Armenian-American identity
Armenian heritage, raised on the music. I know the difference between a kochari that needs to keep building and a shoorch par that needs to land — because I grew up watching it.
Armenian Wedding DJ · DMV & Beyond
Armenian Wedding DJ — DMV & Beyond.
The most requested Armenian wedding DJ on the East Coast. Two decades of kochari and shoorch par, rabiz peaks, and Armenian-American open-format reception sets that don't slow down.
Check My DateDJ Garret is the most requested Armenian wedding DJ on the East Coast. Of Armenian heritage himself, he speaks the language and reads Armenian crowds with two decades of experience — from the kochari and shoorch par to modern open-format Armenian-American fusion. Based in Maryland, serving the Washington D.C. metro and destinations worldwide. Wedding packages start at $2,000.
Why Armenian couples book me
A DJ who reads the room in two languages.
Fluent in the language
MC announcements, name pronunciations, family introductions, and toast cues delivered in Armenian, English, or both. The room knows what's happening, on either side of the family.
Two decades of music depth
From DC nightclub residencies (Decades, POV @ W, Rosebar, Ultrabar) to Armenian weddings across the DMV, Italy, and beyond. The library spans traditional folk to contemporary Armenian rap and open-format American.
The music
Built around the room, in four directions.
A working playlist for an Armenian wedding moves through traditional ceremony moments, rabiz peaks, modern Armenian pop, and open-format American — sequenced so the floor never empties between cultures.
Traditional Armenian
Kochari and shoorch par circles, the Tamzara, Khentanc, Yarkhushta, and the slower hairagan moments before the dance floor opens. Live oud, dhol, duduk, or zurna can be added through trusted partners.
Rabiz & Armenian estrada
Classic rabiz favorites for the older relatives who came to dance. Estrada anthems for the moments the parents take the floor. The transitions between rabiz and contemporary Armenian pop are the bread and butter of an Armenian reception.
Modern Armenian pop & rap
Sirusho, Super Sako, Iveta Mukuchyan, HT Hayko, and the contemporary Yerevan sound. Bridges easily into Armenian-Latin and Armenian-Mediterranean fusion when the room is ready for it.
Open-format Armenian-American
Mixed Armenian and American sets — rabiz into hip-hop, kochari into house, an Armenian pop bridge into Top 40. Tempo- and key-matched so the cultural switch is felt, not stumbled through.
Real Wedding
Julie & Armen — Virginia.
An Armenian-American wedding in Northern Virginia. Two families, two languages on the mic, one dance floor that didn't open empty. Cocktail leaned lounge — Armenian instrumentals into modern crossover — while guests arrived. The reception opened with a shoorch par circle that pulled the older generation in first; rabiz peaked through the parents' generation; the back half flipped to open-format American so the cousins took the floor without losing the room.
"An Armenian-American wedding handled with cultural fluency. Every guest danced."
Julie & Armen — Wedding · Virginia
"We flew Garret from DC to Italy. Armenian-Latin fusion, two cultures on one floor, and not a single quiet minute."
Service area
Maryland HQ. DMV staple. Destination on request.
Armenian weddings across Bethesda, Annapolis, Frederick, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Arlington, Alexandria, Tysons, and Loudoun County. East-Coast Armenian communities served regularly. Destination travel covers the United States, Europe (including Italy), and Mexico — quoted individually based on dates and scope.
Armenian-wedding FAQ
Common questions from Armenian couples.
Do you speak Armenian?
Yes. DJ Garret is of Armenian heritage and speaks Armenian fluently. MC announcements, name pronunciations, family introductions, and toast cues can all be delivered in Armenian, English, or both — confirmed at the planning meetings with the family.
Can you bring traditional Armenian dancers or live musicians?
Yes — through trusted DMV and East Coast partners. Live oud, dhol, duduk, and zurna players, and traditional Armenian dance ensembles for the kochari and shoorch par, are available on request. Live-to-DJ handoffs are mapped in advance so the dance floor never breaks.
Do you have an Armenian wedding song list?
Yes. The Armenian library covers traditional folk and ceremony music (kochari, shoorch par, Tamzara, Khentanc, Yarkhushta), rabiz, Armenian estrada, contemporary Armenian pop and rap, and Armenian-Latin and Armenian-Mediterranean fusion. Couples receive a working playlist before the wedding to add must-plays and do-not-plays.
How does the playlist mix Armenian and American?
Cocktail and dinner lean lounge — Armenian instrumentals and modern crossover — to keep both sides of the family comfortable. Reception alternates Armenian sets (kochari and shoorch par circles, rabiz peaks) with open-format American (hip-hop, Top 40, EDM, Latin). The transitions are tempo- and key-matched so the floor never empties between cultures.
Don't let social media dictate your decision on choosing a DJ. My extensive resume with hundreds of satisfied clients reigns over posts, views, and followers.