A Winter Wedding In Downtown Raleigh

My first wedding of December was for Mary Helen and Jeff.  They had their ceremony at All Saints Chapel which is the perfect little white church and located in downtown Raleigh.  The reception was held just a few blocks away at 214 Martin Street and I provided music for both.

As guests arrived to All Saints I had a mix of classical music playing.  I also ran their mics from the balcony.  The Chapel looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Kelly Odom. The parents entered to “Meditations From Thais” by Yo Yo Ma and the wedding party to “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring”. Mary Helen and her Father entered to “Canon In D”. After a short service by Reverend Dr Sanders and a reading by Jeff’s Father, they recessed to “Andante” from Handel’s Water Music.  The guests loaded into the Raleigh Trolly and headed over to 214 Martin for the reception.

As the guests arrived for the cocktail hour I had a mix of Pop, standards and classic soul playing.  After pics and video were taken Tiffany Johnson Photography and  Cinema Film, the linens opened and guests found their seats.  I lined the wedding party up with help from Jessica from Chad Biggs Events and got them ready for introductions.  They came into the room to “Intro” by indie rock band The XX and Mary Helen and Jeff had their first dance to “Coming Home” by my fav singer Leon Bridges.  Mary Helen’s Father welcomed everyone and Dr Sanders blessed the meal.  The salads and entrees came out and I went right back to music.  

After dinner we had the toasts and parents dances.  Mary Helen and her Father danced to “My Girl” and there was a loud “awe” as soon as the song started.  Jeff and his Mother took the floor for their dance that caught everyone off guard, even her.  They danced to Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.  So great!!!  We had an anniversary dance after that to The Beatles’ “In My Life” with the winners married 52 years.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and lots of top 40 that filled it within 2 songs.

We paused for the Ashley Cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”, then back to dancing until the bouquets and garter toss.  For the bouquet toss I played “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and garter “Another One Bites The Dust”.  All the Bridesmaids came out with their faux furs and danced with Mary Helen to “Thrift Shop”.  So funny!!!  Then, back to dancing to some 80’s and more current top 40 till the end of the night.

We ended with a packed dance floor and their last dance to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen before a sparkler exit.  Thank you so much Mary Helen and Jeff and congratulations!!!

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Johnson Phoptography