It is great when you know some of the family and friends of a bride & groom before you even meet them or do their wedding. This is the case with Jillian & Brandon's wedding which I was so happy to be a part of this past weekend. I have had the absolute pleasure the last couple of years to DJ Brandon's mom Rita's work holiday party and have had a blast doing so. It is not a large crowd, but they are super fun & friendly and dance all night long and it is always one of the highlights of my Christmas season. This past holiday season I met the future bride & groom at the party and was pleased when they decided to have me at their big day at The Grove at Southcreek.
It was one of those beautiful spring days in Northern Nevada where the temperature is perfect but clouds come in and out, and you wonder if a thunderstorm is in the works. Thankfully no rain was forthcoming but the sun coming into and out of the clouds really made the light perfect for those professional photographers out there- the pix I took, well you can see why I'm a DJ and not a photographer.
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| Jillian, Rev. Mark Frady, Brandon |
I am always happy to see Reverend Mark Frady at a ceremony. He is one of the best & most experienced officiants in the area, and he has an unflappable wit and huge smile that puts brides & grooms instantly at ease. He is not afraid to deviate from his script, making it a personal experience for everyone there, and his ability to roll with changes and soothe nervous almost newlyweds is unmatched. I threw him an unintentional curve ball when the lapel mic I equipped him with started to cut in and out. I immediately began running up towards the dais with a backup mic, but he just asked if everyone could hear him without amplification, waved me off, and continued with his hearty reverend voice. A true professional. His service is always a perfect blend of familiarity, love, commitment, and inspiration and the guests and bridal party were completely immersed in his words and the moments he perfectly framed with them. Jillian walked down the aisle to "I Cross My Heart" by George Strait, bringing a tear to Brandon's eye (First Looks have nothing on seeing your bride for the first time coming up the aisle). When Rev. Frady pronounced them husband & wife, they departed down the aisle to "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" by Thompson Square to the cheers of everyone. A perfect ceremony.
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| First Dance |
While family and the bridal party stayed outside for pictures, everyone else moved inside to the beautifully decorated Grove for cocktail hour. Jillian & Brandon had a picture-filled guestbook and also a thumbprint tree for their guests to sign (and press) and a slideshow of the two of them through the years was on the big screen as well as the bar & fireplace monitors. A candy table occupied many of the younger guests as well as many who were just young at heart. When pictures were through, the bridal party entered to cheers while "Long Cool Woman" by the Hollies played in the background. Brandon & Jillian entered last and made their way to the dance floor for their first dance, "Cowboys & Angels" by Dustin Lynch. As soon as the last note was played, and the clapping & cheering subsided, Julie, the Grove's event coordinator informed me that dinner was ready. That is what I love about the Grove- such attention to detail and timing! The Grove served the bridal couple at their sweetheart table and everyone else went through the delicious and quick buffet line. I know I've typed about him in the past, but executive chef Shakka's food is always extraordinary. People were going back for seconds and thirds. I love how his simplest foods are over-the-top good. Like sauteed veggies and real mashed potatoes with herbs or perhaps leeks that make them so delicious. Needless to say the guests were not disappointed. After some great toasts by the Best Man, Maid of Honor, dad and groom, the newlyweds moved over to the cake table. They cut a small cake and didn't mash each other too badly, but the dessert highlight were the many different cupcakes piled all around the cake. I found out it was Mix Cupcakes of Reno, and though I don't know them or haven't had their cupcakes before, I am a fan! The many flavors and the sheer beauty of the cupcakes really sets them apart, and later when the dancing was in full swing and everyone had had their fill of them, I wandered over to the cake table and picked a Reeses-topped cupcake that was absolutely fantastic. Yum!
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| Rita and Brandon |
Speaking of dancing, Jerry danced with his daughter Jillian to "Just Fishin" by Trace Adkins to start off the night. Then Rita danced with her son Brandon to Lynryd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" followed by a great money dance. The Black Eyed Peas started the fast dancing and it never really let up except for slow songs to let them catch their breath and an Anniversary Dance and the Bouquet & Garter. I played a lot of country, but also a lot of newer pop and hip-hop along with many of everyones favorite novelty and line dances. One guest requested "Billie Jean" and proceeded to start an MJ dance-off that really fired up the crowd. What a great group! Easy for a DJ when practically everything you play is enthusiastically danced to. All too soon the evening wound down, with Brandon & Jilly exiting to sparklers and off to their honeymoon. I can't thank them and Rita enough for allowing me to be a part of their special day. Thanks also to Reverend Mark Frady and Julie, Roberto & Shakka and everyone else at the Grove that took their day and evening to the next level. Congrats Brandon & Jillian!
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