A Merrimon Wynne Wedding for Kayla and Gabe

When I met Gabe in October last year I just knew there was going to be an epic dance party for his wedding at Merrimon Wynne on August 31st!!

Their ceremony was held on the side lawn and officiated over by Gabe’s Brother Ben.  He did an amazing job, especially since this was his first wedding.  As the 150 guests arrived I had some light classical music playing.  The Grandparents thru the wedding party entered to an instrumental of “A Thousand Years”.  Kayla and her Father entered to Wagner’s “Here Comes The Bride”.  After a short service they recessed to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and Ben invited everyone into the house for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres by Donovan’s Dish.  During the cocktail hour they had a playlist Gabe had made playing.

After pics were taken by Photographer Jordan Maunder, planner Amanda from Amanda Blair By Design invited everyone into the carriage house for dinner. The carriage house looked beautiful with a hanging floral arrangement by Wylde Flowers! After everyone was seated, I introduced the wedding party to “I Gotta Feeling”. They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Beyond” by Leon Bridges.  LOVE him!!! The Parents dances followed with Kayla and her Father’s dance to “How Sweet It Is”.  Gabe escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “My Wish”.  Her Father welcomed everyone and the food stations opened on the lawn.  During dinner I had a mix of classic soul, standards and soft rock playing.

After dinner we had a couple toasts then went right into an epic 3 hour dance party!  I started with a few Motown songs then into some Top 40. For the next 3 hours I played lots of 70’s, Top 40 and a great EDM set at the end of the night with fists pumping!! We ended the night with a last dance to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance”.

Thank you so much Gabe, Kayla, Haleigh and Amanda!!

An Umstead Wedding for Cecile and Eddie

Cecile and Eddie chose Cary’s Umstead Hotel to welcome their 50 guests from all over the world on August 25th.

The ceremony was held on the back lawn overlooking the pond and officiated by their friend from South Africa, Pastor William.  After the ceremony, the guests made their way to the back patio for mocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.  The Umstead covered the music.

After pics were taken by Rob and Amy Allen Photography, the doors to the small ballroom opened and guests found their seats with help from planner Elizabeth from A Southern Soiree.  The room looked beautiful with my uplights and floral arrangements by Preston Flowers Cary. I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up for introductions.  I introduce the Groomsmen to “Ice Ice Baby” and Bridesmaids to “Man, I Feel Like A Woman”. The Ladies were having a blast dancing to it, so I let it roll for a minute or so.  They took their seats and I introduced Cecile and Eddie to “Marry You” by Bruno Mars. They welcomed everyone and Pastor William blessed the 3-course meal.  The soup, salads and entrees came out and I played a mix of country & 80’s soft rock during dinner.

After dinner they had their first dance to “Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart followed by a dance with their parents to “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” by Elton John. We had a Party Delights Cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor next.  While the staff cut and served the cake we had a few toasts and opened the floor with a salsa, “Vivir Mi Vida” for their Spanish speaking guests. The floor packed and I went back and forth with Spanish and American music for the next hour.

We ended the night with a last dance to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and a confetti cannon exit from the back patio.

Thank you Cecile, Eddie, Kayla and Elizabeth!!  I was honored to DJ your wedding reception!!

Photos courtesy of Amy Allen Photography

A Wet Broadslab Distillery Wedding for Lauren and Spencer

They say that rain on your wedding day is good luck. Laurena and Spencer will have good luck for the rest of their lives together!!

The ceremony was held at Neills Creek Baptist Church on August 24th.  After the ceremony, the 200 guests made their way over to the Broadslab Distillery Barn in Benson NC where I was for the reception.  It’s a beautiful Barn with a huge covered front porch with rocking chairs, patio on the side, stage inside and a small balcony looking down onto the room.

As the guests arrived I had a mix of rock and country with a couple bluegrass songs for Spencer playing outside on the porch.  Guests enjoyed visiting with each other, listening to music and having refreshments before planner Shanna and her helpers opened the doors for the reception.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Dragonfly Florist.  The guests took their seats and it was time for the introductions.  I introduced the wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Lauren and Spencer from the balcony to “How Sweet It Is”. They came down stairs and had their first dance to “My Heaven” by Trace Adkins.The Parent s dances followed and Lauren and her Father danced to “My Little Girl”.  Spencer escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney.  Her Father, Randall, welcomed everyone and Reverend Chris blessed the Ron’s Barn catered barbecue meal. It was sooo good!!!!!! During dinner I had more rock and country playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and a brownie cutting to “I Can’t Help Myself”.  The brownies were delicious too!!  I opened the floor to everyone with “The Electric Slide” and some top 40 that filled it with young and old.  For the next hour and a half I played lots of 80’s, line dances, some current top 40 and a few slow songs including “Just Like You” by their family member Paige King Johnson that is just beautiful!! Thanks for sharing with me Paige!

We paused for the bouquet toss to “Juice” by Lizzo, garter removal to “Brick House” and toss to “Wild Thing”, then back to dancing.  We ended with “Dancing In The Moonlight”.  I can’t wait to see the pics from Brittany Cruse Photography! Thank you so much Lauren, Spencer, Joyce, Randall, Ashley and Shanna!  I truly feel like I am party of the family!!

A Merrimon Wynne wedding for Catherine and Phillip

For my first of 3 weddings this weekend I was at downtown Raleigh’s Merrimon Wynne house for Catherine and Phil‘s wedding on August 23rd.

The ceremony was held inside the carriage house and I ran a mic for their friend and officiant Dominic, as well as one for Phil and their readers.  I also ran all the music for the ceremony. As the 150 guests arrived I had a mix of classical music playing.  The Grandparents, Parents and wedding party entered to “Air On A G String”. Catherine and her Father entered to “Canon In D’.  After a short service and a few readings, they recessed to “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.  Planner Kathy from Sally Oakley Events invited guests inside the house for the cocktail hour while the staff from Rocky Top Catering flipped the room for dinner.

After the room was set and pics were taken by Adrienne from F8 Photo Studios and videographer Andrew Kennedy, the guests were invited back into the carriage house for the reception.  I left music playing and went to get Catherine and Phil ready for their introduction.  They came in to L.O.V.E. by Nat King Cole and had their first dance to it. Her Father welcomed everyone and 91 year old Grandfather blessed the meal. During dinner I had a mix of rock, classic soul and standards playing.

After dinner we had the toasts followed by the Parents dances.  Catherine and her Father danced to “Isn’t She Lovely” and Phil and his Mother to “My Wish”.  I opened the floor to everyone with some 70’s and Top 40 and guests danced and enjoyed the Edible Arts cupcake display.

For the next 2 hours they danced non-stop to top 40, Latin, 80’s and some classic rock before the last dance to “Shout” by The Isley Brothers.  I announced the after party at Coglins downtown and invited guests to take some Krispy Kreme donuts on the way out.

Thank you Catherine, Phillip, Abby and Kathy!  This wedding was so fun!!

Photos courtesy of F8 Photo Studios

A Multi-Cultural Wedding for Katie and Kevin at Market Hall

When I originally Skyped with Katie’s Parents Penny and Alan in January and heard their vision of this very unique wedding at Market Hall on August 17th, I was instantly hooked and the wheels started turning. They had 215 guests coming from all over the world and wanted to incorporate Greek and Palestinian music into the dancing, as well as typical American music. Challenge accepted!!

The ceremony was held earlier at All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church.  After the ceremony, the guests made their way over to Market Hall where I was set up and ready.  As they arrived I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul, standards and a few Greek and Arabic songs playing.  Guests enjoyed refreshments, passed hors d’oeuvres, The Bunn DJ Company Photo Booth, corn hole and a large Jenga set.  The wedding party and Katie and Kevin joined after pics and video were done at the church by Timo Andrews Visuals and John from Story Focused Media.

After the cocktail hour, I invited guests into the larger back room with help from planner extraordinaire Kathy from Sally Oakley Weddings & Events and Katie’s Parents welcomed everyone.  After the blessing, guests were invited to sample food from all over the world made by Market Hall Catering.  The tacos and salmon were amazing!!!  During dinner I continued the same mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had the parents dances and started with Kevin and his Mother to the Cuban salsa song “Mandinga” by Buena Vista Social Club.  Katie and her Father had their dance that started with “Your Song” then into “Conga”, “U Can’t Touch This”, “Party Rock Anthem” and “The Twist”, then ended with “Your Song” again.  It was so great and really caught everyone off guard. Katie and Kevin had their dance last that started with “Fly Me To The Moon” Then into a Greek Kalamatiano and Ikaria that a live drummer (Naji) joined, then everyone joined in to dance with them.  I followed it up with some American music and then more Greek. It was just an amazing energy of love and dance all night!  

We ended the night with the Greek song “Den Thelo Tetious Filous” and a Palestinian song before a sparkler exit from the side of the building.

Thank you for everything Katie, Kevin, Penny, Alan, Jayne, Kathy and Peter from Island Sounds for helping out with a couple needed extra speakers!  This was a wedding I will never forget!!

A Bay 7 Wedding for Kathleen and Brian

When I met Katie and Brian over a year ago I was already excited for their wedding at Bay 7 on August 10^th!

Their ceremony was held on the first floor and officiated by fav Reverend Barbara Lodge.  She always does such a wonderful job!!  The alter looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Embellished Blooms. I ran Barbara’s mic and they had a classical guitarist, Chris from Arioso Strings, handle the music.  He also was just fantastic.  

After a short service, Barbara invited the 100 guests to the 2^nd floor for refreshments and passed hors d’oeuvres. During the cocktail hour they had a live pianist, Scott, provide music.  He, also, was wonderful! After pics were done by photographer Joe Payne (LOVE him!!) and the room was flipped for dinner, I invited guests downstairs to their seats.  I started some music and went back upstairs to line up the Parents and Katie & Brian for introductions with help from planner Nicole from Premier Party Planners.

I introduced them to ‘Forever” by Chris Brown and Katie and Brian to the remix of “Let’s Get Married” by Jagged Edge.  LOVE that song!!  They had their first dance to “She’s Got A Way” by Billy Joel and Katie’s Father welcomed everyone. The salads were already preset and the entrees came out soon.  During dinner I had a mix of rock, standards and classic soul playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and Edible Art Cake cutting to “Sugar” by Maroon 5.  The parents dances shortly followed with Katie & her father dancing to “You Are So Beautiful”. Brian escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to a couple minutes of “American Pie”.   We had an anniversary dance to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and then opened the floor to everyone with some disco and top 40 that filled it for the next two hours.  I played lots of top 40, rock sing a longs and 80’s for this crowd from New Jersey.

I ended the night with “Don’t Stop me Now” and finally “Paradise By Dashboard Lights” (a staple for an NJ wedding!). I invited everyone upstairs and they had a sparkler exit.

Thank you Katie, Brian, Sarah and Nicole!  I LOVE playing this wedding!!

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding for Mary and Logan

I met Mary and Logan almost a year ago and was excited to finally play for them on Friday, August 9th! They are both so nice and I was sure going to be a blast to DJ for, and it was!!

The ceremony was held in the lawn of Merrimon Wynne under the huge tree at the end.  I was there to run a mic for their officiant, Paul and well as all the music. As the guests arrived I had a mix of classical music playing.  The wedding party entered to “Canon In D” and Mary and her Father to “The Bridal March”.  After a short service they recessed to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and were invited into the house for refreshments.

After pics were done by Danielle from Blissmore Photography the 150 guests were invited to the carriage house by planner extraordinaire Sally Oakley where I was set up for dinner and dancing.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Fresh Affairs!!  I left music playing and went into the house to line the wedding party up with Sally. I introduced them to “I Gotta Feeling” and Mary and Logan had their first dance to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.  It was so sweet when they sang it to each other like they were alone in the kitchen!! His Father welcomed everyone and blessed the Rocky Top catered meal. During dinner I had a mix of jazz standards playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and Cinda’s Cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” by Michael Buble. Mary had a dance with her Father to “I Loved Her First” and Logan and his Mother to a shortened edit I made him of “Sunshine On My Shoulders”.  I’ve always loved that song!!  We had an anniversary dance to “The Way You Look Tonight’ with the winners at 47 years married. I opened the floor to everyone with some beach music and top 40 that filled it for the next 1.5 hours.  I played lots of oldies, 80’s and a few current top 40 songs.

We paused for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” before ending the night with some EDM, sing a longs and the last dance to “Save The Last Dance For Me” by Michael Buble.  I invited the guests to the front of the house for a sparkler exit and Mary and Logan left on a horse drawn carriage.

Thank you Mary, Logan, Mr & Mrs Merchant, Abby and Sally!!  I had the best time!!

A Bay 7 Wedding For Diana And Daniel

Bay 7 at The American Tobacco Historic District is always such a fun place for a wedding! Diana and Daniel’s Wedding Reception on August 3^rd was no exception.

Their ceremony was held earlier at Duke Chapel.  I can’t wait to see photographer Cassie with FireRose Photography ’s pics!! After the ceremony, the 160 guests made their way over to Bay 7 where I was.  As the 160 guests arrived the had a live pianist playing upstairs for the cocktail hour.  Toward the end of the cocktail hour I invited everyone to their seats downstairs and left some music playing while I lined the wedding party up for introductions with help from Angel from Bay 7. The tables looked beautiful with floral arrangements by The English Garden. 

I introduced them to “Party Rock Anthem” and each couple had their own dance at the bottom of the stairs. Diana and Daniel were introduced to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and had their first dance to “Extraordinary Magic” by Ben Rector.  They took their seats and her Father welcomed everyone followed by a blessing.  The salads and entrees came out and I played a mix of classical music during dinner. I also got to say hi to a past Bride (Ashley) who was a guest and I played for back in 2015.

Towards the end of dinner Diana’s Mother Nancy surprised them with a video montage she narrated with pics of Diana and Daniel growing up and their life together. She did a great job and everyone loved it!  After the presentation we had the toasts and Parents dances.  Daniel and his Mother started to “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw.  Diana joined her Father on the floor for their dance that started with “What A Wonderful World” for a minute, then into “What is Love” for a short time and finally “Let’s Get It Started” that all the wedding party joined for.  After a minute of that song I mixed into “24K Magic” and opened the floor.  It packed instantly and stayed that way all night! I even played “Blue” by Eiffel 65 and “Everytime We Touch” for all the Duke Alumni!  It was mayhem!!

We paused for the Capital Cakes cutting to “This Will be (An Everlasting Love)” and then back to dancing until the end of the night.  We had a bouquet toss at the end of the night to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” before a last dance to “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker and a sparkler exit.

Thank you Diana, Daniel, Angel, Jack and Nancy!  I had an amazing time!!

A Cotton Room Wedding for Kim and Will

I was back at the Cotton Room to DJ another wedding for the second day in a row, this time for Kim and Will on July 28th.  I LOVE The Cotton Room and was thrilled to be back.

Kim and Will’s ceremony was held along the far wall with floor to ceiling windows.  They had Reverend Ed Sansbury to officiate.  He always does such a wonderful job!  The Parents through their children walked down the aisle to “Arioso” by Bach.  Kim and her Father entered to “Canon In D”.  After a short service that included readings by all 4 of the children, they recessed to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”. Ed invited the 50 guests to the social hour in the back of the room and I started a mix of rock, county, standards and classic soul.

After pics were done by Photographer Megan Kime, the white linens opened to reveal the ballroom and I invited guests to their seats for dinner.  I introduced just Will and Kim to “On Top Of The World” by Imagine Dragons and they came in for their first dance to “Thinking Out Loud”. Her Father joined her on the floor for their dance to “What A Wonderful World”. Will escorted his Mother to the floor after that for their dance to “Like Jesus Does” by Eric Church.  His Uncle Mike blessed the meal and the family style southern dinner came out.  During dinner I played more soft rock, country, soul and standards.

After dinner we had a toast by Will’s childhood friend Trey and an anniversary dance to “Unchained Melody”. I opened the floor for a while with some Motown and top 40 before pausing for the Ambrosia Cakes cutting to “How Sweet it is” by James Taylor. While the staff served the cake, I opened the floor again with some top 40 and hip-hop (and The Git Up” twice for Kalee, the cutest little flower girl!!).

We ended the night with a last dance to a minute of “Wonderful Tonight” then a surprise mix into ”Shut Up and Dance” to end the night.

Thank you Kim, Will and Chris!!  I was honored to DJ for you!

Photos courtesy of Megan Kime Photography