The Person Behind the Music, the Moments, and the Magic
By Lori Smith
I’ll admit it — when I first sat down to write this, I smiled. Once upon a time, before publishing deadlines and page counts, I was a DJ myself. I know the rush of reading a room, the quiet pressure of timing it just right, the invisible responsibility of holding a moment in your hands and not dropping it.
So, when I say that Zoran Subotich gets it, I mean that in the deepest, most professional, been-there way.
For more than 30 years, Zoran has been the steady heartbeat behind thousands of celebrations across the Emerald Coast — from barefoot beach weddings on 30A and Destin to elegant military galas, mitzvahs, milestone birthdays and reunions that people still talk about a decade later. Four counties. Thousands of events. And somehow — no missed cues, no awkward silences, no stressed brides.
That doesn’t happen by accident.
Zoran doesn’t just plan parties.
He engineers memories.
Through his company, Celebrations By The Sea, Zoran offers a truly full-service approach — the kind that allows couples and families to relax and stay present in the moment while he quietly handles the flow behind the scenes. His services include:
- DJ and professional emcee services
- Full event planning and coordination
- Licensed wedding and event officiating
- Ceremony and reception direction
- Lighting and atmosphere design
- Timeline creation and flow management
- Multilingual hosting and announcements
All of it is tailored. All of it intentional. And all of it delivered with a calm confidence that makes even the most complex events feel effortless.
Why Locals Love Him
Ask around Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Miramar Beach or along 30A, and you’ll hear the same things again and again.
Zoran shows up early. He stays calm under pressure. He listens — really listens.
Locals trust him because he doesn’t force a formula. He reads the room, adapts in real time, and keeps the focus where it belongs — on the people, not the production. Brides feel at ease. Families relax. Guests stay engaged. The event flows naturally, without feeling overproduced or rushed.
Another reason locals love Zoran? Range.
His background spans far beyond weddings and private events. Zoran is a former radio professional, trained actor, multilingual host, crisis intervention specialist, and even a black belt — a combination that gives him rare command, empathy and intuition. His résumé includes television credits on MTV’s Road Rules and Prison Break, experiences that sharpened his ability to perform under pressure and connect with audiences of every kind.
That versatility allows him to move seamlessly from a beachfront ceremony at sunrise to a formal military banquet or multigenerational family celebration — always reading the energy of the room before the first guest even arrives.
And perhaps most importantly, he treats every event — big or small — like it matters. Because to the people there, it does.
That mindset has earned Zoran decades of loyalty, word-of-mouth referrals and, most recently, recognition as “Best of Business Rate 2025” for Wedding Services in Fort Walton Beach, an award based on verified reviews and consistent excellence.
This year, that heart for meaningful moments took on even deeper purpose.
Zoran and Celebrations By The Sea partnered with Wish Upon a Wedding, a nonprofit that grants weddings to couples facing terminal illness. On August 18, 2025, Zoran helped make Taylor and Ivan’s wedding wish a reality — proof that for him, making moments matter isn’t just business. It’s deeply personal.
Based in Fort Walton Beach, Zoran serves the full Gulf Coast with a hands-on, full-service approach that has made Celebrations By The Sea a trusted name for locals, military families and destination couples alike.
“Excellence is our standard, but joy is our mission,” Zoran says — and honestly, that says it all.
Not everyone knows how to make a moment matter.
Zoran does — every single time.
For more information, visit celebrationsbythesea.com, call (850) 217-5710, or follow @celebrationsbythesea and @wishuponawedding.
