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