Sarah & Alex’s Surprise Wedding At The Stockroom In Raleigh NC on February 19th

People who know me know how much I love a great practical joke and surprising the people I love, especially at a wedding.  I was thrilled to be in on Sarah & Alex’s surprise to their 100 family members and friends on February 19^th at the historic Stockroom at 230 in downtown Raleigh NC with planner Katie from La Fete and Photographer Graham Terhune!

As guests entered the room for what they thought was an engagement party dinner, they were greeted by Sarah in her wedding dress and Alex in his suit.  SURPRISE!! We’re actually getting married right now!!  The guests found their seats for the ceremony and I had a mix of classical versions of pop songs playing.  The parents and small wedding party walked down the aisle to “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring” and Sarah and her father to “Canon In D”.  After a short ceremony by minister Kayelily MIddleton the wedding party recessed to “Gimme Some Lovin’” by Spencer Davis.  The guests made their way to the Mahler Gallery next door for cocktails and the staff at The Stockroom got it ready for dinner and dancing.

 

The guests made their way back upstairs and I introduced Sarah and Alex to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne.  They came in to very loud cheering and to the floor for their first dance to “How Long Will I Love You” by Ellie Goulding.  Sarah then danced with her father to “My Girl” and Alex and his mother to “The Man You’ve Become”.  Sarah’s father took the mic for a heartfelt welcome and blessed the meal.  The individually served salads and entrées came out by caterers PoshNosh and I played a mix of soft rock, standards ad classic soul during dinner.

After dinner we had the Edible Arts cake cutting to “Sugar, Sugar” and opened the floor with some Motown and oldies.  Through the night I played a lot of 80’s, some current hits and some 90’s hip-hop.  The night ended with “Save The Last Dance” by Michael Buble.

What a fun wedding and a great surprise.  Thank you Sarah, Alex & Katie!

Kristen & Austin’s Romantic Wedding at Market Hall in Downtown Raleigh on February 13th, 2016

Kristen & Austin chose to have both their wedding ceremony and reception at the historic Market Hall in Downtown Raleigh on February 13^th, the day before Valentine’s Day.  I provided music and mic’s for the ceremony as well as the cocktail hour and reception.  As guests arrived for the ceremony I had a classical mix playing.  It was time for the ceremony to start and the 150 guests found their seats with help from planner Kathy from Sally Oakley Events.  The Grandparents and Parents walked down the aisle to “Ode To Joy”, Austin and the groomsmen to “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” by Chris Rice, the bridesmaids to “Canon In D” and finally Kristen & her father to Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain’s version of “The Bridal March”.  After a short ceremony with a few readings, they recessed to chorus of “Islands In The Stream” LOL.  So great! 

The guests made their way to the bar for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, the staff flipped the room and photographer Philip Herndon got some pics of the wedding party in the room and outside on the cobblestone streets.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of soft rock and country playing.  After pics were done and the room was flipped, guests found their seats and it was time to introduce the wedding party.

I introduced each couple to a different song including the ushers, ring bearers, Parents and Austin’s Grandparents.  They came to the dance floor and lined along the back wall.  Kristen & Austin entered to “You’re My Best friend” by Queen and had their first dance to The Avett Brothers “Offering”.  They took their seats and Karen’s Aunt blessed the meal. During the buffet dinner I had another mix of soft rock and country playing.

 

After dinner we had toasts by the maid of honor and best man and the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor.  Kristen’s father then joined her on the floor for their dance to “I Loved Her First” and Austin escorted his mother nicely to the floor for their dance to the beach music hit “Ocean Boulevard”.   I invited all the married couples to join them after that for an anniversary dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra with Austin’s Grandparents winning at 65 years married!  That may be the longest I have ever had.  I opened the floor with Motown and top 40 that filled it for the next 3 hours!  I played everything from country line dances, top 40, oldies, 90’s hip-hop and some 80’s sing alongs.  We ended the night with Wilson Phillip’s “Hold On” and finally “Wagon Wheel” before the sparkler exit.  This was one of my favorite weddings!  Thank you Kristen, Austin & Kathy!

Katherine & Tommy’s Wedding At The Carolina Inn on February 6th, 2016

Katherine and Tommy chose the historic Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill for their reception on February 6^th.  It was a little chilly, but a beautiful day none the less. Their ceremony was held earlier in the afternoon at St Thomas More Church, giving photographer Warren McCormack time to get some pics and guests a little break before heading over to the Inn for cocktails, dinner and dancing.

 

The cocktail hour was held outside the Old Well Room and I had a mix of standards playing for the 120 guests.  The doors to the ballroom opened towards the end of the cocktail hour and guests found their seats.  The black and white room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Tre Bella!  I lined the wedding party up with help from the Inn’s Kristen (Fav).  The wedding party entered to Harry Connick’s instrumental version of  “It Had To Be You” and they lined up in front of the head table. Katherine and Tommy came in to maybe the loudest welcome I have heard and right to the floor for their first dance to Louis Armstrong’s version of “La Vie En Rose”.  I love his version!  After that the guests took their seats and Katherine danced with her father to “I Loved Her First” and Tommy escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to “What A Wonderful World”.  Katherine’s father then welcomed everyone and Monsignor Clay blessed the meal.  The food stations opened in the next room and I played a mix of soft rock, standards and classic soul during dinner.

After dinner we had a hilarious toast by the best man and very sweet toast by the Maid Of Honor, then the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor.  I invited the married guests to the floor to share a “longest married couple” dance with Katherine and Tommy to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra with the winners at 47 years married!  After that some Motown, line dances, 80’s and current top 40 filled the floor for the next 2 ½ hours. 

Before ending the night, we had a bouquet toss to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and finally a huge sing a long circle to “Sweet Carolina” and “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing.  Guests made their way to the front lobby for the glowstick exit and grabbed delicious Duck Donuts as a parting favor.  What a fun night and one of the sweetest couples I have played for.  Thank you Katherine and Tommy and congratulations!