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.
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| 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.
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| 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. :)
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| 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.
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| 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!
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| Last Dance! |
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| 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!
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