A Pavilion At Carriage Farm Wedding for Whitney and David

I met Whitney an David a year ago and liked them right from the beginning.  They remind me of my family back in Western NY and Pennsylvania. I was thrilled when they hired me to DJ their wedding ceremony and reception at The Pavilion at Carriage Farm on September 9th!

The ceremony was held inside in front of the pavilions beautiful stone fireplace. I ran mics for their Pastor and David as well as the music.  As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of classical piano covers playing.  Just before the grandparents entered I played a beautiful piano song called “10,000 Reasons” by Jim Brickman.  The grandparents and parents entered to his “Grace Medley”. The wedding party entered to a cover of “Perfect” by The Piano Guys and Whitney to “A Thousand Years” also by The Piano Guys.  During the service they had a unity cross braid to “I Choose You” by Ryann Darling.  After the service they recessed to “Smile” by Uncle Kracker.  Their Pastor invited everyone outside for refreshments while the staff flipped the room for dinner. 

I had a speaker outside for the social hour and had a mix of rock, country and classic soul playing.  After pics and video were taken by Ashley and Bill from Bow Tie Collaborative and Phil and Anna from Twenty-One Films, planner Andrea from Hobnob Occasions welcomed everyone back inside for dinner. I left music playing and lined the wedding party up for introductions.  I introduced them to “This Will be (An Everlasting Love)” and Whitney and David came in and right to their sweetheart table for a blessing by Pastor Pearce.  The Old North State Catering buffet opened and I went back to music. The food was amazing! Fried chicken, green beans with bacon, mac & cheese…YUM!!  Now i’m hungry again.. ugh.

After dinner we had the toasts and first dance to the solo version of “From This Moment” by Shania Twain.  David danced with his Mother to “How Sweet It is” and Whitney and her Mother shared the sweetest dance to “Mama’s Song” by Carrie Underwood.  We had an anniversary dance to “Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart that was neck and neck between 2 couples married just a year apart.  Finally 39 years married was the winners!! The Simply Cakes cutting to "Perfect" was the last thing before I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and beach, top 40, line dances and 80’s.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and garter toss to “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars.

I ended the night with “Happy” before a sparkler exit. Thank you Whitney, David, Tammy and Andrea and congratulations!

A Rose Hill Plantation Wedding For Alexis and Andrew

What a beautiful wedding and the sweetest couple!  Alexis and Andrew’s wedding at Rose Hill Plantation on September 8th was a dream come true!

Their ceremony was held in the front of the house on the front porch with huge white pillars.  I ran mics for their officiant, Andrew and for a reading by a bridesmaid. The music was covered by violinist Udeshi Hargett that always does an amazing job!  After the ceremony the 200 guests were invited to the back of the property for cocktails by planner Chad from Chad Biggs Event Planning and Design.  Udeshi provided music during the cocktail hour as well.

After pics and video were taken by Brandon from Southern Love Studios and Elijah from Morgan Scott Films, the doors to the ballroom opened. The room was breathtaking with floral arrangements by Expressions Of Love! After everyone had found their seats I introduced the wedding party to “Best Love Song” by T-Pain.  Alexis and Andrew came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Never Seen Anything” by The Script.  They welcomed everyone, her Father gave a speech and their officiant blessed the meal.  The salads and entrees came out and I had a mix of classic soul rock, standards and country playing.

After dinner we started with the parents dances.  Alexis and her Father danced to “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” by Michael Buble.  It was so cute!  She was giggling the whole time with a smile that never ends.  Andrew and his Mother (who I worked closely with when I practiced real estate) danced to “Loves Me Like A Rock” next followed by the toasts. After the toasts we had the 5 tier Ashley Cake cutting to “Marry You”. I invited the single ladies to the floor and Alexis soon joined them for the bouquet toss to “Where Dem Girls At”.  The garter removal and toss was next to “Come & Get It” by Selena Gomez.  I invited the married couples to the floor for an anniversary dance to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and then opened the floor to everyone.

I opened the floor with some Motown and Top 40, then 80’s that kept the floor packed until the end of the night.  We ended with “Shut Up and Dance” and a sparkler exit from the front of the building.  Thank you for everything Alexis, Andrew, Angie and Chad!  I was so excited for this wedding that I’m sad it’s over.

A Meadows At Firely Farm Wedding For Lucy and Patrick

I have known Lucy for years when she was a videographer for Twenty-One Films. She always said I was her favorite DJ, but when she asked me to DJ her wedding I was beyond honored!!!  She has heard tons of different DJs, so this was extra special for me to be her wedding DJ on September 7th at The Meadows at Firefly Farm!

The ceremony was held in an open meadow by the house and is just beautiful!  They had Minister Barbara Lodge and Rabbi Ethan both for the service.  I ran mics for both of them as well as a mic for Patrick and a singer.  They had a Spanish guitarist, Alex Gordez, provide music for the ceremony and cocktail hour.  he did an amazing job!  I can’t wait to see the pics by MorningWild Photography and video by Twenty-One Films.

After the ceremony the 120 guests made their way to the patio by the Pavilion for cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and the music of Alex. I picked up music for the last half of the cocktail hour and then invited guests into the pavilion for the reception with help from planner Michelle from Magnolia and Grace.  I introduced the wedding party to “Tuesday” by ILOVEMAKONNEN and Lucy and  Patrick came in for their first dance to “You Are The Best Thing”. They welcomed everyone followed by toasts from her father, her sister and his sister. The salads and family style entrees came out and during dinner I had a mix of classic soul, beach music and classic rock playing.

After dinner we had the Hayes Barton cake cutting to “I Can’t Myself” and birthday shoutouts to a few people.  Lucy danced with her Father to “My Girl” and Patrick and his Mother to “Forever Young” by Dylan.  I opened the dancing with “All You Need Is Love” in memory of Lucy’s Mother that got everyone to join her and her sister on the floor.  It was just amazing to see everyone run to the floor to dance with them and sing a long!!  I played some Beach and sing a longs for the next 20 min that kept young and old singing and dancing together.  I ended this set with The Hora, then mixed into some current top 40 for the rest of the night for Lucy and her friends to dance to.  The floor was packed for the rest of the night dancing to mostly current hip-hop.

I ended the nigh with “Wagon Wheel” before the sparkler exit.  Thank you so much Lucy, Patrick and Michelle!  I had the best time and am still so honored to be asked!!

Photos courtesy of MorningWild Photography

A Pavilion at Carriage Farm Wedding for Amber-Lee and Josh

I was so excited to spend my birthday DJing for Amber-Lee and Josh at The Pavilion at Carriage Farm! 

The ceremony was moved inside due to rain, but The Pavilion has a beautiful stone fireplace that makes the perfect ceremony backdrop.  I provided a mic for their officiant as well as all the music.  As the 100 guests arrived, I had a mix of contemporary love songs playing.  The mothers walked down the aisle to “Canon In D” and bridesmaids to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.  Amber-Lee entered to “A Thousand Years”.  After a short service they recessed to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”. The guests were invited to the back of the room while the staff from Rocky Top flipped the room for the reception.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, country, standards and classic soul playing.  After pics were taken by Jason from Veritas Digital Photography the guests were invited to their tables by planner Shawn Schindler. I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with help from Shawn.

I introduced the wedding party and Amber-Lee and Josh came in for their first dance to “Thinking Out loud”.  Her Father welcomed everyone followed by the blessing.  The salads came out and the buffet opened shortly. I continued the same music mix during dinner.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting followed by the parents dances.  Amber-Lee and her Father danced to “My Little Girl” and Josh and his Mother to “Days Like This”.  I invited the married couples to the floor for an anniversary dance to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis.  After that I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it for the next hour and a half. We ended the night with “Wagon Wheel” by Darius before a sparkler exit.

Thank you for everything Amber-Lee, Josh and Shawn!  I had the best time celebrating my birthday with you!

Photo courtesy of Veritas Digital Photography

A Marriott City Center Wedding For Liz and Aaron

I had never met Liz and Aaron until their wedding day at The Marriott City Center on September 1st, and they couldn’t have been nicer!!  Same with their families and guests!!  

Their ceremony was held earlier in the day at the new Holy Name Of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh.  The pics by photographer Bronwyn Duffield are just beautiful!  I can’t wait to see the video by Phil from Twenty-One Films.  After the ceremony the 275 guests had a few hours to relax before heading over for the reception.

The cocktail hour was held in the hallway next to me and I had a mix of rock, classic soul, standards and country playing.  After the cocktail hour, the doors to the ballroom opened and guests found their seats.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Tre Bella!I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up.  They were so fun and I knew it was going to be a great reception!!  I introduced them to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and they came in to loud applause.  Liz and Aaron had their first dance to ”Speechless” by Dan & Shay (a perfect first dance song!) followed by a welcome by her Father and blessing by his.  The salads and entrees came out and I continued the same music mix.

After dinner we had the toasts and Cinda’s Cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”. Liz joined her Father for their dance to “Daddy’s Little Girl Waltz” by John Gora.  Aaron escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “Humble And Kind”. I invited the married couples to the floor for an anniversary dance and then opened the floor to everyone.  

Some Motown, top 40 and 80’s filled it for the entire 3 hours of dancing!!  We paused for a bouquet toss to “Single Ladies”, garter removal to “Danger Zone” and toss to “Another One Bites The Dust”.  I even played a couple polkas for Liz’s family that did great on the dance floor!!  We had an early confetti poppers on the dance floor pic before Bronwyn and Phil left, but people stayed the rest of the night dancing to current top 40 and hip-hop. 

I ended the night with a last dance to “Die A Happy Man”.  What a fun night and great group to play for!!  Thank you Liz and Aaron and thank you for your service to our country in the Army Aaron!!

Photo courtesy of Bronwyn Duffield Photography

A Noah’s Event Venue Wedding With A Little Red Corvette

Amy and Craig had me for their wedding reception on August 25th and what a great way to close out August!  I was a little nervous with Craig’s Father there who was a mobile DJ years ago.

The ceremony was held across the hall from me with live music provided by guitarist Matthew Kanon and officiated over by Reverend Ed Sansbury.  Two of my favorite vendors. After the ceremony, the 100 guests went out to the hall for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.  Matthew set up quick and started the cocktail music.

After pics were taken of the room and Amy and Craig with his little red corvette by Adrienne from F8 Photo Studios, the doors to the ballroom opened and the guests found their seats.  I introduced only Amy & Craig into the room and they went right to their sweetheart table. Her Father welcomed everyone and his Father blessed the meal.  The Garden At Millbrook catered buffet opened shortly and I had a mix of Disney songs, indie & classic rock, classic soul, standards and 90’s country playing during dinner.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “You’re My Best friend” by Queen. The first dance and

parents dances followed.  They had their first dance to “Bless The Broken Road” and combined parents dance to “My Wish”.  I invited everyone in the room to the floor for a huge group pic and kept the married couples there for an anniversary dance with the winners at 56 years married!!  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that shortly filled it.  I ended the first set with the Hora medley that got everyone dancing together.  It was the first time many of them had seen it and they had a blast!!  During the dancing I played lots of oldies, 80’s and a couple very special polkas performed by Craig’s Grandfather and Uncles.  I am so glad I was able to play them !!

We ended the night with a long train led by Craig’s Father and finally “Sweet Caroline” and “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing.  I reminded everyone to grab to go favors (yummy donuts) before saying good night.  What a fun night and great group!!  Thank you Amy & Craig !!

Photos courtesy of Adrienne from F8 Photo Studios