A Rose Hill Plantation Wedding for Lynda and Derek

I was back to Rose Hill Plantation again for Lynda and Derek’s wedding on November 10^th and was thrilled about it!  I really like them and was excited to play for them and their crazy group of guests.

Their ceremony was held at the back pond complete with 2 gorgeous white swans swimming.  Even though it was a little cool and way windy, it was a beautiful ceremony officiated by Heidi Gessner.  The wedding party entered to “Perfect” by 2 Cellos and Lynda to “Here Comes The Bride”. After a short service, they recessed to “The Wedding March”. The 100 guests were invited inside the Manor House for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres (I think I counted 8 different ones).  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of standards, soft rock, classic soul and current country playing.

After pics and video were taken by photographer Will Greene, they were invited to Nathan Hall for dinner and dancing. I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with planner Chad Biggs for introductions.  The Parents were introduced to “Raise Your Glass” and wedding party to “Turn Down For What”.  It was time for Lynda and Derek to enter and they came in to “My House” by Flo Rida. They had their first dance to “Promise To Love Her” by Blane Howard.  Such a great song!!  They welcomed everyone followed by the toasts and both sets of parents giving a polish blessing.

The salads and enrtrees came out and during dinner I had the same music mix playing as cocktails. After dinner we surprised her parents by inviting them to the floor for the first dance for everyone with their wedding song “To Me” by Barbara Mandrell. It was their 34^thwedding anniversary that day.  So sweet. Shortly the floor was full with everyone joining them.  “Uptown Funk” had the younger guests join the adults on the floor and that’s really all it took to keep them dancing all night long!!  We paused for the cake cutting and parents dances, then back to dancing until the end of the night.  

I ended the night with “Thinking Out Loud” and finally “Sweet Caroline” before everyone grabbed a fresh late night pretzel and dip and got on the buses.

Thank you Lynda, Derek and Chad!  That was a blast and a great group to play for!!

Photo courtesy of Will Greene Photography

A 214 Martin Street Wedding For Heather and Lincoln

I was so happy to finally play for Heather and Lincoln’s wedding at 214 Martin Street on November 9^th!  They originally were supposed to be married in September, but Hurricane Florence had other plans.

Their ceremony was still held at All Saints Chapel.  After that the 120 guests made their way over to 214 Martin for the reception. As the guests arrived I had a mix of trip hop, indie rock and electro-swing playing.  Photographers Andrea & Marcus Anderson stayed at the chapel to get some shots of the wedding party before heading over for the reception.  

After the cocktail hour I invited guests to find their seats and went to line the wedding party up with lots of help from planners C and D Events.  The Bridesmaids entered to “Run The World” and Groomsmen to “It’s Raining Men”.  Heather and Lincoln entered to “Shape Of You” from top of the stairs and made their way to the dance floor for their first dance to “Say You Won’t Let Go”.  Her Father welcomed everyone and her Aunt blessed the meal.  The Catering By Design buffet opened shortly and during dinner I played standards, blues and indie rock.  

 

After dinner we had the toasts and parents dances. Heather and her Father danced to “I Loved Her First” and Lincoln and his Mother to “Loves Me Like A Rock”. After that we had the cake cutting to “When I’m Sixty-For” and an anniversary dance to “Cheek to Cheek” by Ella & Louis. I opened the floor to everyone with “S.O.B.” by Nathaniel Rateliffe and the ZimZoom Photo booth opened. For the next 1.5 hours guests danced to 70’s, 80’s, sing a alongs and a few oldies before the last dance to “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing. As everyone was leaving I played “Home” by Edward Sharpe before the sparkler exit.

Thank you so much Heather, Lincoln and Kelsy!  I had a blast and was so glad I could play for your rescheduled date!

A Sutherland Wedding For Courtney and Zach

I was thrilled to play for Courtney and Zach’s wedding at The Sutherland Estate in Wake Forest NC on November 4th! He was her 9th grade crush and I am so glad they made it to the alter!

Their ceremony was held in the beautiful brick walled side lawn of The Sutherland.  I ran mic’s for their officiant Taylor as well as Zach.  As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of contemporary love songs playing.  The guests took their seats and the ceremony was under way.  Everyone including Courtney entered to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.  After a short service that was Taylor’s first (he did amazing!!) and included hand written vows read by Courtney and Zach, they recessed to Signed, Sealed, Delivered.  Taylor invited guests to the other side of the plantation house for cocktails in the grooms terrace.  I had a mix of standards both old and new playing during the social hour.

After pics were taken by Patty from Eivans Photo and video by Darius, the guests were invited into the pavilion for dinner and dancing by planner Donna from The Sutherland.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Bloom Works!  I left music playing and went inside the house to line the wedding party up with Donna.  I introduced them to “Bring ‘Em Out” by T.I. and Courtney and Zach to “This Is What You Came For” by Rihanna.  The energy was thru the roof!!  They came in and had their first dance to the Elvis version of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” sung by Courtney’s cousin Brent.  He was absolutely perfect!!  So great!!  After that the wedding party took their seats and we had the parents dances.  Zach and his Mother danced to “Simple Man” and Courtney and her Father to a medley I made of 6 different songs that caught everyone off guard. Her Father welcomed everyone and blessed the meal.  During dinner I played more standards.

After dinner we had the cake cutting and toasts.  I opened the floor to everyone with “My Girl” and some Motown that filled it for the next 2 hours.  During dancing I played Top 40, some 80’s (Her Father was a mobile DJ in the 80’s..no pressure there..lol), line dances and 90’s. We paused for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” and garter to “Another One Bites The Dust”.  We ended the night with some sing a longs and finally “Closing Time” by Semisonic before a sparkler exit.

Thank you Courtney, Zach and Donna!  I loved every minute of the wedding!!

An All Saints Chapel Wedding for Claire and Greg in Downtown Raleigh

I was so excited to play for Claire, Greg and her family visiting from the UK at her wedding in downtown Raleigh at All Saints Chapel on November 3rd. 

The ceremony was held on the main floor of the 150 year old adorable white church.  It looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Flowers On Broad Street. They had a live acoustic guitarist provide music and officiant Ben held the service.  After a short ceremony, the 100 guests were invited to the basement for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres by planner Michelle from Magnolia & Grace Events.  During the cocktail hour I had a mix of standards, 60’s British rock and some current indie rock playing.

After pics and video were taken by Kivus & Camera and RalGoodFilms and the room was flipped by Rocky Top Catering, guests were invited back upstairs for dinner and dancing.  I introduced Claire and Greg to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Sinatra and when they reached the dance floor they had their first dance to “La Vie En Rose” by Daniela Andrade.  It is such a beautiful version of the song!  After their dance her Father welcomed everyone and the buffet opened.  During dinner I played a set of classic standards.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “How Sweet It is”. Claire joined her Father on the floor for their dance to “What A Wonderful World” and Greg & his Mother to “Days Like This” by Van Morrison.  I opened the floor to everyone with “My Girl” and it filled within 41 seconds!  Not kidding!  I checked. LOL.

For the next 2 1/2 hours I played a few line dances, oldies, top 40 and 80’s.  I even played Karma Chameleon for Hunter, the cutest little flower girl!  As soon as it came on she started bouncing up and down with Claire. So cute.  I ended the night with the acoustic version of ”Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and invited everyone outside for a sparkler exit.  After everyone had left the room, Claire and Greg had a private last dance to “Just The Way You Are” by Billy Joel.  It’s always just the sweetest moment!  

Thank you Claire, Greg and Michelle!  I had an absolute blast!!

A Historic Wakefield Barn Wedding for Alana & Alex

I was so excited to play for Alana and Alex at The Historic Wakefied Barn in Wake Forest on November 2nd! I had played for them just two weeks prior to their wedding when they attended Kristin and Brian’s wedding at The Cotton Room.  I was so glad they had fun at that wedding!!!  I knew this one would be a blast, but didn’t want it to be a duplicate of the other.

The ceremony was moved inside due to rain.  The second floor of the barn is just beautiful and make a great backup.  The amazing arrangements by Expressions Of Love really made it all gorgeous!  I ran a mic for officiate Katherine Edwards and all the ceremony music. As the guests arrived they were treated to live jazz played my Peter Lamb and the Wolves. When the ceremony was ready to start I took over the music.  The seating of the parents thru the Bridesmaids was to “Dead Sea” by The Lumineers.  Alana and her Father walked down the aisle to “Sweet Thing” by Van Morrison.  After a short service they recessed to “I and You and Love” by The Avett Brothers.  Katherine invited everyone downstairs for the cocktail hour and more live music by the Peter and the band.

Planner Daniel from Chad Biggs Events and his team did a great job flipping the room and getting it ready for the 200 guests for dinner.  After pics by Kelsey Nelson Photography and video by Oak City Films were done and the room was set, the guests made their way back upstairs for dinner and dancing.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up for intros with Daniel’s team.

Each couple had their own song to come in to and had a short funny dance when they hit the floor.  Alana and Alex entered to “Would You Go With Me” by Josh Turner.  When they reached the floor they used my mic to welcomed everyone and her Father blessed the meal. The salads came out and the buffet opened shortly.  During dinner I had a mix of Rat Pack standards and classic soul playing.  

After dinner they had their first dance to an acoustic version of “The Girl” by City & Colour followed by the parents dances.  Alana chose her parents wedding song to dance with her Father to, “Hawaiian Love Song” by Andy Williams. It was such a sweet moment when she was singing it to him! Alex and his Mother danced to “You’ve Got A Friend” by James Taylor.  I invited all the married couples to the floor for an anniversary dance before opening it to everyone.  The winning couple was 49 years married.  It was so close!!!  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown, Classic Rolling Stones songs and top 40 that filled it for a 40 minute dance set.  We paused for the toasts & cake cutting before the garter and bouquet toss.  Now, this was another first for me..and I loved the idea!!  Alana’s Father graciously offered a $100 bill to both catchers of garter and bouquet!!! I had no problem at all getting people to run up to catch them!! LOL.  The bouquet was to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and garter to “Eye Of The Tiger”. We opened the floor again and kept it filled until the last dances to “Shout” and “Friends In Low Places”. I invited everyone back to the first floor for a sparkler exit.

Thank you so much Alana, Alex and Daniel!!  It was so great to play for you and see Kristin, Brian and their family again. 

Photo courtesy of Kelsey Nelson Photography

A Cadillac Service Garage Wedding in Greensboro for Laura & Kevin

I initially DJd for Laura and Kevin in 2016 when they attended a wedding I did for their friends Molly & John.  I was so thankful they called me to be their wedding DJ at Greensboro’s new venue, The Cadillac Service Garage on October 27th!!

The ceremony was held at Finch Memorial Chapel and then the 175 guests made their way to the reception at Cadillac Service Garage.  The cocktail hour was held in the front bar area and they had an acoustic guitarist playing music.  Guests enjoyed refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.  After pics were taken by photographer Jillian Knight, planners Melissa & Becky from Relish Design Company invited guests to the back where I was set up and ready.  The room is awesome!!  It’s a huge old Cadillac service garage with brick walls, cement floors, a balcony that has a bar in it, really high ceiling…I can go on and on..  The tables were set up rustic with beautiful floral arrangements by Blooms & Thistle.

I introduced the parents and Laura & Kevin to a cover of Disclosure’s “Latch” by Natalie Taylor. They came in and had their first dance to a cover of The Beatles “Real Love” by Tom Odell (Laura told me it was a cover..LOL). Laura and her Father then danced to “Never Alone” by Jim Brickman and Kevin & his Mother to “Child Of Mine” by Carole King. Her Father welcomed everyone and his Father gave an Irish blessing.  The food stations opened and the staff soon butlered the tables.

After dinner we had the Pound Cakes by Margaret Elaine cake cutting to “With This Ring” and I opened the floor with some beach music, Motown and top 40 that filled it within a minute.  They went hard dancing for 3 hours!!  I played lots of 80’s, 90’s, current dance hits, some oldies and even a couple One D songs for Laura.

We ended the night with “From Now On” from The Greatest Showman before a sparkler exit from the side of the building.

Thank you so much for everything Laura, Kevin, Margaret & Becky!  I had the best time!!! And thanks Molly & John for inviting them to your wedding!!

Photos courtesy of Jillian Knight

A Rose Hill Wedding for Krysten and Eddie

The first time I met Krysten and Eddie to talk about their wedding at Rose Hill on October 21^st, I knew we would get along great!  They knew cufflinks were my thing and told me they were both doctors, so I went and found stethoscope cufflinks right after my meeting with them just for their wedding.

The ceremony was held on the front steps of the house under huge white pillars on a somewhat chilly afternoon.  As the 100 guests arrived, I had a mix of classical pop cover songs playing.  The guests took their seats right before the ceremony and it was game time.  I ran a mic for their officiant Ben.  The Grandparents, Parents and wedding party all entered to the Iron & Wine song “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” covered by Vitamin String Quartet. Krysten & her Father entered to “Canon In D” by The O’Neill Brothers.  They had a time capsule ceremony during the service that I played “Hallelujah” lightly during.  They wrote letters to each other as did their parents that they put in a box along with a bottle of wine to open on their first anniversary. I LOVE this idea!! After the service they recessed to “Viva La Vida”. Ben invited guests into the house for the cocktail hour and I had a mix of classic jazz and standards playing.

After pics were taken by photographer Paul Seiler, planner Jessica Horne invited guests to the reception hall for dinner.  As the guests found their seats, I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up for introductions.  I introduced everyone to “Marry Me” by Bruno Mars and Krysten and Eddie came in to loud applause.  They had their first dance to “Hold You In My Arms” by Ray LaMontagne followed by a heartfelt welcome by Krysten’s Father. The buffet opened and I played a mix of indie rock along with some standards and classic soul.  

After dinner Eddie danced with his Mother to an edit I made him of “The First Lady In My Life” by Paul Todd.  Krysten and her Father danced to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Michel Buble next.  They walked over to the cake for the cake cutting to “You Are The Best Thing”, then came the toasts.  While everyone was eating cake and visiting I played some more indie rock along with some sing along classics and started bringing up the tempo for dancing.

For the last hour I invited all the couples (married and dating) to join them for the first dance before opening the floor to everyone with “Hear Me” by Tedeschi Trucks Band. I started cutting them until the longest married couple was left on the floor.  Krysten had a beautiful bouquet for her.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and top 40 that filled it until the end of the night.

We ended the night with “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by The Darkness and a sparkler exit. Thank you so much for everything Krysten, Eddie, Stephen and Jessica.  I had the best time playing for you!!