John & Bridget at Rocklin Golf Club

Had a super special wedding & reception last weekend at the Rocklin Golf Club (formally Sunset Whitney Golf Club) in Rocklin California, just east of Sacramento.  Prior to Bridget & John's day there, Rocklin was basically a stop on the way to Sac or Frisco that we repeatably make because of Adalbertos, a San Diego-style taco shop that sits just off the I-80 exit. But if you venture further into Rocklin, amongst homes and hills you find Rocklin Golf Club and it is a beautiful venue for a wedding.

Bridget found me through a referral from Courtney & Kyle's wedding from last year up at Northstar. I blogged about their day here.  Even though Bridget and I weren't close by, we spoke on the phone and stayed in touch, and she crafted an amazing timeline with many musical selections and neat events.  I had always been in awe of her organization and vision and was doubly so when I saw how everything turned out.

I was situated outside on a patio with plenty of shade on a warm day.  I was able to run a speaker to cover the ceremony (in a grassy grotto nearby) and another to cover the inside of the club, where dinner would be served.  The ceremony, amongst trees, flowering gardenias and posies was beautiful and interspersed with a sand ceremony and an amazing rendition of 'Ave Maria' by Kelley, one of Bridget's bridesmaids.  John & his groomsmen entered to the 'Imperial March' from Empire Strikes Back, which was fun, and the bridesmaids entered to 'Bella's Lullaby' while Bridget walked in to the Piano Guy's version of  '1000 Years'.  When they had been pronounced Husband & Wife, the BP all left to 'Love and Marriage' by Sinatra to many cheers and happy expressions.

Like I said, Bridget had thought of many neat, personal details and implemented them throughout the day and evening.  As the guests left the grassy grotto for cocktails and hors'deurves on the patio, lawn games were set up where the ceremony had taken place.  People had neat little keys to guide them to their tables and disney-themed touches were everywhere.  The photo booth had Minnie ears and Donald Duck hats, and every table had a framed quotation or two from a Disney movie.  The programs included a blank paper for guests to find all the "hidden Mickeys" and write them down, and there were quite a few.  A corner of the clubhouse had toys, a video console and disney games for the small guests, keeping them occupied through the evening.  After lots of pictures we welcomed the bridal party in with a Grand Entrance, with John & Bridget entering last to 'At Last' by Etta James.

Dinner ensued inside for the guests and bridal party who were seated at one of the longest head tables I can remember seeing.  They included not only the Bridal Party, but their significant others, which I thought was a thoughtful touch.  After dinner, Russell, the Best Man, led off the toasts with one of the better first toasts of the year- funny & touching it set a great tone for the toasts that followed.  Jamie (MoH) then read a clever and lovely poem she had written instead of a speech which had everyone clapping and cheering.  The Dads and other bridal party members and guests then added to the toasts with great sentiments and then we all made our way outside to the patio for the First Dance.

Father-Daughter and Mother-Son dance

Zac Brown's 'Whatever It Is' was Bridget's and John's first dance together as newlyweds, and it was followed by a Father/Daughter & Mother/Son Dance using 'Over the Rainbow' by Iz in which the four of them danced and then invited the other fathers & daughters and moms & sons up to join them.  Another nice touch.  The Money Dance soon followed as well as plenty of open dancing.  It was a great crowd that responded well to various songs and genres and even a "Hidden Mickey" song by Mandy Moore which added to the lists that people were collecting.  Cake cutting then ensued, with another Disney/Pixar touch as the song was 'Married Life' from the movie 'Up'.  Along with cake, platters of donuts were served and I heard many compliments about both desserts.

Dancing included everything from Van Morrison to Kid Cudi- LMFAO to Josh Turner.  My favorite song of the evening was a request for Fun's 'Some Nights' which was asked for by a dad of a 14-month old who said his son just loved that song.  Sure enough, Elijah I think was his name, got out and danced amongst the crowd and was cheered on.  Everybody including me just thought it was the coolest moment on the dancefloor.  Soon thereafter, Beyonce's 'Single Ladies' rang out as the bouquet was thrown and Social Distortion's 'Angel's Wings' played as John retrieved the garter.  The gorgeous night, with the lights on outside, my lights and lasers playing off the patio, and the backlit photo booth with people's silhouettes showing mouse ears just emphasized how one bride's dream was realized that night with all of her special touches.  So happy and lucky to be a part of John & Bridget's amazing day!

Elijah dancing to Fun's 'Some Nights'

Kyle & Courtney at Northstar Overlook Pavilion with Reverend Kris Dahir & Tiers of Joy Cakes

Had a blast at Courtney & Kyle's wedding reception up at the gorgeous Overlook Pavilion at Northstar.  Northstar is a special venue which I have had the pleasure of working several times now.  The Overlook Pavilion is a big deck above the skating rink complete with a large open tent, an enclosed bar building, a firepit for later in the evening, and plenty of space for guest tables and comfortable alcoves to sit in.  The meadow next to the party area is a beautiful spot for a wedding ceremony and that is where Kris Dahir presided over a thoughtful & fun exchanging of vows.  I had the pleasure of working with Kris again the following evening and I like how he tailors the ceremony to the individual couples.

Their ceremony

I spent a couple of hours a few weeks back with Courtney planning the music and events.  She is super fun and her music choices set a uniquely upbeat and joyous vibe throughout the ceremony and into the reception.  One of her favorite artists is Jimmy Buffet and we were able to find a Vitamin String Quartet album of Buffet songs for seating.  Imagine 'Margaritaville' done in strings- classy but fun!  Her bridal party members entered the ceremony to a guitar rendition of Canon in D, and then she came in to an instrumental snippet from 'Weather With You', another Buffet song.  She and Kyle then left to the entire song, and began posing for pix as the guests enjoyed hors deurves and drinks.

Toasts

The staff at Northstar are exceptional.  Joey the wait captain was very involved and efficient all evening and Nancy the coordinator made sure everything ran very smoothly and is a true professional.  Tiers of Joy made Kyle & Courtney's cake, and like I have said in the past, their cakes are as good tasting as they are looking, which is a rarity amongst bakers these days.  I usually like to have a piece whereas I don't any other bakers, but it was cut & passed out efficiently by Joey & staff and the extra pieces were eaten up quickly thereafter.  A couple of things that were really neat: Courtney & Kyle had a Time Capsule and also had s'more favors.  The Time Capsule was a wooden box that they will open on their first anniversary and everyone wrote little notes and left surprises in the box for them.   What a great idea!  The s'mores were a plastic box with all the ingredients that you could take home or break open and use at Northstar's firepit that was lit after dark.

Tiers of Joy Cake

Courtney & Kyle had different songs played for each of their bridal party pairs, from Social Distortion to the Specials to the Beach Boys and Baha Men.  When the newlyweds were announced, they came in to Darth Vader's theme from Star Wars.  Very cool.  Dinner was family style, which is a nice change from the countless buffets I see.  After some great toasts they cut the cake and then danced their first dance to "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" by Thompson Square.

First Dance

Lots of dancing followed, with everything from Clapton to Katy Perry, from MJ to Buffet, and lots in between.  Just a super couple, with a lot of great friends and family who celebrated the night away under the tent and stars up at Northstar.  Congrats to the newlyweds!

Courts & Kyle

Winding around the Pavilion

Roe & Regina at the Overlook Pavilion at Northstar with Zella Events

Roe & Regina say "I do"

I had the pleasure to deejay Roe and Regina's wedding up at the Northstar Overlook Pavilion. Regina was absolutely radiant as were her bridesmaids in different colored bridesmaid dresses.  What a cool idea!  Roe and his groomsmen were looking pretty stellar as well, and they all had rattan-like shoes on that looked cool and comfortable.  I love little touches that brides and grooms do to make their day very much their own.  It was a large gathering of friends and family and all were very nice and made me feel very much like a guest instead of a hired hand.  They came from all over and I had many great conversations with terrific people even before the ceremony.  

Regina is congratulated by Best Dog 'Bama'

Northstar is a destination on it's own, with shops, restaurants and a skating rink, and the Overlook Pavilion sits above the rink but seems like it is in it's own separate area as it borders a beautiful meadow and the treeline just beyond.  The meadow is where the ceremony was held, and it is a beautiful backdrop for a couple's vows.  Then right beside it is the expansive Pavilion area, with the large tent for dancing and dining and plenty of outdoor space for lots of guests.  Roe and Regina welcomed about 200 or so guests and they all had plenty of space and enjoyed the beautiful weather and surroundings.  You could probably seat many more than that if necessary.  The food was delicious and the service outstanding- the people there are really top-notch.  The lighting is gorgeous as night arrives, and they had a fire-ring with s'mores for those guests who still had room after dinner and cake.  The whole day and evening was coordinated by Carla from Zella Events.  She and her staff were so pleasant to work with!  They had a detailed timeline and even coordinated via two-way radios at times.  Every little detail was perfect and they were always anticipating events instead of letting events control the tempo.  High praise from a DJ who likes to make sure things run smoothly.  

Money Dance!

Roe is a huge San Jose Sharks fan so we re-created the Sharks entry on the ice with the Grand Entrance. The bridal party entered to the theme from "Jaws" which segued into "Rock & Roll Part 2" by Gary Glitter...  Very cool!   They danced to Corrine Bailey Rae for their first dance and the dancing never stopped from there!  I loved the fact that I played all kinds of different types of music and dance styles- from Salsa to the Electric Slide; from the Cha-Cha to the Cha-Cha slide.  Mambos, waltzes and jitterbugs were also in the mix for this very talented crowd of dancers.  This crowd came to dance and did they ever!  Thanks to Regina & Roe for having me be a part of their amazing day and evening and for making me feel like a part of the family.  Congrats you guys!