A Cadillac Service Garage Wedding in Greensboro for Laura & Kevin

I initially DJd for Laura and Kevin in 2016 when they attended a wedding I did for their friends Molly & John.  I was so thankful they called me to be their wedding DJ at Greensboro’s new venue, The Cadillac Service Garage on October 27th!!

The ceremony was held at Finch Memorial Chapel and then the 175 guests made their way to the reception at Cadillac Service Garage.  The cocktail hour was held in the front bar area and they had an acoustic guitarist playing music.  Guests enjoyed refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.  After pics were taken by photographer Jillian Knight, planners Melissa & Becky from Relish Design Company invited guests to the back where I was set up and ready.  The room is awesome!!  It’s a huge old Cadillac service garage with brick walls, cement floors, a balcony that has a bar in it, really high ceiling…I can go on and on..  The tables were set up rustic with beautiful floral arrangements by Blooms & Thistle.

I introduced the parents and Laura & Kevin to a cover of Disclosure’s “Latch” by Natalie Taylor. They came in and had their first dance to a cover of The Beatles “Real Love” by Tom Odell (Laura told me it was a cover..LOL). Laura and her Father then danced to “Never Alone” by Jim Brickman and Kevin & his Mother to “Child Of Mine” by Carole King. Her Father welcomed everyone and his Father gave an Irish blessing.  The food stations opened and the staff soon butlered the tables.

After dinner we had the Pound Cakes by Margaret Elaine cake cutting to “With This Ring” and I opened the floor with some beach music, Motown and top 40 that filled it within a minute.  They went hard dancing for 3 hours!!  I played lots of 80’s, 90’s, current dance hits, some oldies and even a couple One D songs for Laura.

We ended the night with “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman before a sparkler exit from the side of the building.

Thank you so much for everything Laura, Kevin, Margaret & Becky!  I had the best time!!! And thanks Molly & John for inviting them to your wedding!!

Photos courtesy of Jillian Knight

A Rose Hill Wedding for Krysten and Eddie

The first time I met Krysten and Eddie to talk about their wedding at Rose Hill on October 21^st, I knew we would get along great!  They knew cufflinks were my thing and told me they were both doctors, so I went and found stethoscope cufflinks right after my meeting with them just for their wedding.

The ceremony was held on the front steps of the house under huge white pillars on a somewhat chilly afternoon.  As the 100 guests arrived, I had a mix of classical pop cover songs playing.  The guests took their seats right before the ceremony and it was game time.  I ran a mic for their officiant Ben.  The Grandparents, Parents and wedding party all entered to the Iron & Wine song “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” covered by Vitamin String Quartet. Krysten & her Father entered to “Canon In D” by The O’Neill Brothers.  They had a time capsule ceremony during the service that I played “Hallelujah” lightly during.  They wrote letters to each other as did their parents that they put in a box along with a bottle of wine to open on their first anniversary. I LOVE this idea!! After the service they recessed to “Viva La Vida”. Ben invited guests into the house for the cocktail hour and I had a mix of classic jazz and standards playing.

After pics were taken by photographer Paul Seiler, planner Jessica Horne invited guests to the reception hall for dinner.  As the guests found their seats, I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up for introductions.  I introduced everyone to “Marry Me” by Bruno Mars and Krysten and Eddie came in to loud applause.  They had their first dance to “Hold You In My Arms” by Ray LaMontagne followed by a heartfelt welcome by Krysten’s Father. The buffet opened and I played a mix of indie rock along with some standards and classic soul.  

After dinner Eddie danced with his Mother to an edit I made him of “The First Lady In My Life” by Paul Todd.  Krysten and her Father danced to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Michel Buble next.  They walked over to the cake for the cake cutting to “You Are The Best Thing”, then came the toasts.  While everyone was eating cake and visiting I played some more indie rock along with some sing along classics and started bringing up the tempo for dancing.

For the last hour I invited all the couples (married and dating) to join them for the first dance before opening the floor to everyone with “Hear Me” by Tedeschi Trucks Band. I started cutting them until the longest married couple was left on the floor.  Krysten had a beautiful bouquet for her.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that filled it until the end of the night.

We ended the night with “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness and a sparkler exit. Thank you so much for everything Krysten, Eddie, Stephen and Jessica.  I had the best time playing for you!!

A Cotton Room Wedding for Kristin and Brian….and Two Chickens

I had never met Kristin and Brian until their wedding day at The Cotton Room on October 20th, but liked them as soon as I talked to them.  They are so nice!

Their ceremony was held on one side of the room and partitioned by white linens.  It is just beautiful with floor to ceiling windows along one brick wall. They had reverend Barbara Lodge (one of my favs!) and I ran a mic for her, one for Brian and one for Kristin’s Aunts who were readers. As the 120 guests arrived I had a mix of contemporary love songs playing.  After everyone was seated I started the ceremony music.  The Parents entered to a classical cover of “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”.  The Bridesmaids to “All Of Me” and Kristin to “A River Flows In You” by Daniel Jang. Her hair and makeup was perfect and done by Makeup by Ashley Mooney. After a short service that also included a remembrance that I played “Thinking Out Loud” during, they recessed to “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor.

They were invited to the cocktail hour in the front of the room by Barbara and I started a mix of rock, classic soul and standards. The staff flipped the room for dinner with help from two of my fav planners, Betsy and Carrington (Yay!  Carrington!!) from McLean Events.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Blossoms By Design!  After pics were taken by Joanna Sue Photography, the white linens opened and I invited guests to their seats.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with Betsy and Carrington.

I introduced the wedding party and Kristin and Brian to “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to and edit I made of the Candlelight Mix of “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada.  We had the combined parents dances next to “You’ve Got A Friend” by James Taylor. About ½ way through Brian’s Brothers showed up in chicken suits and joined in for the dance with Brian.  It really caught everyone off guard and gave me another wedding moment I will never forget! LOL.  They all took their seats and the Fathers welcomed everyone and blessed the meal.  The food stations opened shortly and I went back to the same style music playlist as cocktails.

After dinner we had the Ashley’s Cakes cutting (so good! I had the almond cake), toasts and then a shoe game MC’d by Brian’s Brothers.  I invited all the married couples to the floor to join them for an anniversary dance that ended in a tie at 38 ½ years.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it for the next 2.5 hours.  I played lots of 90’s, 80’s, current top 40 and some oldies.  I even played Paramore for Kristin and her Sister.

We ended the night with “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker and finally “Closing Time” by Semisonic that had everyone in a huge circle with their arms around each other singing it. I invited everyone down stairs for a sparkler exit.

What a fun night and amazing group to play for!  Thank you Kristin, Brian, Betsy and Carrington.

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding for Laura and James

Laura and James’ wedding at Merrimon Wynne in downtown Raleigh, NC was so much fun on October 19^th! It was awesome playing for so many guests from Boston and Chicago.

Their ceremony was held on the side lawn and I provided mics and music.  As the 150 guests arrived I had a mix of classical piano versions of pop songs playing.  The guests took their seats and the ceremony started. The wedding party entered to “Butterfly Waltz” by Brian Crane from The Piano Guys.  Laura entered to “A Thousand Years” by Piano Guys.  After a short service by their friend Domino that included hand written vows, they recessed to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne.

The cocktail hour was held in the Merrimon Wynne house.  Guests enjoyed refreshments and passed hors d’oeuvres by Beau’s Catering. After pics were taken by photographer Jim Colman, the guests were invited into the carriage house for dinner by planner extraordinaire Stephanie from Viva L’Event.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by North Raleigh Florist and uplights by me.  I left music playing and joined Stephanie inside the house to help line the wedding party up for introductions.

I introduced each group of 2 or 3 to their own song they picked to walk in to.  Laura and James came in to “Chelsea Dagger” (Love that song!!!) and had their first dance to “Be Mine” by David Gray.  They took their seats after and Beau described the meal and how the food stations would work. The plated salads came out and I played a mix of rock, standards and classic soul during dinner.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “I Can’t Help Myself”.  Then Parents dances followed.  Laura and her Father danced to “I Loved Her First” and James & his Mother to “What A Wonderful World”.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown & top 40 that soon filled it for the night. I played lots of 80’s and 90’s for them. At one moment a guest jumped up on to a chair in the middle of the dance floor to lead everyone in a call and response to “Let Me Clear My Throat”.  He was amazing and spot on!! We ended the night with a tribute to Laura’s Mother, Ann, to her favorite song “Red, Red Wine” that filled the floor with everyone singing it in her honor!  It was so great!!  The last dance was to “Sweet Caroline” before a sparkler exit from the front of the house.

Thank you Laura, James, Kaila and Stephanie!  

Photo courtesy of Jim Colman

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding For Sandra and Matthew…. and Halloween Party!

I met Sanda and Matthew a couple times before their wedding and had the best time talking to them and learning about their dream wedding..and Halloween party! The ceremony and reception were held at the Merrimon Wynne and I provided mics for the ceremony as music for the reception on October 14th. 

The ceremony was held on the back lawn with live music by The Nelson Quartet.  I ran mics for their officiant Tim, Matthew during the reading of their vows, a reader and even for the quartet when they performed a song co-written by Matthew during the time capsule sealing.  It was a wonderful piece!!  The reading was also awesome! Part biblical, part Princess Bride.  Perfect!!  After the ceremony the guests made their way inside the house for the cocktail hour while photographers Russell-Killen and videographer Alexander Rivera got some shots on the lawn.

After the cocktail hour, the 120 guests made their way to the carriage house where I was for dinner, dancing and the Halloween party.  I introduced the wedding party to “Jock Jams” and Sandra and Matthew to “Good Lovin’” by The Rascals.  They had their first dance to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli. Her parents welcomed everyone and his parents blessed the meal.  Chef Beau described the amazing meal and the salads came out. During dinner I had a wonderful playlist made by them that included jazz, soft rock & classic soul.

After dinner we had the toasts and parents dances.  Matthew and his Mother danced to a special edit he made of “Forever Young” by Audra Mae and Sandra and her Father to “Colour My World” by Chicago.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Get Up Offa That Thing” by James Brown while they had some large family group pictures taken out on the lawn. After pics were taken and some dancing, we had the cake cutting to “Short Skirt/Long Jacket by Cake.  Back to dancing a little before we paused for the garter/bouquet tosses.  They switched things up for this.  I invited the single guys to the floor for the garter toss, but Matthew was wearing the garter.  Tricked everyone!! She threw the garter and he threw the bouquet to the single ladies.

After the tosses we changed the uplights to purple and turned on the haze machine for the Halloween party that Sandra made another great playlist for.  We ended the night with “Thriller” and a sparkler exit from the front of the house.

Thank you Sandra, Matthew and Kaila!!

Photo courtesy of Russell-Killen Photography 

A Rose Hill Wedding For Miranda And Sean

After 2 years of planning and waiting, it was finally time for Miranda and Sean’s wedding at Rose Hill on October 13^th.  I had been looking forward to playing for them since they booked me two years ago!

The ceremony was held at the back pond (with 2 beautiful white swans) and I provided mics and music. As the 150 guests arrived I had a mix of classical pop music playing.  The Grandparents and Parents entered to “Just The Way You Are” by Daniel Jang. Sean and their minister entered to “Perfect” by Daniel Jang.  The Groomsmen and Bridesmaids to “Thinking Out Loud” and Miranda and her Father to “Beauty & The Beast” both by Daniel Jang.  After a short service with beautiful hand written vows and blending of sand ceremony, they recessed to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen.  The guests made their way to the pond for a couple large group shots by photographer Les Atkins and videographer Chase from Know Knot Films.

After the pics they made their way to the back patio for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. During the cocktail hour I had a mix of soft rock and current standards playing.  After the cocktail hour, the guests were invited inside for dinner and dancing.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with help from Sarah from Forever And A Day Weddings.  I introduced the wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin and Miranda and Sean to “On Top Of The World” by Imagine Dragons.  They entered to loud applause and joined the wedding party on the dance floor for a dance to the entire song.  It was so great!!  They then had their solo dance to “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Jasmine Thompson.  The wedding party took their seats after it and we had the parents dances.  Miranda and her Father, Randy, had their dance to “Daddy Dance With Me” by Krystal Keith. Sean and his Mothers dance was to “Perfect Fan”. Randy welcomed everyone and their officiant blessed the meal.  During dinner I started with instrumental Disney tracks, then soft rock and current standards.

After dinner we had a shoe game, toasts and an anniversary dance to “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher. The winners were at 61 years!!  I didn’t think I was going to make it by the end of the song!!  I opened the floor with some Motown and turned my dance floor lights.  We paused for the Capital Cakes cutting to “All You Need Is Love”. It was one of the coolest cakes I have seen with two skeletons sitting on it. So cool, in fact, that they kinda didn’t want to cut it.  We had the bouquet toss after that to “Pour Some Sugar On me” and a faux sparkler exit while everyone was there.  They all came back inside after that for more dancing until the end of the night. One of the best moments for me was the groomsmen and Sean lining up the bridesmaids and Miranda in chairs on the dance floor for a “Magic Mike” dance to “Pony”. Wow!!! LOL.

We ended the night with “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing.  Thank you so much Miranda, Sean, Randy and Sarah.  I hope I can play for y’all again!!

Photo courtesy of Les Atkins Photography

A Cloth Mill at Eno River Wedding For Emily and Drew

I never met Emily and Drew until their wedding day, but had the best time playing for them!!

Their ceremony and reception were both at The Cloth Mill At Eno River in Hillsborough, NC on October 12^th.  They had me supply mics and music for both.  As the 180 guests arrived I had a mix of popular piano music playing by The Piano Guys.  The Grandparents thru Drew entered to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Hugo Peretti.  The wedding party entered to “Pictures At An Exhibition”.  Emily and her Father entered to “Canon In D”.   After a short service that included a reading, they recessed to “Waterfall” by Jon Schmidt.  The guests were invited inside for the cocktail hour and I started a mix of rock, classic soul, standards and 90’s country.

After the cocktail hour and pics were done by Annie Brown and video by James Martin, the guests found their seats and I lined the wedding party up for introductions with planner Jessica from Happily Ever After.  I introduced them to “Shut Up and Dance”.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne. The wedding party took their seats and we had the parents dances.  Emily and her Father danced to the slow version of “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart.  Drew and his Mother’s dance was to “My Wish”. Her Father welcomed everyone and their pastor blessed the Beau catered meal. So delicious!!!  During dinner was the same music mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “Sweet Caroline”.  I opened the floor with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it for the next 2 hours. I played oldies, current hip-hop and some line dances.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and garter toss to “Carolina Girls” then back to dancing until the end of the night.

We ended the night with “How Sweet It Is” before a pom pom exit out back.  Thank you for everything Emily, Drew, Jane and Jessica.  I had the best time!!  I hope to play for you again soon!!

Photo courtesy of Annie Brown Photography

A Melrose Knitting Mill Wedding For Brooke and Brittany

I never met Brooke and Brittany until their wedding on October 7^that Melrose Knitting Mill, but as soon as I met them I felt like I had known them forever.  They are so warm and personable!

Their ceremony was held on one side of the room and I provided mics for their officiant and readers, as well as all the music.  The room looked gorgeous with floral arrangements by Expressions Of Love! As the 120 guests arrived I had a mix of classical music playing.  Right before the processional I played “Canon In D”. Both Brides looked beautiful with makeup and hair by Makeup By Ashley Mooney! Brittany and officiant Lisa entered to “There Will Be Time” by Mumford & Sons and Brooke walked down the aisle with her Father & step-father and joined them.  After a wonderful service the recessed to and edit I made for them of “The Way You make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson.

The guests made their way downstairs to the patio of Mulino’s for cocktails while Steph and the staff flipped the room for dinner. After pics and video were taken by Photographer Kelsey Nelson and Phil & Jess from Twenty-One Films, they made their way back upstairs for dinner and dancing.  

I introduced just Brooke & Brittany to ”Bring ‘Em Out” and they came in to thunderous applause!! They welcomed everyone and Lisa blessed the meal.  The passed salads came out and the buffet opened shortly.  During dinner I had a mix of standards playing.  After dinner we had some very touching toasts.  I invited guests to write a well wishes note to Brooke and Brittany and opened the floor with some Motown and top 40 that filled it for the next 2.5 hours.  During the first half of dancing they danced to oldies, top 40 and 80’s.  the second half was current top 40 and hip-hop. They had the best time on the dance floor!!

We paused for the Simply Cakes cutting to “How Sweet it Is” then back to dancing after a bouquet toss to “PYT”. Before opening the floor again I dedicated “I Love This Life” by Locash to Brittany from Brooke.  So great!!  We ended the night with “Wagon Wheel” before a sparkler exit.

Thank you for everything Brooke, Brittany and Steph!  I had a blast and was honored to DJ for you!

A Fearrington Wedding for Megan and Ryan

I was so excited to play for Megan and Ryan on October 6^that The Fearrington!  They had me for both the ceremony and reception.

The ceremony was moved to the Garden Terrace because of a threat of rain.  Planner Gilda and The Fearrington always have a great back up plan! As the 120 guests arrived I had a mix of acoustic pop songs playing.  After everyone was seated their officiant walked in, reminded them to silence their phones (brilliant idea!) and the ceremony was under way.  The wedding party entered to an instrumental of “Love Never Fails” by Brandon Heath and Megan entered to the vocal version.  After a short service that included 2 readings, they recessed to “Smile” by Uncle Kracker that I edited to start at the chorus.

The guests made their way to the patio in front of the barn for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. During the cocktail hour I had a mix of half country and the rest a mix of standards, rock and classic soul. Megan and Ryan were taken around then property to get photos by Amber from Six Foot Photography and video by Muddy Trails Videography.  After pics were taken and the cocktail hour ended, they were invited inside for dinner and dancing. I left music playing and went outside to line the wedding party up and congratulate Megan and Ryan.

I introduced the wedding party to “Glorious” by Macklemore and Megan and Ryan came in to loud applause. They had their first dance to the piano mix of “Then” by Brad Paisley (my favorite first dance song). They took their seats and then came the biggest surprise for Megan!!!! OMG!!  Her Father welcomed everyone and ended by telling about her dreams to be a pop singer when she was 7.  Then, I played a recording of her singing “Oops, I Did It Again” when she was 7.  She had no idea it was coming or even that he still had it.  He gave it to me earlier on a cassette and I tr

ansferred it over to my computer. One of the best moments I’ve seen at a wedding!  Well played Mr. Cruz!!  The salads and entrees came out and I continued the same format as cocktails during dinner.

After dinner we had two very touching and emotional toasts and parents’ dances.  Megan and her Father danced to “Butterfly Kisses” and Ryan and his Mother to “A Mother’s Love” by Jim Brickman.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that filled it for the next 3 hours.  They danced to everything!  Yes, even “Oops, I Did It Again” by Britney.  We ended the night with some sing a longs to “Wagon Wheel”, “Piano Man” and finally “Don’t Stop Believin’” before the sparkler exit.

Thank you Megan, Ryan and Gilda!  I had the best time!!!

Photo c courtesy of Six Foot Photography

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding For Lindsay and James

I always love DJing weddings at downtown Raleigh’s Merrimon-Wynne and Lindsay and Jimmy’s wedding was no exception!  They were so excited every time I talked to them!!

The ceremony was held on the side lawn and I provided a mic for their officiant Brian Crisp and music.  As the guests arrived I had a mix of classical music playing.  Jimmy and the wedding party entered to an instrumental of “Home” by Cinematic Orchestra.  Lindsay and 4 adorable children walked down the aisle, then joined by her Sister and Mother to enter to “In Reverence” by David Tolk. She looked beautiful with makeup and hair by Ashley Mooney! After a wonderful service by Brian, they recessed to Eddie Vedder’s “Hard Sun” and he invited guests inside the house for the cocktail hour. 

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of classic and current standards playing.  The guests enjoyed lawn games outside, passed hors d’oeuvres by caterers from Rocky Top and cocktails.  After pics were taken by Cara and Dax from F8 Photo Studios, planner Sally from Sally Oakley Weddings invited the 130 guests to the carriage house where I was for dinner and dancing.  I left music playing and went inside the house to help Sally line the wedding party up for introductions. The carriage house looked gorgeous with floral arrangements by Watered Garden.

I introduced them to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to a shortened edit I made for them of “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele.  They took their seats after that and the salads and entrees came out.  During dinner I played more standards.

After dinner we had the toasts followed by one of the best parts of the night!  Lindsay and her guest Ryan had a Father/Daughter tribute dance to “My Destiny” by Lionel Richie.  It was just the best and really set the tone for the rest of the night!  Jimmy and his Mother danced to “My Wish” after that.  I opened the floor to everyone with “The Cupid Shuffle” that filled it and some Motown and 80’s kept them dancing.  They had a cigar station with a live hand roller outside as well as am amazing dessert station that opened.

We were supposed to end the night with “Don’t Stop Believing”, which we did. BUT, Cara asked me to play one more slow song for a private dance for Lindsay & Jimmy, so I played “Sun Comes Up” by John Legend as a surprise.  Lindsay’s mouth dropped when I started t, then she started singing it to Jimmy. I had made a note during our original meeting and I’m so glad I did!  It was just perfect and one of the best moment of the night (other than Ryan and Lindsay’s dance). 

Congratulations Lindsay and Jimmy and thank you Abby, Sally and Victoria!

Photo courtesy of F8 Photo Studios