Living the Dream. Literally... 🇮🇹🇵🇹

beatsbyjayevents

Oct 4

4 min read

Tuscany, Portugal & A Dream That Took a Little Longer Than Expected

October 4, 2026 | By Jay Patel (beatsbyjay)

In 2024, I had one goal I really wanted to accomplish:

DJ a wedding in Europe. And I failed :(

No Europe wedding. No crazy villa. No international DJ story. It just didn't happen.

At the time, it sucked. But looking back now, I'm kinda glad it happened that way.

Because in 2025, that dream finally came true. I flew to Italy and DJed my first European wedding in Lake Como. I remember looking around thinking...Damn. We really made it here.

And somehow, one year later, I just DJed TWO weddings in Europe in the same month.

Tuscany 🇮🇹 Portugal 🇵🇹

Life is crazy.

Two Weddings. Two Countries. One Month.

September was one of those months I'll probably remember forever. I started in Tuscany, DJing a South Asian destination wedding surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills and a venue with nearly 1,000 years of history. I came home for a few days. Then packed everything right back up and flew to Portugal for another wedding weekend.

Two completely different weddings.

Two completely different countries.

Two new dancefloors.

And somehow this is my job now. Sometimes I'm so focused on what's next that I forget how insane that sentence would've sounded to me a few years ago.

Europe Just Feels Different

There's something I've noticed every time I'm in Europe. People know how to live.

Obviously people work hard. They have responsibilities. They have places to be.

But there's also this calmness to everyday life that I really love. People sit down and actually eat together. Coffee doesn't always have to be grabbed while running somewhere. Dinner can take two hours. People walk. They talk. They sit outside. They enjoy where they are. Nobody seems embarrassed to just... chill for a second.

And coming from someone who is CONSTANTLY thinking about the next wedding, next flight, next video, next business move, next goal...I needed that.

Maybe Everything Doesn't Have to Happen Right Away

I think that's what this trip reminded me most.

In 2024, I wanted Europe. Didn't happen.

In 2025, I got Lake Como.

In 2026, I got Tuscany and Portugal in the same month.

Sometimes you don't fail. Sometimes it just isn't your time yet. And when I think about it like that, I'm grateful some things took longer. I appreciate them way more now.

The Best Part Wasn't Even the Places

Don't get me wrong...Tuscany was ridiculous. Portugal was beautiful. The venues, food, views, drives, sunsets — all of it was fire.

But my favorite part of destination weddings is still the people.

You spend an entire weekend with a couple and their families. You learn their music. You meet their friends. You hear their inside jokes. You see their traditions. And then for a few hours, it's your responsibility to bring all of those people together on one dancefloor.

That's the part I love. The cool destination is just the bonus.

25 → 26 🎂

I also came home from this trip right before another birthday. And birthdays always make me reflect a little. This past year has been ridiculous. I left my corporate career. I bet on myself. I traveled more. I DJed in places I used to save on Instagram. I met people I would've never met otherwise. And I'm slowly building the life I pictured in my head years ago. There's still SO much I want to accomplish. I'm nowhere near done. But I'm also learning that constantly chasing the next thing without appreciating the current thing is a really easy way to miss your own life. Europe reminded me of that.

Work hard. Chase ridiculous goals.

But sit down sometimes. Eat the pasta. Watch the sunset. Talk to people. Put the phone away. Take the long walk. Enjoy the place you're in. You'll get back to work tomorrow.

From "One Day" to Right Now

Six years ago, I was just trying to become a better DJ. Two years ago, I was trying to get my first wedding in Europe. Last year, I finally got there. This year, I went back twice in one month. And now I'm writing this knowing there are even more countries, weddings and experiences ahead. That's probably the craziest part.

Somewhere along the way..."One day" became right now. So I'm trying my best not to miss it.

Final Thoughts

If there's anything September taught me, it's this: Not every goal happens when you want it to. That doesn't mean you stop chasing it. Keep working. Keep showing up. Keep putting yourself in rooms you never thought you'd be in. And when you finally get there...look around.

Because sometimes you're already living the dream you used to pray for. I know I am. And I'm extremely grateful for it. See y'all at the next destination. 🌎

& a memory to remember forever during this part in my life...