Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Stephanie & Michael’s wedding at The Carolina Inn



Stephanie and Michael chose Chapel Hill’s historic Carolina Inn for both their ceremony and reception on a somewhat humid June 27th.  The ceremony was held in the back courtyard of the Inn under a tent and officiated by Reverend Ingrid Sagula.  As guests arrived, I had a mix of classical versions of indie rock songs playing by Vitamin String Quartet.  Planners Sally Oakley & Kathy lined the wedding party up and got them ready for their entrance into the ceremony.  The Grandparents, parents and wedding party came in to “I Love NYE” by Badly Drawn Boy and Stephanie and her father entered to The Beatles “Here, There and Everywhere” performed by Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.  After a short ceremony that included hand written vows by Stephanie and Michael, the ceremony concluded and they exited to “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.  Guests were invited into the Inn for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while photographer Heba Salama got some shots.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of classic soul, indie rock and standards playing for the 140 guests.  The doors to the ballroom opened, guests found their seats and awaited the arrival of the bride and groom.  I introduced Stephanie and Michael into the room to The Zombie’s “This Will Be Our Year” and they came right to the dance floor for their first dance to “A Little Trip To Heaven” by Tom Waits.  LOVE that song!!!  Stephanie’s father welcomed everyone and the food stations opened.  During dinner I played a mix of 60’s and 70’s pop with some indie rock mixed in.


After dinner we had toasts by Michael’s father and Stephanie’s sister/maid of honor and then a Simply Cake cutting to “Sweet Life” by Frank Ocean.  Stephanie joined her father on the floor for their dance to “My Girl” and Michael escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to the acoustic version of Paul Simon’s “Loves Me Like A Rock”.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” and the floor filled for the next 2 ½ hours!  They had a blast dancing to oldies, line dances early 2000’s dance and hip-hop, some current top 40 and classic rock.  I even played a Springsteen and Bon Jovi song for the New Jersey guests!  We ended the night with Paul McCartney’s “My Love” and they had a glowstick exit.  What a fun night and awesome group to play for!  I loved the pint glass wedding favors for the guests that say "Up and gone to Carolina in my mind"!



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