A Cadillac Service Garage Wedding for Katie and Andy

Katie has heard me DJ weddings a couple dozen or more times as a videographer with Twenty One Films and always dreamed of having me as her Wedding DJ.  I was honored (and humbled) to make her dream come true on March 30^th when she married Andy at Greensboro’s Cadillac Service Garage.

Their ceremony was held in the front room of the building and I provided music and mics from the balcony. As the 120 guests arrived I had a mix of acoustic indie rock playing.  The Grandparents through the wedding party entered to “Beyond” by Leon Bridges. I LOVE Leon Bridges!!!  Katie and her Father entered to “Heartbeats” by Jose Gonzales from the TV show One Tree Hill.  After a short service with 2 readings, they recessed to “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness.  Their minister invited everyone upstairs for the cocktail hour and I started the cocktail music.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of soft rock, indie rock and classic soul playing.  Photographer Samantha Floyd and Videographers Twenty-One Films got some shots inside and outside of the wedding party before letting them join the cocktail hour.  After the cocktail hour I invited guests downstairs to the reception area in the back and went to line the wedding party up for introductions with help from planner Kaitlyn from Exceptional Events. I introduced the Parents to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and wedding party to “Party Up” by DMX. LOL!!  Katie and Andy entered to “I Want Candy” and had their first dance to “I Love You Always Forever” by Donna Lewis.  I have always loved that song!  Her Father gave a heartfelt welcome and Andy’s Mother blessed the meal. During dinner I had the same mix as cocktails playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and then the Parents dances.  We started with Andy and his Mother’s dance to “Forever Young” and then it was time for Katie and her Father’s epic dance to a medley he made of “Only You” Yaz, “Shake it off” Taylor Swift and “Footloose” that was awesome!  He used to sing ”Only You” to her when she was young. I love that whole Yaz album!!!! We had the cake cutting next to “Cut The Cake” by Average White Band and then opened the floor with some 80’s.

The floor instantly packed with young and old for the next couple hours. My favorite moments of the dancing were Katie’s families dance to “Born To Be Alive”, their circle dance to “Lazy Mary” by Lou Monte and the couple of polkas. So great!! We paused for a bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and then back to dancing to some hip hop and top 40 that included 3 Kendrick Lamar songs for Andy.  We ended the night with “Sweet Caroline” before a streamers exit.

Thank you so so much Katie, Andy, Mr & Mrs Bially, Jess & Phil and Kaitlyn!  I loved every minute of it and was so honored!!

Photos courtesy of Twenty-One Films

A Haw River Ballroom Wedding For Emma and Phil

I was so excited to DJ Emma and Phil’s wedding at Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw NC on March 23^rd!  I have seen a few concerts in the building, but never dreamed I would share the stage for a wedding.

The ceremony was held earlier in the day at a Church, then the 200 guests headed over to the Haw River Ballroom for the reception.  As the guests arrived I had a mix of rock, classic soul and country playing.  When the bridal party arrived, I left music playing and went to line them up with help from planner Britni from A Touch Of Southern Events.  I introduced the wedding party to “Celebration” and they lined up in front of the stage.  Emma and Phil came in to loud applause and had their first dance to the piano version of “Then” by Brad Paisley. Her Father welcomed everyone and Dr Shive blessed the meal.  The salads and entrees came out and they had a live jazz band, Mahalo Jazz, provide music during dinner.  They did an amazing job and are the house band from the restaurant next door, The Eddy Pub.  I could have listened to them all night.

After dinner we had the Edible Art cake cutting to “Amazed” followed by the parents dances and toasts.  Emma & her Father danced to “My Little Girl” and Phil & his Mother to “My Wish”. Emma’s Father took the mic to start the toasts, then the Best Man and Maid Of Honor finished them.  We had an anniversary dance to “A Thousand Years” and opened the floor to everyone with some Beach music, Motown and top 40 that filled it for the next 2 hours.  I even played Gucci Mane for Phil!!  We paused for the bouquet and garter toss, then back to dancing.

 

We ended the night with “Closing Time” before a sparkler exit.  After the last dance photographer Steve Exum had a surprise for everyone.  He had a slide show already done from the ceremony and showed it on the screen before leaving.  It was so great and really was a nice finish to an awesome wedding reception.  I can’t wait to see his photos from the reception and video by Bowtie Films.

Thank you Emma, Phil, Mr & Mrs Holt and Britni!  I had the best time!!

Photos courtesy of Steve Exum Photography

A Carriage Farm Wedding For Summer And Chad

I was back to The Pavilion and Carriage Farm, this time for Chad and Summer’s beautiful ceremony and reception on another picture perfect March 16^th day.

The ceremony was held outside and I ran mics and music.  As the 140 guests arrived I had a mix of classical pop songs playing. The Grandparents and Parents entered to “Wonderful Tonight” and wedding party to “Yellow”, both by Vitamin String Quarter.  Summer entered to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by The Piano Guys. The ceremony included two performances that were both amazing!  One performance by Monica during the unity candle and another by Kelsey during the blessing of the hands really made is very special! After the ceremony they recessed to “This Will be (An Everlasting Love)” and made their way to the adjoining outdoor patio for the cocktail hour.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of standards and country playing with a little soft rock and Motown added.  Summer, Chad and the wedding party were off getting pics taken by photographer Mark Mosrie.  After pics were taken, planner Alyson invited guests to their tables inside.  The room and fireplace looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Expressions Of Love. I introduced the Parents to ”I Gotta Feeling”, wedding party to “High Hopes” and Summer & Chad to “Bring Em Out”. They came right to the dance floor and had their first dance to “The Day Before You” by Rascal Flatts.  After that, Summer’s Brother welcomed everyone and Stephanie Moore blessed the meal.  The Catering Works buffet opened and I went back to music during dinner. I played a mix of country and standards again as well as “The Greatest Love Of All” by Whitney Houston in honor of Summer’s late Father, Al. 

After dinner we had the toasts and Parent’s dances. Summer danced with her new Father in Law to “What A Wonderful World” and Chad and his Mother to “My Wish”.  We had an anniversary dance to “Through The Years” by Kenny Rogers that had the winners at 59 years married.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and Top 40 that soon filled it with young and old.

We paused for the cake cutting to “You Make My Dreams Come True” and then a couple Lebanese dance songs to honor Summer’s roots while the staff served the cake.  It was so great to see everyone dancing to those songs together hand in hand!  Some 90’s Hip Hop rounded out the night before the last dance to “Then (Piano version)” by Brad Paisley and a sparkler exit.

Thank you Summer, Chad and Alyson!  I had the best time!!

A Washington Duke Inn Wedding for Natalie and Don

Natalie and Don are two of the nicest and most laid-back people I have played for and I was thrilled to be their wedding DJ on March 9^that Washington Duke Inn in Durham, NC!

The ceremony was held earlier in the day at the beautiful Duke Chapel.  After the service the 140 guests had a few hours break to relax before the wedding reception. Their cocktail hour was held in the hallway outside the ballroom where I was set up.  After pics and video were taken by James from Walters and Walters and Elijah from Morgan Scott Films, 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 back out to the hallway to line the wedding party up.

I introduced the parents to “Take On me” by A-Ha and wedding party to “Delirious” by Steve Aoki. Natalie and Don came to the floor and had their first dance to “All Of Me” for a couple minutes and then I invited the wedding party to join them on the floor.  After they were on the floor, I changed songs to “You and Me” by Lifehouse to surprise her Sister and husband with their first dance song.  So sweet!! The parents’ dances followed after the wedding party took their seats.  Natalie and her Father danced to “Can’t Smile Without You” By Barry Manilow.  They sang it to each other like they had the hundred times when she was a child.  Don and his Mother danced to “You Raise Me Up”.  Her parents welcomed everyone and Bob Vietor blessed the meal.  During dinner I played a mix of light classical music.

After dinner we had toasts and the Ashley Cakes cutting to “Happy Together”. I LOVE that song (and Ashley cakes!!)!! We paused for 15 minutes so guests could enjoy the 4 different flavors of cake, then we had the bouquet and garter toss.  I invited the single ladies to the floor for the toss to “Dear Future Husband” and garter toss to “Get Lucky”. Before opening the floor to everyone, we had an anniversary dance to “Love Me Do”.  It was so great and came down to 2 couples married a year apart. I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” and “Twist and Shout” that shortly filled it with young and old.  Some top 40, 80’s and EDM kept them dancing for the next hour before the last dance.

We ended with “This Is How We Roll” by Florida Georgia Line and an exit to a convertible Mustang waiting for them just outside the doors. Guests took cupcakes from a cupcake
bouquet as a favor on their way outside.

Thank you so much Natalie, Don and your parents.  I was thrilled and honored to play for you and your guests!

Photos courtesy of Walters & Walters

A Sutherland Wedding for Katie and Matt

Picture prefect can’t describe the wedding of Katie and Matt at The Sutherland in Wake Forest, NC on March 2^nd.  After a week of off and on rain, the weather turned perfect for them!

Their ceremony was held on the brick walled lawn.  I provided music and a mic for officiant Katherine Edwards. The Grandparents and Parents entered to “Canon In D” and wedding party to “A Thousand Years” by The Piano Guys.  Katie and her Father entered to “Beethoven’s 5^thSecret” also by The Piano Guys. After a short service, they recessed to “You’re My best Friend” by Queen and Katherine invited the 80 guests to the other side of the house for cocktails on the grooms terrace.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, classic soul and country playing while guests enjoyed drinks by POUR and passed hors d’oeuvres by Rocky Top Catering. Towards the end of the cocktail hour, guests started coming into the pavilion where I was and finding their seats. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Lyn from Fresh Affairs!  I left some music playing and went to line the wedding party up for intros with help from The Sutherland’s Christy.

I introduced the wedding party to “Now That We Found Love” by Heavy D and Matt and Katie to “Can’t Stop The Feeling”.  They had their first dance to “Millionaire” followed by the parents dances.  Katie and her Father danced to “I’ll Be There” by Josh Turner and Matt & his Mother to “Five Minutes More” by Scotty McCreery.  Katie’s Father welcomed everyone and the salads came out before the buffet opened.  During dinner was same music mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had the Ashley Cakes cutting to “How Sweet It Is” and then the toasts.  Before opening the floor to everyone we had an anniversary dance to “Something That We Do” by Clint Black with the winners at 61 years married!! Wow!!  I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” that filled the floor!  It was amazing to only have 5 ppl left sitting during the first dance song for everyone.  For the next 3 hours they danced to oldies, beach, top 40, some 80’s and 2000’s throwbacks and some 90’s hip-hop.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Where Dem Girls At” and garter toss to “You Look Good”. 

We ended the night with “Dancing In The Moonlight” before a private last dance for just Katie and Matt to “Dance With Me” by Morgan Evans and Kelsea Ballerini.  The guests filled bags of candy for a late night treat and lined up for a sparkler exit.  I can’t wait to see more pics from photographer Kelsey Nelson and videographers Twenty-One Films!!

Thank you Katie, Matt and Christy!  I had the 

best time!!

Photos courtesy of Kelsey Nelson Photography