A Carolina County Club Wedding for Sara and Cole

I always LOVE playing at The Carolina Country Club in downtown Raleigh! Whether it is a pool party, Father/Daughter dance, Gingerbread Party or Sara and Cole’s wedding on November 23rd, it is always a blast.

Sarah and Cole had their wedding ceremony at St Mary’s Chapel, then the 175 guests came over to The Carolina Country Club where I was set up for the reception. As the guests arrived I had a mix of rock, classic soul and standards playing.  The heavy hors d’oeuvres stations were already open when they arrived as was our Bunn DJ Company Salsa Photo Booth. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Fresh Affairs!

After pics were done by photographer Ray Barbour Images. I introduced Sara and Cole to “I Gotta feelin’”. They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Stand By me”. They danced with their parents to “My Wish” and her Father welcomed everyone followed by a blessing by Cole’s Brother.  We had a couple toasts and the Edible Art cake cutting to “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch”.

I opened the floor to everyone with some beach music and Motown, then Top 40 that kept them dancing for the next 2 ½ hours.  We paused for a bouquet toss to “Singles Ladies”, “garter removal to “Sexual Healing” and toss to “Pour Some Sugar On me”. For the rest of the night they danced to 80’s, 90’s and some great throw back hip-hop tracks.  

We ended the night with a last dance to “Wagon Wheel”, but they kept chanting “One.More.Song” so I played a couple minutes of “Bye, Bye, Bye” before a rose petal exit.

Thank you so much Sara, Cole and Brenda. I had the best time and it was great to play for Lauren and Peter again who’s wedding I did back in 2015.

A Bay 7 Wedding for Kendall and Scott

What a fun wedding Kendall and Scott had at Durham’s Bay 7 on November 22^nd!

The ceremony was held at the bottom of the stairs and I ran mics for their officiant Ben Poston (I always LOVE working with him!) and also for their reader.  As the 125 guests arrived I had a mix of classical pop songs playing.  When it was time for the ceremony, Ben entered and asked everyone to silence their phones.  The Parents and Groomsmen entered to “Marry me” by The O’Neill Brothers Group.  The Bridesmaids entered to “We Built A Zoo” by Jonsi.  Kendall and her Father entered to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.  After a short service that concluded with a smashing of the glass, they recessed to “On Top Of The World” by Vitamin String Quartet.  Ben invited everyone upstairs for the cocktail hour while photographer Rose Trail Images and videographers HoneyDew Films got some shots. During cocktails I had a mix of classic soul, standards and soft rock playing.

After the cocktail hour I invited guests back downstairs where the room was ready for dinner and dancing. I lined the wedding party up with lots of help from planners Emily Katherine Events and got them ready for introductions.  I introduced each couple to a different song and Kendall and Scott came down to “Bring Em Out” by T.I.  They had their first dance to a special edit I made them that combined the acoustic and regular versions of “Ritual” by Wrabel & Marshmello.  After a couple minutes of the song, I invited the wedding party to join them on the floor.  Kendall’s father welcomed everyone and the salads and entrees came out. 

After dinner we had the toasts followed by the Parents dances.  Kendall and her Father had their dance to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Michael Buble. Scott escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “How Long Will I Love You”. I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” and “Brown Eyed Girl” before some 80’s that filled it with young and old while Kendall and Scott had a private Ashley’s Cake cutting.

For the next 3 hours the floor stayed filled to top 40, EDM, a few oldies and ballads and 90’s.  We paused for a bouquet toss to “Where Dem Girls At” and a hora dance to an EDM cover of it by Steve Aoki.  We ended the night with an EDM cover of “Dancing In The Moonlight” by Jubel before a sparkler exit.

Thank you Kendall, Scott, Sarah and Emily! I had the best time!!

Photo courtesy of Rose Trail Images

A Bridge Club Wedding in downtown Raleigh for Melissa and Daniel

Melissa and Daniel chose the beautiful Bridge Club in downtown Raleigh for both their ceremony and reception on November 16^th.  I was thrilled to be there for both!

The ceremony was held on the second floor, just about the amazing restaurant Death and Taxes.  As the 60 guests arrived I had a mix of classical covers of classic rock songs playing.  When it was time for the ceremony to start, the guests found their seats and I started the processional to the instrumental “Going To California” by Led Zeppelin for both Daniel and Melissa.  After a short service by officiant Kevin Holland, they recessed to “Daylight” by Matt & Kim. Kevin invited guests to the cocktail hour in the back of the room and I started a mix of indie rock for cocktails.

After the cocktail hour I invited guest to the 3^rdfloor for dinner.  During dinner I played a mix of rock, yacht rock and classic soul. After dinner I invited everyone back downstairs for dancing and our Bunn Photo Booth.  As soon as everyone was in the room, Melissa and Daniel had their first dance to Kacey Musgraves “Golden Hour”.Half way thru I invited everyone to join, which they did. For the next 1.5 hours I played a great mix of top 40, 2000’s hip-hop and a few oldies and ballads.  I’m sure photographer Aurelia Baca got some great shots of dancing!

We ended the night with “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox” by Joe Diffie and Melissa and Daniel personally thanked everyone on their way out.

Thank you Melissa and Daniel!!  I had the best time playing for you and your guests.

A Bridge Club Wedding for Christina and Chris

I LOVE playing weddings at Chef Ashley Christensen’s wedding venue, The Bridge Club in downtown Raleigh!  This time I was there for Chris & Christina’s wedding on Sunday, November 10th.

Their ceremony was held on the 2^ndfloor right above Death & Taxes. I ran music for them as well as a mics for their officiant and Friend Taygen and a few readers. As the 60 guests arrived, I had a mix of soft indie rock and classic rock playing. When it was time for the ceremony, the guests found their seats.  Taygen and Chris entered to “Here, There and Everywhere” by The Beatles. Christina entered to an edit I made her of “Book Of Love” by Magnetic Fields.  It was timed perfectly.  After a short service they recessed to “You Make My Dreams Come True” and were invited to the bar in the back of the room for cocktails. Photographer Chelsea Morgan took Chris and Christina outside to get shots of downtown.

After pics were taken they joined the remaining cocktail hour.  I had a mix of indie & classic rock, classic soul and standards playing. At the end of the cocktail hour they welcomed everyone and invited guests to the 3^rdfloor for dinner.  During dinner I had the same music mix playing.  After dinner we had the cake cutting to “Our House” and a few toasts before inviting everyone back downstairs for dancing.

After everyone was on the 2^ndfloor, Chris and Christina had their first dance to “You and Me” by Penny and the Quarters. Chris and his Mother had their dance next to “You Are My Sunshine” by Elizabeth Mitchell.  After a minute, I invited everyone to join them, which they did. I opened the floor after that with some 70’s funk, 80’s and 2000’s Hip-Hop that filled it for the next couple hours.  I also played a few Latin songs that were fun!

We ended the night with a last dance to “Sweet Caroline”.  Thank you Chris & Christina!!  I loved playing for you and your guests.

A Barclay Villa Wedding for Reynolds and Matthew

If you dream of a storybook wedding in a castle like Reynolds and Matthew did, The Barclay Villa in Angier NC is the closest you can get locally!

The ceremony was held in the back in front of a stone gazebo and officiated over by their friend Guy. They had a live pianist and 2 singers provide the music. I ran mics for Guy and Matthew.  After the ceremony that included a hand binding portion, they recessed and the 130 guests made their way to the other side of Barclay Villa to the pool area for cocktails. I had a mix of classic instrumental jazz playing.

After the cocktail hour, guests were invited to the ballroom for dinner and dancing by planner Chelsy Ferguson from The Gathering Co.  The two story room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Jeffrey’s Florist.  After guests were seated, I introduced the Parents from the hall to “A Sky Full Of Stars”. The wedding party was next from the top of the stairs. Reynolds and Matthew were introduced to “Levels” by Avicii and came to the bottom of the stairs for their first dance to “Perfect Duet” by Ed Sheeran and Beyonce.  It was so sweet that they were singing it to each other.  Her Parents welcomed everyone and the dinner buffet opened. During dinner I had instrumental and vocal standards playing.

After dinner we had a few toasts and the cake cutting to “Lover Of The Light” by Mumford and Sons. While the staff served the cake and coffee we had the Parents dances.  Matthew and his Mother were first to “Carolina Moon” by Jim Reeves.  It was so touching and a song the Grandparents danced to 75 years ago! Reynolds and her Father’s dance was next that started with “Cinderella”, then after a few minutes I played “The Wobble” that they did alone for a minute, then opened the floor to everyone that filled it for the next 2 hours. 

During the dancing I played some beach music, oldies, 80’s a few line dances and Top 40.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Run The World” by Beyonce and garter toss to “Pour Some Sugar On me”.  We ended with “Friends In Low Places” and finally “Sweet Caroline” before a sparkler exit.

Thank you for everything Reynolds, Matthew, Kathy and Chelsy!  I had the best time DJing this wedding.  The pics and video by Warren McCormack Photography and Memories Of A Lifetime look amazing!!

Photos courtesy of Warren McCormack Photography

A Fearrington Wedding for Samantha and Richard

I love playing a small, intimate lunch wedding, especially at The Fearrington Village Garden Terrace! Samantha and Richard’s wedding was just that on Sunday afternoon November 3^rd.

Their ceremony was held in the Fearrington’s Jenny Garden and the 45 guests wrapped around a beautiful fountain in the middle.  Arioso Strings covered the music.  After a short service, they made their way over to the Garden Terrace where I was set up for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. I had a mix of Indie Rock, country and oldies playing. The wedding party stayed at Jenny’s Garden for pics by Heba Salama Photography. 

After Pics were done, I introduced Samantha and Richard to “Home” by Edward Sharpe and they had their first dance in front of the fireplace and sweetheart table to “In My Life” by The Beatles. Her Father welcomed everyone and invited guests to the food stations.  During dinner was same music mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had a couple toasts followed by the Parents dances.  Samantha and her Father had their dance to “Here Comes The Sun” and Richard and his Mother to “God Only Knows”.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Uptown Funk” that got them up and dancing for the next 1.5 hours.

We paused for a cake cutting to “We Belong” by Pat Benatar, then back to dancing until the last dance to “Beautiful Day” by U2.  They had a rose petal exit from the patio.

Thank you Samantha, Richard, Kevin and Gilda.  Such a nice wedding!!!

Photo courtesy of Heba Salama Photography

An Umstead Wedding For Jennifer and Daniel

I knew this was going to be a great wedding at The Umstead Hotel and Spa from my initial meeting, and it was!

Their ceremony was held out back overlooking the pond and The Umstead took care of the sound with Save The Date Music providing music.  After the service, the 120 guests made their way around the back of the hotel and to the patio and pre-function area for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. We also had our Sleek Salsa photo booth there for pics!

After pics were done by photographer Cara from F8 Photo Studios (with help from 2^nd shooter Martha!!) and videographer Thomas Blake Films, the doors to the ballroom opened and guests found their seats. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Embellished Blooms! I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with planner Elizabeth from A Southern Soiree.  I introduced them to “A Sky Full Of Stars” and Jennifer and Dan to “Without You” by Usher. They had their first dance to a shortened edit I made them of “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle.  Jenn’s Father joined her on the floor for their dance to “I Loved Her First” and Dan & his Mother to “It Happens In A Heartbeat”.  We had a couple toasts, then the first course of risotto came out and I played a mix of rock, soul, standards and a couple Irish folk songs for her Father.

After the first course I opened the floor for a quick dance set with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it while the staff cleared the plates and brought out the salad course. During the second course I played more dinner music until opening the floor again. The 2^nddance set started with some beach, 70’s and 80’s while the main course was served.  During the 3^rdcourse dinner set I played “The Wild Rover” just for her Father and people sang along.

After the 3^rd course we had the Cinda’s Cake cutting to “Sweetheart” by Thomas Rhett, then opened the floor again with some oldies, Top 40 and 90’s Hip-Hop that kept them dancing until the last song. Two Roosters Ice Cream was there also to provide sundays and floats. I played “New York State Of Mind” for the last dance, but they weren’t having it and started chanting “One.. More.. Song”.  I had “New York, New York” already cued up, so ended with that.

Thank you so much Jennifer, Daniel, Kayla and Elizabeth!!  I had so much fun!!

Photos courtesy of F8 Photo Studios

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding for Brianne and Casey

I was so excited to be back at Merrimon Wynne in downtown Raleigh again! This time for Brianne and Casey’s wedding on Friday, November 1^st.

Their ceremony was held on the lawn and I provided mics and music.  Their officiant was Brianne’s Brother, Beau, who did an amazing job! As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of light classical music playing.  The Parents and Groomsmen entered to the “Masters Theme”.  The Bridesmaids entered to “Minuet in G’ and Brianne and her Father to “Canon In D”.  After a short service with a couple readings, they recessed to “Triumphal March”.  Beau invited guests into the house for the cocktail hour where The Merrimon Wynne handled the music.

After pics were done by The Picture Guy, planner Kristin with Viva L’Event invited everyone into the Carriage house where I was ready. The room looked beautiful with arrangements by Plume Events  I left music playing and went inside to line them up for intros.  I introduced the wedding party to “The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air” theme and Brianne and Casey to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Claire de Lune” from Oceans 11.  After a couple minutes, I invited the wedding party to join them until the end of the song.  Her Father welcomed everyone and gifted Casey a bag of candy to bribe Brianne with.  So funny!!  Chef Beau Bennett from Beau Catering welcomed everyone and described the food stations before they opened. During dinner I had a mix of rock, classic soul and standards playing.

After dinner we the toasts and Cupcake Shoppe cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”. While the staff cut the cake and served it, we had the dual Parents dances to “What A Wonderful World”. An Anniversary dance followed to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Sinatra.  I opened the floor to everyone with “My Girl” that filled it with young and old.  For the next 2 hours guests enjoyed dancing, lawn games and visiting around the fire pit.

We had a last dance to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne before a sparkler exit from the front of the House. Thank you Brianne, Casey, Kristin, Brittnee and Abby.  That was a fun wedding!!