A Downtown Raleigh Wedding at Merrimon-Wynne

I was thrilled for Jarvis & Meredith’s wedding in downtown Raleigh at The Merrimon-Wynne House on April 21st!  They are such a wonderful couple and so happy together!

The Wedding Ceremony

The ceremony was held on the lawn under a huge tree.  The weather was perfect!  As the 160 guests arrived I had a mix of R&B and rock love songs playing.  The grandparents and parents came down the aisle to “Endless Love” by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie.  Jarvis & his Groomsmen were next to walk the aisle to “All Of Me”.  The Bridesmaids followed to “Wonderful Tonight” by Vitamin String Quartet and finally Meredith & her Father to “A Thousand Years” by The Piano Guys.  After a short ceremony by officiant Scott Simmons, the wedding party recessed to “Love On Top”. The guests made their way in the house for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.

The Introductions & First dance

After pics & video were taken photographer Kelly Bledsoe & Two Suits Films the guests were invited into the carriage house where I was ready to go.  I introduced the wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and our newly married couple to “That’s What I Like”.  They came in and had their first dance to “Can’t Let Go” by Anthony Hamilton.  They took their seats and Meredith danced with her Father to an acoustic version of  The Allman Brothers song “Soulshine” covered by Warren Haynes.  After their dance her Father welcomed everyone and blessed the meal.  The Rocky Top Catering buffet opened after salads were served and I had a mix of R&B and rock playing.

The Dancing 

Towards the end of dinner Meredith & Jarvis snuck in the house for a private Simply Cakes cutting with their parents and grandparents.  When they were done they came back in the carriage house for the toasts.  I opened the floor with an anniversary dance to “Let’s Stay Together” and then to everyone with some R&B that filled t for the next 1 ½ hours.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “PYT” and garter toss to “Blurred Lines”.  “The Wobble” brought everyone back out to the floor and they stayed there till the last dance to “Wagon Wheel” by Darius.  I sent everyone to the front of the house for a sparkler exit to end the night.

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Rich & Jennifer’s Wedding At Washington Duke Inn

After a chance meeting on a flight, Jennifer and Rich’s trip to the wedding alter started. I was honored to provide music for their ceremony and reception at the Washington Duke Inn on Good Friday.

The ceremony was held inside and the walls were draped with white linens.  As guests arrived I had a mix of light classical music playing.  Rich walked down the aisle to “Trumpet Voluntary” and the bridesmaids to “Bella’s Lullaby”.  Jennifer and her Father entered to George Winston’s version of “Canon In D”.  After a short blessing by Reverend Luffy, singer Beverly Kain sang “How Great Thou Art” acapella.  It was just beautiful!  After the ceremony that included a reading and “I Believe In You and Me” (again by Beverly) during the unity candle, they recessed to “The Wedding March”.  While pics were taken by Steve Coad from Simply Photos & video by David Spector, the 100 guests made their way out back for the social hour.  I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul and standards playing.

After the cocktail hour, the doors to the ballroom opened and everyone found their seats.  Jennifer’s Father welcomed everyone and blessed the meal. During dinner I had a mix of classical and classic jazz playing.  After dinner we had a series of toasts and then their first dance to “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones.  Jennifer danced with her Father to “What A Wonderful World” and Rich and his oldest Sister did a mean cha cha to “I Want It That way”.  I opened up the floor to everyone then and it filled instantly to Motown & oldies, top 40 and lots of 70’s music.

We paused for the cake cutting to “Top Of The World” by The Carpenters then they were surprised with an adorable 6 year old flower girl (Lydia’s) karaoke version of “From This Moment” by Shania Twain.  She did an amazing job and totally surprised everyone!  She had practiced it during singing lessons she had since January just for this wedding and you could tell.  After that I opened the floor again til the end of the night and last dance to “Could I Have This Dance” by Anne Murray.

What a fun wedding and wonderful couple to DJ for!

An NC Plantation Wedding At Highgrove Estate

Dana & Mike chose Fuquay-Varina’s Highgrove Estate for a perfect Saturday evening wedding.  I was thrilled to DJ again for Mike’s family.  I had DJd his sisters wedding in 2015 where he served as the officiant.  

The ceremony was held in the back looking over a pond with a wooded hill in the background.  Dana’s brother served as their officiant and they had a 4 piece bluegrass band provide music.

After the ceremony, the 130 guests made their way to the back patio for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.  They also enjoyed the Classic Carolina Photobooth. During the cocktail hour I had a mix of country, soft rock & standards playing. Two Shilling Photography got some great shots of the wedding party!  After they were done the doors to the ballroom opened and guests made their way to their seats.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Springwell Gardens.

I introduced the wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake and they came in and lined up in front of the sweetheart table.  Dana & Mike came in and right to the floor for their first dance to “Dancing Shoes” by Green River Ordinance.  It was so sweet, they were singing it to each other like they were the only ones in the room.  After their dance Dana & Mike’s Fathers welcomes everyone and Mike’s stepfather blessed the meal.  The salads came out and the buffet in the house opened shortly.  During dinner I had the same playlist as cocktails playing.

After dinner we had the parents dances to “Lullabye” by Billy Joel and “You’re Gonna By” by Reba.  An anniversary dance followed to “Everything” by Michael Buble with Dana’s Grandparents winning at 65 years married!  I then played their wedding song “Body & Soul” by Tony Bennett for them to continue dancing.  So sweet!!  I opened the floor with some Motown and top 40 that instantly filled it.  I knew it was going to be great from the past wedding!  We paused after a while for the toasts and cake cutting to “Sweetest Devotion” by Adele.  A line dance filled the floor again till the end of the night and last dance to “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips.  They made their sparkler exit from the front porch to “Something Just Like This” by Coldplay.

What a fun night and great to see some old friends again!  Congratulations Dana & Mike!

Photo courtesy of Two Shillings Photography

A Beautiful Wedding at Bay 7 in Durham NC

I never met Kathryn or Ryan until the day of their wedding.  I was so honored to DJ their ceremony and reception at Durham’s Bay 7 in the historic American Tobacco Campus.

The ceremony was held on the main floor at the bottom of the stairs with a stainless background.  It was so beautiful with floral arrangements by Tre Bella and lighting by Get Lit!  Their minister Reverend Shaver gave an a heartfelt service that included a reading by what may have been the cutest 6 year old reader I have seen.  She did an awesome job!  After the ceremony the Reverend invited guests to the second floor balcony for drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres.  During the social hour they had a live pianist provide music.

After pics were taken by Hooman from Vesic Photography and video by Red Letters Media, the 180 guests made their way back downstairs for the reception.  I lined the wedding party up with help from Angel from Bay 7.  I introduced them to “Say Hey” by Michael Franti and they came down the stairs and lined up along the back of the dance floor. Kathryn & Ryan came down for their first dance to “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith.  Kathryn’s Father welcomed everyone and the Reverend blessed the meal.  During the served meal I played a mix of rock & classic soul.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch” and then came one of the most touching and special Father-Daughter dances I have seen.  Kathryn’s Father Terry had made a video of him reading the book “Forever Young” along with the Dylan song it came from while pictures of her as a child played in a slide show.  Not a dry eye in the room!  They danced for the first half, then he handed her over to Ryan.  After their dance, Ryan danced with his Mother to “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and I opened the floor to everyone.

For the next 1.5 hours I played a mix of classic soul, oldies, top 40, some 2000’s and even Blink-182 for Ryan and his friends!!  So great!  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Shoop Shoop Song” and then back to dancing until the end of the night.  Their last dance was “Don’t Stop Believin’” before a sparkler exit.

What an absolute perfect reception and great group to play for.  Thank you Kathryn, Ryan, Terry & Cathy and congratulations!

DJ Randy Bennett  www.bunndjcompany.com/RandyB

Photo courtesy of Vesic Photography

Heidi & Russell’s Amazing Wedding at the Umstead

Heidi and Russell chose Cary NC’s five star Umstead Hotel for their beautiful wedding ceremony and reception on March 31^st, 2017.

Their ceremony was held in the back lawn of the Hotel and officiated over by Reverend David James that always does a great job.  He gives a very heartfelt service and adds a little humor. They had live strings provide the music.

As the ceremony ended, the guests made their way around the back of the building to the outdoor terrace as well as the indoor prefuction area for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.  Their live musician played this part as well.

After pics were taken by Robin & Stacy from Robin Lin Photography & video by Denim Buffalo Films the doors to the ballroom opened.  I had music playing and went out to line the wedding party up with help from Alyssa from A Southern Soiree and Amanda from The Umstead. Heidi looked like the perfect southern belle!  I introduced the wedding party to “How Sweet It is” by James Taylor.  They came in to thunderous applause and welcomed everyone followed by a blessing by Heidi.  The food stations opened and I had a mix of rock, country & soul playing.

After dinner we had the toasts that included Heidi’s sisters written rap to “Fresh Prince” theme.  After that was the cake cutting to “In My Life” by The Beatles.  They made their way to the dance floor for their first dance to “More Than Words” that Russell explained he loved the song and knew he would meet Heidi someday.  She had her dance with her father to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” that her mother sang live.  She did a great job and it was a very special moment!  Russell danced with his mother to “Unforgettable” and we had a reverse anniversary dance to “Stand By Me”.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that filled it shortly.  We paused for the bouquet and garter tosses to  “Pretty Woman” and “Another One Bites The Dust”.  A full dance floor again followed until the end of the evening.

For their last dance I played “Carolina In My Mind” and they had a bubble exit from the terrace.  What a fun group and very sweet couple.  Thank you Heidi, Russell, Amanda & Alyssa!

Photo courtesy of Robin Lin Photography