A Noah’s Event Venue Wedding for Lydia and Conrad

I didn’t get to meet Lydia and Conrad until the day of their wedding at Noah’s Event Venue in Morrisville, Saturday May 25^th.  I had talked to her Mother though and always enjoyed our talks and was excited to play for them.

The ceremony was held across the hall from the reception room where I was set up.  They had a live cellist, Megan from Carolina Music Planner provide music for the Ceremony and cocktail hour.  She is just amazing!

After the cocktail hour the doors to the ballroom opened and the 100 guests found their seats.  I left some music playing and went out in the hall to line the wedding party up.  I introduced them to “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Depeche Mode!  So great!!  Lydia and Conrad came in and had their first dance to “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” by Ella & Louis.  Her Father welcomed everyone, his Mother gave a toast and the Rocky Top Catering buffet opened.  During dinner I had a mix of standards, classic soul and soft rock playing.

After dinner we had the toasts followed by a combined Parents dance.  Lydia and her Father as well as Conrad and his Mother danced to “Forever Young” by The Band.  Before opening the floor to everyone they had an anniversary dance to “How Sweet It Is” with the winners at 50 years married.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” that filled it with young and old. Some Motown, Top 40 and 80’s kept them dancing until the cake cutting to “You’re My Best Friend” and an early bubbles exit by Lydia and Conrad. 

After the exit, guests came back in and danced for another hour.  I can’t wait to see more of the pics by Leah Marie Photography + Stationary!

Thank you Lydia, Conrad and Brenda!!  I had the best time!

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding for Suzanne and Kyle

The Merrimon Wynne House in downtown Raleigh NC was the perfect setting for Suzanne and Kyle’s wedding ceremony and reception on a hot May 24^th day.

The ceremony was held inside the carriage house due to the heat.  Great decision!  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Wylde. After a short service the 150 guests were invited inside the house for cocktails by planner Catherine from La Fete and Abby from Merrimon Wynne.  The staff from Rocky Top Catering flipped the carriage house for dinner and I set up on there.

After the room was ready and pics were taken by Photographer Elise Holsonback, the guests were invited back to the carriage house for dinner and dancing.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up.  I introduced them to “Bring Em Out” by T.I. and Suzanne and Kyle came in to loud applause.  They had their first dance to “Love Me Now” by John Legend.  Suzanne danced with her Father to “My Girl” and Kyle & his Mother to “Hey Mama” by Kanye and the wedding party shortly joined them.  Her Father welcomed everyone and the food stations opened on the pergola.  During dinner I had a mix of rock, country and classic soul playing.

After dinner we had the toasts that ended with Kyle’s Sister Grace singing a song she wrote for him and playing on her ukulele.  It was so special and she has an amazing voice!!  Great job Grace.  We had the Raleigh French Bakery cake cutting next to “How Sweet It is”. 

I opened the floor to everyone with some Beach, Motown and Top 40 that shortly filled it.  Guests enjoyed dancing and playing lawn games outside. We paused for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and then back to dancing to Hip-Hop for the last 45 minutes. I played lots of Drake, J. Cole, Kanye, Migos, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar….

We ended the night with a private last dance for just Suzanne and Kyle to “Love” by Kendrick before a sparkler exit. 

Thank you Suzanne, Kyle, Grace, Catherine and Abby!!  I had the best time.

Photos courtesy of Elise Holsonback Photography

A Parlour At Manns Chapel Wedding for Mandy and Cole

Mandy and Cole had the best dance party for their wedding reception at The Parlour at Manns Chapel in Pittsboro on May 23^rd!

Their ceremony was held inside the Chapel and officiated over by their friend Michael.  After the ceremony the 80 guests came outside for the cocktail hour and live music by an acoustic duo.  They were so good!!

After the cocktail hour I invited guests to the open air tent in the courtyard for dinner with help from planner Cheryl-Anne from Kast Events.  The tent was decorated with floral arrangements by BlueBird Meadows. The family style dinner catered by Snap Pea came out and it was delicious!! During dinner I had a mix of soft rock and classic soul playing.  After dinner we had the touching and heartfelt toasts by several guests and attendants, and then I invited everyone into the chapel for dancing.

Mandy and Cole had their first dance to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole and I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and dance music that kept the dancing for the next 2.5 hours.  Cole and Mandy had picked lots of great 80’s and 90’s music for dancing!  I added a few of my favs to the playlist including “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn.  The crown LOVED that song!

We paused for the surprise visit by Two Roosters Ice Cream truck and buffet of home made pies.  I was in heaven!!  After everyone had dessert, we went back to dancing to some Top 40/dance music until the end of the night.

I ended with “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole. 

Thank you so much Mandy, Cole and Cheryl-Anne!  Thank was so fun.  I can’t wait to see the pics from photographer Brian Livingston.

A Cotton Room Wedding for Kristina and Mark

A great family dance off is something I will always remember from Kristina and Mark’s wedding at The Cotton Room in Durham on May 19^th!

Their ceremony was held at Duke Chapel and the pics from photographer Jason from Veritas Digital Photography are just perfect!!  After the service, the 130 guests made their way over to The Cotton Room for the reception.  

When they arrived I was all set up in the ballroom that was closed off by white linens until after the cocktail hour.  I had a mix of indie and soft rock as well as some country playing up until introductions. When the cocktail hour was over the linens opened and I invited the guests to find their seats. The tables looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Petal & Oak! I left music playing and lined the wedding party up for introductions with help from planner Chris.  I introduced the Parents to ”Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and wedding party to “Scream & Shout” by Will.I.Am and Britney.  Kristina and Mark came in to a custom edit I made them of “The Other Side” by Jason Derulo and had their first dance to “Come Kiss” by Tryon.  I had never heard that song before, but LOVE it!!  Great choice!! The wedding party took their seats and the Parents dances followed.  Kristina danced with her Father to “My Little Girl” and Mark & his Mother to “There You’ll Be”. Her Father welcomed everyone and the food stations opened.

During dinner I had a mix of rock, standards, country and classic soul playing.  After dinner we had the toasts and an anniversary dance to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis. I opened the floor to everyone with some beach music and top 40 that filled it for the next 2.5 hours.  I played a great mix of oldies, top 40, some hip-hop and line dances that kept everyone dancing.

We paused for the Cakes by Chloe cake cutting to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, then more dancing until the end of the night.  They even had a dance off between the two families and a love train that had everyone in a long line going around the room.

We ended the night with “This Is It” by local celebrity Scotty McCreery and a sparkler exit.

Thank you Kristina, Mark and Chris!  I had a blast!!

Photos courtesy of Veritas Digital Photography

A Melrose Knitting Mill Wedding for Alexandra and Brendan

A wild dance party doesn’t even do Alexandra and Brendan’s wedding at Melrose Knitting Mill in downtown Raleigh NC justice!

The ceremony was held earlier in the day on May 18^that Sacred Heart Cathedral.  I can’t wait to see the pics and video of that from photographer Melissa Blythe and videographer Nathan from Oak City Films! After the ceremony the 120 guests has a couple hours to rest up before coming over to the reception.

They arrived to Melrose Knitting Mill and were escorted to the outdoor patio for the cocktail hour. After pics of the room were taken and the cocktail hour ended, they were invited to the second floor reception area for dinner and dancing.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Meristem Floral! I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with help from planner Jessica.

I introduced them to “Countdown” by Beyonce and each couple had their own dance.  Alex and Brendan came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. Alex danced with her Father next to “My Little Girl” and Brendan and his Mother to “Humble & Kind”. They welcomed everyone and her Uncle blessed the meal.  During dinner I had a mix of soft rock and classic soul playing.  Her Grandparents even hit the floor to dance to “I Love This Bar” during dinner. Their favorite song..lol.

 

After dinner we had the toasts and Ashley Cakes cutting to “How Sweet It is”.  I, of course, had a slice of the the snickerdoodle cake (my fav).  Before opening the floor to everyone we had an anniversary dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra that Alex’s Grandparents won.  I opened the floor to everyone with some beach and top 40 that filled it, I mean FILLED IT!!, for the next 3 hours.  There was not a slow minute on the floor!!  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and then back to dancing. Even the late night pizza delivery didn’t keep people off the floor. They danced while eating pizza!! LOL.

We ended the night with a few sing a longs including “Wagon Wheel, “Sweet Caroline” and finally “New York, New York” before a sparkler send off and  horse drawn carriage exit.

Thank you Alexandra, Brendan and Jessica!  That was an epic night!!

A Wakefield Barn Wedding for Bailey and Cruz

Bailey and Cruz chose the Historic Wakefield Barn in Wake Forest for their wedding ceremony and reception on May 17^th and I was so excited to be there for both!

The wedding ceremony was held on the 2^ndfloor of the barn and officiated over by Reverend Heidi Gessner.  I love working with her and just did another wedding with her a couple weeks before.  As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of classical music playing.  The Grandparents and Parents entered to “Claire De Lune” and Cruz and Heidi to an instrumental of “Marry me”. The wedding party entered to an instrumental of “Bittersweet Symphony”. Bailey and her Father entered to “Canon In D”.  After a short service they recessed to an instrumental of “A Thousand Years”.  Heidi invited guests downstairs for the cocktail hour on the outdoor patio.  

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of country, rock, classic soul and a few standards playing. Guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres, drinks and cornhole while the staff flipped the room upstairs for dinner and dancing.  The floral arrangements by English Garden looked beautiful!

When pics were done by photographer Brandon from Southern Love Studios the guests were invited back upstairs by planner Janna from Chad Biggs Events & Design. I left music playing and lined the wedding party up for introductions.  I introduced them to “Let’s Get It Started” by Black Eyed Peas and Bailey & Cruz to “Can’t Stop The Feeling”.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Beautiful Crazy” by Luke Combs.  The wedding party took their seats and we had the Parents dances.  Bailey and her Father’s dance was first to “My Little Girl”. Cruz danced with his Mothers to “Hero” by Mariah Carey.  It was so sweet!!  They welcomed everyone and the salads and entrees came out. During dinner I had the same music mix as cocktails playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and Simply Cakes cutting to “From This Moment On”.  We had a reverse anniversary dance to “It Had To Be You” starting with everyone married a day, then 5 years, 10 years..etc until Bailey’s 95 year old Grandparents who have been married 78 years joined the floor.  That may be the longest I have witnessed!!  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that filled it instantly and kept them dancing for the next 2.5 hours!

We paused for the bouquet & garter toss from the balcony, then back to dancing.  We ended the night with “Everything” by Michael Buble before a sparkler exit downstairs.

Thank you for everything Bailey, Cruz, Kaisey & Janna!  I had a blast!!

Photos courtesy of Brandon at Southern Love Studios

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding For Jaclyn and Chris

I had been waiting for this day for over a year now.  I was honored to be one of the first vendors Jaclyn and Chris chose for their wedding ceremony and reception at the historic Merrimon Wynne House in downtown Raleigh on May 11^th. I was there to provide mics and music for both along with Will Greene Photography.  

The rain held off just long enough for the ceremony to be held outside with Reverend Kayelily.  I always love working with her and hearing her take on the couples love story!  As the 120 guests arrived I had a playlist of love songs playing.  The wedding party entered to an instrumental of “A Thousand Years” and Jaclyn and her Father to “Canon In D”.  Jaclyn looked beautiful with makeup by Makeup For Your Day. After a short service they recessed to “Best Day Of My Life” and Kayelily invited everyone inside for the cocktail hour right before the rain started.

After the cocktail hour guests were invited to the carriage house where I was set up for the reception. The room looked so pretty with floral arrangements by Southern Petals!  I lined the wedding party up with help from Merrimon Wynne’s Kaila and got them ready for introductions.  They came in to “Uptown Funk” and showed off some great dance moves.  Jaclyn and Chris came in to loud applause and had their first dance to the piano version of “Then” by Brad Paisley.  Maybe my fav first dance song. She danced with her Father next to “In My Life” by The Beatles.  Chris escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “My Wish”.  Her Father welcomed everyone and Reverend Chris blessed the meal.  The Rocky Top catered salads and entrees came out and I had a mix of soft rock, standards, classic soul and country music playing.  The meal was just delicious!!!

 

After dinner we had the Simply Cakes cutting to “How Sweet It Is” and I opened the floor with some beach music and Motown before mixing into some top 40 that filled it for the next 2.5 hours.  Even her 90 year old Grandparents were dancing most of the night!! For dancing I played a few more beach songs, some country, line dances, hits from 60’s to current and even played “Old Town Road” that had everyone singing a long!

I closed the night with “Friends In Low Places” and “Wagon Wheel”. Then, I ended with “All I Do Is Win” for all the ECU alumni there.  I even wore my ECU cufflinks for them. 

Thank you Jaclyn, Chris and Kaila!  I wish we could do it all over again!!

Photos courtesy of Will Greene Photography

A Wakefield Barn Wedding for Hannah and Wayne

I never met Hannah and Wayne until their wedding on May 5^that the Historic Wakefield Barn in Wake Forest, NC.  I originally just had a Facetime meeting with them while they were in NY.  I was so excited to play for them and meet all her family and friends from the UK.

Their ceremony was held on the 2^nd floor of the barn due to rain and I provided a mic for their officiant, Heidi Gessner and music.  As the 70 guests arrived I had a mix of classical pop music playing.  The room looked and smelled beautiful with floral arrangements by Anna & Brian with Meristem Floral!  The Groomsmen and Bridesmaids entered to “Marry Me” by The O’Neill Brothers.  Hannah entered from the top of the balcony and down the grand stairs to “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle.  I LOVE that song!!  After a short service, they recessed to “I Do” by Colbie Caillat and were invited downstairs to the horse stalls for cocktails.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, blues and top 40 playing.  Photographer Joe Payne and videographers Jamie & Al from the UK took photos of the wedding party upstairs before the staff flipped the room for dinner. After pics were done and the room was ready, planner Blake invited guests back upstairs where I was for dinner and dancing.

I introduced the wedding party to “First Date” by Blink 182 and Hannah and Wayne to and edit I made her of “London Bridge” by Fergie.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “I Want To Grow Old With You” by UK band Westlife. Hannah then had a dance with her Mother to “You Are My Sunshine” by Jasmine Thompson.  It’s such a beautiful and tender version of the song! Wayne escorted his Mother to the floor next for their dance to and edit I made them of “Mom” by Garth Brooks.  Hannah welcomed everyone and the salads and entrees came out.  During dinner was same music mix as cocktails.

 

After dinner the sun came out so Joe was able to take Hannah and Wayne outside for pics.  Everyone was done eating so I started playing some sing-a-long songs that got everyone (I mean everyone in the room) on the floor singing with their arms around each other!  Tom Jones “Delilah” was a HUGE hit!!  When pics were done and they were back in the room, we had the toasts and the Simply Cakes cutting to “I Can’t Help Myself”. After a bouquet toss to “Sweet But Psycho” I got everyone back out on the floor with some Motown and top 40 that kept them dancing for the next 2 hours.

We ended the night with “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and “Marry You” before a sparkler exit.  But, someone asked me to play “Star Spangled Banner” so how could I refuse??  I ended with that then “God Save The Queen” for everyone from the UK.

I had such an amazing time playing for this group!  Thank you so much Hannah, Wayne and Blake!!

Photos courtesy of Joe Payne Photography

A Marriott Wedding For Lauren and Conor In Downtown Raleigh

When I first met Lauren and Conor a year ago I knew this was going to be an awesome wedding at The Marriott City Center just from their energy, and it was amazing!!!

Their ceremony was held earlier in the day at the new Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.  The pics I’ve seen from photographer Pamela Jahnke are just beautiful!  I can’t wait to see more and the video by Thomas Blake Films!

After the 170 guests had a couple hours to rest, they made their way over to the Marriott for the cocktail hour and reception.  The cocktail hour was held in the hallway outside of the ballroom as well as another small room at the end.  I had wireless speakers in both broadcasting my live mix of standards, soft rock and classic soul.  

After the cocktail hour, the doors to the ballroom opened and guests found their seats.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Fresh Affairs.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with help from planner Amy from Knots and Such.  I introduced the parents, Maid Of Honor, Best Man and Lauren and Conor to “Bring ‘Em Out”. They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra.  Maybe my favorite song ever!! The Parents dances followed. Lauren and her Father danced to “My Little Girl” and Conor and his Mother to “My Wish”. Her Father welcomed everyone and his Aunt Beverly blessed the meal. The salads and entrees came out and I continued the same music mix.

 

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”. While the staff served the Ashley’s Cake (YAY!!!) we had some large family pictures on the dance floor before opening the floor to everyone. While taking pictures I played some sing a long classics that got everyone in the mood to dance. When I opened the floor with Motown, it quickly filled for the next 2 hours. During that time I had a packed floor all night to oldies, 80’s, some current dance music and some rock sing a longs. Towards the end of the night someone dropped a glass on the dance floor (happens at every wedding I DJ!) and the staff brought a yellow caution sign out to cover the wet spot.  So, of course a couple guys used it as an impromptu limbo stick!!  I will never forget that!!! LOL.

We ended the night with “Don’t Stop me Now” by Queen, but no one was ready to end yet.  So, I played “Last Dance” to finish the night.

Thank you Lauren, Conor and Amy!  I wish I could do it again this weekend!!

Photos courtesy of Pamela Jahnke Photography

An Epic Highgrove Wedding For Sarah and Marc

I knew Sarah and Marc’s wedding at Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina on April 27^th was going to be awesome from my first meeting with them a year and a half ago, and it was EPIC!!

Their ceremony was held in the newly renovated back of the property overlooking a beautifully wooded hill. I handled the music and mics for their Minister and reader.  As the 140 guests arrived I had a playlist of classical pop songs playing.  The Grandparents and Parents entered to “A River Flows” by Yiruma and Groomsmen to “Perfect” by Piano Peace. The Bridesmaids and Sarah entered to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” from Crazy Rich Asians.  After a ceremony officiated by a long time friend of Sarah’s family, they recessed to Cheerleader (Sarah and Marc’s favorite song). 

The guests were invited to a cocktail hour on the back patio while photographers Bill and Bow Tie Collaborative got some shots of the wedding party. During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, standards, country and classic soul playing.  After pics were done, the doors to the ballroom opened and I left music playing while I went to line the wedding party up with help from Highgrove’s Britni.  The room looked and smelled beautiful with floral arrangements by Flowers On Broad Street.  I introduced them to “All I Do Is Win” and Sarah and Marc came in to a loud roar from the crowd.  They had their first dance to “Latch (Acoustic)” by Sam Smith. The wedding party took their seats and Minister Dan blessed the meal.
Ashley from 

During dinner I had a mix of classical, country, soft rock and standards playing.  The food stations opened outside with a choice of Prime rib, pasta station and chicken & waffles.  It was ALL so good!!!!!  People started dancing unprovoked towards the end of dinner to some classic soul. After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “Pour Some Sugar On me”.  The Parents dances followed while the staff served the cake.  Sarah and her Father danced to “My Little Girl” and Marc and his Mother to “Humble & Kind” both by Tim McGraw.

I opened the floor to everyone with some disco and top 40 that filled it by the first song and stayed packed for the rest of the night.  I played lots of 70’s thru current and a couple Latin songs for Marc’s Mom and family.  I even played “Old Dirt Road” for everyone to sing a long to.

We ended the night with an epic sing a long to “New York, New York” and “Sweet Caroline” before a sparkler exit.

Thank you so much Sarah, Marc and Britni!  This was a wedding I will never forget!!!

Photos courtesy of Bow Tie Collaborative