A Merrimon-Wynne Summer Wedding

Lee and Amy’s wedding at the historic Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh was full of surprises for the guests and me.  They are such a fun couple and I was thrilled to be their wedding DJ on June 24^th!

The Wedding Ceremony 

The ceremony was held on the side lawn and Sally with Sally Oakley Weddings & Events made a brilliant decision to start early to beat the rain.  I’m so glad she did!!  As the guests found their seats I had a mix classical versions of pop songs playing.  Lee & the wedding party entered to “Superman Theme” (LOL!! Lee’s choice was perfect!) and Amy entered to The Bridal March.  After a short service they recessed to “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Vitamin String Quartet and guests went into the house for the cocktail hour and to beat the rain.

The Introduction 

After pics were taken by photographer Edde Burgess and video by the amazing Nathan from Oak City Films, the guests made their way to the carriage house for dinner and dancing.  I introduced the wedding party to “Let My Love Open The Door” and they came in for their first dance.  They had their dance to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” and then welcomed everyone.  The buffet opened and I had a mix of rock, country and standards playing.

The Dancing

After dinner we had the toasts and Amy & Lee went in the house for the private cake cutting.  They had 5 cakes for guests to choose from all made by Hayes Barton Cafe.  So great!!  After that they came back into the carriage house for the second surprise.  Lee serenaded Amy to Michael Buble’s “Everything”.  He did an amazing job and everyone loved it!  I invited the married couples to the floor and had an anniversary dance to Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight”.  “My Girl” and some disco followed and filled the floor for the next 3 hours.  Amy literally danced to every song all night!  I even saw an older gentleman dancing shirtless to “Hot In Herre”!!  Classic!!!  We ended the night with “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing and finally “Good Riddance” by Green Day for their last song before a sparkler exit.

What a fun reception and wonderful couple!  Thank you Lee, Amy & Sally!

A Soldiers Wedding At The Umstead In Cary | DJ Randy B

I was honored to be James & Lauren’s wedding DJ at one of my favorite venues, The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on June 17th, 2017. James is in the Army as were some guests and groomsmen.  

Their ceremony was held in the picturesque back lawn of The Umstead with music provided by Arioso Strings that always do an amazing job!  After a short ceremony, the 140 guests made their way to the reception area. Cocktail, passed hors d’oeuvres and music again by Arioso Strings welcomed them.  After pics were taken by Cara from F8 Photo Studios, the doors to the ballroom opened and guests found their seats with help from The Umstead’s Amanda and A Southern Soiree’s Alyssa..  The room looked & smelled amazing with floral arrangements by Tre Bella!

I introduced the wedding party to “Downtown” by Macklemore and Lauren & James came in to loud applause.  They took their seats and Lauren’s Father welcomed everyone followed by a blessing by her Godfather.  The 3 course meal came out and I had a mix of rock, classic soul, country & standards playing.  After each course we had a different toast that made the time fly by.  After all the toasts and a thank you from James & Lauren, we had the Cinda’s Cake cutting to “Lucky”.  They made their way to the dance floor for their first dance to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis and then the parents dances. Lauren danced with her Father to “Father & Daughter” by Paul Simon & James & his Mother to “Sweet Baby James”.  I opened the floor to everyone with motown that filled it instantly.  I cleared the floor for a flash mob dance to “Uptown Funk” that her Aunt started.  It was so fun and really set the tone for how fun this reception was going to be!  The floor stayed packed after that for the rest of the night.  I think I even saw a few sets of feet in the air from the dance floor at a couple points toward the end of the night.  

We paused for the bouquet toss to “Love On Top” and garter toss to “Fat Bottom Girls”.  Some classic rock sing a longs ended the night with the last song of “Rosalita” by Bruce Springsteen.  Thank you so much Lauren, James, Amanda & Alyssa.  I had a blast and loved every minute of the reception!  AND, thank you James and other military for your service to our country!!!!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

A Washington Duke Inn Wedding in Durham

Meredith and Dan are such a nice couple and I was thrilled to be their wedding DJ at The Washington Duke Inn on June 10th!  I was also very excited to work with Angie from The Inn, photographers Jenn and James Walters, planner Amanda Scott from A Swanky Affair  and florist Watered Garden!

After a short ceremony at Duke Chapel, the 100 guests made their way across campus to the Washington Duke Inn for the cocktail hour and reception.  The cocktail hour was held in the hall outside of the ballroom and I had a mix of classic soul ,soft rock and standards playing.  As the social hour was ending the doors to the ballroom opened and I invited guests to find their seats.  I left music playing and went out to line up the wedding party with help from Amanda.

They were introduced into the room to “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness (LOVE that song!!!) and Meredith & Dan to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”.  They came to the floor and had their first dance to a live version of Roberta Flack’s hit “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”.  I love that song a lot, but may like this version even better! They took their seats and Meredith’s Father welcomed everyone.  The salads and entrees came out and I had the same music mix playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “L.O.V.E.” by Nat King Cole and then was the epic Father/Daughter dance!!!  It started with “Unforgettable” by Natalie & Nat King Cole.  After a minute Dan & his Mother joined them for the remainder of the song.  The song faded out and they left the floor..BUT, it wasn't done.  a record scratch sound effect caught everyone off guard and then I went into a medley of “The Twist”, “Thriller”, “Bye, Bye,Bye” and “The Wobble” that I made special for them.  Then, went into the ending of  “Carolina In My Mind” to finish it out.  Her Father was such a great sport and was having a blast!  You could tell he practiced it and did a great job.  I invited all the married couples to the floor for an anniversary dance to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” with Dan’s Grandparents winning.  I opened the floor to everyone with Motown and Top 40 that filled it for the next 2 hours.

I ended the night with “Sweet Caroline” and finally “At Last” by Etta James.  They made an exit down the hall to wedding wands before the after party at Alivia’s in downtown Durham.  What a fun night and great crowd to DJ for!  Thank you Meredith & Dan and congratulations.

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Photo courtesy of James Walters Photography

A Plantation Wedding at Highgrove Estate

After dating for 11 years, Courtney and Tripp made their way down the aisle for their wedding at Highgrove in Fuquay Varina, NC on June 3^rd.

Their ceremony was held in the back of the estate and I provided music and a mic.  The parents came down the aisle to “Arioso” and the Bridesmaids to “Canon In D”.  Courtney came from the house and down the path with her father to the instrumental song “Feather” from Forrest Gump.  After a short ceremony they recessed to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”.  Their minister excused the 125 guests and they made their way to the back patio for cocktails. 

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, country and classic soul playing.  After pics were taken by Tara & Dave from Tara Parker Photography the doors to the ballroom opened.  I left music playing and went inside to line the wedding party up with help from Highgrove’s Amanda.  I introduced them to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake.  They came in and had their first dance to “When I Say I Do” by Clint Black.  Courtney’s Father took the mic and welcomed everyone and blessed the family style meal.  During dinner I continued the same music mix.

After dinner we had the toasts and Sweet Memories Cake cutting to “How Sweet it Is” by James Taylor.  Courtney joined her Father on the floor for their dance to “Stand By Me” and Tripp & his mother to “Do I Make You Proud”.  I opened the floor with some Motown and top 40 that filled it shortly.  The star of the dance floor for me had to be Tripp’s Father!  He was going hard all night!  I think I even saw him dancing with his tie around his head.

We ended the night with “Me And You” by Kenny Chesney and finally “Sweet Caroline” that always turns into a great sing a long.  A sparkler exit followed from the front of the house.  Thank you Courtney & Tripp and congratulations!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Libby & Richard’s Angus Barn Wedding

Libby and Richard hosted an amazing wedding celebration at Raleigh’s Angus Barn Pavilion for 160 guests, many visiting from China.  I was honored to help them celebrate and dance the night away on Memorial Day.

Their ceremony was held at the pond and I provided music and mics for that.  As the guests began being seated I had a mix of classical versions of pop songs playing.  Right before the wedding party walked down the aisle I played the dance song “Changes” by Faul & Wad.  The lyrics are perfect for a wedding.  The wedding party entered to “Canon In D” and Libby & her Father to a piano instrumental called “Hold Your Hands”.  It is beautiful!  After a short ceremony that included their hand written vows, they recessed to “I Do” by Colbie Caillat.  Their minister Corinne released the guests and they made their way to The Angus Barn’s new back patio for cocktails & passed hors d’oeuvres.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, classic soul, standards and a few Chinese ballads playing.  After pics were done by Photographer Paul Seiler and video by Jeff Brewer Films the guests made their way inside for the dinner with lots of help from planner extraordinaire Sally Oakley Events.  The room looked amazing with arrangements by Watered Garden Florist.

I introduced just Libby & Richard and they came in for their first dance that was a medley I made for them.  They welcomed everyone and the served dinners of salad, prime rib & lobster came out. AMAZING!!! During dinner the Classic Carolina Photobooth opened and guests had a blast getting funny pics made.  During dinner I had the same music mix playing as cocktails.

After dinner we had a few toasts and the dessert station opened while I opened the dance floor.  I started with some Motown and top 40, then mixed shortly into some of Richard & Libby’s favorite EDM (electronic dance music) that filled the floor!  We ended the night with a bubble exit from the front of the pavilion.  Thank you Libby, Richard & Sally!  I had a blast playing for you, your friends and Chinese family!!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Jenn & Eric’s Wedding at Durham’s Bay 7

I met Jenn & Eric last year when they attended Doug & Kristi’s wedding that I also DJd.  They had so much fun they knew I would be the perfect fit for their wedding at Bay 7 in Durham on May 28th.

Their ceremony was held on the first floor of Bay 7 at the bottom of the stairs.  As the 160 guests arrived I had a mix of classical pop songs playing.  The Parents entered to “Over The Rainbow” and Groomsmen to “Home” both by The Piano Guys.  The Bridesmaids entered to a piano version of “A Thousand Years” and Jenn & her Father to “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele.  During the ceremony officiated by their friend Andrew, they had a reading and a beautiful vocal performance of Ingrid Michaelson’s cover of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by their friend Karla.  She was so great! After the ceremony they recessed to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by The Piano Guys.

The cocktail hour was held upstairs on the second floor and during it I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul and standards playing.  Guests enjoyed drinks, the vegetable & cheese station and passed hors d’oeuvres. Photographer Cole Gorman from Blest Studios got some great shots of the wedding party during the cocktail hour.

After the cocktail hour I invited guests to their seats and went upstairs to say hi to the new Bride & Groom.  I introduced just them to “Here Comes The Sun” and they came in for their first dance to the classic soul song “Make Me Yours” by Bettye Swann.  Jenn’s & Eric’s Fathers welcomed everyone and the food stations opened.  During dinner I played the same music mix.

After dinner we had the toasts and parents dances.  Jenn danced with her Father to “Days Like This” by Van Morrison and Eric and his Mother to “Carolina In My Mind”.  The dessert station opened and I opened the floor with some Motown & Top 40 that filled it very shortly.  For the next 2 hours the floor stayed packed to oldies, Top 40 and some 90’s & 2000’s hip-hop & dance music.

We ended the night with ”Dance With Me Tonight” by Olly Murs and guests made their way next door for an after party at Tyler’s Taproom.  What a fun night and great group to play for.  Thank you Jenn & Eric and it was great to see Kristi & Doug again!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB