A Merrimon Wynne Italian Wedding for Ashlie and Ryan

When both Bride and Groom are Italian and lots of fun, I am thrilled to be their DJ!!

Ashlie and Ryan chose downtown Raleigh’s historic Merrimon Wynne House for their wedding ceremony and reception on October 19^th.  I arrived early and set up my sound system for the ceremony.  As the 150 guests arrived I had a mix of soft rock playing.  The Parents entered to “The Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire”. The wedding party to the Ed Sheeran part of “Perfect Symphony”.  Officiant Barbara Lodge asked guests to stand and Ashlie and her Father entered from the house to the Bocelli verse of “Perfect Symphony”.  After a beautiful service by Barbara, they recessed to “Heaven” by Bryan Adams.  They were invited into the house for cocktails and I had a mix of Italian crooners playing inside.

After pics & film were done Pamela Jahnke and Thomas Blake, the guests were invited into the carriage house for dinner and dancing. The room looked gorgeous with floral arrangements by Meristem Floral! I lined the wedding party up with lots of help from Catherine with Events by La Fete! I introduced the Parents to “Rock Of Ages” by Def Leppard and wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling”.  Ashlie and Ryan came in to “Hot For The Teacher” and loud applause.  They had their first dance to “Thank You For Loving Me” by Bon Jovi. Her Father welcomed everyone and her Uncle blessed the meal.  The Rocky Top catering food stations opened and I had a mix of classic rock and Italian crooners playing.

After dinner we had the toasts followed by the Parents dances.  Ashlie and her Father were first to an edit I made them that started with “When You Need Me” by Bruce Springsteen, then into “Nothin’ But A Good Time” by Poison. So great!! Ryan and his Mother danced to a shortened edit of “Mother” by Sugarland I made for her.  I opened the floor to everyone with the Italian classic “The Tarantella” and the Limoncello shots came out!!  Some oldies and top 40 followed and kept the guests dancing for the next 3 hours.

We ended the night with Joe Cocker’s “With A Little Help From My Friends”, Garth’s “Friends In Low Places” and finally “New York, New York” that had everyone in a huge circle singing and dancing.  Thank you Ashlie, Ryan, Bill, Catherine and Kaila.  That was an awesome wedding!!

Photo courtesy of Pamela Jahnke Photography