Katie & Patrick at the Chateau in Incline Village with Celtic Harp Music by Anne Roos and Alexander's Catering

This past summer I was privileged to have been a part of Katie & Patrick's big day at the Chateau up in Incline Village. Katie & Patrick are a fantastic couple who had very definite ideas about how they wanted their wedding day to feel, sound and progress. They put a personal spin on so many things and made it a very unique and fun event.

Patrick and the bridal party prior to the ceremony

First of all, they chose the Chateau. If you've never been, the Chateau is the clubhouse at the golf course in Incline Village. The course is immaculate- nestled in pine-covered hills and overlooked by the Sierras, and the Chateau is truly its namesake- a gorgeous mountain refuge with plenty of space, a huge deck, tremendous views, and a bunch of great people working there.

Katie and her dad Dave right before marching down the aisle :)

They were married right outside of the building, on a picturesque tee on a gorgeous afternoon. An absolute killer choice they made was to have Anne Roos from Celtic Harp Music do their seating and ceremony music. Anne is a harp virtuoso who challenges your preconceived notions of what a harpist should sound like. One of her songs has been nominated for a Grammy and we are lucky to have her here in our area. Her beautiful music punctuated the ceremony perfectly. Speaking of the ceremony, I provided microphones and amplification for their officiant Judy's use. She did a heartfelt job marrying the two, and when it was done everyone moved up to the deck for cocktails and more of Anne Roos' artistry.

When pictures were through and the cocktail crowd had moved inside, we welcomed the bridal party accompanied by Imagine Dragons' "On Top of the World". Toasts then ensued, followed by a delicious buffet dinner by Alexander from Alexander's Catering. But wait! It wasn't that simple if you were a hungry guest. In order to get your table into the buffet line, Katie & Patrick had a surprise waiting...

"Didn't we almost have it all..." (Singing for their supper!)

First of all, the tables were named after 14 different languages- from Swahili to Swedish, from Hungarian to Hebrew and so forth (I think between the two of them they know all those languages!!!).  Then, James, a friend of theirs took one of my wireless mics and patrolled the dining room, looking for tables willing to sing for their supper. He got each table up, gave them a karaoke song (which I cued up and played), and they had to sing it to be released to the buffet line. Sweet! There was instant rivalry between tables and controversy ensued if a table thought another table's song wasn't loud or enthusiastic enough. It was a first for me- something I won't soon forget, and yet another cool way Katie & Patrick differentiated their wedding day from the ordinary.

First Dance!

There was a sense of fun throughout the evening. Again I loved how they tweaked things to make them special. After the dinner was done, they started the dancing with their first dance, Ray LaMontagne's "You Are the Best Thing". It was a great dance but that wasn't all. As Ray was fading out, Katie had a surprise in store. I announced that "No first dance is complete without a little Whitney" and mixed in "I Will Always Love You" which Katie sang at the top of her lungs to Patrick. The place went berserk! Super fun! Dancing then ensued and really only ever stopped once, when they cut their cake and then tossed the bouquet and garter. I played "Mr. Jones" by Counting Crows for the cake cutting, and then "Ladies Night" for the bouquet. To put an exclamation point on Katie's noble profession, I played Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" when Patrick was busy removing that small piece of lingerie, and then when he tossed it, "Sure Shot" by the Beastie Boys got everyone back in the partying mood. Just a great crowd all night long! 

Patrick & Katie had spent some time compiling songs they wanted for specific times during the evening and also songs that they did not want played. They were very thoughtful as to what their guests would enjoy yet stayed true to their musical tastes- the best of both worlds. There were several birthdays and they made sure that I dedicated "In Da Club"to them. As you can see, it was a fun night!

Thanks so much to everyone at the Chateau- it is always such a pleasure to work there. Thanks to the fabulous Anne Roos at Celtic Harp Music for her inspiring play. Thanks to Alex at Alexander's Catering who always does such a great job, even when waiting for tables to finish singing their song :)

Finally, thanks to Katie & Patrick. You two really hit a home run with all that you planned that day and evening and it was so great to have been a part of your amazing wedding and reception! All the best and many, many happy years with one another!

Chelsea & Kyle at The Chateau at Incline Village with Ciprian Photography

To have a beach wedding is a dream of many brides, but to have it on the shores of Lake Tahoe, at the foot of the family cabin was a dream come true for Chelsea & Kyle last week.  I love the fact that it was held at a place already so special to the family, a spot already containing a lifetime of memories and now with a brand-new memory shared at the same moment with all of their loved ones and friends.

It was a gorgeous King's Beach afternoon- boats out on the water, people on the sands, and classic WWII Mustangs and Texans flying overhead.  Chairs were set up right in the sand, steps from the water with parasols and flip-flops available for guest's use and foot-washing basins filled for those that wanted to go barefoot.  Simple pinecones decorated the chairs, amplifying the Tahoe feel.  Chelsea picked the "Forrest Gump Suite" for her bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to, and a piano version of Love Story for her processional with her father. Inspired choices. Chelsea's sister Megan was the officiant and did an amazing job with a heartfelt and thoughtful ceremony- hard to believe it was her first time marrying anyone!  Soon she was announcing Kyle & Chelsea for the first time as husband & wife and they exited to Natalie Cole's "This Will Be an Everlasting Love". The bridal party and family remained on the beach for photos while everyone else headed up to the Chateau at Incline Village for the reception.

Just Married!

The Chateau is a beautiful venue set amongst the pines on the golf course in Incline Village and whether it is a gorgeous sunny summer day or a snowy winter's afternoon, weddings are always special there.  The guests (and the DJ) arrived and settled in, enjoying the room and deck outside.  After pictures on the Lake, family began to arrive and so too the bridal party.  Chelsea & Kyle followed the rest of their party into the room accompanied to thunderous applause and enjoyed a great dinner and some tremendous toasts by their family and bridal party.  Then dancing began and never really abated all night.  Kyle & Chelsea started with Jack Johnson's "Better Together" and then Roland danced with his daughter Chelsea to "Butterfly Kisses."  Kyle then danced with his mom Michele to "Sweet Child of Mine" by Sheryl Crow.  I loved how Chelsea and Kyle really thought of their guests all throughout the day- from the flip-flops on the beach to asking all the fathers & daughters to join Chelsea & Roland and all of the mothers and sons to join Kyle and Michele. This, to me, is a very unselfish moment in a reception.  To give your guests and family members the same opportunity to have a special moment with their mom, dad or kids is magical and something they will remember forever.  To further emphasize how attentive Chelsea and Kyle are, after they cut the cake, Chelsea took the mic and wished a guest, Myra,  a very happy 50th birthday and Kyle brought out a cake just for her. Just another classy touch amongst many throughout the day and evening.

All the fathers & daughters

Ciprian of Ciprian Photography was their photographer, and I always enjoy working with him as he is very professional and creative.  He also provided a photobooth for the evening, and it was an open space with a backdrop and props.  In the past I have thought that enclosed photobooths work better.  The guests seem to feel less intimidated and like to push the buttons and take their own shots.  But I was very pleasantly surprised with Ciprian's booth.  It was more like having a fun portrait taken as Ciprian and his assistant really brought out the best in his subjects and the guests played off one another in the shots.  It is a neat thing as well to see the entire bridal party posing with the bride and groom- something not possible in a small booth.  Everyone had a blast using the booth, and over my way the dancefloor never emptied.  The money dance really set a fun tone with Kyle covered in bills at the end and it was neat seeing the large number of couples during the Anniversary Dance.  Many couples had been married for 20+, 30+ and 40+ years, but the last couple on the dancefloor were the Smiths who gave something for us all to aspire to- 61 years of marriage!  They are truly great role models and amazing people as I was privileged to speak with Mr. Smith several times before the ceremony and during the evening. What a great example for Kyle & Chelsea!

Chelsea & Kyle gave me a substantial list of what songs they really liked to dance to and I played the vast majority of those plus took great requests off the floor all evening.  The dancing was going so well that they extended for extra time so we could keep the party going. Truly an absolute blast for a DJ lucky enough to be a part of the celebration.  Thanks to Linda, Chelsea's aunt who really helped me through all aspects of the ceremony and reception.  Thanks to Ciprian Photography for all of their hard work and expertise. But most of all, thanks to Chelsea and Kyle for picking me to be a part of their amazing day. I say it again, because it is true: I love my job!  But I love my job because of the special people I get to meet, interact with, and help to realize their vision of their perfect wedding day. I am blessed.  Congrats Kyle & Chelsea!

Update 11-13
Just received a thank you card from them! So fulfilling to have a bride & groom's wedding dreams come true and be a small part of it!