An Umstead Wedding For Jennifer and Daniel

I knew this was going to be a great wedding at The Umstead Hotel and Spa from my initial meeting, and it was!

Their ceremony was held out back overlooking the pond and The Umstead took care of the sound with Save The Date Music providing music.  After the service, the 120 guests made their way around the back of the hotel and to the patio and pre-function area for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. We also had our Sleek Salsa photo booth there for pics!

After pics were done by photographer Cara from F8 Photo Studios (with help from 2^nd shooter Martha!!) and videographer Thomas Blake Films, the doors to the ballroom opened and guests found their seats. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Embellished Blooms! I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up with planner Elizabeth from A Southern Soiree.  I introduced them to “A Sky Full Of Stars” and Jennifer and Dan to “Without You” by Usher. They had their first dance to a shortened edit I made them of “I Get To Love You” by Ruelle.  Jenn’s Father joined her on the floor for their dance to “I Loved Her First” and Dan & his Mother to “It Happens In A Heartbeat”.  We had a couple toasts, then the first course of risotto came out and I played a mix of rock, soul, standards and a couple Irish folk songs for her Father.

After the first course I opened the floor for a quick dance set with some Motown and Top 40 that filled it while the staff cleared the plates and brought out the salad course. During the second course I played more dinner music until opening the floor again. The 2^nddance set started with some beach, 70’s and 80’s while the main course was served.  During the 3^rdcourse dinner set I played “The Wild Rover” just for her Father and people sang along.

After the 3^rd course we had the Cinda’s Cake cutting to “Sweetheart” by Thomas Rhett, then opened the floor again with some oldies, Top 40 and 90’s Hip-Hop that kept them dancing until the last song. Two Roosters Ice Cream was there also to provide sundays and floats. I played “New York State Of Mind” for the last dance, but they weren’t having it and started chanting “One.. More.. Song”.  I had “New York, New York” already cued up, so ended with that.

Thank you so much Jennifer, Daniel, Kayla and Elizabeth!!  I had so much fun!!

Photos courtesy of F8 Photo Studios

A Merrimon Wynne Wedding for Brianne and Casey

I was so excited to be back at Merrimon Wynne in downtown Raleigh again! This time for Brianne and Casey’s wedding on Friday, November 1^st.

Their ceremony was held on the lawn and I provided mics and music.  Their officiant was Brianne’s Brother, Beau, who did an amazing job! As the 100 guests arrived I had a mix of light classical music playing.  The Parents and Groomsmen entered to the “Masters Theme”.  The Bridesmaids entered to “Minuet in G’ and Brianne and her Father to “Canon In D”.  After a short service with a couple readings, they recessed to “Triumphal March”.  Beau invited guests into the house for the cocktail hour where The Merrimon Wynne handled the music.

After pics were done by The Picture Guy, planner Kristin with Viva L’Event invited everyone into the Carriage house where I was ready. The room looked beautiful with arrangements by Plume Events  I left music playing and went inside to line them up for intros.  I introduced the wedding party to “The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air” theme and Brianne and Casey to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”.  They came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Claire de Lune” from Oceans 11.  After a couple minutes, I invited the wedding party to join them until the end of the song.  Her Father welcomed everyone and gifted Casey a bag of candy to bribe Brianne with.  So funny!!  Chef Beau Bennett from Beau Catering welcomed everyone and described the food stations before they opened. During dinner I had a mix of rock, classic soul and standards playing.

After dinner we the toasts and Cupcake Shoppe cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”. While the staff cut the cake and served it, we had the dual Parents dances to “What A Wonderful World”. An Anniversary dance followed to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Sinatra.  I opened the floor to everyone with “My Girl” that filled it with young and old.  For the next 2 hours guests enjoyed dancing, lawn games and visiting around the fire pit.

We had a last dance to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne before a sparkler exit from the front of the House. Thank you Brianne, Casey, Kristin, Brittnee and Abby.  That was a fun wedding!!

A Highgrove Estate Wedding for Shelby and Jake

What a nice family and couple!!  I never met Shelby and Jake until their wedding at Highgrove Estate in Fuquay Varina on October 27th, but had a nice chat with her Mother, Janni a year ago.

Their ceremony was held in the back overlooking a beautiful fall colored hill.  As the 150 guests arrived I had a mix of acoustic guitar covers playing.  The guests found their seats and the ceremony was under way.  The Grandparents, Parents and Groomsmen entered to a cover of “Fields Of Gold” by Harvey Reid.  The Bridesmaids and Jr. Bridesmaids entered to the first party of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Kina Grannis.  Officiant Kevin asked everyone to stand, the doors to the house opened to reveal Shelby and Her Father, and I started the second half of the song.  It was timed perfectly!  After a short service they recessed to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.

After the ceremony, the guests were invited to the back patio for cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres. I had a mix of standards playing that was heavy on Sinatra and Buble.  After pics were done by Amber from Six Foot Photography, the doors to the ballroom opened and I invited guests inside for dinner with help from Britnie from Highgrove.  I introduced the wedding party to “This Will be (An Everlasting Love)”.  Shelby and Jake came in to loud applause and had their first dance to “Just The Way You Are” by Billy Joel.  Her Father welcomed everyone and blessed the meal. The salads and family style entrees came out and I had a mix of soft rock playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is”.  Shelby joined her Father on the floor for their dance to “Walk With You” by Edwin McCain.  This is one of my favorite Father/Daughter songs!  Jake escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “My Wish”.  I opened the floor with “Brick House”, “Play That Funky Music” and some Top 40 that filled it.

The Krispy Kreme flambe station opened outside and guests enjoyed that as well as dancing.  We paused for a bouquet toss to “Man, I Feel Like A Woman” and garter toss to “American Woman”, then back to dancing.  We ended the night with a last dance to “At Last” before a sparkler exit.

Thank you so much Shelby, Jake, Janni and Britnie!  I had the best time!!

An NC State Park Alumni Center Wedding for Sheila and Mike

I was so thrilled to play for Sheila and Mike’s wedding and to take on the task of blending both American and Persian music and customs together at NC State’s Park Alumni Center on October 26th!

Their American ceremony was held earlier in the day at the new Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. After the service, the 150 guests had a little break before heading over to the Alumni center for the reception.  The cocktail hour was held in the foyer and on the 2^ndfloor.

After the cocktail hour, the doors to the oval black and white ballroom opened and guests found their seats. The room looked beautiful with floral arrangements by Daniel’s Florist.  I left music playing and went to line the wedding party up for introductions with help from planner Stephanie Shaul. I introduced them to “Marry You” and Sheila and Mike to “Can’t Stop The Feeling”. They came in to loud applause and sat down at the back of a decorated stage for a Persian ceremony hosted by her Uncle.  After the ceremony her Father welcomed everyone and Mike’s Mother blessed the meal. During dinner I had a mix of soft rock playing.

After dinner we had the toasts and dances.  They had their first dance to “Faithfully” by Journey.  Sheila’s Father joined her on the floor for their dance to “I Hope You Dance” and Mike and his Mother to “You’ll Be In My heart”. Before the cake cutting, her Sister and cousins did a Persian knife dance to “Ay Gole Royaee” that flowed into the Publix cake cutting.  

While the staff served the cake I opened the floor with some Motown and Top 40 for 15 minutes, then blended into a Persian music set that took the energy thru the roof!!  It always does!!  So fun.  I went back and forth with American and Persian music for the next 2 hours only pausing for a couple ballads and the bouquet and garter toss.

I ended the night with “Sweet Caroline” and “Wagon Wheel” before sending everyone outside for the sparkler exit.  After everyone was gone except Photographer Chelsea Allegra, videographers Bryce and Jessie from Muddy Trails Film Co. and Sheila and Mike, they had a private last dance to “At Last”.

What a beautiful and fun wedding!!  Thank you Sheila, Mike, Stephanie and Hannah!!  I will never forget this wedding!

A Sutherland Wedding for Alanna and Chris

I finally got to meet Alanna and Chris just a week before their wedding. They are so funny and I was thrilled to play for their wedding at The Sutherland in Wake Forest on October 20^th.

The ceremony was held in the bricked garden and I ran mics and music for them.  As the 80 guests arrived to take their seats, I had light classical music playing. The Parents entered to “Ancient Stones” by Jeremy Soule. Chris lead his Groomsmen and Bridesmaids in by skipping in to Vivaldi’s “Autumn Op. 3. So great!!! Alanna entered to “The Morrowind Theme”.  After a short, very sweet and sometimes funny ceremony that included hand written vows, they danced out to “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley. The cutest!!

The guests were invited to the covered grooms terrace for cocktails and I had a mix of rock, R&B and oldies playing. Guests enjoyed refreshments and hors d’oeuvres while Nieto Photography and Oak City Films got some shots of the wedding party and pavilion.  After the cocktail hour, Donna & Lena from The Sutherland invited guests into the pavilion for the reception.  I left music playing and went inside the house to line the wedding party up for intros with them.

I introduced the wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling” and Alanna and Chris to “Turn Down For What”. They had their first dance to “Safe & Sound” by Capital Cities followed by her dance with her Father to “Isn’t She Lovely” by Sinatra.  I have hundreds of his songs, but had to search for this one.  It’s awesome!!!  Her Father welcomed everyone and the plated salads came out by Rocky Top Catering before the food stations opened.  During dinner I had the same music mix as cocktails.

After dinner we had a short shoe game where they agreed (mostly) on the answers, and then the toasts. We had a Cakes By Chelsea cake cutting to “Cake By The Ocean”, then opened the floor with “Build Me Up Buttercup” and some Top 40.  The floor filled and they had a blast dancing to Top 40, 70’s, 80’s and a few 90’s tracks.  We paused for a bouquet toss to “Single Ladies” then back to dancing.

I ended the night with “Last Dance” before a sparkler exit.  Thank you Alanna, Chris, Nancy, Donna and Lena.  I loved playing for you and hopefully your knee will heel soon Chris!!

Photo courtesy of Nieto Photography

A Merrimon Wynne Italian Wedding for Ashlie and Ryan

When both Bride and Groom are Italian and lots of fun, I am thrilled to be their DJ!!

Ashlie and Ryan chose downtown Raleigh’s historic Merrimon Wynne House for their wedding ceremony and reception on October 19^th.  I arrived early and set up my sound system for the ceremony.  As the 150 guests arrived I had a mix of soft rock playing.  The Parents entered to “The Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire”. The wedding party to the Ed Sheeran part of “Perfect Symphony”.  Officiant Barbara Lodge asked guests to stand and Ashlie and her Father entered from the house to the Bocelli verse of “Perfect Symphony”.  After a beautiful service by Barbara, they recessed to “Heaven” by Bryan Adams.  They were invited into the house for cocktails and I had a mix of Italian crooners playing inside.

After pics & film were done Pamela Jahnke and Thomas Blake, the guests were invited into the carriage house for dinner and dancing. The room looked gorgeous with floral arrangements by Meristem Floral! I lined the wedding party up with lots of help from Catherine with Events by La Fete! I introduced the Parents to “Rock Of Ages” by Def Leppard and wedding party to “Can’t Stop The Feeling”.  Ashlie and Ryan came in to “Hot For The Teacher” and loud applause.  They had their first dance to “Thank You For Loving Me” by Bon Jovi. Her Father welcomed everyone and her Uncle blessed the meal.  The Rocky Top catering food stations opened and I had a mix of classic rock and Italian crooners playing.

After dinner we had the toasts followed by the Parents dances.  Ashlie and her Father were first to an edit I made them that started with “When You Need Me” by Bruce Springsteen, then into “Nothin’ But A Good Time” by Poison. So great!! Ryan and his Mother danced to a shortened edit of “Mother” by Sugarland I made for her.  I opened the floor to everyone with the Italian classic “The Tarantella” and the Limoncello shots came out!!  Some oldies and top 40 followed and kept the guests dancing for the next 3 hours.

We ended the night with Joe Cocker’s “With A Little Help From My Friends”, Garth’s “Friends In Low Places” and finally “New York, New York” that had everyone in a huge circle singing and dancing.  Thank you Ashlie, Ryan, Bill, Catherine and Kaila.  That was an awesome wedding!!

Photo courtesy of Pamela Jahnke Photography

An Oaks at Salem Wedding for Sarah and Niko

Sarah and Niko are so nice and I was thrilled to be at the beautiful Oaks At Salem in Apex NC for their wedding on October 18^th.

Their ceremony was held across the pond and I ran a mic for their officiant Steve.  A quartet from Arioso Strings was there to handle the music.  They always do just an amazing job!!  After a short service the 90 guests were invited back to the house for cocktails.  I had a mix of rock, classic soul and standards playing.

After pics were done by photographer Carly Fogelman, the guests were invited to their seats for the introductions.  I introduced them to “I Gotta Feeling” and Sarah and Niko to “Best Day Of My Life”. They had their first dance to Dan + Shay’s song “Speechless”. Sarah danced with her Brother’s next to “Unforgettable” and Niko escorted his Mother to the floor for their dance to “Humble & Kind”.  They took their seats and the Rocky Top Catered buffet opened in the house. During dinner I had a mix of rock, country and Motown playing.

After dinner we had the toasts including one by some random stranger that build their house, Natascha. We had the Once In A Blue Moon Cake cutting in the house to “Sugar” by Maroon 5. While the staff cut the cake for serving I opened the floor with some Beach and Motown, then top 40 that filled it for the next 2 hours.  They had a blast dancing to line dances, top 40, 80’s and even Eden XO “Weekend” for Niko.

We ended the night with a last dance to “Closing Time” before a sparkler exit.  Thank you Sarah, Niko and Becky.  I had the best time!!

Photo courtesy of Carly Fogleman Photography