Allaina & Chad’s Outdoor Wedding at The Merrimon-Wynne House

Allaina and Chad chose downtown Raleigh’s historic Merrimon-Wynne House for both their ceremony and reception on a picture perfect North Carolina day on October 16^th.  Their ceremony was held on the side lawn and they had a violinist providing music. After the ceremony was over, guests made their way inside the house for hors d’oeuvres and refreshments while Three Little Birds Studio snapped some shots of Allaina, Chad and the wedding party.  After pics were done guests started making their way out to the tent where I was ready to go and found their seats with help from The Merrimon-Wynne’s Kaila.  I introduced the wedding party to Jason Derulo’s HUGE summer hit “Want To Want Me” and Allaina and Chad to Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be”.  They came right to the floor to thunderous applause and had their first dance to the Van Morrison song “Crazy Love”  covered by Michael Buble.  After that Allaina danced with her father to “I Hope You Dance” by Ronan Keating and Chad escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to “Like Jesus Does” by Eric Church.  I love all of those songs so much!   Allaina’s father welcomed everyone and her friend Taryn blessed the meal.  During dinner I had a mix of standards, country, rock and classic soul playing.

After dinner we had a couple toasts and the cake cutting inside while I opened the floor with some Motown and top 40 that got the guests on the floor for the next 2 hours.  They danced to top 40, oldies, a couple line dances and some country including a birthday shout out to Craig when I played “Keep Me In Mind” by Zac Brown Band.  I loved seeing Allaina’s mother’s dance to “Super Freak”!! Classic.  I ended the night with “Heaven” by Jason Aldean because his concert was one of their first dates, “Sweet Caroline” for the Red Sox fans and finally “Shout”.  They chose “Take Me Home Tonight” as their last song and guests made their way to the front of the house for their sparkler exit before they jumped in the rickshaw for their getaway.

What a fun night and beautiful Bride!  Congratulations Allaina and Chad and thank you so much for having me as your DJ!

Helen and Antonio’s Wedding Reception at The Carolina Club on October 11th

World travelers Helen and Antonio chose UNC’s Carolina Club for their reception on a picture perfect Sunday evening after their ceremony at University United Methodist Church.  I haven’t played there in a while and was really looking forward to seeing Elizabeth Rubio again and, of course, playing for Helen, Antonio and their guests.  As guests arrived for the outdoor cocktail hour I had a mix of standards and classic soul playing. Helen and Antonio arrived after pics were taken by Brett Fox photography and were ready to get the party started.  The doors to the ballroom opened and the 150 guests found their tables.

The wedding party was introduced to “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder and Helen and Antonio to “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love” by Barry White.  They came to the dance floor and had their first dance to “Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin followed by a heartfelt welcome by Helen’s father and blessing by Reverend Taylor.  The salads and entrées came out and I continued a mix of standards and classic soul along with some soft rock.

 

After dinner Helen’s mother said a few words and I could tell this was a very, very important day for her. I really was one of the sweetest speeches!  The toasts followed and the De’ Lure Desserts cake cutting to “Loving You Is Easy” by Zac Brown Band.  Helen then met her father on the floor for their very special dance to “Ashokan Farewell” and Antonio escorted his mother to the floor to dance to “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack.  I opened the floor with “Carolina Girls” and some Motown and top 40 that filled it for the next 2 hours. 

We paused briefly for a special Birthday dance for Helen’s father to “That’s Amore” and he danced with both his daughters while others joined them on the floor, then back to dancing until the end of the night.  We ended the night with “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne followed by “Laid” by James.  I love both of those songs sop much!  What was supposed to be Helen and Antonio’s last dance “Let’s Stay Together” followed, but they weren’t ready to leave yet so I played a couple more songs and then “Last Dance” by Donna Summer.  What a fun night and sweet couple.  Thank you Helen and Antonio for the cufflinks and Antonio, thank you for your service to our country!!

Danielle & Andrew’s Beautiful Wedding at The Umstead Hotel & Spa on October 10th

Danielle and Andrew originally wanted to have an outdoor wedding ceremony at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC, but the rain had other plans so it was moved inside and did not damper the spirits of the day at all.  I was working with Minister Barbara Lodge for the second time in 2 days and couldn’t be happier about it!  As guests arrived for the ceremony I had a mix of classical pop songs by Vitamin String Quartet playing.  The wedding party entered to “All You Need Is Love” by VSQ and Danielle and her father to “The Bridal Chorus”.  After a short ceremony the wedding party recessed to “The Wedding March” and guests made their way across the hall for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

During the cocktail hour I had a mix of standards, soft rock and classic soul playing.  It was time for the introductions after photographer Kevin Milz got some shots and the doors to the main ballroom opened for guests to find their seats. The tables were decorated with beautiful arrangements by Tre Bella Florist. I introduced them to “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” by one of my favorite bands, The Darkness , and Danielle & Andrew entered to “Bring ‘Em Out” by T.I.   They came right to the floor and had their first dance to “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones. Danielle’s father joined her on the floor to ready her the book he read to her as a child called “Hugs”, then handed the book over to Andrew.  There really wasn’t a dry eye in the room!  He then had his dance with her to “Father & Daughter” by Paul Simon and Andrew escorted his mother to the floor for their dance to “What A Wonderful World” by KD Lang and Tony Bennett.  They took their seats after that and the 5 course meal started.

 

During dinner I had a mix of standards and Italian crooners playing.  I even played a few Louis Prima songs.  I LOVE him!  As dinner wound down I started picking up the pace with some classic rock and soul.  We had the cake cutting to “L.O.V.E.” by Nat King Cole and then toasts by the Best Man and Maid Of Honor that both did a great job!  I invited all the married guests to the floor and had a “longest married couple” dance to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra before opening the floor to everyone with some Motown that filled it for the next 2 hours.

We paused briefly for the bouquet toss to “Single Ladies”, garter removal to “Hot In Herre” and garter toss to “Danger Zone”, then back to dancing to some 80’s, top 40 and sing a long songs until the end of the night.  There was a great dance off between Danielle and one of her guy friends to Beyonce’s “Get Me Bodied” that I will always remember.  We ended the night with “Sweet Caroline” and then Green Day’s “Time Of Your Life”.  It was such a wonderful night and I had a blast.  Congratulations Danielle and Andrew!

Brady & Matt’s Fantastic Wedding at The Stockroom in Raleigh

Brady and Matt chose downtown Raleigh’s The Stockroom at 230 for both their ceremony and reception on October 9^th.  I was thrilled to start my 3 wedding weekend playing for them and working with planner Sally Oakley, minister Barbara Lodge, Ashley Cakes and photographer Christobal from Azul Photography!

For the ceremony they had an amazing guitarist Matthew Kanon provide music as guests arrived and for the ceremony and cocktail hour.  After a short ceremony by Barbara, the guests made their way to the back of the room for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while the staff flipped the room for dinner and Matthew played guitar.

The room was ready and Brady and Matt were ready to be introduced, so I invited guests to find their tables.  Brady & Matt entered the room to “You Are The Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne and stopped in the middle of the dance floor for their first dance to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen.  After that, they took their seats and the Catering Works buffet opened.  During dinner I played a mix of standards and classic rock.

After dinner we had toasts by Brady’s mother and Matt’s father and then the Ashley’s Cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” by James Taylor.  I opened the floor with some Motown and oldies and it filled with mostly women guests and Brady.  I loved seeing them all singing “I Say A Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin in a big circle! 

The night ended with a full dance floor to “Sweet Caroline” and “With A Little Help From My Friends” by Joe Cocker and then their last dance to “Save The Last dance” by Michael Buble before their sparkler exit from the first floor.

Sarah & Travis’s Farm Wedding in Chapel Hill on October 3rd

Sarah and Travis wanted to have a beautiful ceremony and reception on Travis’s father’s horse farm in Chapel Hill.  But, hurricane Joaquin had other ideas.  It had rained for the week coming up, so a couple tents were needed.  No problem.  The ceremony was officiated by Sarah’s Grandfather and it was so sweet!  As the guests arrived I had some light classical music playing.  The Grandparents and Travis’s Mother walked down the aisle to “Jesu, Joy Of Man’s Desiring” and the wedding party to “Canon In D”.  Sarah walked down the aisle with both parents to “Air On A G String”.  After the ceremony the wedding party recessed to “Water Music” (Not because of the rain) and the 100 guests made their way to the connecting tent for hors d’oeuvres and drinks while the main tent got ready for dinner and dancing.

During the cocktail hour I played a mix of indie rock, standards, alt-country, Motown and blues.  A very eclectic mix I must say!  After pics were taken by photographer Heba Salama, I invited guests back into the main tent for the introductions.  The wedding party was introduced to “Fergilicious” and Sarah & Travis to “Celebration”.  They came to the floor and had their first dance to Zapp’s “I Want To Be Your Man”, one of Travis’s favorite songs and he sang it to her while dancing.  So sweet!  Sarah was then joined on the floor by her Dad for their dance to “My Wish” and Travis escorted him mother to the floor for their dance to “You’ve Got A Friend” by James Taylor.  Sarah’s Grandmother Elise blessed the meal and the Fig & Honey catered buffet opened.  It was so good!!

After dinner we had a cake cutting to “How Sweet It Is” and I opened the floor with “The Cupid Shuffle” that filled it for the next 3 hours.  I played everything from oldies to 80’s to current hits.  I even played “Proud Mary” for Sarah’s bridesmaid to show her Tina Turner moves…twice.. 

I love this crown so much!  They danced to everything and had a absolute blast!  Of course, the jars of moonshine may have helped J.  Thank you Sarah & Travis and congratulations!