Simone & Matt’s wedding at Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina

Simone and Matt could not have picked a more beautiful setting than Highgrove Estate for their ceremony and reception on Sunday, May 24^th! The ceremony was held in the back yard overlooking a pond with trees everywhere.  As guests arrived I had a mix of indie rock songs performed by Vitamin String Quartet.  The wedding party walked down the aisle to The Piano Guys version of  “Love Song Meets Viva La Vida” and Simone and her father entered to Devotchka’s “The Winner Is” from the movie Little Miss Sunshine.  Their friend Jonathan performed the service and even though it was his first time, he was absolutely perfect!  Both Simone and Matt wrote their own vows and they were both wonderful and heart felt.  Nicely done guys!  The ceremony concluded with Simone and Matt’s kiss, of course, and they exited to “Send Me On My Way” by Rusted Root.

For the social hour I had a mix of oldies, some classic blues, jazz & country and some indie rock.  The bar opened and guests enjoyed cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres while photographers Josh & Shelley from Hartman Outdoor Photography & videographer Emily from Jeff Brewer Films took some pics.  It was time for the introductions so I invited all the 100 guests into the ballroom and lined the wedding party up.  The wedding party came in to “Home” by Edward Sharpe and Simone and Matt came right in to the dance floor for their dance to “Come Away With Me” and Matt welcomed and thanked everyone for coming.  The family style dinner came out and I continued the same playlist as dinner.

After dinner we has toasts by both fathers, the best man, maid of honor and a bridesmaid and Matt escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and Simone and her father did a fantastic choreographed dance to The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Do You Believe In Magic” that ended with a kiss on her forehead by him.  It was so special!  I opened the floor for everyone with some Motown and oldies while the bar and photo booth opened outside. 

After about 45 minutes we had the cake cutting to “The Night Starts Here” by The Stars, the Krispy Kreme flambé stationed opened with home made ice cream and Simone joined her Kappa sisters on the floor for their traditional sing-a-long song.  I opened the floor again with some 90’s and early 2000’s top 40 & hip-hop for the mostly younger crowd.  The guests enjoyed dancing, donuts, the outdoor bar, photo booth and a s’more station for the next hour.  We ended the night with a filled dance floor and the last song “Heartbeats” by The Knife and a sparkler exit from the front of Highgrove.  What a fun and unique wedding!  Congratulations Simone and Matt and thank you.

Brittany & Mitch’s country wedding at The Barn at Woodlake Meadows on May 23rd

Brittany and Mitch had both their ceremony and reception at the picturesque Barn at Woodlake Meadows and it could not have been a more prefect setting for their country themed wedding planned by one of my favorite planners, Katie Dunn from La Fete.  As guests arrived they visited with friends and family in the barn, then made their way down the walkway to the lake for the ceremony. As guests found their seats I had a mix of piano versions of pop songs playing.  The parents & grandparents walked down the aisle to an Irish folk song “Red Is The Rose”, the groomsmen and bridesmaids to “A Thousand Years” by The Piano Guys and Brittany and her father entered to “Look At Me” by Carrie Underwood.  After a beautiful ceremony by Reverend Barbara Lodge, the wedding party recessed to “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis and guests made their way back to the barn for the cocktail hour.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of standards playing and guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails served in mason jars.  They visited on the back porch, in the barn and toured the grounds while photographers Robin Lin and Stacy Borelli took some pics of the wedding party and videographers RDP3 got some shots.  They even had magician Joel Givens making his way around to each group performing for them during cocktails and dinner.  It was time for the wedding party to be announced and the 180 guests made their way into the barn and found their seats.  I introduced the wedding party to “Give Me Everything” by Pitbull and they entered from the top of the balcony.  Brittany and Mitch entered to thunderous applause and came down the stairs to the dance floor for their first dance to “Then” by Brad Paisley.  They took their seats and Brittany’s father Don welcomed everyone and gave a heart felt toast followed by a blessing by Reverend Barbara Lodge.  The food stations opened and I started a dinner mix of country, soft rock and a few classic soul songs.

After dinner we had a toast by Mitch’s father (also his best man!) and a tearful toast by Brittany’s sister Ashley.  The Sugarland Cake cutting followed to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra that they cut with Mitch’s sword since he is a 2^nd Lieutenant in the service.  Brittany joined her father on the floor for their dance to “Butterfly Kisses”, Mitch escorted his mother to the floor to dance to “Find Your Wings” and Brittany’s parents had a special dance to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran that they had everyone join them on the floor after a minute.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Cupid Shuffle” that instantly filled it including a dancing grandmother!  For the next 2 ½ hours guests danced to disco, top 40, some 80’s and country.  We paused briefly for the bouquet toss to “Little White Church”, garter removal to “Wild Thing” by The Troggs and garter toss to “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble”.

 

A few moments that stood out for me were Mitch and some bridesmaids doing a sprinkler dance to “Get Low” by Lil Jon, Brittany’s parents showing off their hustle moves to “Stayin’ Alive” and everyone singing along to “Wagon Wheel”.  The night ended with “Closing Time” by Semisonic and a sparkler exit to their classic car getaway.  What a fun night and beautiful venue.  Thank you Brittany, Mitch, Don and Mary!....and Katie Dunn!!

Kayla & Jesse’s wedding at The Garden On Millbrook

Kayla and Dr Jesse chose Raleigh’s Garden on Millbrook for their ceremony and reception on a perfect May 22^nd day.  Their ceremony was held on the side brickyard with live classical music.  After a short ceremony by minister Craig Gaither, guests made their way inside for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres while photographer Jim Colman and videographers Oak City Films snapped some shots of the wedding party and families.  I had a mix of standards, classic soul and soft rock playing during the cocktail hour.  It was time to introduce the wedding party and I invited guests to find their tables.  I introduced the wedding party to “Sirius” by Alan Parsons and Kayla and Jesse entered to a loud roar to “Jump Around” by House Of Pain since they are both HUGE UNC fans.  They made their way to the dance floor and had their first dance to “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison.  Jesse then danced with his mother to “What A Wonderful World” and Kayla and her mother (wearing black shades!! Love It!) took the floor to show their best disco moves to “Stayin’ Alive”.  After the applause faded, Minister Craig Gaither blessed the meal and the buffet opened.  During dinner I continued the same mix as cocktails.

 

After dinner guests were ready to hit the floor, so I opened the floor for about 15 minutes to Motown and current dance music until the toasts by Jesse’s best man and Kayla’s two matrons of honor.  After the toasts, we had the cake cutting to “Build Me Up Buttercup” and then back to dancing for the next hour to top 40, oldies and some 80’s.  We paused briefly for the bouquet toss to “Wanna Be”, garter removal to “Pony” by Ginuwine and garter toss to “99 Problems”..ha ha..

 

Some of my favorite moments were everyone singing at the top of their lungs to “Tearin’ Up My Heart” by N’Sync, Jesse playing air guitar to “Paradise City” and all the UNC alumni lining the back of the dance floor with their arms around each other singing along to “Hark The Sound”. We ended the night with “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie and a sparkler exit from the front of the building.  It was also great to see their guests Alexandra and Adam who’s wedding I’m DJing in October.  I can’t wait to see them again and hopefully some of these guests will be at their wedding!  Thank you Kayla and Jesse and congratulations!

Cat & Ben’s wedding at All Saints and Sitti in Raleigh during Artsposure

I was thrilled to provide music for Cat & Ben’s ceremony at All Saints Chapel and reception at Sitti both in Downtown Raleigh.  I set up super early at Sitti because Artsplosure was going on, then just walked the 2 blocks to All Saints to start their pre-ceremony music.  As guests arrived for the ceremony I had a mix of Vitamin String Quartet playing classical versions of indie rock and classic rock songs.  The wedding party entered to VSQ’s cover of “Bittersweet Symphony” and Cat and her father entered to “Canon In D”.  After a brief ceremony, they left to “All You Need Is Love” by Vitamin String Quartet.  Guests made their way to Sitti for the reception while Cat, Ben and some family had pictures takes at The Chapel by photographer Bridget McEnaney.

As guests arrived for the cocktail hour I had a mix of standards, classic soul and indie rock playing.  Guests enjoyed Lebanese hors d’oeuvres and socialized on the brick courtyard where I was set up and in the back dining room where I had an additional speaker set up.  The dining room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Lyn from Fresh Affairs. Cat & Ben arrived and were announced into the courtyard to “In Between Days” by Ben Folds and had their first dance to a cover of Journey’s “Faithfully” by Clem Snide.  What a great version!  Ben thanked everyone for coming and his father blessed the meal. Guests made their way back into the dining room for the dinner buffet and I continued the same music mix as cocktails.  After dinner Cat & Ben made their way around to welcome each table separately and we had the Ashley’s cake cutting to “We Are Going To Be Friends” by White Stripes.  Her cakes are always so beautiful & delicious!!!

Guests started dancing towards the end of dinner so I opened the floor after the cake cutting with “My Girl”.  After a few songs the floor was filled and Cat, Ben and their guests danced for the next 2 hours to Michael Jackson, top 40, Motown and even some of Ben’s favorite hip-hop tracks.  We ended the night with some sing-a-long songs and finally “Don’t Stop Believin’” that had everyone in the room on the dance floor and singing along with Cat & Ben.  What a fun night and wonderful couple!  Thank you Cat & Ben and congratulations.

Katie & Wesley’s wedding at Chapel Hill Country Club

I had not met Katie & Wesley in person until this day but knew from our Skype meeting this was going to be an awesome party on May 16th, and it was!  They held their ceremony right on the golf course of the Chapel Hill Country Club.  As guests arrived, I had a mix of Vitamin String Quartet playing classical versions of indie rock songs.  The ceremony began with the entrance of both mothers to “Allegro-Spring” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the groomsmen & Wes to “First Day Of My Life” by Bright Eyes, the bridesmaids to “Viva La Vida” by Vitamin String Quartet and Katie & her father to “Canon In D”.  After a short ceremony and a couple readings, they recessed to “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3” and guests made their way to the side of the clubhouse for cocktails on the outdoor patio while photographer Kelly Martin took some pics.  For the cocktail hour I had a mix of standards playing (my fav).

After the cocktail hour, the 85 guests made their way into the ballroom for dinner and dancing.  I introduced the wedding party to “Uptown Funk” and Katie & Wesley entered to “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates.  They came right to the dance floor for now their second dance as husband and wife to “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz.  The wedding party took their seats and Katie danced with her father to “Lullabye” by Billy Joel and Wes escorted his mother to the floor for a tearful dance to “Simple Man’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd.  Katie’s father Michael welcomed everyone with a heart-felt speech and the salads came out.  For dinner I played a mix of soft rock and pop.  After salads we had toasts by Katie’s Maid Of Honor and Wes’s Best Man and the entrée’s came out after.

As dinner wrapped up, the bridesmaids couldn’t wait to dance so hit the floor to dance to “Sugar” by Maroon 5.  After that I invited the married guests on the floor to share a dance with Katie & Wes to “The Way You Look Tonight” that was a “longest married couple dance” with the winner being married 58 years!  I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” and it filled instantly!  They danced for the next 2 hours to top 40, oldies, dance music and sing-a-longs.  We paused briefly for the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” then back to dancing to a few classic rock songs.

My favorite part of the night (there were many!) was everyone singing along to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran with a packed dance floor, then I mixed into “Bohemian Rhapsody” with everyone still singing along to that one as well.  So great!!  We ended the night with “Sweet Carolina”, “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing and finally “Shout” from Animal House that brought the house down!  They exited to sparklers from the front of the County Club.  What a fun crown and wonderful Bride & Groom.  Thank you Katie, Wesley & your parents!