A Beautiful Wedding At Duke Gardens

Allison and Paul first heard me play back in 2015 when they attended their friends Amelia and Evan’s wedding that I DJd. I was so thrilled to be their DJ on October 21st at Duke Gardens and see Amelia and Evan again!

Their ceremony was held in the back amphitheater and I ran mics for their officiant, Paul, 2 readers, a singer and guitar.  As the 140 guests arrived they were treated to live music by a harpist.  After their very touching and personal ceremony, the guests recessed to “The End” by The Beatles.  They made their way to the lawn and patio area for the cocktail hour and I started a music mix of classic standards.

After pics were taken by Caroline Lima Photography and video by Jon Clark, I invited guests to find their seats on the patio for dinner with help from planners Grace Leisure Events.  It was beautiful out with an open air tent that had market lights hung inside it and floral arrangements by Tre Bella.  Allison’s Father gave a heartfelt welcomed to everyone and Franklin Golden blessed the meal.  The Sage and Swift buffet opened inside and I played a mix of light classic music during dinner.  

After dinner we had toasts on the patio, and I invited guests into the ballroom for dancing.  I introduced the wedding party to “All I Do Is Win” and they danced in as a huge group.  I introduced Alli and Paul to “Moonage Daydream” by David Bowie and they came in for their first dance to “Christmas In The Room” by Sufjan Stevens.  She then danced with her Father to “I Got My Mind Set On You” by George Harrison.  She had a huge grin on her face and they were having the best time!!  Paul danced with his Mother to “What A Wonderful World”.  I invited all the married couples to join them for an anniversary dance next to “Unchained Melody” with the winners at 48 years married.  

I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown ad Top 40 that filled it instantly. For the next 2 hours they danced to lots of early 2000’s hits, Top 40, classic rock and some oldies.  We paused for the Details Cake Design cutting to “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka, then Allison grabbed Paul to dance and sing to the rest of it.  So sweet!!!  Back to dancing until the end of the night.  We ended with “Last Dance” and I invited guests to the front for a sparkler exit.  Then, comes the sweetest moment of the night.  After everyone had left the ballroom, they had a private last dance with the lights off to “I Want You To Be My Lover” by Over The Rhine.  No one was in the room except them for the song.  As it ended I walked back in and they truly weren’t ready for the night to end.  As a DJ, that’s all you can ask for really!

Thank you Allison, Paula and Grace and thank you for the wonderful memories!

Photo courtesy of Caroline Lima Photography

An Amazing Wedding at The City Tavern Club In DC

I was so honored to be asked to DJ Katy and Jordan’s wedding ceremony and reception at the historic City Tavern Club in DC on October 14^th.  Their wedding planner, the amazing Cara from Belle Fete Events, referred them to me and I’m thrilled she did!

The ceremony was held on the first floor in the Great Hall.  The 100 guests arrived and I had a mix of classical music playing.  They soon took their seats and it was time for the ceremony to begin.  The wedding party entered to “Jesu, Joy Of man’s Desiring” and Katy & her Father to “Canon In D”.  After a short service they recessed to “Better Together” by Jack Johnson.  Their officiant invited guests to the 3th floor Bliss Room for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres and I ran up to start the music.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock and classic soul playing.  The room is beautiful with hardwood floors and an outdoor patio that guests enjoyed due to the perfect weather.  After pics were taken by photographer Corrine from Finn Lively Photography, the wedding party came up to join the cocktail hour.  After the cocktail hour I invited guests back down to the Great Room for dinner that had been flipped by the staff and Cara. 

I introduced just Katy & Jordan to “Crazy In Love” and their Fathers welcomed everyone.  The buffet opened and I played more rock and classic soul during dinner.  After dinner we had a couple toasts and the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”.  After the cake was served the dessert bar opened, the guests finished their meal and I invited them back up to the 3^rd floor for dancing.

When everyone was in the Bliss Room Katy & Jordan had their first dance to “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5.  They had a combined parents dance to “Constellations” by Jack Johnson and I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and oldies.  The floor packed during the first dance and stayed that way for the next 2 ½ hours.  It was an awesome playlist filled with lots of early 2000’s dance and rock, some current top 40 with a few oldies.  It was great to see everyone singing along with every song all night!!  I ended the night with “Don’t Stop Believin’” before they went on to the after party at Martin’s.

I had the best time at this wedding and was so glad I was able to do it!  Thank you Cara, Katy & Jordan!

Photo courtesy of Finn Lively Photography

Shira’s Dance Party Wedding At The Umstead Hotel

Shira and Josh knew they wanted to have a fun dance party wedding at The Umstead Hotel on October 8^th, and boy did they!!  I was beyond thrilled to work with some of my favorite co-vendors in A Southern Soiree, Azul Photography, Twenty-One Films, Tre Bella, Sugarland, Arioso Strings and Zim Zoom Photo booth.

The ceremony was held on the side lawn overlooking a beautiful pond.  The rain held off just long enough for the ceremony.  Arioso Strings was there to provide music again.  After the ceremony the 160 guests made their way inside for the cocktail hour.

After the cocktail hour was over and pics were taken by Christobal, Megan invited guests into the ballroom for dinner and dancing.  I introduced only Shira  and Josh to “Crazy In Love” and they came in for their first dance to “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” by Stevie Wonder.  His Grandfathers blessed the bread and meal and the soups salads and entrees came out.  During dinner I had a mix of rock, classic soul and standards playing.

After dinner we had the cake cutting to ‘When I’m Sixty Four” and toasts before opening the floor with the Hora medley.  It was amazing to see 150 people jump to their feet and join in within a minute!  Some Motown for their parents kept everyone out there and soon I was into some top 40 dance music.  I had them dancing had for the next 2 hours to top 40, 80’s and some 2000’s throw backs.  We ended the night with “With You” by Chris Brown and finally “The Girl From Ipanema” for Shira’s Father.  After that, I invited the guests to join Shira and Josh in the hotel bar.

What a fun night and awesome group to play for!  Thank you Shira, Josh, Amanda and Megan!

Photo Courtesy of Azul Photography

A Wedding To Remember at The Carolina Inn

Hollis and Rolondo chose Chapel Hill’s Historic Carolina Inn for their wedding ceremony and reception.  Although it was a little hectic when I got there during a home UNC Football game and raining outside, the Kristen and the staff were working hard to make sure everything ran perfectly!

Their ceremony was moved inside due to rain with music provided by Arioso Strings. As usual, they did an amazing job.  After the ceremony that included the vows in English and Spanish, planner Kelley Ann from A Southern Soiree invited guests to the hallway for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.  Photographer Caroline Lima took Hollis, Rolo and the wedding party away for some pics.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of classical and standards playing.  After pics were taken, the doors to the ballroom opened and I invited the 80 guests to their seats.

I introduced the wedding party to “One More Time” by Daft Punk and Hollis and Rolo to “Boogie Wonderland”.  They came to the dance floor and had their first dance to “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green.  Hollis’ Father welcomed everyone and the appetizers and salads came out before the buffet opened.  During dinner I played a mix of standards and 80’s love songs.  

After dinner we had the Simply Cakes cutting to “Over The Rainbow” by IZ followed by the toasts. Hollis danced with her Father to “Have I Told You Lately” by Van Morrison and Rolo and his Mother to a Spanish cover of “Mama” originally by Il Divo. UNC’s mascot Ramesey arrived during the parent’s dances and even joined in!! So great!!  I invited the married couples to join them for an anniversary dance with the winners married 49 years. 

I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown, top 40 and Latin music that filled if for the next 3 hours.  Guests danced to top 40, Latin, lots of 80’s, some disco and oldies as well as got some funny pics at the Raleigh Photobooth Fun.  We ended the night with some sings a longs and finally Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” before a sparkler exit.  What a fun night and amazing group to play for!  Thank you Hollis, Rolo, Kelley Ann and Caroline!!

Photo Courtesy of Caroline Lima Photography

A Beautiful Wedding at Lake Lure

I was soooo honored to DJ Sarah and Zach’s wedding at The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa in the mountains!!!  Zach is the 4^th family member whose wedding I have DJd and this venue has one of the most beautiful views I have played at.

Their ceremony was held across the lake and guests walked over or took a trolley.  After the ceremony they came back over to The Inn for the cocktail hour and reception.  As guests arrived I had a mix of soft rock and classic soul playing.  I had so many guests come up and say “hey, weren’t you the DJ at…” LOL.  Yup, that was me, I’m the families personal DJ!!  After pics & video were taken by Chelsea lane Photography and Dallis Covey, planner Mandy from An English Flower Cottage told me they were ready for intros.  I introduced only Sarah and Zach to Redbone’s “Come And Get My Love” and they had their first dance to “This Years Love” by David Gray.  The view of them dancing alone with the lake and mountains in the background was so romantic!!

I invited the guests into the dining room for dinner and Sarah’s Grandfather blessed the meal.  During dinner I had a mix of indie rock, classic soul and standards playing.  After dinner we had the toasts inside the dining room and cake cutting in the lobby of the hotel to “How Sweet It Is”.  While the staff finished cutting the cake I invited guests to the porch where I was set up for the parent’s dances.

After everyone was on the porch, Sarah danced with her Father to “She’s Got A Way” by Billy Joel.  Zach escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys before I opened the floor to everyone.  For the next two hours guests danced to Motown, top 40, lots of early 2000’s hits and some hip-hop.  Since this is where they filmed Dirty Dancing, I ended the night with “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life”.  BUT, they weren’t ready to leave yet and kept screaming ONE MORE SONG!!  So, I ended with “Take Me Home, Country Roads” before the sparkler exit.

Thank you Sarah, Zach, and Mandy for everything!  It was so great to see all the cousins and play for them again!!!

An Outdoor Wedding At The Fearrington Village

Jennifer and Chris chose the beautiful Fearrington Village for their ceremony and reception on a picture perfect October 1st day!  Of course, after they had everyone run a 5K that morning with them..

The ceremony was held on a side garden under a beautiful tree.  They had a live violinist provide music and he was just amazing!!  I provided a mic for readers and their officiant Adam.  The ceremony was wonderful and included communion for the 70 guests.  After the ceremony Adam invited guests to the patio next to the Garden Terrace for cocktails.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of jazz, standards, bluegrass and classic soul playing.  I loved the mix!!  After pics were taken by Jack and Adrienne from Morton Photography the wedding party joined them for drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres.  I introduced only Jennifer & Chris and they came to the patio for their first dance to Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet”.  I LOVE that album so much!!  I invited guests into the open-air garden terrace for a welcome, blessing and dinner.  The food station opened and I played the same music mix.

After dinner we had toasts and the parents dances still inside the garden terrace.  Jennifer and her Father danced to “Isn’t She Lovely” and Chris & his Mother to “My Wish”.  Jennifer likes Stevie….ALOT!! LOL.  I invited the married couples back out to the patio to have an anniversary dance before opening it to everyone.  They danced to “The Way You Look Tonight’ with the longest married couple being 65 years married!!  Beach, Motown and 70’s kept everyone out on the floor for the next hour until we paused for the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”.  Back to dancing to some 80’s and current until the end of the night.  It is so beautiful under the stars and trees with market lights overhead!

We ended the night with some sing a longs before “Still The One” by Orleans and finally “You Are The Best Thing”.  They had a Rickshaw exit to finalize the night.  Thank you Jennifer and Chris and Chris, thank you for your service to our country!

Photo courtesy of Morton Photography