratulations at the latest. After a powerful ceremony speech like Karim's, there's a vibe in the air that just feels incredible. By the way: the man hugging the bride here is Karim.

09The morning after

One of my favourite moments: heading down for breakfast in the morning. Breakfast is always great, the guests are still there, and you can look at the photos from the night in the photo booth. That always gets people talking. And yes, I've even done a good morning party in the after show room. Just walked over and said: come on, half an hour more.

At the Darsberg you rarely hear a no. That makes a lot of things easier, for the couples and for us.

“Even at breakfast the next morning you were still up for it. We spontaneously asked if you fancied playing a little breakfast club downstairs, and of course that was no problem for you.”Veronika, wedding at Hoher Darsberg, Google review

10Getting there

Hoher Darsberg sits at around 400 metres in a forest clearing above Neckarsteinach, in the Neckar valley on the edge of the Odenwald. Heidelberg isn't far, and the venue has no direct neighbours. That's why you can party like this here.

11DJ, photographer and friend

If you get married at Hoher Darsberg, with me you get someone who knows the venue inside out. I know where the light is most beautiful in the evening, when to move to the after show room and how the team ticks. If you like, I shoot during the day and DJ at night, much better value as a package. All in English if you prefer. And I'm part of the team for Hoher Darsberg's “Simple but Elegant” package.

12Quick questions