Joanna and JB’s Wedding at Merrimon Wynne on March 8th

I was back to Merrimon Wynne for my second wedding this weekend, this time for Joanna and JB on March 8^th and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Joanna and JB had their ceremony on lawn under a huge tree and I provided mics and music.  As the 130 guests arrived, I had a mix of acoustic rock and country love songs playing. When it was time for the ceremony, JB’s Father (who was also their officiant) entered followed by JB and the other Parents to “A River Flows In You” by Yiruma. The wedding party entered to “A Thousand Years” and Joanna and her Father to an instrumental of “Turning Page” by Sleeping At Last. After a short service, the guests were invited inside the house for the cocktail hour.  I had a mix of rock, country, classic soul and standards playing inside.

After pics and video were done by Ashley & Bill from Bow Tie Collaborative and Ray from Weddings by LDF, guests were invited into the carriage house by planner Catherine from La Fete. I left music playing and went into the house to line the wedding party up with Catherine. The room looked beautiful with arrangements by Fallons Flowers.

I introduced the wedding party to “We Found Love” by Rihanna and Joanna and JB to “Born To Love You” by LANco.  They had their first dance to “Yes, The Longer The Waiting” by Josh Tuner that was just the perfect song for them! The Parents dances followed with Joanna and her Father first.  Their dance was to “My Little Girl” and JB and his Mother to “Forever Young”. JB welcomed everyone and his Father blessed the Rocky Topbuffet. During dinner I had a mix of rock, country and classic soul playing.

 

After dinner we had the toasts and Nothing Bundt Cakes cutting to “Sugar” by Maroon 5. I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it with young and old.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and garter toss to “Pony”, then back to dancing until the end of the night.

We ended with “Forever Country” by Artists Of Then, Now & Forever before the last dance to “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show.

Thank you Joanna, JB, Abby and Catherine.  I loved every minute of this wedding and thank you for your service to our country JB!

Photos courtesy of Bow Tie Collaborative

Ali and Logan’s Wedding at Merrimon Wynne

When I met Ali and Logan a year ago I knew this was going to be a really fun wedding at Merrimon Wynne on March 7th! They were having guests in from everywhere including Ali’s Cuban family from Miami!!

Their ceremony was held on the lawn and officiated over by Reverend Heidi Gessner. I always love working with her! As the 90 guests arrived, I had a mix of classical pop songs playing by Vitamin String Quartet and The Piano Guys. Logan, his Parents and the flower girl & ring bearers entered to “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele.  The wedding party and Ali & her Father entered to “A Thousand Years” by The Piano Guys. After a short service that included a reading, they recessed to “Everything’ by Michael Buble. Heidi invited them inside for the cocktail hour while I got everything ready for the reception in the carriage house.

After pics were done by Photographer Jordan Maunder, planner Stephanie Shaul invited everyone into the carriage house for dinner and dancing. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Bowerbird Flowers! I left music playing and went into the house to line the wedding party up for intro’s with Stephanie. I introduced the parents to “Dancing Queen” and wedding party to “Mi Gente”. Ali and Logan entered to “Space Jam” LOL and had their first dance to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic.  Ali danced with her Father to “De Nina” by Julio Iglesias and Logan and his Mother to “My Wish”. Caterer Beau from Beau’s Catering welcomed everyone and described the plated meal.  His bbq empanadas were the best!!!! During dinner I had a mix of standards playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and an anniversary dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” with Ali’s Parents winning as the longest married couple.  I opened the floor with some 70’s funk and Latin that filled the floor with Ali and Logan’s friends and family.  We paused for The Cupcake Shoppe cake cutting to “I Can’t Help Myself” then back to dancing. Around 10PM I gave Logan the mic and he announced it was “Bo Time!!” and Stephanie and her girls served the Bojangles late night chicken biscuits.  Such a great idea!!!! I handed out the glow sticks and blinking sunglasses for a conga line to ”Conga”. 

We ended the night with a huge sing a long to “Friends In Low Places” before a sparkler exit.

Thank you Ali, Logan, Stephanie and Sasha! I had the best time!! See you tomorrow for another Merrimon Wynne.

Photo courtesy of Jordan Maunder Photography

Amanda and Jordan’s Leap Day Wedding at The Fearrington Barn

I had such a great time at Amanda and Jordan’s wedding in the Fearrington Barn on February 29^th!

I originally met them at our office back in April and hit it off right then. I even remembered that Jordan loved Darth Vader, so wore my Vader cufflinks for their wedding.  When I arrived to set up, they were across the property in the Garden Terrace for the ceremony. A duet from Arioso Strings supplied the music.

After the ceremony, the 85 guests came over to the barn for the cocktail hour and reception. It was a little cool outside, so the cocktail hour was inside.  Arioso Strings supplied music for most of the cocktail hour also. After they were done I put on a playlist of classical pop songs until I introduced the wedding party.

I introduced the Parents and wedding party to “Sexy And I Know It”. Amanda and Jordan were introduced to “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Everything” by Michael Buble. Her Father welcomed everyone and the food stations opened.  During dinner I had a mix of standards, classic soul and soft rock playing.

After dinner we had the toasts followed by the Parents dances. Amanda and her Father’s dance was first to a couple minutes “Brown Eyed Girl”.  Jordan and his Mother’s dance was next.  It started with “Shut Up and Dance” for a minute, then Sheryl Crow’s cover of “Sweet Child ‘O Mine” to finish it.  It’s such a great cover and isn’t well known.  We had an anniversary dance to “Something About The Way You Look Tonight” by Elton John before opening the floor to everyone.  It was a fun elimination dance with the winners at 50 years married.  I opened the floor to everyone with ‘Dancing In The Moonlight” and some Motown, then Top 40.

We paused for the cake cutting to “Sugar, Sugar” then back to dancing until the end of the night. We ended with “Save The Last Dance” by Michael Buble before a sparkler exit. I can’t wait to see the pics from Krystal Kast Photography!

Thank you Amanda, Jordan and Gilda.  So fun!!

An Italian Wedding for Brittney and Tony at Merrimon Wynne

Merrimon Wynne is kinda my home away from home and I was thrilled to be there for Brittney and Tony’s wedding on February 22^nd!

Their ceremony was held inside the carriage house and officiated over by Reverend Ed Sansbury. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Plume Events.  They had musicians from Save The Date Music provide music for the ceremony.  I arrived towards the end of the ceremony to set up while the room was being flipped for dinner.

After pics were done by Jordan Maunder Photography and video by Jon Warlick Media, the cocktail hour ended and the 90 guests were invited back to the carriage house for dinner and dancing. I left music playing and went into the house to line the wedding party up with planners Amanda & Heather from Amanda Blair By Design.  I introduced the wedding party into the carriage house to “Beautiful” by Akon and Brittney & Tony to “Hooked On A Feeling”.  The wedding party joined them on the floor to dance for a minute, then made some room for Brittney and Tony’s first dance to “Crush” by Dave Matthews.  They took their seats and the Rocky Top catered buffet opened.  During dinner I had a mix of upbeat standards, Motown and rock playing.

After dinner we had a private Sugar Euphoria cake cutting followed by the toasts.  The Parents dances were next with Tony and his Mother first to a shortened edit I made them of “A Mother’s Song”. Brittney and her Father were next to an edit I made them of “Cassidy” by The Grateful Dead. I invited everyone to join them after a minute, then followed that up with “Dancing In The Moonlight”.  It was such a great way to open the floor and worked great!! Some Motown and Top 40 mixed with some 80’s, song a longs and even “Walking In Memphis” kept them dancing until the end of the night.

We ended the night with a last dance to “Sweet Caroline” before a sparkler exit.

Thank you Brittney, Tony, Abby, Heather and Amanda!!  That was such a fun wedding!!

Erin and Jimmy’s Wedding at Market Hall

Filling in for another DJ is always makes me a nerve wreck.  You don’t know the DJs style and what made the Bride & Groom love them, but I was up for the challenge.

Erin and Jimmy had their wedding ceremony and reception both at downtown Raleigh’s Market Hall on February 15th.  I was there to provide mics for the ceremony and DJ the cocktail hour and reception.  The ceremony was held in the Market View side.  Erin’s Uncle was their officiant and they had a live keyboard player and violinist provide music.  After a short service that included a reading, the 150 guests were invited to Park View side of the building for the cocktail hour.  I had a mix of standards, soft rock and classic soul playing while photographer Arika from Arika Jordan Photography got some shots of the wedding party. 

After the staff flipped the room for dinner, I invited guests back to Market View with help from planner Chelsy from The Gathering Co. The room looked beautiful with white linen covering the walls and floral arrangements by Mood Fleuriste. I left music playing and lined the wedding party up for introductions.  I introduced them to “Bring Em Out” and Erin and Jimmy to “If I Can’t Have You” by Shawn Mendes.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “You Are The Best Thing”. Her Father welcomed everyone and blessed the meal.  The food stations opened and I continued a music mix heavy on standards during dinner.

After dinner we had the cake cutting to “Cake” by Flo Rida and then the toasts.  The Parents dances followed with Erin and her Father first. They had their dance to “I’ll Be Your Man” by Zac Brown.  LOVE that song!  Jimmy and his Mother had their dance to “Blessed” by Elton John.  The Two Roosters Ice Cream station opened and opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” followed by some Motown and Top 40.  For the next 2 hours guests danced to oldies, Top 40, some hip- hop and ended with an EDM dance party with glow sticks. I even played Petey Pablo’s “Raise Up” and mixed into “Black and Yellow” to represent her NC and his Pittsburg roots.

We ended the night with a last dance to “Say Hey” by Michael Franti & Spearhead before a glow stick exit outside.  Thank you so much for trusting me with your day Erin and Jimmy and thanks for all your help Jessica & Chelsy!!

Photo courtesy of Arika Jordan Photography

Kendall and Ben’s Wedding at Bay 7 in Durham NC

Being that Kendall and Ben live in New York City and he is a comedian, I knew this wasn’t going to be the typical wedding at Bay 7, and it wasn’t…and so fun!!

Their ceremony was held earlier in the day at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh. After the ceremony, the 200 guests had a little break before heading over to the reception.  As the guests arrived they had a live pianist playing for the cocktail hour. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Mel from Dogwood Tree Floral Design! I can’t wait to see the photos by Morgan Caddell Photography. The guests enjoyed refreshments, passed hors d’oeuvres and a cheese and veggie display.  After the cocktail hour, planners Kathy and Emma from Sally Oakley Weddings & Events invited everyone downstairs for dinner. I left music playing and went upstairs to line the wedding party up with them.

I introduced the wedding party to “Starships” and Kendall and Ben to “Gangsta’s Paradise”.. LOL!! Love it!! They came to the dance floor and had their first dance to “That’s How Strong My Love Is” by Otis Redding.  They took their seats and her Father welcomed everyone followed by a wonderful blessing by Ben’s Grandfather. The salads and enterees came out and I had a mix of standards, classic soul and soft rock playing.

After dinner we had a few toasts, ending with Ben’s thank you that may be one of my favorite Grooms speeches!  We sang (a contest to sing as off key as possible) happy birthday to a couple special guests and had the Ashley’s Cake cutting to “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” by Cake (get it??). The chocolate/salted caramel cake was AMAZING!!!  While the staff served the cake, we had the Parents dances.  Kendall danced with her Father to “What A Wonderful World”.  Ben escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “Days Like This” by Van Morrison.  Even though guests started dancing before the toasts, I officially opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” followed by some Motown and Top 40 that kept them dancing for the next 1.5 hours.

We paused for a bouquet toss to “Like A Girl” by Lizzo, garter removal to “Blame It On The Girls” by Mika and toss to “Wild Thing” by The Troggs.  The unique thing they did for these was that it wasn’t just for the single people, but for everyone, married and single.  The catchers each received a scratch off ticket!!  What a great idea!!  After the tosses, I finished the night with a great set of sing-a-long songs and finally “Sweet Caroline” in memory of Kendall’s Mother who loved to dance to this song and a last dance to “New York, New York”.  Everyone made a huge circle for both songs!!  

They had a streamer exit before heading over to The Counting House for an after-party.  Thank you so much Kendall, Ben, Angel, Emma and Kathy!! That was such a fun night!!

Photo courtesy of Morgan Caddell Photography

Victoria and Rudy’s Dance Party Wedding at Merrimon Wynne

What a fun wedding Victoria and Rudy had at downtown Raleigh’s Merrimon Wynne House

 on January 25^th, 2020!

Their ceremony was held in the carriage house and Arioso Strings covered the music for them.  After the ceremony, their officiant invited them to the house for cocktails while the staff and planners Alexia and Becca from C and D Events flipped the room for dinner.  After pics were taken by A.J. Dunlap Photography, the guests were invited back to the carriage house for the reception.  The room looked beautiful with arrangements by Bushel and Peck Designs.  I left music playing and went inside to finally meet Victoria and Rudy.

I introduced them into the reception and they came in to loud applause.  They had their first dance to “You Are The Best Thing” followed by a Father/Daughter dance to “Walk With You” by Edwin McCain. Absolutely LOVE those songs!  Her Father welcomed everyone and her Grandfather blessed the meal.  The plated salads came out and Donovan’s Dish food stations opened shortly on the pergola.  During dinner I played a mix of jazz standards.

After dinner we had the Ashley’s Cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” by Michael Buble and opened the floor to everyone with “Dancing In The Moonlight” while the staff served the cake.  The floor stayed filled for the next 2 hours to oldies, 80’s, current top 40 and some southern rock sing a longs.

We ended the night with a huge sing a long circle to “Wagon Wheel” before a sparkler exit and guests took fresh mini donuts on the way out.  Thank you Victoria, Rudy, Sasha and Alexia!  That was a blast!!

Amy and Ty’s NC State Themed Wedding at The Stockroom at 230

I was so excited (and a little nervous) to DJ Amy and Ty’s wedding January 19^that The Stockroom at 230 in downtown Raleigh because she had previously worked for another DJ company.

Their ceremony was held at The Stockroom and I provided mics and music for them.  As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of classical music playing. The family members walked down the aisle to “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and Parents to “Be Thou My Vision”.  The Bridesmaids entered to “Butterfly Walts” and Amy and her Father to “Pachelbel for the Potomac”. After the service officiated over by Pastor Billie Lawson that included communion for everyone and a couple readings, they recessed to “Water Music”. Pastor Billie invited everyone to the top landing for a social hour while the staff flipped the room for dinner. During the cocktail hour I had a mix of Motown, R&B and country playing.

After pics were done by Libby McGowan Photography and the Ashley’s Cake was in place, I invited guests to their seats and lined the wedding party up for Intros with planner Talia from Four 26 Events.  I introduced them to “What I Like About You” and Amy and Ty to “Float On”.  They came to the floor and had their first dance to “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac. Her parents welcomed everyone and Pastor Billie blessed the meal. The Pit buffet opened and during dinner I had a mix of standards, soul, beach music and country playing with some Indie rock at the end.

After dinner Amy and Ty thanked everyone and we had the cake cutting to “How Sweet It is”. We had an anniversary dance to “When I Say I Do” with the winners married 51 years.  The floor opened and the Howling Cow ice cream was available with cake.

After an hour and a half of dancing or so, they had their last dance to “Friends In Low Places” and a red & white steamer and glow stick exit.  Thank you Amy, Ty and Talia.  I had a blast!!

Photos courtesy of Libby McGowan Photography

A Doctor Who Themed Wedding for Alison and Hunter at The City Club

The City Club in downtown Raleigh has got to have the best view or Raleigh! Located on the 28^thand 29^thfloor of the Wells Fargo building, it was the perfect location for Alison and Hunter’s Doctor Who themed wedding on January 11^th, 2020!

The ceremony was held on the 28^thfloor and I provided mics and music.  As the 125 guests arrived I had a mix of instrumental songs from Doctor Who soundtracks playing.  Reverend Ed Sansbury entered and asked everyone to silence their phones and the ceremony started. The wedding party entered to “A Thousand Years” and Alison and her Father to “Canon In D”. After the service that included a reading by Hunter’s Godmother, Musical performance of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Hunter’s Sister on guitar and her wife on vocals and short video clip of a wedding from Doctor Who, they recessed to “I Am The Doctor” from Series 5 of Doctor Who.  Ed invited guests to the 29^thfloor lobby for cocktails and I started a mix of rock, country and classic soul.

During the cocktail hour guests enjoyed refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and taking pictures in front of the life size Tardis from Doctor Who.  It was AWESOME!!  After pics were taken inside the ballroom by photographer Joe Payne and videographer Phil from Twenty-One Films, the guests were invited to their tables for the reception. The room looked beautiful with arrangements by Dana’s Paper Flowers and an amazing view of Raleigh.  I left music playing and lined the wedding party up with help from planner and family friend, Ann.  The wedding party entered to the Doctor Who TV Theme (of course).  Alison and Hunter came in to loud applause and had their very special first dance.  They danced to “Because You Loved Me” sung by Ann’s son Dominic.  He did an AMAZING job!! The first minute of the song was danced to by Alison and Hunter alone, then their parents joined them, then their spouses joined them, then I invited everyone to join them for the last 2 minutes of the song.  It was just wonderful!  Her Father welcomed everyone, Hunter’s Godfather gave a heartfelt toast and Reverend Ed blessed the meal. During dinner was a mix of rock, standards, country and classic soul.

After dinner we had an anniversary Dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” with the winners married 48 years! As a gift, Alison gave her a bouquet.  So sweet!  His Aunt Sue then told a story about the history of the cake cutting knife, and we had the Edible Arts Cake cutting to “Sugar, Sugar”. We surprised photographer Joe with a cupcake for his Birthday and opened the floor with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it for the next 2 hours.  Guests danced to 80’s, top 40, oldies and a couple line dances.  I even played “Please, Mr. Postman” by The Carpenters for Alison’s Father that retired from the Post Office after 33 years.

We ended the night with “We Are Family” as a last dance for everyone.  Thank you Alison, Hunter and Ann.  I was honored and thrilled to be your DJ!

Photo courtesy of Joe Payne Photography

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding for Katie and Jim To Start The New Decade

To start the 20’s off, I was back at Merrimon Wynne for Katie and Jim’s wedding on January 4th.  I LOVED their 80’s playlist and was thrilled to DJ for them!

Their ceremony was held inside the carriage house and I provided mics and music for them.  As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of classical pop playing.  The Parents entered to “A Thousand Years” by Daniel Jang. Jim to “Shallow” and The Wedding Party to “Perfect” both also by Daniel Jang.  Katie and her Father entered to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Daniel.  Katie looked beautiful with hair and makeup by the girls at Makeup by Ashley Mooney! After a short service by Reverend Perry Hardison that included a unity candle and wine box ceremony, they recessed to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. Perry invited them to the cocktail hour in the house while that staff flipped the Carriage House for the reception.

After the cocktail hour, guests came back to the Carriage House and I left music playing while I lined Katie & Jim up for introductions. The room looked amazing with floral arrangements by English Garden! I introduced them to “Sit Next To me” by Foster The People. They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Ho Hey” by Lumineers. She had a dance with her Father after that to “Wild World” by Cat Stevens followed by a welcome by Jim and Katie and blessing by her Uncle. During the Rocky Top Catered dinner I had a mix of soft rock and 80’s playing.  

After dinner we had the toasts and I opened the floor with “Boogie Shoes” then 80’s for the rest of the night. They had some of my favorites in their request list including “I Melt With You”, a couple Duran Duran songs, The Go-Go’s and Violent Femmes.  I ended the night with “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing and finally “Stand By Me” before a sparkler exit.  Guests took Krispy Kreme donuts on their way to the front of the house.

Thank you Katie, Jim and Kaila!!  I had the best time.  I can’t wait to see the photos by Emily Lahmann!!