Tommy & Randee at D'Andrea Golf Club with Zinser Photography

Receptions at D'Andrea are always special with the thoughtful staff, delicious food, and breathtaking views and when you pair these things up with a gorgeous bride, a terrific groom and some great Victorian House vendors, you have a guaranteed phenomenal evening.

Randee was stunning in her dress from Alfred Angelo and the rest of the bridal party looked amazing as well.  When I played "Canon in D" by the Angels of Venice, she emerged from around the balcony and there was an audible intake of breath and a huge smile on Tommy's face.  The wedding was officiated by Pastor Kris Dahir who always does an exceptional ceremony and it was a very memorable one.

Taking much better pictures than these were Evan and Kinsey Zinser of Zinser Photography.  They are awesome wedding photographers and just great people to boot.  They treat every event they photograph as if it were their own family and regularly go above and beyond to exceed their clients' expectations.

One of Randee & Tommy's more unique ideas was to have the rest of the bridal party enter to the theme from "Star Wars", a very regal and upbeat song.  But then they entered to the "Imperial March" from The Empire Strikes Back, which everyone cheered and loved.

Randee and Yours Truly

Lots of popular dance songs were played, but I enjoyed the fact that Randee and her family really enjoyed '80s funk- Dazz Band, Kool & the Gang, Cameo etc.  so a lot of classic R&B and hip-hop was danced to.  Once again, thanks to Stef, Savannah and the rest of the super crew at D'Andrea, and congrats again to Tommy & Randee!

Patrick & Danae at D'Andrea Golf Club

Another amazing ceremony and reception last night at what is turning out to be my favorite venue, D'Andrea.  Patrick and Danae and their families were awesome and so again was the staff at D'Andrea.  I have written about them in prior blog postings: Stef, Savannah and Shelby are so friendly and accommodating to their guests that they seem like family members instead of venue staff.  And I haven't written about Marcus & Moose, their outstanding bartenders.  They are always laughing and joking with the guests and when the music starts I see them dancing and playing air-guitar while tending bar.  Maybe that is what I like about D'Andrea most of all: they do their job because they love what they do and it shows in their smiles and the quality service they provide.  I can relate to that- I love my job and when your DJ is smiling and enjoying the reception, it tends to be contagious.  Now just multiply that by 10 and that's what you get from the people at D'Andrea.

Case in point: here are Patrick & Danae listening to the toast by their Maid of Honor Christine.  The toast was scheduled to be inside, but Danae & Pat went outside for sunset photos and loved the lights coming on and the cool temperature.  They asked Shelby if they could possibly do the toasts outdoors.  So D'Andrea quickly brought the champagne out and within a few minutes we were toasting out on the beautiful patio.

With such a great couple, crowd, and servers the dancing went on and on.  Two hours past the scheduled end in fact.  And it could have continued further, but Danae & Pat's limo had already been waiting outside for an hour and the B&G had an early flight to Cancun, so we all reluctantly called it a night.  As far as music goes, I was able to play a wide variety of tunes.  Some of the highlights were "Friends in Low Places", "Thriller", "Crazy Girl" and "Get Low" but every song rocked.  Danae & Patrick danced their first dance to "Then" by Brad Paisley, but the coolest song of the night had to be the Mother-Son dance.  Pat and his mom Teri danced to "Wild Thing" by the Troggs, which is a first for me, but everyone was laughing and cheering- it was a memorable moment amongst many.  Thanks to D'Andrea, the great guests and family and especially Danae & Patrick for letting me be a part of their day.  I love my job!

Dana & Frank at D'Andrea with Zinser Photography and Photobooth and Pastor Kristopher Dahir

What a magical ceremony and reception for Frank and Dana at D'Andrea Golf Club up in the hills overlooking Reno & Sparks!  I thought I'd be different this post and take pictures of Evan Zinser hard at work photographing the event.  He gets such amazing shots, and when I saw him shooting this one I just had to take a picture.  Dana is a beautiful woman, both inside and out, and framed by D'Andrea's glass doors, she looked positively ethereal.  Frank was no slouch either in his dress whites (see below), and together they were one of the best-dressed couples I've seen in 600+ weddings.

Another Victorian House member, Pastor Kristopher Dahir officiated the ceremony and it was special and memorable.  Pastor Kris has a way of calming nerves, interjecting a bit of humor, and leaving the assembled with an outstanding message that makes him heads above other officiants in the area.  I always am uplifted by his message of love and God, and his advice for relationships that everyone benefits from, not just the bride and groom.

After walking down the aisle to "Endless Love" and leaving as a married couple to "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer, the guests went inside to amazing appetizers and cold drinks passed out by the always exceptional D'Andrea staff.  Stef and her staff are top-notch: everyone is very friendly, efficient and truly invested in the flow and feel of the event. Shelby & Savannah lead a great bunch of waiters and cooks and I am always amazed at the hard work they all put in in front of and behind the scenes.  Also exceptional are the bartenders who adroitly dealt with the crush of an open bar and a hundred thirsty guests as soon as the ceremony was over, and kept everyone happy all night long.  They obviously enjoy their work and were dancing and playing air guitar behind the bar at times.  If you want an outstanding venue, with a killer view, amazing food, and a staff that treats you like family, D'Andrea is for you!

The toasts were memorable, especially Frank's at the end.  What a class guy, and what a great family he is marrying into!  Dana & Frank then started the dancing with "At Last" by Beyonce', and their dance lessons by Doug & Charlie of the Dancin' Partners really made it elegant and special.  The dance floor was rocking all night, and the guests loved the Zinser Photobooth staffed by Josh and the jars of candy on each table.  D'Andrea even had s'mores outside at the fire ring later in the evening.  It was an outstanding event, one I was privileged to be a part of.  Thanks & congrats Frank and Dana!

Wendy & Michael at Edgewood

Had a blast being a part of Wendy & Mike's ceremony and reception up on the shores of Lake Tahoe at the always elegant Edgewood.  The rainstorms stayed away and the temperature was perfect for a lakeshore, sandy beach wedding.  Wendy walked in to a beautiful rendition of "Canon in D" and the newly married couple exited to Jack Johnson's "Better Together".  Following cocktails and appetizers on the deck, the guests were seated in the South Room and Mike & Wendy made their Grand Entrance accompanied by Queen's "Your My Best Friend".   The typically delicious Edgewood buffet followed: I am always amazed by the quality of the food and the professionalism of the servers that work there.  Walter and his staff are friendly, professional, and truly care about their guests.  And they are efficient as well.  For example, the buffet line was on the dancefloor, and when it came time to toast and dance, he and his crew had the entire line down and the dancefloor cleared in less than four minutes.  I know, because right as they began I started a song that was 3:51 long, and they were completely done before it was over.  Amazing!

Lots of great dancing ensued throughout the evening.  Most memorable were a very animated bunch of dancers during "Thriller" and a great sing-along version of "Baby Got Back".  I was pleased to be able to download and play a Blackhawk song for a couple celebrating their 7th anniversary as well as play a few other romantic favorites for couples including songs by Allison Krause and the Turtles.  Not only do I get to see the magic when the bride and groom dance their first dance, but I get to see it relived on the faces of family and guests when I play their important song.  What a great job I have!  Thanks Edgewood!  Thanks Wendy & Michael for having me play your ceremony and reception!  Wishing you lots of happy, wonderful years of marriage...