Melissa And Hartley’s Wedding At The Fearrington Barn in Pittsboro

What a fun a time I had a Melissa and Hartley’s wedding at The Fearrington Barn on December 9^th!  Melissa’s family is from Nicaragua, so I was able to play lots of Latin music as well American.

Their wedding ceremony was held earlier in the day at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  After the ceremony the 125 guests rested for a little before heading over to The Fearrington for the reception.  As the guests arrived for the indoor cocktail hour I had a mix of Top 40, Salsa, classic soul and rock playing.  Melissa and Hartley joined them shortly.

As the cocktail hour ended the guests found their seats and I introduced Melissa and Navy Lieutenant Hartley to “Brown Eyed Girl”.  They came in for their first dance to “The Love That We’ve Made” by Humming House.  Melissa’s Father welcomed everyone and Hartley’s Father blessed the meal.  The barbeque buffet opened and I continued the music mix.

After dinner we had the toasts followed by the parents dances.  Melissa danced with her Father to an edit that started with “I Loved Her First” then went into “Can’t Stop The Feeling”.  It caught everyone off guard and was a great way to start the dancing portion of the night.  Hartley then danced with his Mother to “Forever Young” by Joan Baez.  I opened the floor with the salsa song “Vivir Mi Vida” that filled it.  I played some Motown, Top 40 and Latin music kept them dancing until we paused for the cake cutting.

After the cake cutting we had the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” then back to dancing until the end of the night and a sparkler exit.  What a fun night mixing the two cultures music to keep everyone dancing for 3 hours!  It was so great to work with Gilda, Kaitlin & Chris from The Fearrington as well as photographer Kenzie Victory. Congratulations Melissa and Hartley and thank you for your service to our country Hartley!

A Winter Wedding In Downtown Raleigh

My first wedding of December was for Mary Helen and Jeff.  They had their ceremony at All Saints Chapel which is the perfect little white church and located in downtown Raleigh.  The reception was held just a few blocks away at 214 Martin Street and I provided music for both.

As guests arrived to All Saints I had a mix of classical music playing.  I also ran their mics from the balcony.  The Chapel looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Kelly Odom. The parents entered to “Meditations From Thais” by Yo Yo Ma and the wedding party to “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring”. Mary Helen and her Father entered to “Canon In D”. After a short service by Reverend Dr Sanders and a reading by Jeff’s Father, they recessed to “Andante” from Handel’s Water Music.  The guests loaded into the Raleigh Trolly and headed over to 214 Martin for the reception.

As the guests arrived for the cocktail hour I had a mix of Pop, standards and classic soul playing.  After pics and video were taken Tiffany Johnson Photography and  Cinema Film, the linens opened and guests found their seats.  I lined the wedding party up with help from Jessica from Chad Biggs Events and got them ready for introductions.  They came into the room to “Intro” by indie rock band The XX and Mary Helen and Jeff had their first dance to “Coming Home” by my fav singer Leon Bridges.  Mary Helen’s Father welcomed everyone and Dr Sanders blessed the meal.  The salads and entrees came out and I went right back to music.  

After dinner we had the toasts and parents dances.  Mary Helen and her Father danced to “My Girl” and there was a loud “awe” as soon as the song started.  Jeff and his Mother took the floor for their dance that caught everyone off guard, even her.  They danced to Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.  So great!!!  We had an anniversary dance after that to The Beatles’ “In My Life” with the winners married 52 years.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and lots of top 40 that filled it within 2 songs.

We paused for the Ashley Cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”, then back to dancing until the bouquets and garter toss.  For the bouquet toss I played “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and garter “Another One Bites The Dust”.  All the Bridesmaids came out with their faux furs and danced with Mary Helen to “Thrift Shop”.  So funny!!!  Then, back to dancing to some 80’s and more current top 40 till the end of the night.

We ended with a packed dance floor and their last dance to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen before a sparkler exit.  Thank you so much Mary Helen and Jeff and congratulations!!!

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Johnson Phoptography

An EDM Dance Party Wedding at 21C Museum Hotel in Durham

Californians Anita and Matt chose Durham’s very hip 21C Museum Hotel for their ceremony and reception on November 25^th.  It has to be one of the coolest venues in the area and they are one of the coolest couples I have played for.

The ceremony was held in the main ballroom and I provided a mic and music for that.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Bowerbird Flowers and amber uplighting by me.  As the 120 guests arrived I had classical music playing.  Grandparents, Parents, Groom & Groomsmen & Bridesmaids all came down to a separate classical piece and Anita to “Your Hand In Mine” by Vitamin String Quartet.  After a short ceremony officiated by Ana Quintana they recessed to “God Only Knows” also by Vitamin String Quartet.

Planner Amanda Scott from A Swanky Affair invited guests to the second floor for the cocktail hour.  I had a mix of indie rock and classic rock playing while they toured the exhibit and enjoyed refreshments.  After pics were taken by Rachel and Bill from Thirteenth Moon Photography the guests made their way back downstairs to the ballroom for dinner and dancing.  I always LOVE working with them!

I introduced the wedding party to “Can’t Rock My Dream Face” by Umphree’s McGee.  Anita & Matt came in and right to the floor for their first dance to “Let’s Stay Together”.  Matt welcomed everyone and the buffet opened.  During dinner I played more indie and classic rock.

After dinner we had the toasts and Suzie Q Cake cutting to “Cake” by Flo Rida.  Anita joined her Father on the floor for their dance to “Into The Mystic” and Matt & his Mother danced to “I Will”.  I LOVE both of those songs!!  We had an anniversary dance to Nat King Cole’s “L.O.V.E.” with the winners married 40 years.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and Top 40 for a few songs that filled it.  Then, mixed into some high energy crossover dance music and the first set of EDM (Electronic Dance Music).  We paused for the bouquet & garter tosses, then back to dancing until the end of the night.

We ended the night with the last dance to “Real Real Love” by Father John Misty and lots of sour feet from dancing.  They had a sparkler exit from the front of the building.  Thank you Anita, Matt & Amanda!

Photo courtesy of Thirteenth Moon Photography

A Dance Party For Roz at The Museum Of Art

When I went to the Museum Of Art is Raleigh to set up for Paige and Philip’s wedding on November 18^th I didn’t know that I would become best friends with the cutest little girl, Roz.  BTW, she LOVES “Call me Maybe”!

Their ceremony was held on the middle level of the East Museum with floral arrangements by Watered Garden. I provided music and a mic for their officiant Justin Taylor (Randy Taylor’s Son).  Justin did a fantastic job!  Paige came down the aisle to “The Bridal March”.  After a short service they recessed to “The Wedding March” and the 80 guests were invited to the West Building for the reception.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of classic soul, rock and country playing.  This was when I met Roz and found out how much she LOVES “Call Me Maybe”.  I think she requested it 10 times before the “dance” music started. After pictures were taken by Ashley & David Photography the wedding party was ready to be introduced.  I left some music playing and went to line them up with help from the museum’s Morgan.  I introduced them to “Bring Em Out” by TI. After everyone was announced Paige’s father welcomed them and blessed the meal.  The food stations opened and I continued the music.

After dinner we had the Cinda’s Cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” followed by some  very touching toasts.  After a short pause Paige and Philip had their first dance to “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young.  It was so sweet! They were singing it to each other.  Paige’s Father joined her on the floor for their dance to “My Little Girl” and Philip and his Mother danced to “I Hope You Dance”.  I opened the floor after that with, you guessed it, “Call Me Maybe”. LOL. That filled the floor and was a great way to get everyone to the floor to dance with Roz.

We paused for the bouquet toss to “Dear Future Husband”, garter removal to “Pony” and toss to “Who Let The Dogs Out”, then back to dancing.  I played lots of 70’s funk and dance, top 40 and some 80’s for the couple hours of dancing.  Paige and Philip had their last dance to “Wonderful Tonight” before having a glow stick exit from the entrance to the Museum.

What a fun reception and great couple!  Congratulations Paige and Philip and thank you for introducing me to my new biggest fan, Roz.

An Epic Wedding At Wrightsville Manor

I was so honored to be asked to DJ Lauren and Max’s wedding in Wilmington at Wrightsville Manor on November 11^th. Lauren is a planner with Viva L’Event and has seen dozens of various DJs, so to be asked was truly an honor.

After an early afternoon ceremony at Basilica Shrine of Saint Mary, the guests had a short break before the reception.  The 150 guests started arriving a little early for the cocktail hour outside on the lawn of Wrightsville Manor and I had a speaker outside for them.  I played a mix of rock, standards and classic soul.  Beau Catering was there to pass hors d’oeuvres.  It started getting a little cold, so guests came inside to warm up and find their seats.  Photographers Cara and Dax from F8 Photo Studios and videographer OTB Productions were done with pics and it was time to introduce the wedding party.

I lined them up with help from Stephanie from Viva L’Event and got them ready.  They were introduced to “Let’s Get It Started” by Black Eyed Peas and Lauren and Max came in to a loud roar.  They had their first dance to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.  I know this is going to be a huge first dance request very soon!  After their dance, I had all the past and present military stand up and thanked them for their service and wished them a happy Veterans day, their Father’s welcomed everyone and Frank Stoppa blessed the meal.  Chef Beau described the meal and the salads came out.  During dinner I had the same music mix playing.

After the amazing dinner we had the toasts that ended with the Maid Of Honor’s rap to the “Fresh Prince” theme.  So great!  We had the cake cutting to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and they presented a small cake to a couple celebrating an anniversary with them.  The sweetest!! Lauren then met her Father on the floor for their dance to “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw.  After that, Max escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “You’ll Be In My Heart”.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it within a minute.  This group came to party and they did!!  The floor stayed packed for the next 2 hours to top 40, oldies and some throw backs.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Crazy In Love” and garter toss to “Danger Zone”, then back to dancing until the end of the night.

We ended the night with “Sweet Caroline” before the last dance to “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing and a sparkler exit.  Thank you Lauren, Max and Stephan ie and congratulations!

Photo courtesy of F8 Photo Studios

Another Amazing Wedding At Merrimon-Wynne

Lindsey and James had their reception at downtown Raleigh’s Merrimon-Wynne House on the first freezing night of the fall.  I always have the best time DJing at Merrimon-Wynne and this was no exception.

After a late afternoon ceremony at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Raleigh, the 150 guests started over to the reception.  The cocktail hour was held in the house and I had a speaker playing classic instrumental jazz by Miles David, Coltrane and my favorite Chet Baker.  After the cocktail hour planner Carrington from McLean Events invited guests into the carriage house for dinner and dancing.  The carriage house looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Watered Garden.  I left music playing and went in the house to line the wedding party up and get them ready for introductions.

I introduced the wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Lindsey and James had their first dance to Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love”.  One of my favorite ballads ever!  Lindsey’s parents welcomed everyone and Father Paul blessed the meal.  The Donovan’s Dish buffet opened and I played a mix of rock, classic soul and standards during dinner.

After dinner we had the toasts and then the private I Do Cakes cutting in the house.  I’m sure photographer Jessica Crawford got some great shots of that!  While they were inside I went ahead and opened the dance floor for a short time.  They came back to a filled dance floor (oops) and I cleared it for Lindsey to dance with her Father to “It Won’t Be Long”.  James and his Mother danced to “I Hope You Dance”, then I opened the floor to everyone again with “Zorba The Greek” that filled it back up.  We paused for the bouquet toss to “Only Girl In The World” and garter toss to “Another One Bites The Dust”.  Some top 40 and sing a longs kept them dancing until the end of the night and the last dance to “Sweet Caroline”.  I invited guest to the front of the house for the rose petal exit and said goodnight.

Thank you Lindsey and James and congratulations!!