About: Ryan Boden DJ
The person behind the music
Evolution and identity
I’m Ryan, a wedding DJ from Northumberland. Music has been the pulse of my life for as long as I can remember, but my professional journey really started back in 2010.
2010
In 2010, I adopted the name Ryan Boden DJ, playing in local bars and clubs across Newcastle and Durham. Funnily enough, it is actually my real name, just with “DJ” added to the end. At the time, I thought that sounded a bit more edgy than putting “DJ” at the beginning. These early years taught me how to read a room, shape the energy of a night, and understand what makes people truly connect with music.
2018
In 2018, I launched Impress Events as my flagship wedding DJ brand. That became the home for my modern wedding work and the brand through which I built much of my reputation in the wedding industry. I developed a refined, polished approach to weddings, focusing on professionalism and personalisation. I won numerous awards and gained recognition from many top wedding venues.
2025
By 2025, I realised I wanted a space that reflected the music I connect with most personally, the alternative genres. So, I relaunched Ryan Boden DJ as The Alternative Wedding DJ. It represents the more personal side of what I do: the music I genuinely love and the kind of weddings I naturally connect with. It gives me a space to work with couples who want something more individual, less expected, and much more like them. I provide couples with a DJ who actually knows the songs they’re asking for.
Atmosphere over attention
‘The best wedding DJ is heard through the music, not the microphone.’
I’ve never wanted to be the loudest person in the room. I care much more about creating the right atmosphere than making myself the centre of attention. What I enjoy most about weddings is how personal they are. Unlike a club, a wedding is about people, stories, personalities, and creating a night that actually means something. I love the responsibility and trust involved in a wedding.
A lot of what I enjoy is in the detail: getting to know what a couple actually listens to, understanding the feeling they want from the evening, and building a soundtrack that feels true to them. I love the responsibility and trust involved in that.
Why alternative music
Alternative music has always been the genre that feels like home. I have always loved the energy, the emotion, and the personality in it. The songs people grew up with, obsessed over, went to gigs for, and still put on now when they want to feel something. That connection is a big part of why I enjoy playing it at weddings. It means something to people.
That said, I also love the balance of a night that moves naturally between genres. A wedding can go from Fleetwood Mac to Fall Out Boy, from Motown to The Killers, from a nostalgic singalong to something heavier, and still feel completely right when it is done well. That mix is what keeps it interesting. What makes a night feel real.
Beyond the decks
Outside of weddings, I love travelling and seeing more of the world, usually with my Chihuahua, Franklin, in my campervan. Travel has taken us across 28 countries so far, and I think that curiosity carries over into the way I approach life in general. I like character, individuality, and things that feel genuine. That probably explains a lot about why I connect so strongly with alternative weddings and with couples who want their day to feel more personal.
What this page is really about
2010 is where it all started for me. Over time, the work and experience grew. My 2025 rebrand of Ryan Boden DJ gave me a space that feels more personal, more honest, and more reflective of the music and style I naturally connect with.
So if you are here, this is the simplest version of it:
I am Ryan. I love music. I care about atmosphere. I like weddings with personality. And I have always believed the best nights are the ones that feel like the people they are actually for.
And if any of that feels familiar, you’ll probably understand exactly why this brand exists.
Learn More About My Styles
Your wedding music should feel like you, not a compromise. Go all-in on Alternative, keep it sleek and Contemporary, or blend both into one seamless soundtrack that fits your crowd. No templates, no rigid playlists, just a night built around your vibe.
The Alternative Wedding DJ
As the only Alternative Wedding DJ in the North, I ditch the generic playlists for indie anthems, nostalgic pop-punk and raw rock classics. If your love story does not fit the traditional mould, your soundtrack should not either.
Or mix both styles on the night.
Modern Wedding DJ
For modern romantics who love floor-fillers. I create an uplifting atmosphere with a bespoke blend of wedding classics and the biggest hits your friends and family love. Tell me your vibe and I’ll personalise your wedding soundtrack.
Or mix both styles on the night.