Katie & Christian at the Chism House with Capriotti's Catering and Pastor Dawn Pidlypchak from South Reno UMC

I had a fantastic wedding at the Chism House in Reno a couple of Sundays ago. To tell you the truth, I am lucky to have been chosen to be their DJ, not just because their wedding and reception were a blast but also because I broke one of the cardinal rules of a wedding professional when we were just getting acquainted: always, always be on time to a meeting.

I had had a great conversation with their coordinator Paige and we set up an evening meeting for the next week to discuss their day and my services. I am a huge believer of a face-to-face meeting or Skype or FaceTime as you can really get a feel for one another and see if you are a fit for the event. I had had a meeting earlier that day down in Carson City and thought I allowed myself enough time to have the that meeting, travel back to Reno, and still have plenty of time to meet with Katie & Christian, but I misjudged the interval and went way over on the earlier meeting. As I was speeding north I was able to let them know what had happened but I felt like a complete ass. While I was only a few minutes late, I pride myself on my punctuality and professionalism and I felt I had let them down. When I arrived I apologized and told them straight out that if I were them, I would not hire me. We then proceeded to have a great meeting and they neglected to take my earlier advice and chose to include me in their special day and evening. I am so glad they did!

So a couple of Sundays ago I showed up at the Chism House extra early and began to set up for their day. I have to say that the Chism House is becoming a favorite venue of mine! I have done multiple events in the past six or so years there, and in the past few years a fresh new management team has taken over and made a unique and pretty venue even more special and beautiful. Every time I arrive, they have made more improvements to the grounds, accessibility, and service and they are now one of the best run facilities in the area. They have created a nice new bar area in a garage that used to be just storage. They have improved the parking lot. The already beautiful gardens seem to burst even more now with color, while the arch for the ceremony is a living, blossoming arbor. And the best part about the new team is their service. Amber and Sherae (sp?) were always hovering around the ceremony and reception, making sure things ran smoothly and helping their guests (and this DJ) with anything that they could. They went way beyond what would be expected of them, making sure the event exceeded- not just equaled- their clients expectations. I can tell they love sharing their gorgeous venue with their guests.

My view :)

I played seating music as the guests arrived and as the countdown to the ceremony began. When everyone was seated, the parents and bridal party entered to "Marry Me" by Train, and as Christian and all the guests looked on, Katie appeared on the porch of the Chism House with her dad Ed as "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz punctuated her appearance and subsequent walk. Dawn, the officiant then presided over a wonderful ceremony that contained a mixing of water poured from a separate pitcher that each mom carried into one receptacle representing the joining of the two families. Not too long after that Christian was kissing his new bride and they were walking down the aisle as a married couple.  They chose an appropriate song for the recessional, the American Authors' "Best Day of My Life", one of my favorites, and soon they were posing for pictures amongst the picturesque grounds.

If you haven't been to the Chism House, the reception is held on the western end where huge old trees give shade and a large open tent and dance floor are situated. Paige had set out lawn games, their guestbook was a puzzle where guests wrote on various puzzle pieces, and along with appetizers and drinks a fun cocktail hour then ensued. It really is a wonderful setting and it doesn't matter whether your table is under the tent or on the lawn as there isn't a bad seat in the place.

First Dance!

After lots of pictures and poses, the newlyweds came around the House and through an arch as I introduced them for their Grand Entrance. They picked "I Feel Good" by James Brown to punctuate that moment and I heard many at the tables singing along as they cheered and welcomed the happy couple to their reception. They made their way directly to the dance floor and without further ado I introduced their First Dance, Hunter Hayes' "Wanted" to a happy bunch of family and friends who watched them dance their dance filled with love and happiness for one another. :)

High-fives from the bridal party after their entrance & dance!

Soon the buffet line from Capriotti's opened up and hungry bridal party members and guests alike were piling their plates with a delicious dinner. There were several types of delicious sandwiches, a meatball station, and lots of fixings and salads. After a while, as people began to push their plates aside and the toasting began. Michelle, the Maid of Honor led off with a great toast and then most of the bridal party then followed with their heartfelt thoughts along with some family members. Christian & Katie then thanked everyone for coming and Katie joined her dad Ed on the dance floor for the Father/Daughter Dance, Tim McGraw's "My Little Girl." Halfway through I invited the other fathers and daughters in the audience up to share the moment with Katie & Ed. This is always a huge hit as dads and their girls get a moment they will remember forever thanks to Katie & Christian's thoughtfulness. When "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts started up, Christian and their moms Sheree and Cindy joined Katie in a Father/Daughter-Mother/Daughter dance. Soon lots of moms and dads with their children accompanied the original four up on the floor and again some more indelible moments were created.

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son dances

The rest of the evening went so beautifully. The temperature was perfect, the dance floor was busy, and all the guests were in such a great mood that we were all surprised when it was time to bid Katie & Christian goodbye. It all went by too quickly! As I played Donna Summer's "Last Dance", the newlyweds had one more twirl on the dance floor as everyone else went out to the drive and lit sparklers for their Grand Exit. They jumped in the back of a classic pickup truck and slowly left the Chism House through a cordon of happy, sparkling guests. Such a perfect send off for such a perfect day and evening!

Last Dance!

Sparklers!

Thanks so much to Amber & Sherae at the Chism House for all their wonderful help and exuberance! Thanks to Paige for such a great job coordinating everything. Thanks to Dawn Pidlypchak from South Reno United Methodist Church for such an inspiring and fun ceremony. Thanks to Capriotti's for a delicious and quick buffet line. But most of all, thanks to Christian & Katie for sharing their day with me. May your lives be filled with happiness you two!

Stefanie & Jeff at Somersett with Belinda Grant Photography and Los Mariachis Viajeros

I had such a good time at Stefanie & Jeff's wedding and reception a couple of weekends ago! I knew it would be a blast when I was communicating with Stefanie back and forth about her timeline and songs. She really had a complete vision as to how her day would enfold, and it was so gratifying to see it come to life and to be a part of it.

I usually don't post a lot of pictures, especially of decor and the small touches that go into a reception, but I think I should with this wedding. Stefanie really thought of everything and put her own spin on her day.

First she chose Somersett. Somersett is a planned community in northwest Reno nestled between hills with a golf course threading through the community and great views of the surrounding Sierras. In the middle of the property is the community center complete with a clubhouse, community pools and sports facilities, and a commercial area with several shops and restaurants. I have had the privilege of deejaying their community holiday swim parties and it is a well-run organization with great people making sure everything runs smoothly. This day was no exception.  They had their ceremony out on a golf tee with the mariachi group Los Mariachis Viajeros providing the seating music. When the time came, I played the processionals- "Sweet Child of Mine" by Vitamin String Quartet for the bridal party and a beautiful version of the "Bridal Chorus" (Here Comes the Bride) for Stefanie and her dad. When Stefanie and Jeff were married and had kissed and been introduced by Pastor Dan to everyone, I played "Happy" as their recessional. After that, the guests went into the clubhouse for cocktails and more Mariachi Viajero music while I moved across the street to the upstairs reception room, the Loft.

Up in the Loft I really appreciated all the work Stefanie and her sisters and friends had put into the room. Near me, right beside the dance floor they had baskets of flip-flops for their guests so they could ditch the high heels and dance the night away. The bar had a great selection of tequilas, Mexican beer, and Mexican bottled coke and other sodas to lend an authentic flair to the evening. Better yet, there was a bucket of coozies with Jeff & Stefanie's names and date on them as a special remembrance of the evening. Very cool!

They had a photobooth, a candy table that was very well stocked, and everywhere the decor matched the red roses placed all around the room.

Finally the favors to take home (not including the coozies) were small little cacti and other succulents. So unique yet so fitting for occasion.

As the guests began to arrive from the clubhouse, traditional Mexican appetizers were served- several types of ceviche, home-made salsas, and chips and quesadillas. Yum!  The guests enjoyed themselves while the bridal party finished up pictures with Belinda Grant. Belinda is a phenomenal photographer who I am always excited to work with. She has a very journalistic style as well as taking stunning posed shots. She'll see something happening on the dance floor or at a table and rush over to capture it. A great example of this was as Stefanie and Jeff were walking downstairs towards the reception, she saw a geometric pattern in the pavers below and had them pose as she took pix from the balcony above. Spontaneous but really cool! I tried to get the same shot on my iPhone watching her, and you can imagine how much better her shots are!

Right after that we all welcomed the bridal party in to the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feelin" and then Stefanie and Jeff entered as "Timber" by Pitbull played. The Mariachis Viajeros then took over the music for a while and I was impressed by their ability. The best mariachi group in Reno by far. They moved around the room and played while the dinner buffet was being readied. Uriel, Stefanie's father was such a cool host and dad. He was constantly checking that everyone was having fun and he requested some music from the Viajeros that I realized was all about northern Baja California. Being from San Diego myself I asked him about it, and it turns out that he is from Mexicali, a border town very near my family's camping spot that I have been going to since I was small. We talked about the area, music, and San Felipe and I really felt so at ease with Uriel and Stefanie's family. He even helped sing a Norteno song below and really got the crowd into it. Such fun!

Uriel and Los Mariachis Viajeros!

The buffet line then began, and Belinda Grant has a great specialty shot that I really like: as I released a table, those tablemates  would come up to the dance floor and get a picture taken by Belinda before they joined the buffet. Such a fantastic idea! Here are the bride & groom & head table starting it off- I know Belinda's shot was 1000% better than mine. That's why I'm a DJ and not a photographer...  :)

After dinner, Maid of Honor and Stefanie's sister Jocelyn led off the toasting with an emotional and funny tribute. Dads Uriel & John and other bridal party members gave nice toasts as well and right after that they cut their cake. After enjoying a few bites Jeff & Stefanie then started off the dancing with "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by Tommy James & the Shondells. Such a unique and inspired choice!

First Dance!

Uriel then came up to dance with his daughter for the father-daughter dance. Unlike most of these dances I see, they chose a fast song, Elvis's "Jailhouse Rock" and it brought the crowd to their feet. 

Soon thereafter we were dancing non-stop with a huge variety of music, from Elvis Crespo to Avicii to the Beatles and Pitbull.  At the first slow break we had a perfect Anniversary Dance, with Antonio and Maria the longest married at 40 years. Other than the bouquet and garter tosses, the dancing never let up. Such a fun crowd, so much so that we went an hour over our original stopping point :)

Thanks to the terrific people at Somersett for all their hard work. Thanks to Belinda of Belinda Grant Photography, a true professional and just a great person to work with. Thanks to the talented Mariachis Viajeros. And finally thanks to Jeffanie (Jeff & Stefanie) for letting me be a part of their memorable day and evening. Felicidades you two!

Mark & Georgia at Longboards at Plumas Pines with the String Beings

I am a spiritual person. I believe that love conquers all, cutting through time and space.

Weddings are a perfect example of this as they not only celebrate the bride and groom's love for one another, but also celebrate the love that is shared by family and friends, the love shared by other committed couples sharing in that day, and finally for the love we have for those people who are dear to us but have passed on.  It is so fulfilling to be a part of a wedding celebration that accommodates all of these facets.  I sometimes think that I can almost see that emotion permeate and snowball through the course of the evening into an almost visible aura of pure joy. Okay maybe I am going off a little hippyish here (no I don't own any Birkenstocks or have any medicinal prescriptions to visit any dispensaries) but it is true. That's why to me, weddings are the most fun a DJ can have. To be able to participate in one of these weddings that hits all these parameters is such a pleasure, and a perfect example of this was Mark & Georgia's reception last month.

The String Beings!

Mark & Georgia don't live in the area- they had planned on a destination wedding to the gorgeous Plumas Pines area in the California Sierras with the reception at Longboards Bar & Grill. Mark found me on the internet and we spoke on the phone once or twice, and we were off and running. They hired the always phenomenal String Beings trio for their ceremony and for cocktail and dinner music, and while they got married across the way on a beautiful golf green, I set up inside Longboards. Longboards Bar & Grill is a beautiful venue overlooking the Plumas Pines golf course and the surrounding forests and mountains. Up on a rise, the views are quite dramatic. The interior is very lodge-like but with a modern flair that goes perfectly with the surroundings. I had not worked there prior to Georgia & Mark's evening but as the staff were so helpful and friendly I immediately felt at home.

First Dance

Georgia & Mark had planned a very simple yet elegant timeline, and it couldn't have gone any better. I introduced them when they arrived at Longboards after taking pictures and that was basically it for me for a while. The String Beings really are special. They entertained everyone with classical pieces and arrangements of popular songs and really did an excellent job. I have a lot of string trio or quartet songs that I use for seating or dinner music, but those songs don't match up to a well-practiced, talented live trio like the Beings. I had the pleasure of being set up close to them so I really could hear the intricacies and nuances in their playing.  They were very gracious too, playing a request or two from the guests and conversing with them between songs when the guests wanted to know a song title or what have you. They are highly recommended if you need a strings group.

Mother-Son Dance

As dinner wound down, toasts were made and everyone moved to the dance floor as the String Beings played their last song of the evening, "Could I Have This Dance" for Mark & Georgia's first dance. It was a great moment which just continued as we went into "Celebration" and invited everyone up to join them. The special dancing continued with a Mother-Son dance, "You'll Be in my Heart" by Phil Collins where Georgia got to dance with her sons Matt & Anthony. Multiplying an already special moment, Mark brought his new Mother-in-law Dolly onto the floor a few moments later and then they had me invite all the mothers & sons and fathers & daughters to come up and join them.  This is what I am talking about when the love in the room just builds and builds. Guests come to a wedding prepared to see special moments for the bride & groom, and the next thing they know they are dancing with their parent or child and having a special moment of their own they will remember forever. An Anniversary Dance accomplishes much the same thing, honoring those guests and family members for their commitments to one another whether it was 3 hours ago, 3 years ago, or 73 years ago. These are the moments that take a wedding to the next level- one that will be remembered for as long as the participants live.

Then we were in for a special treat arranged by the family, specifically all of the cousins. About a dozen of these cousins began singing a special song with custom lyrics to the bride and groom using the music of "Living on a Prayer" which cousin Dean strummed on his guitar. It really brought the house down and was just many of those moments that night that pulled everyone that much closer together.

Flash mob starts to gain momentum!

They didn't stop though! As more general, open dancing began, I played "Happy" by Pharrell Williams to start everyone off. Unbeknownst to the newlyweds, many of the guests had planned a flash mob for that moment and they did such a great job that it was infectious and soon almost everyone was on the dance floor with them.

"Jump on it!"

Dancing then ruled for the rest of the evening, punctuated a bit later by Georgia & Mark cutting their cake. I was able to play such a fun variety of music to such an enthusiastic dancing crowd all night long. Everyone knew the moves from "Thriller" and "Apache" and did Cha Chas and Shuffled. When the last song played, "We are Family" everyone was on the dance floor singing along at the top of their lungs. Such a fun crowd!

Back to my starting point: the love that Mark & Georgia had for each other was glowing brightly all night. You could see it when they danced, when Mark watched Georgia from across the room, when she grabbed at his hand when talking with friends and family.

The love of family and friends was apparent as well, with the cousin's song, with the toasts, the flash mob, and hundreds of little moments that added up to something bigger in its entirety as people just enjoyed each other and the moment.

Finally the love for and from those who have passed or cannot be with the couple was also apparent. Usually it manifests in small ways, sometimes perceptible, sometimes not. Many times it is felt during a slow song, as the dancers relive another dance in the past when those loved ones were present. It was definitely there that night but if you had asked me that night I wouldn't have been able to put my finger on it exactly.

A week or so later I received a nice email from Mark and he asked if I had had a specific request for a certain slow song. I had several for other songs- one I remember well was one for "Georgia on my Mind" by Ray Charles that was just perfect for Mark & Georgia, and as a last slow song I played Anne Murray's "Could I Have This Dance" so they could relive once again their first dance that the String Beings had played so perfectly, but this was "Over the Rainbow" by Iz and though I had played it, no one had requested it.

I have perhaps 10-15k slow songs. Of those there are probably several hundred I play with any regularity. "Over the Rainbow" is in that 300 song category. With the requests from the group and Mark's playlist, I probably played 2-3 slow songs that I chose, so it was basically a 1% chance I'd play that song. But I did. And here is where love can reach across the world and even across life at a reception. "Over the Rainbow", Mark related, was his dad's favorite, and when his dad passed, Mark's son (who lives in Hong Kong and couldn't make this wedding) had fashioned a beautiful rendition and played it in his honor at the funeral. Mark said that when he heard the song he immediately felt that his son and dad were with him. Could it have been a coincidence? Yes, unlikely, but yes. However in 26+ years of doing weddings I see and hear about these things all the time. If you are wondering if you are connected with that loved one halfway across the world or with someone who has left this life, the answer is yes. Love has no boundaries.

Thanks to Longboards for such an elegant setting, meal and service. Thanks to the String Beings- I am in awe of your talents. Finally thanks to Mark & Georgia. You couldn't have been more fun or gracious and the same for your family and guests. I so enjoyed being a part of such a joyful celebration. Congrats!

Sharlene & Bryan with Gullickson Photography at Piper Opera House in Virginia City

Life is good. You never know what is around the corner. Love was what was around a corner for Bryan & Sharlene, and by allowing me to be a part of their day, they introduced me to some really cool Nevada history.

As you can tell by my blog, I do weddings all over Nevada and California, but I had never done one in Virginia City until a couple of Saturdays ago. Weird because the following day I was at Gold Hill. I have a great job!

Bryan & Sharlene are such a great couple and Sharlene had such an incredible vision of how her day would play out, and when you add in that with the fact that their venue was the historic Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City, it turned out to be a very special day and evening indeed.

Guests arrive!

We had met several times prior to the wedding to discuss the events and music including meeting at the Opera House with Jodie from Gullickson Photography, and I really felt comfortable with their vision. Piper’s Opera House was built in 1863 and is extremely cool- such a unique site for a wedding and reception! The main floor holds many tables and set up closer to the stage were chairs for the ceremony. Sharlene had meticulously decorated the tables and everything just fit. She really accentuated the Opera House yet made it her own at the same time.

On-stage ceremony spot. Love the private boxes!

I set up in a private box on the side of the stage, a perfect spot for both the ceremony music and amplification, and later dinner and dancing music. As the guests arrived I played classical music to set the tone Bryan & Sharlene were looking for. The Opera House is set up with antiques and display cases with artifacts and period posters and paintings, which gave the guests something to explore before and after the nuptials. It just felt correct- her decor, the Opera House, and the music they chose.

Sharlene!

The bridal party walked in to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and then Sharlene had a surprise for the guests. As everyone waited for her and her brother Victor to appear through the double doors, I started up the “Imperial March” from the Empire Strikes Back (Bryan is a Star Wars fan)!  Everyone had this puzzled look for a second which then turned to laughter when Sharlene peeked in and yelled “Bryan!”  I then purposely scratched off the Star Wars song and went into “At Last” by Etta James. Everyone had a smile, which only broadened as they caught full sight of Sharlene in her wedding dress coming down the aisle. I have to say, if a dress ever was perfect for a bride, this one was for her. She was luminous as she approached the stage where her husband-to-be Bryan had such an adoring look on his face that everyone could see the depth and specialness of their love- just what you want a ceremony to bring out. That’s why I love the groom seeing her in her dress as she comes down the aisle instead of a “First Look”. The “First Look” is more efficient for pictures and gives the B&G a little more time at their reception but I think that is a small price to pay for that moment. I still have my wife’s image as she entered the church burned on my mind 27 years later, and it is a memory I will have as long as I live. I am sure it is now the same with Bryan.

From up in the balcony courtesy of Gullickson Photography!

After the ceremony, the bar opened up and homemade chips and salsa came out for the guests as the bridal party went outside into Virginia City for photos. Jodie from Gullickson Photography was all over the place all afternoon and evening long getting the perfect photos. Super easy to work with- just what any bride (and DJ) loves. While they were gone making photographic memories, I switched from classical to Big Band & Sinatra- it is sometimes neat to differentiate the musical vibe between the ceremony, cocktail hour, and then dinner- once again Sharlene & Bryan put their own unique stamp on the festivities.

When the bridal party returned, Bryan had me play Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" as I introduced everyone. Very fun! They then enjoyed a delicious Mexican dinner from La Reina, a local restaurant and carneceria in Dayton who put out a delicious buffet. After dinner and some toasting, Sharlene & Bryan danced their first dance to "Everything" by Lifehouse, followed by the Bridal Party dancing to Josh Turner's "Will You Go With Me" and Sharlene dancing with her brother Victor to "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill. Bryan then danced with his mom Carrie to the classic "Silver Wings" by Merle Haggard and then the floor opened up to everyone. It was a fun crowd, with everything from Michael Jackson to Johnny Cash to the Beastie Boys being played, and pretty much everything in between. It was a fun night with a fun crowd which danced and went over the original ending time by over an hour. Just a memorable night, a unique venue, a super crowd, and an amazing bride and groom. It's nice to give back to the community as well, and that is what Bryan & Sharlene did. The Opera House is owned by the Storey County School System and when it is rented out, the money goes to the District and also towards restoration.

More great pix from Gullickson! Check out the album here

Congrats Sharlene & Bryan! Thanks for letting me be a small part in your day!

Elisa & Tommy at Rancharrah with Ken Lewis Photography, Dish Catering, Reverend Mark Frady, and The Socks

I had the most fantastic wedding and reception to start off my 2014 season a few weeks back and it can be attributed to the amazing bride and groom, their friends & family, the outstanding vendors who worked tirelessly, and to the beautiful grounds of their special venue, Rancharrah.

Ceremony- DJ's view :)

First off, Tommy and Elisa are one special couple. They were such a pleasure to meet and chat with and they had a vision of their day that really reflected their likes and points of view while taking great care of their guests from the moment they arrived. They gave me an extensive music list but also encouraged requests throughout the evening. We met several times prior to the big day to perfect a special mix of three songs that they learned a dance to for their first dance. They were very involved in planning and it showed- from the cocktail tables with custom "Mad Libs" to fill out, to the lawn games for their guests while they were off taking pictures, to the acknowledgment of guest's anniversaries and birthdays, to a completely green candy table that matched their colors, no detail was overlooked and it gave their day such an intimate and personalized vibe.

Onlooker- don't think he was on the guest list...

Secondly the setting they chose was spectacular- the Rose Garden at Rancharrah. Their ceremony site, flanked by trees and backing up to a pasture with horses seemed to make the most of the gorgeous day. I am continually impressed by the professionalism, friendliness, and the willingness to go above and beyond that Brandi, Rosie, and their crew at Rancharrah exhibited before during and after the event. Their dedication is certainly worthy of the surroundings- both are exceptional.

The Socks!

Third, they hired some of the best wedding vendors in Reno to make their dream become a reality. To start it off, they had a great band, The Socks to play for seating, ceremony, and cocktails. I was very impressed with their talent and musical range and they seemed to set a perfect tone for the nuptials and cocktail hour. Next they had one of the best officiants there is do their ceremony: Mark Frady. I love the way he puts his couples at ease- the way he styles their ceremony around them, and the obvious delight he has being a part of their most important day. He is always a pleasure to work with, and I was astonished at the time and effort he put in to a surprise for the B&G: framing their marriage certificate and printing a booklet with their names and personalized vows that he gives to them and their immediate family members. Such a class act! 

Ken Lewis even framed me!

Catching all of these special moments was Ken Lewis of Ken Lewis Studio, another inspired choice for a wedding professional. Ken has great photographic talent but the thing I admire most about him is that he is everywhere during the day and evening, capturing shots that many other  photographers might miss. He really documents the entire event and his subjects are so comfortable with him that they lower their guard and he captures their true personalities. One more thing Ken did- he had an assortment of various frames at one end of the Rose Garden where guests could come to and pose for a picture. Their personalities really came out holding a frame and acting happy or silly- kind of a classy, different Photo Booth concept. Very cool!

Best Man Michael's toast

Finally, Tommy & Elisa chose Dish Cafe as their caterer and as usual their food was extraordinary. They had these cold soup shooters and fresh bruschetta for appetizers that really were a hit. When the dinner buffet was set up, I saw many head back to the line for seconds and thirds. It is nice to know that even with the success they have had with "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives", their quality has remained at such a superlative level. Yum!

First dance! My iPhone does not do them justice...

When the reception got underway, the BP entered to "Could You Be Loved" by Bob Marley and the newlyweds entered to Michael Franti's "Hey Hey Hey". Following the Dish Cafe's delicious dinner, some great toasts were given. I liked the fact that every toaster had a unique way of presenting their toast whether it was sentimental, funny, anecdotal or just full of love for the B&G. It really set the stage for a video presentation projected up on the tent wall. Again Elisa & Tommy personalizing their day. Dancing then began with the mix we perfected- three songs by Elvis, When in Rome, and the Mowgli's that they danced a beautifully choreographed routine to. Such a great moment and all the guests were on their feet clapping and cheering by the end. Magical.

Anniversary Dance

Elisa then danced with her dad Mike to "Over the Rainbow" by Iz, graciously allowing me to invite all the dads & daughters up midway through so they could have a special moment as well. Tommy and his mom Heidi then danced to "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong and again welcomed the other moms and sons up to dance halfway through. I love when couples do this! It really touches their guests and makes an already memorable event even that much more so. The dance floor then never really emptied as the night progressed. With Tommy & Elisa's song list and requests from the crowd it was a DJ's dream. When Fun's "We Are Young" finally closed out the evening that had already gone into extra hours, every voice sang as loud as they could and happily wished the newlyweds well. What a way to kick off the 2014 wedding season!

Last song- everybody singing "We can go high-er than the sun!"

Thanks to Brandi & Rosie and everyone at Rancharrah. Thanks to Ken Lewis for his pictures and his enthusiasm. Thanks to Mark Frady for an inspiring yet down to earth ceremony. Thanks to the crew from Dish Cafe for their delicious food and to The Socks for their great music. Finally, and most importantly, thanks to Elisa & Tommy for allowing me to be a small part of their incredible day and evening. You guys rock! Many, many years of happiness and love!

Elisa & Tommy!

Daniel & Alexis at Admiral Kidd Club on San Diego Bay

Every so often I get a chance to go back to Southern California and deejay at some of my old stomping grounds. While I am getting close to 200 weddings up here in the Reno/Tahoe area, I began being a part of people's special days down in San Diego and I have been privileged to be a part of well over 500 weddings down there over the years, as well as hundreds of other events.

When I had the chance to be a part of Daniel & Alexis' big day this summer, they hadn't yet decided on a venue. Daniel serves our country as a member of the Coast Guard and I mentioned the fact that the military bases have gorgeous clubs with great deals for active and retired service members. The venues are often on prime real estate with million dollar views but at very reasonable rates- rates that could give them a lot more leeway in their budget.

My favorites in the San Diego area are the North Island Officer's Club, where they filmed "Top Gun" and which has expansive views of the beach, the Pacific, and the Coronado Islands offshore; the Sub Base, where you are right on the bay looking at North Island, sailboats, and the occasional nuclear attack submarine; and finally the Admiral Kidd Club which sits right in the middle of San Diego Bay overlooking the skyline and all the activity on the water. There are other great military venues- officer and enlisted clubs at Miramar, Camp Pendleton, and MCRD, but for unforgettable views these three are far and above my favorites.

San Diego Bay and Skyline from the ceremony site

Daniel & Alexis decided on the Admiral Kidd Club- great choice! I have done probably two dozen events there over the years, from weddings to holiday parties, to Fleet Receptions. It has several spaces and a gorgeous lawn overlooking San Diego Bay. My least favorite space at the AKC was the Skyline Room upstairs- it was paneled in wood, somewhat dark, and the wooden dance floor was probably put in during the 40's or 50's and it made my vinyl skip sometimes on my turntables when I had a large, enthusiastic crowd. I developed special padding all those years ago specifically for this room, which worked well for other wooden floored venues and even on ships and boats. Now, with my catalogue all digitized, skipping records is no longer an issue, but I still wondered about the look of the room, especially for a day wedding like Alexis and Daniel's.

I arrived on a beautiful Saturday morning and began setting up outside for the ceremony.  When I started moving equipment inside, I found, much to my delight, that the room and indeed the entire Club, had been renovated in the 13-14 years since I had last played there. The building and the rooms within all are updated, lightened, and even the electrical outlets were replaced with modern circuitry. What a great renovation! I spoke with a server I remembered from all those years ago who is now a Banquet Captain, and she showed me the changes and is very proud of her venue. I had to agree. I loved the place before, and it is even better now. The food and service was as good as I remember as well. If you are planning a wedding down in San Diego and are a veteran, active duty, or have a retired service member in your immediate family, I can't stress enough the benefit you can take advantage of in these Clubs.

The ceremony took place overlooking San Diego Bay, with Phil the officiant giving some great advice and solemnity to the nuptials. The bridal party entered to Canon in D, while Alexis chose the traditional Bridal March by Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain for her entrance. During the ceremony, Bree, a bridesmaid and Daniel's sister played "How He Loves" on her guitar while the guests sang along (with lyrics printed in the program). Bree is in high school, but her talent and maturity are well beyond her years and everyone loved her rendition.

After pictures the bridal party and newlyweds arrived upstairs, joining the guests and being introduced by yours truly while Lifehouse's "Halfway Gone" played in the background. A benediction & lunch immediately followed with a pair of buffet lines expertly prepared and filled with food by the Admiral Kidd Club. Another observation about the military clubs- their food is great! Much better than most of the hotels and substantially more reasonable. The servers are all as efficient and friendly as I remembered as well. It was a great group working there back when I was there often, and it remains so today.

Toasts, then dancing ensued, with Bree once again exhibiting her many talents, singing and playing the guitar for her brother and new sister-in-law. Alexis then danced with her dad Abel to "Angel" by Casting Crowns and halfway through their dance I invited all the fathers & daughters up to share the moment with them. Likewise when Daniel danced with his mom Laura to Mark Harris, the other moms & sons joined them halfway through as well.  I love when the brides & grooms do this!  Everyone will remember this moment even more than ever by Daniel & Alexis' gesture.

The Money Dance soon followed, as did the cake cutting, Anniversary Dance and the Bouquet & Garter tosses. I loved the fact that Alexis had input into the song selections that reflected her experiences overseas and with her friends. It really made the afternoon that much more special.

It was a gorgeous afternoon with great people and a happy bride and groom. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday down in San Diego!  Thanks to everyone at the Admiral Kidd Club and thanks especially to Daniel & Alexis for allowing me to participate in their day. Congrats you two!