Robin & Jon’s Wedding at The Merrimon-Wynne House in Raleigh on September 13th

Robin and Jon chose the historic Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh for there ceremony and reception on a picture perfect September day! I was excited to be working with planner Betsy Krug from Rebecca Rose Events for the first time (who I have heard so many great things about), The Merrimon- Wynne’s Kaila, videographer Katie from Story Spark Films and photographer Will from Nancy Ray Photography.  Even though I wasn’t providing music til later in the evening, I got there super early to set up and check out the service and I’m glad I did.

As the 100 guests arrived for the outdoor ceremony on the lawn they were treated to live music by trio The Derringers who did a fantastic job!  He sounds exactly like Marcus Mumford!  For the ceremony they had live music he keyboardist Erin Deuel and acoustic guitarist Glenn Deuel.   They had two officiants, one from Scotland and an American for the ceremony.  After the ceremony, guests mingled in the lawn and The Derringers took over again.  It was time for dinner and guests found their way inside the house for dinner catered by one of my fav’s Beau Catering that always does an amazing job!

 

After dinner, guests made their way outside for dancing.  Robin and Jon made their way to the floor for their first dance to a cover of Brooke Fraser’s “Sailboats” which was played by Erin and guitarist Glenn Deuel.  She stayed on the floor and way joined by her father to dance to “My Girl”.  We had a few toasts and then I opened the floor with some beach music and current dance music that had both young and older guests dancing together.  We paused briefly for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and then back to dancing to some more current top 40. I ended the evening with some beach music for Robin’s father and his friends until the last song “Wonderwall” which was perfect since Jon is from the UK.  I invited the guests to the front of the Merrimon-Wynne for their exit and called it a night.

Thank you Robin, Jon, Betsy and Kaila for everything and congratulations!

Kelly & Adam’s Wedding Reception at The Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh on September 12, 2015

I was thrilled to be playing for Kelly & Adam’s wedding reception at North Hill’s beautiful Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh with photographer Lauren Mann. I did not provide music for cocktails and dinner, they had a fantastic sax player Glen Ingram handling that.  After the cocktail hour, the 150 guests made their way into the ballroom for dinner and dancing.  I introduced the wedding party to “Get Up Offa That Thing” by James Brown and Kelly & Adam to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” to thunderous applause!  They came to the dance floor for their first dance to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne and then right into the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor.  Kelly’s father welcomed everyone followed by the blessing and then the salad’s came out while Glen started up the dinner music.

After the salad’s came out we paused for the toasts by the Maid of honor and Best man, then came the entrée’s.  After dinner Kelly joined her father on the floor for their dance to “My Girl” and Adam escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to “In My Life” by The Beatles (one of my favorite Beatles songs).  I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” that filled, I mean FILLED the floor!  I think 75% of the guests were on the floor within 3 minutes.  It was so great to play for this group!  The floor stayed filled for the next 2 ½ hours, even when I played a couple polkas for Kelly’s family.

We paused briefly for the bouquet toss to “Ladies Night”, garter removal to “You Sexy Thing” and garter toss to “Sexy & I Know It”, then back to dancing to some current top 40 and sing-a-longs.  I ended the night with “Sweet Caroline” and “Wagon Wheel” then what was supposed to be their last dance, Donna Summer’s “Last Dance”.  But, they weren’t ready to leave yet to I closed it down with “Don’t Stop The Music” by Rihanna.  It’s so great when the crowd you are playing for doesn’t want it to end.  Especially the Mother of the Bride!  Thank you Ann, Kelly & Adam and congratulations!  I couldn’t have had more fun playing for you and your guests.

Tracy & John’s Green Wedding at the Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill

Tracy and John’s wedding ceremony and reception took place at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill on September 11^th.  The ceremony was held outdoors in an opening at the end of a beautiful little stroll down a gravel path through the trees.  The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Robin Renteria and they had a live string duo covering the music.  After the ceremony, the 70 guests made their way back to the Auditorium for the reception while photographer Christobal from Azul Photography got some shots of Tracy & John around the grounds.

During the outdoor cocktail hour they had the string duo provide music and guests could explore the awesome branch built building in front of the Auditorium.  The pics were finished and Tracy and John were ready for dinner.  Planner extraordinaire Gina from A Southern Soiree invited guests into the auditorium for dinner and I had some standards playing.  The guests found their seats and I introduced Tracy & John into the room to “It Takes Two” by Rob Base and they came right to the floor to welcome everyone and thank them for coming followed by a blessing by Diana Parker.  The buffet opened and I had a mix of music Tracy & John chose that included Latin lounge music, indie rock, standards and some classic soul.  I loved their playlist!

After dinner Tracy’s Brother-In-Law toasted them and we had the Cinda’s Cake cutting to “Cut The Cake” by Average White Band.  It was delicious by the way!!  Tracy and John made their way to the end of the room where the dance floor and I were and had their first dance to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen and then they had an “In-Law” dance to “I Wish You Love” by Yana Gray where Tracy danced with John’s Father and John danced with Tracy’s Mother.  So great!  John’s Phi Kappa Tau fraternity brothers made their way to the floor and serenaded Tracy before I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and guests hit the floor after having their cake.

For the next 2 ½ hours the guests danced to oldies, 70’s disco, 80’s, some current and line dances and ending with some sing-a-longs.  I even played “Pennsylvania Polka” for Tracy ad her brother to dance to.  We ended the night with ”Wagon Wheel” that even got Tracy’s grandmother out there dancing and they had a sparkler exit.  It was yet another fun night and great group to DJ for.  Thank you Tracy & John and congratulations.

Nora & Seth’s Sunday Brunch Wedding at The Carolina Inn

Nora and Seth chose Chapel Hill’s historic Carolina Inn for both their wedding ceremony and reception on a beautiful September 6^th morning and afternoon.  As the 100 guests arrived for the 11am outdoor ceremony I had the “Appalachian Journey” CD playing that is a wonderful mostly instrumental recording of classical strings with bluegrass guitars.  The Wedding party entered to an instrumental of James Taylor’s “Close Your Eyes” and Nora entered to an instrumental of “Carolina in My Mind”.  After a short ceremony that included two readings, it was time for their recessional to “All Of Me” by John Legend and guests made their way to the hallway in front of the Old Well Room for mimosas and passed hors d’oeuvres.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of acoustic rock and country playing.  Perfect playlist for an afternoon brunch!

After pics were finished by Photographers Robin Lin & Martha Manning, the doors to the Old Well Room opened and the 100 guests found their seats with lots of help from The Inn’s Kristen and planners Carrington & Nicole from Erin McLean Events. The small wedding party came in to the last part of the album version of “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake and Nora & Seth came right to the floor for their first dance to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran. One of my favorite songs ever!  They took their seats and Nora’s mother welcomed everyone. The brunch buffet opened and I continued a mix of acoustic rock and country. 

After brunch we had toasts by the Maid of honor and best man and the Ashley Cakes cake cutting to “I Choose You”.  The carrot cake was delicious!!!  I opened the floor with some Motown and current dance music that surprisingly filled the floor since this was an early afternoon reception.  They danced for the next hour and ½ to oldies, 80’s and sing-a-longs and current dance hits. 

A couple moments I loved was the wedding party twirling napkins around their hear for Nora & Seth to kiss instead of tapping their glasses and their guest Chris’s surprise karaoke rap to “Rappers Delight”.  We ended the reception with “How Sweet It Is” and then an Irish sing-a-long to “Whiskey, you’re the devil” that may have been one of my favorite moments all weekend!  Guests made their way out of the room for the rose petal exit and grabbed a to go cinnamon roll as a parting favor.

What a fun crowd and one of the sweetest couples I have had the privilege to play for.  Thank you Nora & Seth and congratulations.  Cheers!

Photo's courtesy of Robin Lin Photography

Lauren & Peter’s Barn Wedding at The Fearrington in Pittsboro NC

Lauren and Peter chose The Fearrington in Pittsboro NC for both their wedding ceremony and reception on what turned out to be a fantastic day!  The clouds were in the air, so they chose to have the ceremony in The Fearrington’s Garden Terrace instead of the garden.  It was still a beautiful service and I handled the lapel mic’s for the minister and Peter as well as a mic for readers and a blessing.  After the ceremony the 200 guests made their way to the barn patio for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of country, soul, standards and soft rock playing while photographer Krystal Kast took Lauren & Peter around the grounds for pics.

The cocktail hour ended and guests started making their way into the barn for dinner and dancing with help from The Fearrrington’s planner extraordinaire, Gilda.

I only introduced Lauren & Peter and they came in to “Isn’t She Lovely” and right to the floor for their first dance to “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice.  They took their seats and Lauren’s father welcomed everyone followed by her Uncle Joseph blessing the meal.  The food stations opened up and I continued the same mix of music as cocktails.

 

After dinner we had toasts by the Matron Of Honor and Best Man who presented Peter with his childhood sax that was brought all the way from Ireland!  So great!!  It was so awesome later in the night when he actually played a solo for everyone.  After the toasts Lauren danced with her father to “Give Me The Simple Life” from the movie Father Of The Bride II and Peter danced with his mother to “Days Like This” by Van Morrison.  I opened the floor to everyone with “My Girl” that filled it for the next 3 hours!  For some fun on the dance floor they had personalized sunglasses for everyone with neon sides and they name and wedding date printed on.  It really brightened up the floor! We paused briefly for the cake cutting to “Fly Me To The Moon” and bouquet toss and garter toss to “P.Y.T.” then back to dancing to top 40 and 80’s and 90’s.  I ended the night with ”Shut Up And Dance” by Walk The Moon and they had a sparkler exit. 

What a fun night and a great group to DJ for!!!  Thank you so much Lauren & Peter and congratulations!