A Bay 7 Wedding for Caroline and Jeremy

Two of the nicest people ever were married on Sunday, September 29^that Bay 7 and I was luckily their DJ!

Caroline and Jeremy’s ceremony was held on the bottom floor of Bay7, right at the bottom of the stairs. The alter looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Watered Garden. I ran all the mics and Arioso Strings covered most of the music. Their officiant, Ethan, did a great job and they had a guitarist and singer do a duet during their communion. The ceremony was so sweet and special! They also wrote their vows to each other and read them.  After the ceremony, Ethan invited guests to the second floor for cocktails and I started a mix of country, rock, classic soul and standards.

After the room was “flipped” for dinner and dancing and pics were done by Tanika and her team with Rina Studios, I invited the 150 guests back downstairs for dinner. I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with help from Bay 7’s Sarah.  I introduced them to “Walking In Sunshine” and Caroline and Jeremy had their first dance to “Unchained Melody”. Her Mother welcomed everyone and blessed the meal, and the salads and entrees came out.

After dinner we had the toasts and Ashley’s Cake cutting (all snickerdoodle cake!!!!) to “Sugar, Sugar” before the Parents dances. Caroline joined her Father on the floor for their dance to “I’ll Never Know” by Elvis and Jeremy and his Mother to “Humble and Kind”. We had an Anniversary dance to “Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart with the winners at 45 years married.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” for her Mother and the floor filled for the next 1.5 hours.  Caroline had the biggest smile on her face the whole time!!  I just LOVE to see that!!

We ended the night with the very appropriate “Sweet Caroline” and finally “The Best Is Yet To Come” by Us and our Sisters.  I invited everyone back upstairs for a sparkler exit.

Thank you Caroline, Jeremy, Martha and Sarah!  I hope I get to DJ for you again!!

An Angus Barn Pavilion Wedding for Alli and Flynn

I was so excited to DJ Alli and Flynn’s wedding at The Angus Barn Pavilion on September 28^th!  They are so nice and were thrilled that I was their DJ!!

The ceremony was held by the pond and the Angus Barn house AV guy, JP, handled the sound along with Arioso Strings.  I was set up way before in the pavilion just waiting to play.  After the ceremony, the 200 guests walked back to the pavilion for a cocktail hour on the back patio and inside.  I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul and standards playing.  Guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and “that cheese” (so good!!) while Amber from Six Foot Photography and A. Rivera Films got shots of the wedding party by the pond.

After pics were done, I invited guests into the pavilion for dinner with help from Angel from the Angus Barn.  The room looked amazing with floral arrangements by Meristem Floral. I introduced just Alli and Flynn to “Jump Around” and they had a short dance with each other before there now “second dance” as husband and wife to “Swept Away (Sentimental Version)” by The Avett Brothers.  Her three Brothers welcomed everyone and the salads and entrées came out.  During dinner was same mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had the toasts and a Simply Cakes cutting to “Cake’ by Flo Rida.  The Parents dances followed with Alli and her Father first.  Their song was “My Old Man by Zac Brown.  I LOVE That song for a Father/Daughter dance!! Flynn escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” that everyone sang and clapped along to.  We had an anniversary dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” with the winners at 41 years married.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” that filled it with 150 or so guests within the first minute!!  It was so great!  They went hard for the next 2 hours to Top 40, 80’s, some sing-a-longs and Hip-Hop before ending the night with “Closing Time” and a sparklers exit.

Thank you Alli, Flynn, Kurt and Angel!!  I will never forget this wedding!!

Photo courtesy of Six Foot Photography

A Cotton Room Wedding for Britta and Onur

I felt like I knew Britta’s whole family by the time her wedding at The Cotton Room came on September 27th. I had been in contact with her Mother and had Skype meetings with her Sister twice before the wedding.

Their ceremony was held in the middle of The Cotton Room and lined with floor to ceiling white linens. Her Sister, Signe, officiated the ceremony and did a great job. After the service the 100 guests made their way to the back of the room so the staff could flip the room for dinner.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of beach music, soft rock and 80’s hair bands playing.  Photographer Zoe Litaker took the wedding party and Britta and Onur outside for some shots.

After pics were taken the white linens opened again and guests were invited to their seats.  I introduced the parents, wedding party and Britta & Onur to RuPaul’s “Cover Girl”. They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Bring Me Sunshine” by Willie Nelson.  They had a dual parents dance next to “What A Wonderful World” followed by a welcome speech by her Mother Gretchen. During dinner I played the same mix as cocktails.

After dinner Britta’s Mother MC’d the toasts and we had a cake cutting to “How Sweet It is” by James Taylor.  I opened the floor with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it with you and old, and from all over the world!! There were guests from Costa Rica, America, Germany, Turkey and Ecuador among others.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies”, then back to dancing until the end of the night.  I had a great time playing Spanish Reggaeton & Cha Cha, American classics and a couple Turkish line dances.

We had a last dance to “Don’t Stop Believin’” before a sparkler exit. Thank you Britta, Onur, Signe, Lauren and Gretchen!  I was thrilled to be your DJ!

A Market Hall Wedding for Ann and Adam

I was so glad to be back at Market Hall on September 21^st, this time for Ann and Adam’s wedding.

The ceremony was held blocks away at All Saints Chapel. After the service, the 120 guests made their way to Market Hall where I was set up and ready.  The dining area where I was set up was blocked off with floor to ceiling white linens, but I was still able to play my mix of Motown and Stax hits with some classic rock for the cocktail hour.  Guests enjoyed refreshments and our Bunn DJ Company Sleek Photo booth.

After pics and video of the wedding party was done by Kate Pope  & Jon Warlick Media, the white linens opened and I invited guests to their seats with help from planner Kathy with Sally Oakley Events.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Mews Floral Designs. After everyone was seated, I introduced Ann and Adam to “Can’t Stop The Feelin’” and they came to the floor for their first dance to an edit of Paul McCartney’s cover of “Always” that Ann’s Brother did a great job with!  They welcomed everyone and her brother blessed the meal.

During dinner I had a mix of standards and classic rock playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and Edible Art Cake cutting to “When I’m 64”.  While the staff cut the cake and served it, Ann danced with her Brothers to “Look At Little Sister” by Stevie Ray Vaughan (it was a great surprise to her).  Adam and his Mother had their dance to “What A Wonderful World”.  He then had his adorable daughter join him for a dance that started with the Rolling Stones version of “My Girl” for a minute, then into “24K Magic” that had everyone join them on the floor.

For the next 1.5 hours guests danced to Top 40 and 80’s.  And since it was “the 21^stnight of September”, I HAD to play September by Earth, Wind and Fire (get it???)!!  We ended the night with “Real Love” by Ryan Shaw and a bubbles exit onto the cobblestone road.

Thank you Ann, Adam, Kandy and Kathy!!  I loved everything about this wedding!!

Photos courtesy of Kate Pope Photography

A Cloth Mill Wedding for Kyla and Adam

What a sweet couple! I was so thankful to DJ Kyla and Adam’s wedding reception at The Cloth Mill at Eno River in Hillsborough NC on September 14^th.

Their ceremony was held earlier in the day at Duke Chapel.  After a couple hour break the 110 guests made their way over to The Cloth Mill where I was for the reception.  As they arrived for the cocktail hour out on the back lawn, I had a wireless speaker playing a wonderful mix of indie rock and oldies that Kyla and Adam mostly picked. After pics were done by Christina from Christina Marie Stock, I invited guests inside for dinner and dancing. The room looked beautiful with arrangements by Meristem Floral! I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with help from planner Jocelyn from A Paradigm Shift Event.

I Introduced the wedding party and Kyla and Adam to “Marry You” by Bruno Mars.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “The Vow” by RuthAnne. I had never heard it before, but it was perfect! An anniversary dance followed to “Remember When” with the winners at 43 years married. Her Parents and Adams Mother welcomed everyone and the salads and entrees by Beau Catering came out.  It was all soo good!!!  During dinner I played more indie rock along some classic soul and soft rock.

After dinner we had the toasts from Shaina and Jared, Kyla and Adam and then a surprise song by her Mother accompanied by sax player Derek.  She did a wonderful job singing this song that she would sing to Kyla when she was a child.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the room!!  After eyes were dried, we had the Wicked Sweet Cakes cutting to “Champagne Life’ by Ne-Yo. While the staff cut the cake we had a dual parents dance to “You Are My Sunshine” by Jasmine Thompson.  I LOVE her cover of it!  Before opening the floor to everyone we had a money dance with both Kyla and Adam to “Bright Star Polka” and then opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” and some Motown and Top 40 that filled it for the next 3 hours.

We paused for the bouquet toss to “Girls” by The Beastie Boys, garter removal to “American Woman” and toss to “Another One Bites The Dust”. Back to dancing until the end of the night to hip-hop and top 40 before the last dance to “At Last” by Etta James and a bubble exit.

Thank you Kyla, Adam, Nicole and Jocelyn!  I loved every minute of this reception!!

A Fun Wedding Weekend With Brooke and Ryan

I didn’t realize until closer to the wedding (and neither did they) that both Ryan and his Mother had separately hired me from venue referrals for both the rehearsal dinner and wedding on September 6^thand 7^th.  I knew I didn’t want to duplicate anything from night to night for this wonderful couple & their guests. Challenge accepted!

Brooke and Ryan’s rehearsal dinner was held on Friday at The Angus Barn Pavilion for 100 people.  As the guests arrived I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul, standards and a few country songs playing. They enjoyed visiting, cornhole on the back patio, passed hors d’oeuvres and the veggie and cheese display.  What do they do to that cheese to make it so good???

After the cocktail hour I invited them to take their seats for dinner.  His Father, Dave welcomed everyone and Pastor Nathan blessed the meal. The salads and entrees came out and I continued the same music mix as cocktails.  After dinner we had a shoe game and 6 toasts while guests enjoyed champagne and dessert.  Instead of opening the dance floor (that was holding over until Saturday) I played a mix of sing a long “Beachy/Yacht Rock” songs like “Build me Up Buttercup”, “Dancing In The Moonlight” and “Still The One” for guests to visit more before heading out.

Saturday- Wedding Day!!!!

I arrived at The Historic Wakefield Barn super early to set up for the ceremony and hang out with my fellow vendor friends. Shelley from Expressions Of Love Florist was getting the ceremony site on the 2^nd floor ready. Photographer Nancy Ray was taking pics of Brooke, Ryan and wedding party separately around the property with videographers Chris & Toni from Heart Stone Films and Steph from Southern Oak Events was making sure everything was perfect.  Brooke and her Bridesmaids looked beautiful with hair & makeup by Makeup By Ashley Mooney.

As the 200 guests arrived for the ceremony they were treated to live music by a quartet from Arioso Strings. I ran a mic for Pastor Nathan as well as a hand held mic for a reader.  After the ceremony they were invited to the 1^st floor barn stables for cocktails and more music by Arioso Strings while the staff flipped the 2^nd floor for dinner and dancing.

When the room was ready guests came back upstairs and I lined the wedding party up for introductions. They were introduced to “(This Will Be) An Everlasting Love” and lined up in front of the head table.  Brooke and Ryan came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Forever Like That” by Ben Rector.  They sang it to each other like they were the only ones in the room. It was so sweet!!  Brooke’s Father welcomed everyone and Brooke and Ryan blessed the meal.  During dinner I played a similar playlist to the night before, but different songs (of course).

After dinner we had a couple toasts and opened the floor with some Motown and top 40 that FILLED it by the end of the first song!  The floor was packed for the entire 2 hours!  We paused for the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” and a bouquet toss from the top of the mezzanine to “Single Ladies”, then back to dancing until the end of the night.

We ended with a last dance to “Wagon Wheel” before sending everyone downstairs again for a sparkler exit.

Thank you for everything Brooke, Ryan, Amy, Dave, Greg and Steph!! I was honored to play for you all weekend!

An Umstead Hotel Wedding for Morgan and Mark

I always LOVE playing at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC!  This time, it was for Morgan and Mark’s wedding on September 1^st (the day before my Birthday).

Their ceremony was held earlier in the afternoon on the back lawn of The Umstead with Minister Ed Sansbury and music by Save The Date Music. Morgan and Mark had lots of things for the 80 guests to do on their few hours break before the wedding reception later in the evening.

When I arrived I was greeted with a “Happy Birthday” from several staff members of The Umstead. Then, I saw a box left for me on my DJ table by baker Ashley Cakes!  Not going to lie, I kinda teared up a little.  My favorite cake that she makes (snickerdoodle) with my logo on top waiting for me!!  OMG!  So, I delicately moved it under my table and set up for the reception (and dreaming of eating that cake later!!).

The cocktail hour was held in the prefunction area outside of the ballroom I was in and The Umstead handled the music.  When the cocktail hour was over, the guests were invited inside the ballroom by planner extraordinaire GINA from A Southern Soiree.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Tre Bella, as did Morgan with makeup by Ashley Mooney. I can’t wait to see more pics from photographer Danielle from Blissmore Photography! I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with Gina.  I introduced them to “I Gotta Feeling” and Morgan and Mark to the chorus of “Something Just Like This” by Coldplay.  They came in to loud applause and Morgan’s Father welcomed everyone.

The soup, salads and entrees came out and I played a mix of jazz standards during dinner.  After dinner we had the toasts and Ashley’s Cake cutting to “Sugar” by Maroon 5 that turned into a food fight..LOL!!  After they were cleaned up, they had their first dance to “25 Years” by Dan Rodriguez.  Morgan danced with her Father to “Butterfly Kisses” and Mark and his Mother to “My Wish”.  We had an anniversary dance to “L.O.V.E.” with the winners at 45 years married.  I opened the floor to everyone with “Brick House” and some 70’s then Top 40 that instantly filled it for the next 2 hours.

After dancing hard all night, it was time for the last dance to “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing before a confetti cannon exit from the back patio. Thank you for everything Morgan, Mark, Danielle, Gina, Ashley Cakes and Kayla!

Photos courtesy of Blissmore Photography