A Wakefield Barn Wedding for Hannah and Wayne

I never met Hannah and Wayne until their wedding on May 5^that the Historic Wakefield Barn in Wake Forest, NC.  I originally just had a Facetime meeting with them while they were in NY.  I was so excited to play for them and meet all her family and friends from the UK.

Their ceremony was held on the 2^nd floor of the barn due to rain and I provided a mic for their officiant, Heidi Gessner and music.  As the 70 guests arrived I had a mix of classical pop music playing.  The room looked and smelled beautiful with floral arrangements by Anna & Brian with Meristem Floral!  The Groomsmen and Bridesmaids entered to “Marry Me” by The O’Neill Brothers.  Hannah entered from the top of the balcony and down the grand stairs to “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle.  I LOVE that song!!  After a short service, they recessed to “I Do” by Colbie Caillat and were invited downstairs to the horse stalls for cocktails.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, blues and top 40 playing.  Photographer Joe Payne and videographers Jamie & Al from the UK took photos of the wedding party upstairs before the staff flipped the room for dinner. After pics were done and the room was ready, planner Blake invited guests back upstairs where I was for dinner and dancing.

I introduced the wedding party to “First Date” by Blink 182 and Hannah and Wayne to and edit I made her of “London Bridge” by Fergie.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “I Want To Grow Old With You” by UK band Westlife. Hannah then had a dance with her Mother to “You Are My Sunshine” by Jasmine Thompson.  It’s such a beautiful and tender version of the song! Wayne escorted his Mother to the floor next for their dance to and edit I made them of “Mom” by Garth Brooks.  Hannah welcomed everyone and the salads and entrees came out.  During dinner was same music mix as cocktails.

 

After dinner the sun came out so Joe was able to take Hannah and Wayne outside for pics.  Everyone was done eating so I started playing some sing-a-long songs that got everyone (I mean everyone in the room) on the floor singing with their arms around each other!  Tom Jones “Delilah” was a HUGE hit!!  When pics were done and they were back in the room, we had the toasts and the Simply Cakes cutting to “I Can’t Help Myself”. After a bouquet toss to “Sweet But Psycho” I got everyone back out on the floor with some Motown and top 40 that kept them dancing for the next 2 hours.

We ended the night with “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and “Marry You” before a sparkler exit.  But, someone asked me to play “Star Spangled Banner” so how could I refuse??  I ended with that then “God Save The Queen” for everyone from the UK.

I had such an amazing time playing for this group!  Thank you so much Hannah, Wayne and Blake!!

Photos courtesy of Joe Payne Photography

A Marriott Wedding For Lauren and Conor In Downtown Raleigh

When I first met Lauren and Conor a year ago I knew this was going to be an awesome wedding at The Marriott City Center just from their energy, and it was amazing!!!

Their ceremony was held earlier in the day at the new Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.  The pics I’ve seen from photographer Pamela Jahnke are just beautiful!  I can’t wait to see more and the video by Thomas Blake Films!

After the 170 guests had a couple hours to rest, they made their way over to the Marriott for the cocktail hour and reception.  The cocktail hour was held in the hallway outside of the ballroom as well as another small room at the end.  I had wireless speakers in both broadcasting my live mix of standards, soft rock and classic soul.  

After the cocktail hour, the doors to the ballroom opened and guests found their seats.  The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Fresh Affairs.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with help from planner Amy from Knots and Such.  I introduced the parents, Maid Of Honor, Best Man and Lauren and Conor to “Bring ‘Em Out”. They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra.  Maybe my favorite song ever!! The Parents dances followed. Lauren and her Father danced to “My Little Girl” and Conor and his Mother to “My Wish”. Her Father welcomed everyone and his Aunt Beverly blessed the meal. The salads and entrees came out and I continued the same music mix.

 

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”. While the staff served the Ashley’s Cake (YAY!!!) we had some large family pictures on the dance floor before opening the floor to everyone. While taking pictures I played some sing a long classics that got everyone in the mood to dance. When I opened the floor with Motown, it quickly filled for the next 2 hours. During that time I had a packed floor all night to oldies, 80’s, some current dance music and some rock sing a longs. Towards the end of the night someone dropped a glass on the dance floor (happens at every wedding I DJ!) and the staff brought a yellow caution sign out to cover the wet spot.  So, of course a couple guys used it as an impromptu limbo stick!!  I will never forget that!!! LOL.

We ended the night with “Don’t Stop me Now” by Queen, but no one was ready to end yet.  So, I played “Last Dance” to finish the night.

Thank you Lauren, Conor and Amy!  I wish I could do it again this weekend!!

Photos courtesy of Pamela Jahnke Photography

An Epic Highgrove Wedding For Sarah and Marc

I knew Sarah and Marc’s wedding at Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina on April 27^th was going to be awesome from my first meeting with them a year and a half ago, and it was EPIC!!

Their ceremony was held in the newly renovated back of the property overlooking a beautifully wooded hill. I handled the music and mics for their Minister and reader.  As the 140 guests arrived I had a playlist of classical pop songs playing.  The Grandparents and Parents entered to “A River Flows” by Yiruma and Groomsmen to “Perfect” by Piano Peace. The Bridesmaids and Sarah entered to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” from Crazy Rich Asians.  After a ceremony officiated by a long time friend of Sarah’s family, they recessed to Cheerleader (Sarah and Marc’s favorite song). 

The guests were invited to a cocktail hour on the back patio while photographers Bill and Bow Tie Collaborative got some shots of the wedding party. During the cocktail hour I had a mix of rock, standards, country and classic soul playing.  After pics were done, the doors to the ballroom opened and I left music playing while I went to line the wedding party up with help from Highgrove’s Britni.  The room looked and smelled beautiful with floral arrangements by Flowers On Broad Street.  I introduced them to “All I Do Is Win” and Sarah and Marc came in to a loud roar from the crowd.  They had their first dance to “Latch (Acoustic)” by Sam Smith. The wedding party took their seats and Minister Dan blessed the meal.
Ashley from 

During dinner I had a mix of classical, country, soft rock and standards playing.  The food stations opened outside with a choice of Prime rib, pasta station and chicken & waffles.  It was ALL so good!!!!!  People started dancing unprovoked towards the end of dinner to some classic soul. After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “Pour Some Sugar On me”.  The Parents dances followed while the staff served the cake.  Sarah and her Father danced to “My Little Girl” and Marc and his Mother to “Humble & Kind” both by Tim McGraw.

I opened the floor to everyone with some disco and top 40 that filled it by the first song and stayed packed for the rest of the night.  I played lots of 70’s thru current and a couple Latin songs for Marc’s Mom and family.  I even played “Old Dirt Road” for everyone to sing a long to.

We ended the night with an epic sing a long to “New York, New York” and “Sweet Caroline” before a sparkler exit.

Thank you so much Sarah, Marc and Britni!  This was a wedding I will never forget!!!

Photos courtesy of Bow Tie Collaborative

A Melrose Knitting Mill Wedding For Lindsay and Stephen

I was so excited to play for Lindsay and Stephen at Melrose Knitting Mill in downtown Raleigh NC and finally get to meet them on April 26^th!

The ceremony was held upstairs with live musicians.  After a short service, the 150 guests made their way downstairs to the pool area for a cocktail hour.  While photographer Danielle from Blissmore got some shots of the wedding party, I set up and got ready for introductions.

After pics were done, the guests made their way back upstairs and found their seats.  The tables looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Watered Garden. I introduced the wedding party and Lindsay and Stephen to “You Make My Dreams Come True”. They came to the dance floor in front of me and had their first dance to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne.They took their seats and we had the parents dances.  Lindsay and her Father danced to “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison. One of my fav songs and albums! Stephen escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life”. Her Father welcomed everyone and Pastor Mark blessed the meal.  

 

The salads and entrees came out soon and during dinner I had a mix of standards and soft rock playing. After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “Build Me Up Buttercup” and guests started dancing to it.  So, some Motown and top 40 soon filled the floor for the next 2 hours.

We ended the night with “Wagon Wheel” and “Sweet Caroline”.  I invited guests downstairs

for a sparkler exit. As soon as everyone was gone except Danielle, Me, Blake from Melrose, Lindsay and Stephen, I played one more last private dance song just for them.  “Speechless” by Dan + Shay had us all in tears. I LOVE a private dance at the end of the wedding!!

Thank you Lindsay, Stephen and Blake!  That was such a beautiful and fun wedding!!

A Highgrove Estate Wedding For Tara and Mike

I couldn’t wait to DJ Tara and Mike’s wedding at Highgrove Estate in Fuquay Varina on April 20^th! I was excited to finally meet them, but also to see the new renovations at Highgrove!!

The ceremony was held in the new back ceremony site and the rain stopped just in time.  The service was held by Reverend Barbara Lodge with music provided by a quartet from Elegant Ensembles. As soon as the ceremony ended the sun came out and lite the trees in the background for pics and video by Walters & Walters and Twenty One Films.  It was just beautiful and I LOVE the new renovations!!!

They held the cocktail hour outside and Elegant Ensemble stayed to play for that.  They do a great job covering pop love songs! After pics were done and the room was ready, I took over the music and guests found their seats inside the reception room. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Flowers On Broad Street. I left music playing and went inside the house to line the wedding party up for introductions.

I introduced the Wedding party to “Crazy In Love” and Tara & Mike to “Without You” by David Guetta & Usher (Love that song!!). They came to the dance floor and had their first dance to “I’ll Never Love Again” by Lady Gaga. This was the final song in “A Star Is Born”.  After their dance the wedding party took their seats and we had the Parents dances.  Tara and her Father danced to “Lullabye” by Billy Joel and Mike and his Mother to “I Hope You Dance”. Her Father welcomed everyone and the salads came out before the buffet opened.  During dinner I had a mix of standards, soft rock and classic soul playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”. I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown & Disco songs, then right into some top 40 and dance. It packed by the first song and stayed packed for the next 1.5 hours.  Considering there were only 60 guests, it was an awesome dance floor with lots of energy!!  We paused for the bouquet and garter toss, then right back to dancing.  

We ended the night with “Despacito”, but they weren’t ready to leave yet.  They started chanting “One more song!!” So,“Bye Bye Bye” by N’Sync was the new last dance.  They had a sparkler exit from the front of the house.

Thank you so much for everything Tara, Mike and Amanda!!  That wedding was so fun!!

Photos courtesy of Walters & Walters

A Wedding At Mayton Inn For Kylie and Matthew

Kylie and Matthew had both ceremony and reception at The Mayton Inn in downtown Cary NC on April 13^th and I was thrilled to supply music for both.

The ceremony was held on the back patio under a tent just in case of rain. As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of light classical music playing.  The alter looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Tre Bella! When the ceremony was about to begin, guests took their seats and I found Reverend Barbara Lodge to attach her mic.  The Parents and Groomsmen entered to “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring” and Bridesmaids to “Air On A G String”.  Kylie and her Father came down the aisle to “Canon In D”.  After a wonderful service by Barbara, they recessed to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”. Barbara invited guests inside for the cocktail hour with help from planner extraordinaire Sally Oakley.

During the cocktail hour inside I had a mix of beach music, classic soul and soft rock playing. After pics were taken by Jason from Veritas Digital Photography the guests found their seats and it was time for the wedding party introductions.  I acknowledge the Grandmother and Parents, then introduced the wedding party to “We Are Family”.  Kylie and Matt were introduced to “You Make My Dreams Come True”. They came in to loud applause and took their seats at the head table.  The food stations opened shortly and I went right back to music during dinner.

After dinner we had the toasts and Once In A Blue Moon cake cutting to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”. The cake was delicious!! Then, we all sang Happy Birthday to Kylie’s 92 year old Grandmother!! After the cake cutting and after Kylie cleaned all the cake off her face (thanks to Matt.. LOL), they had their first dance to “This Magic Moment”. The Parents dances followed to “Stand By Me” and “How Sweet It is”.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Beach music and Top 40 that had young and old dancing for the next couple hours.

We ended the night with a last dance to “Save The Last Dance For Me” and a sparkler exit.

Thank you so much Kylie, Matt and Sally!!  I had the best time!!!

Photos courtesy of Veritas Digital Photography

An Umstead Hotel Wedding for Molly and Tom

I will never get to DJ Taylor Swift’s wedding (probably not), but I came very close with Molly and Tom’s wedding at The Umstead Hotel on April 6^th.

Their ceremony was held out back of The Umstead overlooking a pond with beautiful floral arrangements by Wylde Flowers. Their ceremony music was performed by the phenomenal Arioso Strings.  After the service planner Megan from A Southern Soiree (with help from Aneesa from Harmony Weddings) invited the 150 guests upstairs for the cocktail hour and reception. During the cocktail hour I had a mix of classical covers of pop songs playing.

After the cocktail hour the doors to the ballroom opened and I left some pop music playing while I went to touch base with Molly and Tom for introductions.  I introduced just them to “You Make My Dreams Come True” and they came in to loud cheers.  They had their first dance to The National’s “Dark Side Of The Gym”. They were singing it to each other like they were in their kitchen alone. So sweet!! After their dance her Father welcomed everyone and Pastor Kevin blessed the meal.  The food stations opened and I had a mix of jazz standards playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and Ashley’s Cake cutting to “You Are The Best Thing”.  I had the strawberry cake!! J. While the staff cut the cake and served it we had the parents dances.  Molly and her Father danced to “You’ve Got A Friend” by Carole King.  LOVE that version!  Tom and his Mother had their dance to “Return To Pooh Corner”.  Such a great song.  I opened the floor to everyone with some Motown and 70’s that shortly filled it for the rest of the night.

During the dancing I played lots of 70’s and 80’s, Of course lots of Taylor Swift, some

current top 40 and even a J-Pop song for Tom’s friends.

We ended the night with “Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepsen before a confetti exit.  I’ve seen some of the sneak peek pics by Photographer Mina Von Feilitzsch and can’t wait to see more!!

Thank you Molly, Tom, Megan, Aneesa and Kaila!  I had the best time!! Oh, and a big Happy Birthday to Tom who’s birthday was the day before.

Photos courtesy of Mina Von Feilitzsch