Jackee & Adam’s 20's themed wedding

Jackee and Adam chose the top floor of Raleigh's Historic Capital Club Building for their ceremony and reception in The Grand Ballroom on March 28th, 2015.  I was thrilled to be working with planner Nicole from Vision Events, caterers Rocky Top Catering and photographer Kirsten Lehrschall who were all a dream to work with!

As guests arrived for the ceremony, I had a mix of 20’s jazz playing.  The ceremony was about to begin and I had the 100 guests find their seats.  Adam and their minister Dan Ellis entered to an instrumental of “The Luckiest” and I then played “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by  IZ as their children came up the elevator and into the room for their performance which was one of the highlights of the whole night for me. Riley, Regan and Jo made their way to their mic’s and guitar to play “Swept Away” by The Avett Brothers.  As the song was ending the doors of the elevator opened again with Jackee waiting to walk down the isle with her father.  Timed & performed perfectly!

After the ceremony, they were announced bride and groom and I played “Wet Willie” by Goldfish (a 20’s themed dance track) as they exited for pictures.  For the cocktail hour I switched to electro swing (20’s jazz blended with current dance beats).  After pics were taken, Jackee and Adam were ready for their grand entrance.  I introduced them to “Home” by Edward Sharpe and they made their way to the dance floor for their first dance to “Bring Your Love To Me” by The Avett Brothers.

 

We had a couple toasts and then went right onto dancing to Motown & oldies, some line dances, 90’s hip hop & dance music.  We ended the night with Adam and his friends singing “Friends In Low Places” and a filled dance floor to “Ice Ice Baby” and “Poison” until their last dance to “Time Of Your Life” by Green Day.

What a fun bride and groom and their daughters couple not be more wonderful!  Thank you Jackee and Adam and congratulations!

Gina & Zach’s wedding at The Sutherland on March 21st

I could not have been more flattered when Gina asked me to be her DJ!  She is a professional wedding planner and hears the best (and sometimes worst) DJ’s every weekend!  I also got a change to work with some of my favorite fellow vendors in Megan & Kailey from A Southern Soiree, Christobal from Azul Photography, Phil, Jess & Lucy from Twenty-One Films, Kevin from Rocky Top Catering and of course Jennifer and Ashlee from The Sutherland!!!! They (Gina) chose Wake Forest’s charming Sutherland for both ceremony and reception and a gorgeous 68 degree day!  As guests made their way to their seats for the ceremony, I had a mix of Vitamin String Quartet playing classical versions of pop and rock songs.  The wedding party entered to an instrumental of Ben Folds “The Luckiest” and Gina and her father entered to a beautiful piano piece called “Begin Again” by The Piano Guys. After a short ceremony with hand written vows by Gina and Zach, the ceremony concluded and they recessed to and instrumental of “Young, Wild & Free” by Snoop Dogg.. LOL!!

Guests made their was around the house to the grooms terrace for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and I had a mix of classic rock, country, standards and classic soul playing.  After some pics were taken, the 180 guests found their way to their tables in the pavilion and I went into the house to line the wedding party up.  I knew this was going to be a great reception!!  The wedding party entered to Jimi Hendrix “Purple Haze” because Gina & Zach both went to ECU (and got me ECU pirate cufflinks as a gift!).  Each couple danced into the pavilion and went right to the head table.  Gina and Zach entered to “All I Do Is Win” to thunderous applause and into their first dance (well, now it was their second) to “You’re My Best friend” by Queen.  They thanked everyone for coming and the plated salads came out and food stations opened.

 

After dinner, we had toasts my some bridesmaid (fav Melissa Sayre that brought me brownies!) and Tyler, the best man.  I invited guests to the house to watch Gina and Zach cut the cake, then back to the pavilion for Gina’s dance with her father to “Little Miss Magic” by Jimmy Buffet and Zach & his mom’s dance to “Freebird” LOL!!

I opened the floor with Motown and beach that filled it for the next 2 hours to oldies, disco, 80’s, current dance music and some sing-a-longs.  I mean FILLED!!!  We paused briefly for a garter toss to “Danger Zone” and bouquet toss to “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Motley Crue.  After the garter toss, I played “Bohemian Rhapsody” for Zach and his boys that sang the whole song with their arms around each other!!  The night ended with the last dance to “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue and a confetti Canon and sparkler exit.

What a fantastic night and I had an absolute blast!!! Thank you Gina & Zach for everything!

Alicia & Randy’s (not me) wedding at The Umstead on March 20th

In my 32 years as a professional DJ, this was one of the smallest and most fun weddings I have DJ’d.  Alicia and Randy had their ceremony in the back lawn of The Umstead overlooking a pond.  There were only 20 guests at their wedding, but they had the fun of 100!   After their short ceremony was over, guests made their way to the cocktail hour in the hall in front of the reception room.  I had a mix of soft rock, country, standards and classic soul playing as hors d’oeuvres were passed.

The doors to the room opened and guests made their way to one of four tables.  I introduced Alicia and Randy (who is a Navy Chief!) into the room to “Danger Zone” from Top Gun (get it??)  and they came in and right to the floor for their first dance to “Moonlight Serenade” by Glen Miller.  This is one of my favorite big band songs BTW.  Randy’s sister-in-law then sang an amazing version of “The National Anthem” and the individually served soup, salad and entrée’s came out.  For dinner I continued the same mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had the cake cutting to “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers (another of my favorite songs ever).  I knew this crowd was ready to dance and I wanted to make sure I utilized photographer Michael Moss’s time so filled the floor on the first song with “We Are Family” and then mixed into “Celebration”.  This small crown danced for the next 3 hours without 1 line dance!  I couldn’t believe it!  I played lots of oldies, 70’s, 80’s, current top 40 and even some club music for Alicia’s sister and her husband.

I ended the night with surprises for Randy and Alicia.  For Randy I played the Oklahoma fight song and followed that up with Notre Dame’s fight song for Alicia, then ended the night with Semisonic’s “Closing Time”.  What a fun night and I was honored to be their DJ!  Congratulations Alicia and Randy and thank you for your service to our country Randy!!

Kayla & Riley’s wedding at The Grand Marquise Ballroom in Garner NC

Kayla and Riley chose Garner NC’s beautiful Grand Marquise Ballroom for both ceremony and reception on March 14^th.  It was a little rainy, but that did not damper the spirits of this wedding in the least!  I provided mic’s and music for the ceremony inside the ballroom and was thrilled to be working with planner Monica Noa from Nouveau Events, photographers from Carolina MediaStar and videographer John Carter from Perfect Day Images!

The guests arrived to the ballroom for the ceremony and I had light classical music playing.  The ceremony was ready to take place and I played “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring” for the grandparents and parents to walk down the isle to which was lined with beautiful red roses by Dogwood Tree Floral.  Before the wedding party came down the isle, vocalist Barbra Glasgow sang an amazing version of  “Ave Maria” and the wedding party entered to “Canon In D”.  After everyone was in their places, the doors to the ballroom opened again and Kayla and her father entered to “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri.  They had a wonderful service by minister Jack Glasgow that included a lighting of the unity candle while Barbra sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and an exit to “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz.  Guests made their way to the hall for cocktails and the staff flipped the room for dinner and dancing.

 

Guests made their way back into the ballroom for dinner and found their tables.  I introduced the wedding party to “Uptown Funk” and each couple danced into the room.  It was hilarious!  Then, Kayla and Riley came from the top of the stairs and down to the dance floor to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and had their first dance to “
You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins.  Kayla then danced with her father to “My Little Girl” and Riley escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to “Because You Loved Me”.  I invited Conrad Kader up to bless the meal and the plated salads came out followed by the opening of the buffet.  During dinner I had a mix of soft rock and classic soul playing.

After dinner we had toasts by the best man, maid of honor, both Kayla & Riley’s fathers and a thank you by Riley, then a cake blessing by Neville Peters & the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”.  We paused for some group shots that concluded with all the guests behind Kayla & Riley and I opened the floor with “My Girl” that filled the floor for the last hour of dancing to oldies, 90’s, a few line dances (including Riley’s father doing an awesome “Gangnam Style”!)  The night ended with Kayla and Riley’s last dance to “All Of Me” that had them singing it to each other like they were the only 2 in the room.  So sweet!  Guests made their way outside for the sparkler exit to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”.

What a fun group and a great reception!  Thank you Kayla & Riley and all my fantastic fellow vendors!

Top photo courtesy of John Carter with Perfect Day Images

Ashley & James’s Reception at Washington Duke Inn

Ashley and James chose Durham’s Washington Duke Inn for their cocktail hour following a beautiful ceremony at Duke chapel on March 8^th, 2015.  I was thrilled to be working with the Inn’s Beth Pendergrass & photographers Brian Mullins and Jenn Aan again!  Guests started arriving for the cocktail hour in the front hall and I had a mix of soft rock playing with a few country songs scattered in.  I was witness to Ashley and James sneak peak of the room before everyone came in and it made the whole day worth it!  She was so surprised to see that Ashley Cakes had surprised her with a little grey kitty on the back of her cake just like her own!

The cocktail hour ended and the 125 guests started coming into the room.  I lined the wedding party up in the hallway and got them ready for their introductions to “L.O.V.E.” by Michael Buble and Ashley and James came right to the dance floor for their first dance to “Beautiful” by MercyMe.  They took their seats and Ashley’s father said a very heartfelt welcome to everyone followed by a blessing by pastor Peter Park.  The food stations opened and I continued a soft rock & country mix. 

After dinner we had a few toasts and the Ashley’s Cake cutting to “Everything” by Michael Buble.  Ashley joined her father on the floor for their dance to “I Loved Her First” and James escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to “Remember Me” by Mark Schultz.  There really wasn’t a dry eye in the room after these dances.  I opened the floor with a longest married couple dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra that Ashley presented a beautiful bouquet to the winners of 52 years married! Some oldies, top 40 and 90’s music kept Ashley, James and their friends dancing until the end of the night.  We paused briefly for her bouquet toss to “Style” by Taylor Swift.  Their last dance was “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and they had a rose petal exit on their way to their get away car.  What a nice and sweet couple and I loved seeing the huge grin on Ashley’s face all night!  I knew she felt and looked like a princess.  Congratulations!

Black & white photo courtesy of Brian Mullins Photography