Alissa & Ryan’s Awesome Dance Party at The Garden On Millbrook

Alissa and Ryan originally wanted to have their outdoor ceremony and indoor reception at The Garden on Millbrook in Raleigh on September 26^th, but mother nature had other plans.  No problem, they moved the ceremony inside and continued with their plans.  The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Andrew Ettin and he did a fantastic job!  As guests arrived I had a mix of Vitamin String Quartet playing classical versions of rock songs.  The wedding party walked down the aisle to “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Alissa & her father to Pater Gabriel’s “Book Of Love”.  Alissa and Ryan recessed to Edward Sharpe’s “40 Day Dream” and guests made their way to the bar at the back of the room for cocktails as the staff flipped the room for dinner.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of Motown and classic soul playing.

The room was ready for dinner and pics were taken by photographer Lauren Waterhouse, so it was time to announce the wedding party.  The 150 guests found their seats and introduced the wedding party into the room to “Another One Bites The Dust” and Alissa & Ryan to an instrumental of “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster The People.  They came to the dance floor and had their first dance to “Grow Old With You” by Adam Sandler.  The wedding party took their seats and Alissa danced with her father to “You Are My Sunshine” that he used to sing to her as a child.  So sweet!  Ryan escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to The Beatles “In My Life” and both sets of fathers blessed the bread.  The buffet opened and I played a mix of classic and soft rock.

I knew this was going to be a great dancing crowd because towards the end of dinner guests started dancing to “Moondance”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” and Sinatra before I officially opened the floor.  We had a few toasts (including 2 jokes that I have told probably 500 times each) and the Sweet Memories cake cutting to “I Can’t Help Myself”.  I opened the floor with the “Hora Medley” that packed the floor for the next 2 hours.  It was a great way to start this dance party off!  For the next 2 hours they danced to line dances, oldies, some current top 40 & Hip-Hop and of course some sing a long songs at the end.

We ended the night with “Silhouette” by Milkman.  I had never heard it but love this dance song!  I invited guests outside for the bubble exit since the rain had stopped and said goodbye to Alissa & Ryan.  I had such a great time with this crown.  There were times when the dance floor was so packed you could not fit another on it.  Thank you Alissa & Ryan and congratulations.