Megan & Derrick’s Wedding in The Old Well Room

Megan and Derrick were married at one of my favorite venues, The Carolina Inn, in Chapel Hill on March 11^th, 2017.  I was thrilled to be back here and work with some of my favorite co-vendors in Tiffany from The Inn, Carrington from Erin McLean Events, photographer Renee Sprink and baker Ashley Cakes!

The ceremony was held in another ballroom with music provided by Save The Date Music.  After a short ceremony by my buddy Reverend David James, the 150 guests made their way to the hallway outside the Old Well Room for cocktails and passed hours d’oeuvres.  After pics and video were taken by Renee and Sugar Shack Films the doors to the ballroom opened and guests found their seats.

I introduced the wedding party and our newly married couple to “Levels” by Avicii.  They came in to thunderous applause and had their first dance to “How Sweet it Is” by James Taylor.  They took their seats and Megan’s father welcomed everyone followed by a blessing by Reverend James.  The salads and entrées came out and I played a mix of classic soul, standards and rock during dinner.

After dinner we had toasts and the two Ashley cake cuttings to “Sugar Sugar”.  Megan then joined her Father for their dance to “My Little Girl” and Derrick escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “Landslide”.  Before opening the floor to everyone Megan asked her Grandfather to join her for a special dance to “You Are My Sunshine” by Johnny Cash.  It was so sweet and he sang it to her while they danced.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that filled it for the rest of the night.

We paused briefly for the bouquet toss to “Jump Around” and group pics with the Pi Phi and Sig Ep alumni, then back to dancing.  Their playlist was a blast with beach music, oldies, top 40, some 70’s and 80’s and sing a longs all night.  We ended with “Closing Time” by Semisonic before a blue and white pom pom exit and after party at Top Of The Hill.

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Charles & Mandy’s Wedding at Merrimon-Wynne

Mandy & Charles are so nice and I was honored to be their DJ at Merrimon-Wynne on a perfect March 4th day!  I was beyond thrilled also to work with some of my favorite co-vendors in Stephanie from Viva L’Event, Cara from F8 Photo Studios, Kaila from the Merrimon Wynne House, Beau Catering, Fresh Affairs and Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream!

Their ceremony was held on the side lawn under a cloudless blue sky.  As the 75 guests arrived I had a mix of classical versions of pop songs playing.   The Grandparents and Mothers entered from the house to “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, the Groomsmen and Charles to “”God Only Knows” by Vitamin String Quartet, Bridesmaids and children to “Canon In D” and finally Mandy & her Father to “The Bridal March”.  After a short ceremony by Officiant Perry Hardison, they recessed to “The Wedding March”. The guests were invited into the Merrimon Wynne house for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres while pictures were taken.

After the cocktail hour the guests were invited into the Carriage house where I was set up for dinner and dancing.  They found their seats and the wedding party was ready to be introduced.  They entered to “I Gotta Feelin’” and the adorable children to “Sesame’s Treat” by my buddy Chris & Smart E’s.  Finally it was time for our Bride & Groom to come in to “Pour Some Sugar On Me”.  They came in to thunderous applause and had their first dance to “From This Moment” by Shania Twain.  Mandy then danced with her Father to “When You Need Me” by Springsteen and Charles had a surprise dance with his nieces to “Wildest Dreams’ by Taylor Swift.  SOOO cute!!!  Chef Beau welcomed the guests and described the meal and dinner began. During dinner I had a mix of classic and indie rock playing.

After dinner guests were ready to hit the floor so I started playing dance music.  Within 3 songs the floor was filled to Motown and top 40.  The Andia’s Ice cream station opened shortly and after everyone had their fill, the hit the floor for more dancing till the last song. I ended the night with “Sweet Caroline” before a glow in the dark tambourine exit from the front of the house.  Love it!!!!

Thank you Mandy, Charles, Stephanie & Kaila!!!  I had an absolute blast as it looked like everyone did.

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Brittney & Benjamin’s Wedding at The Carolina Club

You have to love a groom that rolls into the reception in a top hat and monocle!  I knew this wedding was going to be a blast, and it was!

Brittney & Benjamin had their ceremony and reception all at The Carolina Club on February 18^th with 100 guests.  The ceremony was held in the far end of the room and I provided music for that.  As the guests arrived I had a mix of classical versions of pop songs playing by Vitamin Strung Quartet and The Piano Guys.  The wedding party entered to “Canon In D” and Brittney & her father to Clarke’s “Prince Of Denmark”.  After a short ceremony they recessed to “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates.  I will always love that song! 

The guests made their way down the hall for the cocktail hour in front of the banquet room with help from The Club’s Camille and planner extraordinaire Kathy from Sally Oakley Events.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of soft rock, classic rock & soul and some standards playing.  After some pics were taken by photographer Chris Tavares, the doors to the ballroom opened and the guests found their seats.

The wedding party entered to ‘Forever” by Chris Brown and Brittney & her top hat & monocled Benjamin to “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness.  Another of my forever favorite songs.  They came right to the dance floor for their first dance to “Moondance” by Van Morrison and Brittney’s father welcomed everyone.  The food stations opened and I continued the same music mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had the toasts and Guglhupf Cake cutting to “This Will Be” by Natalie Cole.  Then, came the most special part of the night!  Brittney’s Aunt Gia and Grandfather Bobby took the stage with their guitars to play 3 songs!  They were so great and really made the wedding very special!  No way I could outdo that, but I tried to keep the reception fun.  Brittney then had her dance with her father to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys (yet again, another fav of mine) and I opened the floor to everyone.  After a few songs the guests hit the floor and it stayed filled for the rest of the night.  During the next 2 hours guests danced to oldies, some 2000’s hip hop and top 40.  I ended the night with “24K Magic” and finally a sing a long to “Sweet Caroline”.

What a fun night and great crowd.  Congratulations Brittney & Benjamin and thank you Kathy, Gia & Bobby!

A Wedding 10 Years Coming!

I was so thrilled and honored to DJ Lars & Sarah’s wedding on February 4^th at The University Club in Durham.  Not only are they the nicest couple and been together for 10 years, she is the daughter of one of my favorite wedding vendors.

The University Club is on the 17^th floor of University towers and overlooks Durham and Chapel Hill.  What a view! Their ceremony was also held there with live musicians handling the music.  After a short ceremony, the 80 guests made their way to my room for cocktails with help from The University Club’s Amanda.  While guests were enjoying cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres photographer Dejuan from In His Image got some shots of the wedding party.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of classic rock, classic soul and standards playing.

After pics were done I invited guests to their seats and introduced the 3 flower girls, 3 ring bearers, Best Man and Maid of Honor to “Happy”.  After that Lars & Sarah entered to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne.  They stopped on the dance floor for their first dance to “When You Say Nothing At All” by Allison Krauss.  This is one of my favorite ballads ever!  Sarah’s father joined her for their dance to “Daughter” by Loudon Wainwright and Lars & his mother to “Days Like This” by Van Morrison.  Lars welcomed everyone and the buffet opened.  During dinner I had the same playlist as cocktails.

Guests started dancing towards the end of dinner so I went right into “dance mode”.  A nice problem to have as a DJ!  We paused after 20 min of dancing for the toasts and cake cutting to “I Choose you”, then had an anniversary dance to “How Sweet it Is” by James Taylor with Lars parents winning at 45 years married.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that filled it for the next 1.5 hours until the sparkler exit.  It was so great seeing parents and their young children dancing to everything from “Copacabana” to “Hair Up” from The Trolls movie!