First wedding of the season. First wedding back since COVID. I thought I'd be a little rusty. I thought wrong. One of my favorite weddings and receptions ever (out of over 800). What a couple! What a crowd! What a fantastic group of wedding professionals. What a night!
I worked with the bride Addie on a prior wedding at Sierra Water Gardens, and I was so impressed by her professionalism and demeanor during that event. She doesn't let things fluster her and her professionalism blends seamlessly with her genuine empathy with her clients and their guests, like she was doing a wedding for a member of her family, not just another client. That really stuck with me. I also try to go above and beyond like I would if it were my own family or best friend's wedding. I really enjoyed working with her and before the wedding was over she asked if I'd be available to do her upcoming wedding and celebration. That really meant a lot, coming from her, and I immediately said that I'd be honored to be a part of her & Tyler's Big Day.
I met Tyler later, at a planning meeting and you could see the love he has for Addie just in the way he looks at her. He left the majority of the conversation to she and I, knowing that we deal with these decisions daily, but he had some definite ideas for the vision and sound of the day and evening and I had this feeling that he'd be on the dance floor all night, and I was right :)
Sierra Water Gardens is tucked between some condos and commercial buildings on Dickerson west of downtown Reno, and it truly is the oasis of the city. The gardens make you think you are in the tropics and a path meanders down to the Truckee River. It is magical and Yeliz and her crew are so helpful and love sharing the Gardens with their guests. Yeliz from Hytch is a consummate event professional. She is always so in tune to what is going on, communicative with all the various professionals and bridal party members, and a fantastic hostess at Sierra Water Gardens. Always an exceptional experience there! Twist Flowers had created beautiful arrangements for the Garden and the accent on the arch was just perfect. I set up on a small deck overlooking the chairs full of guests and played a beautiful instrumental of Alan Jackson's "Remember When" for the bridal party. And when it was time for Addie to come down the aisle, I played "Turning Page" by Sleeping at Last. Two things struck me the most. First the look of utter determination on the little flower girl's face as she made sure to evenly distribute petals prior to Addie's walk... she was taking her job so seriously! But even more perfect was the reaction of Tyler when he saw Addie coming towards him. There is nothing like it in the world- I still remember like it was yesterday when my wife appeared with her dad. I am so glad that, with the love they share, he'll have that moment ingrained in his memory forever like I do.
Their friend and officiant Justin did a great job and Tyler and Addie had some sweet and fun vows. I also liked that Addie and Emma recited a family prayer that was special to them. Indeed, as you walked into Sierra Water Gardens, pictures of relatives who were not able to be there, who had passed on, welcomed you to their special Day. You felt their presence and love throughout the day and evening.
The newlyweds exited the ceremony to Eli Young Band's "Crazy Girl" and lots of bubbles powered by their happy guests. Most of us who didn't rate pictures made our way to the reception while family and the bridal party stayed with Ashleigh Marie for photos in that beautiful garden (I saw some of her photos at the reception- stunning! She captures her couple in a way truly befitting them and the Garden...).
Whitney Peak is a great space and it was decorated so beautifully for the evening. The people there from the wait staff to the coordinators to the bartenders are top-notch. Addie & Tyler had lots of special touches that made the night and the space their own.
Cocktails were held in an anteroom right outside the ballroom, and when it was nearing dinnertime the walls were folded away and the guests found their seats inside. I loved that Yeliz, though she was at this point officially a guest, got up and helped to organize the bridal party for their Grand Entrance. She is such a great coordinator and friend to Addie and I welcomed the help- I told her I wished she could be a guest at all of my events lol. Soon the bridal party and then Tyler & Addie entered to Panic at the Disco's "The Greatest Show" which was perfect for the moment. The newlyweds then welcomed and thanked their guests for being there for them that night, and throughout their lives. Everyone then sat down to plated salads while a buffet line opened up in another corner of the ballroom space.
Toasts were led off by Addie's sister and Maid of Honor Emma, who really set the tone with a fantastic toast that culminated in the lights being turned down and "Rewrite the Stars" being played. Such a special moment! The Best Man Tyler then gave a great toast with some insight into the groom followed by their moms Karen, and then Ann (who sang some new lyrics to a favorite song of theirs) and finally Addie's dad Kevin finished off the official toasts with a heartfelt welcome to Tyler into the family and a touching tribute to his daughter. Not a dry eye on the third floor!
I then welcomed Addie & Tyler onto the dance floor and played their song, "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran and Beyonce. Sometimes you get a couple that is ready to move on after a couple of minutes or seem a bit wooden- not these lovebirds! They soaked up the moment and each other like the world disappeared around them and they were alone in their own world. To see that love manifested between them during their first dance as husband and wife reaffirmed the reason why I love my job so much. It brought me back to my own first dance with my wife so many years ago, and made me so grateful to have her, to have love, and to be able to witness Addie & Tyler's moment when time stopped for them like it did for us. Did I mention that I love what I do?
Addie then danced with her dad Kevin to Tim McGraw's "My Little Girl" and then Tyler with his mom Karen to Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink" and then the open dancing started. What an enthusiastic crowd! I played a huge variety of songs and maybe thirty requests and each one seemed better than the last. I love when the bride and groom love to dance, and this night was no exception. Tyler especially lived up to my early prediction- he must have requested 8-10 songs himself and each time he was right in the middle of all the action. So many great moments out on the floor- it was a DJ's dream come true.
We only stopped the dancing a couple of times. The first was to cut their gorgeous cake to the accompaniment of Flo Rida's "Cake" (of course!). Tyler got the worst of the cake exchange (see Ashleigh Marie perfectly capture that moment on her social media) and then guests dived into the cake and cupcakes from Delicious Designs and glazed donuts from Krispy Kreme. The absolute best of both worlds!
Later we briefly stopped the dancing again for the tosses. Addie tossed her beautiful bouquet to "Where Them Girls At" by David Guetta. I have to say, the flowers were exceptional- they seemed to frame the decor and Addie's amazing dress so well. I was very impressed with Twist Flowers. They bridged the wild beauty of Sierra Water Gardens with the soft elegance of the room at Whitney Peak seamlessly and beautifully. Probably not an easy thing to do but just gorgeous!
They danced the rest of the night away without any care. I was so happy to be doing what I love best: spinning tunes that keep the floor full and everyone happy. But I probably could have played Gregorian chants or polkas all night and this crowd would have still rocked them lol. They were so happy to be celebrating with their friends and loved ones, and oh so happy for Tyler & Addie.
Tyler & Addie picked a last dance, "Can't Stop This Feeling" by Justin Timberlake to end their epic night. Everyone, I mean everyone got up and joined them. They danced in the middle of a circle of their family and friends and then everyone got one last chance to get in the middle and show off their moves.
Thanks to all the people that went so far and above for a bride who does the same: Yeliz from Hytch and Sierra Water Gardens- you truly rock! Ashleigh Marie- so freaking talented and so fun to work with! Delicious Designs, Whitney Peak, and Twist Flowers- you all are at the top tier of your respective professions. And finally Addie & Tyler. You really knocked it out of the park! I enjoyed your friends and family so much, and I was truly honored to be a small part of an utterly fantastic day and evening. Here's to you two: congratulations and may you have lots of love, laughter and music for the rest of your lives. Oh, and lots of tee times ;)
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