Shira’s Dance Party Wedding At The Umstead Hotel

Shira and Josh knew they wanted to have a fun dance party wedding at The Umstead Hotel on October 8^th, and boy did they!!  I was beyond thrilled to work with some of my favorite co-vendors in A Southern Soiree, Azul Photography, Twenty-One Films, Tre Bella, Sugarland, Arioso Strings and Zim Zoom Photo booth.

The ceremony was held on the side lawn overlooking a beautiful pond.  The rain held off just long enough for the ceremony.  Arioso Strings was there to provide music again.  After the ceremony the 160 guests made their way inside for the cocktail hour.

After the cocktail hour was over and pics were taken by Christobal, Megan invited guests into the ballroom for dinner and dancing.  I introduced only Shira  and Josh to “Crazy In Love” and they came in for their first dance to “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” by Stevie Wonder.  His Grandfathers blessed the bread and meal and the soups salads and entrees came out.  During dinner I had a mix of rock, classic soul and standards playing.

After dinner we had the cake cutting to ‘When I’m Sixty Four” and toasts before opening the floor with the Hora medley.  It was amazing to see 150 people jump to their feet and join in within a minute!  Some Motown for their parents kept everyone out there and soon I was into some top 40 dance music.  I had them dancing had for the next 2 hours to top 40, 80’s and some 2000’s throw backs.  We ended the night with “With You” by Chris Brown and finally “The Girl From Ipanema” for Shira’s Father.  After that, I invited the guests to join Shira and Josh in the hotel bar.

What a fun night and awesome group to play for!  Thank you Shira, Josh, Amanda and Megan!

Photo Courtesy of Azul Photography

A Wedding To Remember at The Carolina Inn

Hollis and Rolondo chose Chapel Hill’s Historic Carolina Inn for their wedding ceremony and reception.  Although it was a little hectic when I got there during a home UNC Football game and raining outside, the Kristen and the staff were working hard to make sure everything ran perfectly!

Their ceremony was moved inside due to rain with music provided by Arioso Strings. As usual, they did an amazing job.  After the ceremony that included the vows in English and Spanish, planner Kelley Ann from A Southern Soiree invited guests to the hallway for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.  Photographer Caroline Lima took Hollis, Rolo and the wedding party away for some pics.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of classical and standards playing.  After pics were taken, the doors to the ballroom opened and I invited the 80 guests to their seats.

I introduced the wedding party to “One More Time” by Daft Punk and Hollis and Rolo to “Boogie Wonderland”.  They came to the dance floor and had their first dance to “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green.  Hollis’ Father welcomed everyone and the appetizers and salads came out before the buffet opened.  During dinner I played a mix of standards and 80’s love songs.  

After dinner we had the Simply Cakes cutting to “Over The Rainbow” by IZ followed by the toasts. Hollis danced with her Father to “Have I Told You Lately” by Van Morrison and Rolo and his Mother to a Spanish cover of “Mama” originally by Il Divo. UNC’s mascot Ramesey arrived during the parent’s dances and even joined in!! So great!!  I invited the married couples to join them for an anniversary dance with the winners married 49 years. 

I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown, top 40 and Latin music that filled if for the next 3 hours.  Guests danced to top 40, Latin, lots of 80’s, some disco and oldies as well as got some funny pics at the Raleigh Photobooth Fun.  We ended the night with some sings a longs and finally Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” before a sparkler exit.  What a fun night and amazing group to play for!  Thank you Hollis, Rolo, Kelley Ann and Caroline!!

Photo Courtesy of Caroline Lima Photography

A Beautiful Wedding at Lake Lure

I was soooo honored to DJ Sarah and Zach’s wedding at The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa in the mountains!!!  Zach is the 4^th family member whose wedding I have DJd and this venue has one of the most beautiful views I have played at.

Their ceremony was held across the lake and guests walked over or took a trolley.  After the ceremony they came back over to The Inn for the cocktail hour and reception.  As guests arrived I had a mix of soft rock and classic soul playing.  I had so many guests come up and say “hey, weren’t you the DJ at…” LOL.  Yup, that was me, I’m the families personal DJ!!  After pics & video were taken by Chelsea lane Photography and Dallis Covey, planner Mandy from An English Flower Cottage told me they were ready for intros.  I introduced only Sarah and Zach to Redbone’s “Come And Get My Love” and they had their first dance to “This Years Love” by David Gray.  The view of them dancing alone with the lake and mountains in the background was so romantic!!

I invited the guests into the dining room for dinner and Sarah’s Grandfather blessed the meal.  During dinner I had a mix of indie rock, classic soul and standards playing.  After dinner we had the toasts inside the dining room and cake cutting in the lobby of the hotel to “How Sweet It Is”.  While the staff finished cutting the cake I invited guests to the porch where I was set up for the parent’s dances.

After everyone was on the porch, Sarah danced with her Father to “She’s Got A Way” by Billy Joel.  Zach escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys before I opened the floor to everyone.  For the next two hours guests danced to Motown, top 40, lots of early 2000’s hits and some hip-hop.  Since this is where they filmed Dirty Dancing, I ended the night with “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life”.  BUT, they weren’t ready to leave yet and kept screaming ONE MORE SONG!!  So, I ended with “Take Me Home, Country Roads” before the sparkler exit.

Thank you Sarah, Zach, and Mandy for everything!  It was so great to see all the cousins and play for them again!!!

An Outdoor Wedding At The Fearrington Village

Jennifer and Chris chose the beautiful Fearrington Village for their ceremony and reception on a picture perfect October 1st day!  Of course, after they had everyone run a 5K that morning with them..

The ceremony was held on a side garden under a beautiful tree.  They had a live violinist provide music and he was just amazing!!  I provided a mic for readers and their officiant Adam.  The ceremony was wonderful and included communion for the 70 guests.  After the ceremony Adam invited guests to the patio next to the Garden Terrace for cocktails.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of jazz, standards, bluegrass and classic soul playing.  I loved the mix!!  After pics were taken by Jack and Adrienne from Morton Photography the wedding party joined them for drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres.  I introduced only Jennifer & Chris and they came to the patio for their first dance to Stevie Wonder’s “Knocks Me Off My Feet”.  I LOVE that album so much!!  I invited guests into the open-air garden terrace for a welcome, blessing and dinner.  The food station opened and I played the same music mix.

After dinner we had toasts and the parents dances still inside the garden terrace.  Jennifer and her Father danced to “Isn’t She Lovely” and Chris & his Mother to “My Wish”.  Jennifer likes Stevie….ALOT!! LOL.  I invited the married couples back out to the patio to have an anniversary dance before opening it to everyone.  They danced to “The Way You Look Tonight’ with the longest married couple being 65 years married!!  Beach, Motown and 70’s kept everyone out on the floor for the next hour until we paused for the cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”.  Back to dancing to some 80’s and current until the end of the night.  It is so beautiful under the stars and trees with market lights overhead!

We ended the night with some sing a longs before “Still The One” by Orleans and finally “You Are The Best Thing”.  They had a Rickshaw exit to finalize the night.  Thank you Jennifer and Chris and Chris, thank you for your service to our country!

Photo courtesy of Morton Photography

An Urban Chic Wedding At The Stockroom

Kirsten and Rob had both their wedding ceremony and reception at downtown Raleigh’s Stockroom at 230 during the Bluegrass Festival on September 30th. I was so happy to be their DJ!  They are so nice and I loved their playlist!

Their ceremony was officiated by my friend Ed Sansbury and I provided a mic for him.  As the guests arrived I had a playlist of classical pop songs playing.  Ed through the Bridesmaids entered to Coldplay’s song “Yellow” covered by Vitamin String Quartet.  Kirsten and her Father entered to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by The Piano Guys.  After a short ceremony that included a wine/love letter ceremony, they recessed to “How Sweet It is” by James Taylor.  Ed invited guests to the first floor for cocktails at the Mahler Gallery. After everyone left, Rocky Top Catering and planner Jessica from Happily Ever After flipped the room for dinner.  The tables looked beautiful with arrangements by The English Garden.

After pics were taken by Annie Watts Photography, the 100 guests made their way back upstairs to the Stockroom.  I introduced the wedding party to “Uptown Funk” and Kirsten & Rob to “40 Dogs” by Bob Schneider.  They had their first dance to Van Morrison’s “Into The Mystic” (one of my favorite songs ever). Kirsten & her Father then danced to “Power Of Two” by The Indigo Girls.  Rob escorted his Mother to the floor next for their dance to “In My Life” by The Beatles.  Her Uncle blessed the meal and the salads came put before the food stations opened.  During dinner I had a mix of classic soul, rock and standards playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and an anniversary dance to “As Time Goes By” by Billie Holiday.  The dessert station opened and some Beach music and Motown filled the floor and stayed filled for the next 2 ½ hours!   For dancing I played lots of oldies, top 40, 80’s and even “Wagon Wheel”. 

We ended the night with “The Gambler” but they kept screaming “ONE MORE SONG!!” So I played a short version of Toto’s “Africa” since they are going there for the honeymoon.  Thank you so much Kirsten, Rob and Jessica!!  I had an absolute blast.

Photo courtesy of Annie Watts Photography