An Umstead Wedding in Cary NC for Valerie and Nate

I was honored to be Valerie and Nate’s wedding DJ at  The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on May 19^th.

They had the luck of the rain stopping long enough for the ceremony and cocktail hour to be held outside. The lawn overlooks a pond with a fountain in the middle of it.  It is just beautiful!  Their ceremony music was performed by Elegant Ensembles.  After the ceremony the 150 guests made their way to the back patio and inside for passed hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.  They also enjoyed taking fun photos in the ZimZoom Photo booth.

After the cocktail hour, the doors to the ballroom opened and guests found their seats with help from Gina from A Southern Soiree(YAY!!). The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Embellished Blooms! I introduced Val and Nate to the intro of “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce.  They came in to loud applause and dropped her bouquet off at the head table.  They made their way back to the dance floor for their first dance to “Everything” by Michael Buble. The parent’s dances followed. Val and her Father danced to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole.  Nate escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys (LOVE that song!!).  Val’s Father welcomed everyone and the 3 course meal came out.

After dinner Nate and Val thanked everyone for coming followed by the Ashley Cakes cutting to “How Sweet It Is”.  Before opening the floor to everyone we had an anniversary dance to “Just The Way You Are” with the longest married couple at 48 years!!  I opened the floor to everyone with “Build Me Up Buttercup” that filled it for the next 1.5 hours!  We paused for a bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and for the late night snacks to come out.  I ended the night with a huge circle dance sing a long to “Sweet Caroline” before a rose petal exit.  I can’t wait to see video by Thomas Blake Films and pics from Anna Routh Photography!

Thank you for everything Valerie, Nate, Amanda & Gina!

A Wolfpack Wedding at Prestonwood Country Club

NC State Alumni’s Laura and Connor chose Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, NC for their wedding reception on May 12^th, 2018.  They are one of the nicest couples I have played for!!

The ceremony was held earlier in the afternoon at Sacred Heart Church. After the ceremony the 110 guests had a short break before heading over to Prestonwood for the cocktail hour and reception.  This gave photographer Sarah Morrell and videographers Kissing Toad Productions plenty of time to get some shots.  After the cocktail hour the guests made their way to their seats and awaited the introduction of the wedding party.  

I introduced the parents to “Celebration” and wedding party to “Bring ‘Em Out” by T.I.  They lined the dance floor and Laura and Connor had their first dance to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran.  The parents dances followed with Laura and her Father first.  They danced to “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.  Connor escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Brother IZ.  Laura’s Father welcomed everyone and Connor’s Grandfather blessed the meal.  The salads and entrees came out and I played a mix of rock and classic soul during dinner.

After dinner we had the toasts and then opened the floor for an hour before the cake cutting.  During the first part of dancing I started with Motown and top 40 that soon filled it.  We paused for the cake cutting (complete with Mr & Mrs Wuf topper) to “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and then back to dancing to top 40, 80’s and hip hop.   Laura also surprised Connor with a visit from Mr Wuf himself who also presented her brother Sean with his diploma from NC State! So great!!

We ended the night with a huge sing a long to “Sweet Caroline” before a sparkler exit and a drive off in the Father’s beautiful car.  What a wonderful evening!! Thank you Laura and Connor and congratulations.

Photos courtesy of Sarah Morrell

A Museum Of Art Wedding For Sarah and Sumner in Raleigh NC

The Museum Of Art in Raleigh NC was the host for Sarah and Sumner’s wedding ceremony and reception on May 5^th.  I was there as their reception DJ along with Joanna Sue Photography.

The ceremony has held outside at the museum and officiated by Reverend Kathi Moon.  Arioso Strings was there to provide their music. After the ceremony, the 100 guests came into the museum for the reception.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Watered Garden. The food stations were already open so guests could eat and have refreshments while pics were taken of the wedding party.  After pics were taken, Sarah and Sumner enjoyed a short private break outside to rest and eat before their introductions.  What an awesome idea!!  

I introduced just them to “Anything Could Happen” by Ellie Goulding and they entered to loud applause. Her Father blessed the meal and I played a mix of rock, standards and classic soul while they visited, ate & enjoyed the Museum.

After dinner we had the Cinda’s Cake cutting to “How Sweet It is” followed by the toasts.  We had the parents dances right after while the staff prepared the cake.  Sarah and her Father danced to “Butterfly Kisses”. Sumner escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “New York, New York”.  After a minute I invited everyone to join them and the floor filled with a huge circle.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that filled it for the next 2 hours.  One of my favorite moments of the whole night was Sumner’s lip sync to “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”! Well done my friend!! We ended the night with a bubble exit.

What a fun night and awesome group to play for!!  Congratulations Sarah and Sumner and thank you so much for having me as your DJ!

A Pavilion At Carriage Farm Wedding In Raleigh NC

Pamela and Aaron chose Raleigh’s picturesque Carriage Farm for their ceremony and reception.  It was my first time being there and I absolutely LOVE it!!!

The ceremony was held on the side lawn backed with tall trees.  Their music was performed by the duo Evan & Dana that did an amazing job both for the ceremony and cocktail hour.  After the cocktail hour the 120 guests started making their way inside the pavilion for dinner and dancing with help from planners Carol & Andrea from Forward Fig.  I had some music playing and went to like up Pam and Aaron for introductions. 

I introduced them to “You Make My Dreams Come True” and they came in for their choreographer first dance. They were in their stance and I started their first dance, “The Way You Look Tonight” by Sinatra.  They did an amazing job!!  It seriously looked like Aaron was floating on the floor!!  After the applause died down her Mother welcomed everyone and their chef Beau from Beau Catering 

described the meal.  It was, as usual, all so delicious!!

After dinner we had the toasts and a fun shoe game where they agreed on almost every question. Before opening the floor to everyone we had an anniversary dance to “It Had To be You” by Sinatra and then opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40.  The floor was full within 3 songs and stayed that way for 3 hours!

During the 3 hours of dancing I played oldies, disco, 80’s, 90’s, EDM, top 40 and some sing a longs. We ended the night with “Piano Man”, “Sweet Caroline” and finally “Friends In Low Places” before a sparkler exit. I can’t wait to see the pics from Incontrast Images!!

Thank you so much for everything Pamela, Aaron, Carol & Andrea!

An Umstead Hotel Wedding Celebration in Cary NC

Amanda and Jesse had me DJ both their wedding ceremony and reception on a picture perfect April 27th at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC!

The ceremony was held in the back lawn overlooking a pond with a fountain in the middle.  It is just beautiful!  As the guests arrived I had a mix of classical, standards and acoustic rock playing.  When the ceremony was about to begin their Rabbi walked down the aisle and described the ceremony.  The Groomsmen through the flower girl came down to “Better Together” by Guitar Dreamers. Amanda and her Father came down to “Canon In D”. As the ceremony ended they recessed to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”. The Rabbi invited guests to the back patio of The Umstead for the cocktail hour while photographer Kelley Deal took photos of the wedding party.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul, country and standards playing. Guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and refreshments from the indoor and outdoor bars.  After the cocktail hour, the doors to the ballroom opened and Alyssa from A Southern Soiree invited guests to their seats.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up for introductions.

I introduced them to the Dexter remix of “Oceans” and Amanda & Jesse came in to loud applause. They had their choreographed first dance to “Feel Good” by Gryffin & Illenium.  They welcomed everyone and had blessings of the candles, wine and bread. The soup and entrees came out and I went right back to music.    After the first course was done Amanda’s Father made the first toast.  After dinner we had a few more toasts and the cake cutting to “Love & Marriage” by Frank Sinatra.

I opened the floor to everyone with a Hora medley that filled it with almost 100 people dancing! It was awesome!!  Some top 40, 70’s & 80’s, Hip-Hop and EDM kept the guests dancing for the nest 2 hours.  They also enjoyed taking tons of selfies out in the hallway!! We ended the night with “Last Dance” by Donna Summer before everyone met up at the hotel bar to end the night.

Thank you so much for everything Amanda, Jesse, Alyssa & The Umstead’s Amanda!! And, Happy Birthday to the Bride Amanda today!!!

Photo courtesy of Kelley Deal Photography

A Preston Woodall House Wedding in Benson, NC

I haven’t been at DJ for a wedding at Preston Woodall House in Benson, NC in a while, but always have a blast when I do. The grounds are beautiful and Nick and the staff are wonderful to work with!  

This time I was there for Janet and Jay’s wedding ceremony and reception on April 21st, 2018.  The ceremony was held in the back yard and officiated by secular minister Kenna Covington.. . As the guests arrived I had a mix of classical covers of hard rock songs playing. I think that was Jay’s idea.  Jay, the groomsmen and bridesmaids all entered to 2 cover of “Perfect” by 2 Cellos.  Janet and her father entered to “Hoppipolla” by Sigur Ros.  I love that song!!  After the short ceremony they recessed to “On Top Of The World” by Imagine Dragons.  Kenna invited the 80 guests to the house for cocktails while Terry & Sarah from Carolina MediaStar got some great shots.

After the cocktail hour the doors to the ballroom opened and I left music playing while I lined the wedding party up with lots of help from Nick.  They entered to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Janet and Jay came in to loud applause..and screaming..lol.  They had their first dance to “I Wanna Grown Old With You” by Bride & Groom.  Janet’s father welcomed everyone and the appetizers, salads and entrees came out.  The food was all amazing!!  During dinner I had a mix of rock, country, soul and standards playing.  

The cake cutting followed to “Love You Madly” by Cake,  then the the toasts and a fun shoe game hosted by groomsman Teddy Pierce.  We had an anniversary dance after that to “First Day Of My Life” by Bright Eyes.  Love that song too!!  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 and turned on my dance floor lights.  I also had purple uplighting around the room to match the linens.  The floor stayed filled for the next 2.5 hours to top 40, EDM, 90’s and some 80’s.  It was great seeing Janet’s parents out dancing hard to EDM with her college friends!!

We paused for the bouquet toss and the very original garter toss.  I have done over 1,000 weddings and never seen this.  Jay knelt down like he was taking her garter off, then lifted his leg and HE had it on.  She removed it and he threw it.  So great!! We ended the night with “Bye Bye Bye” by N’Sync and a sparkler exit from the front porch.  Thank you so much for everything Janet, Jay & Nick!

Photo courtesy of Carolina MediaStar

A Museum Of Art Post Wedding Party in Raleigh, NC

It’s not often I am a wedding DJ a week after the wedding, but I was for Melissa and Daniel on April 20^that The Museum Of Art in Raleigh NC.

 

It was such a beautiful affair!  They were married the weekend before in Beauford SC with a small intimate ceremony. The next week they had a blow out party at The Museum for 100 friends and family.  The party was in the original building on the bottom floor in the restaurant.  They also had the back patio opened and I had a wireless speaker outside playing the same thing as inside.  I was thrilled to be working with photographer Megan Kerns again!

As the guests arrived they had a catered heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet out and I had a mix of soft rock, classic soul and pop playing.  After a coupe hours the guests started dancing and the floor was soon filled. I played a mix of beach music, Motown, top 40, 90’s and ended with a great 90’s and early 2000’s hip-hop set.  So great!!  I LOVE Ja Rule!!

Congratulations Melissa and Daniel and I can’t wait to play for you again in June at Mary English and Jeff’s wedding!!

Photo courtesy of Megan Kerns Photography