Dustin & Ashley at the Gatekeeper's Museum with Take the Cake Events and Reverend Mark Frady

I had the privilege to be the DJ for Ashley and Dustin's wedding up at the Gatekeeper's Museum recently, and I have to say it is one of the highlights of an already fantastic wedding season for me. 

First off, the bride and groom are just special people. So fun to chat and Skype with beforehand, they made me feel at ease from the first moment on. Their love is so natural and complimentary that it magnifies everything they do together, and it overflowed into the music and event selections as to put their indelible mark on the entire day and evening. Their family and friends then added even more celebration and love to their day- what a great group of people!

Speaking of great people, Dustin & Ashley hired some phenomenal vendors to make their day special- and I am not just talking about the DJ :)

Cassie & Pattye of Take the Cake Events were their coordinators and I am always so thankful to be working with them. There are many coordinators out there, at many different levels of aptitude. To tell you the truth, sometimes I'd rather have no coordinator at all instead of some I deal with. You need to be at the top of your game to be a great coordinator- it takes organization, foresight, empathy, the ability to multi-task, improvise, and above all great people skills. Take the Cake Events' Pattye & Cassie have all of these attributes and more- they have a passion for what they do and it shows from their pre-event planning, to setup, to help coordinating the ceremony to staying later than anyone else cleaning and gathering up everything from the site. I am always amazed at their dedication and all the little things they constantly do to keep everything running smoothly. I'd work with them at every event if I could!

My view of Ashley and her dad coming down the aisle :)

Rev. Mark Frady was their officiant, and he is always so great in what he does. He makes couples feel at ease, lending a smiling, calming influence to the ceremony and sets a mood that is fun yet still thoughtful and meaningful. 

The ceremony site at the Gatekeeper Museum is in this clearing overlooking the beach and Lake, and it is at the same time rustic yet elegant. Mountains in the background, shade for the guests, sunlight on the happy couple- it is a perfect Tahoe framing of the moment.

The bridal party entered to Springsteen's "Secret Garden", followed by Ashley and her father coming in to the always perfect "Crazy Love" by Van Morrison. Inspired choices by Ashley & Dustin! After a beautiful ceremony with some of the most touching vows that I have witnessed in many a wedding, they exited to cheers and Hall & Oates' "You Make My Dreams." Again, a perfect song for that magical moment.

The guests then moved closer to the museum, into the bigger clearing where the reception began. Although it is maybe 30 yards from the ceremony site, it seems like a wholly different venue, as it is open and expansive where the ceremony area is smaller, closed, and intimate. There is plenty of room for tables, a dance floor, a bar and other assorted areas that beg to be explored. It is nice that the Gatekeeper Museum keeps it private and secure as only another 100 yards away is the bridge and Tahoe City. You would not know it though, as you have several acres of pines all to yourselves. One neat aspect of their day was that some trees were flowering, and in the breeze thousands of small white flowers drifted by as the evening progressed. Most fell on the river nearby, but it gave the whole atmosphere a ethereal feel.

When pictures were done, I introduced the bridal party to the Jackson 5's "ABC" and then the bride and groom with "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder. Soon everyone was enjoying dinner and the fantastic scenery. When people had finished, toasts were made and then the cake was cut accompanied by "Jackie Wilson Said" by Van Morrison. I have to say, the song list Dustin & Ashley provided was perfect for not only these events, but also for dancing and for cocktails and dinner. I love when a couple has a definite musical point of view, and they do, and it made everything that much more special and true to them.

Then it was time to start the dancing. Breaking in the dance floor, Dustin & Ashley danced their first dance to Ray LaMontagne's "You Are the Best Thing" and I loved how Dustin sang it to Ashley as they twirled. Ashley and her dad Ed then danced to "If I Could" by Ray Charles, which is an overlooked gem of a song, and so fitting for their moment together. Dustin and his mom Sally then had their special moment, dancing to "Here Comes the Sun" by the Fab Four. 

Ashley and her father Ed

Ashley's folks Carol and Ed led off a special Anniversary Dance (they were celebrating 30 years) with their first dance song "You Make Me Feel So Very Happy" by Blood, Sweat & Tears. That kinda set the tone for the rest of the evening- happy friends and family keeping this DJ on his toes with a full dance floor and plenty of inspired requests all night long. My kind of party!

"You Make Me So Very Happy"

I really have to thank all of the family and guests who made me feel so welcome and who danced the night away. I had so many great conversations and played so many requests that were special to a certain couple or that just took the party to the next level.

Thanks to Rev. Mark Frady for doing what he does with such spirit and passion. Thanks to the Gatekeeper's Museum for such a gorgeous venue. Thanks, thanks, thanks to Cassie and Pattye at Take the Cake Events.  There are some people who can take an event far beyond what the bride and groom can envision: Cassie & Pattye are two of those people.

Finally, thanks to Dustin and Ashley. It was so great getting to know you in the time we shared prior and during your amazing day. It was so great and fulfilling to have been a part of that day. A super couple with great family and friends. 

Fantastic crowd!

Jenna & Travis at The Gatekeeper Museum with Dish Catering & A Simply Splendid Event

Sometimes no matter how much you plan and envision your day unfolding, mother nature intervenes and you just have to deal with less-than-perfect weather.  Twenty-six years ago, I married my wife inside a church on a rainy day.  We spent the reception inside the hall we rented but it didn't diminish the day or the joy we shared with our guests. You just make do.  Lake Tahoe can be notoriously fickle weather-wise.  Usually it is later in the summer when thunderstorms rush overhead- rainy one moment and beautiful the next.  It seems that even if the rain is coming down hard, you can wait ten minutes, wipe off the chairs, and have a gorgeous outdoor ceremony and reception.

Travis & Jenna brought all of their friends and family up to Lake Tahoe from Arizona for their dream destination wedding, held on the pristine grounds of the Gatekeeper's Museum in Tahoe City.  The weather before and after their date was beautiful with few if any thunderstorms.  But a freak low-pressure system, usually only found much earlier or later in the year brought constant rainfall, of course centered right on their special day.  Surrounded by their loved ones and friends, Jenna & Travis wouldn't let a few raindrops dilute their dream wedding and indeed it turned out beautifully because of their character & vision, the support in every way possible from their remarkable families, and help from some very dedicated and special wedding professionals.  They made some pretty great decisions that made a less-than-perfect day pretty darn perfect.

First off, they hired Melody Holland from A Simply Splendid Event as their coordinator.  She is one of my favorite people to work with as she doesn't rest a moment while she works an event.  She did countless things, both small and large to make the event not only a success but a resounding one at that.  She coordinated with all of the other vendors, lending a hand and guidance where needed.  She made every guest and family member feel comfortable and constantly adjusted for the rain and the countless other issues that occur in every event.  She always makes sure she takes into account the bride & grooms wishes and overall vision.  Some coordinators feel they need to leave their "stamp" on things, sometimes obscuring the original ideas of the clients.  Melody goes above and beyond to make their vision come to life and exceed their expectations while still maintaining that theme or idea that they had for their day.  And that vision was spectacular.

The second great decision they made was to get a clear tent to cover their dining and other events.  Many times I see a white tent used, which functions well but except for a side or three constricting the view of the outside.  With the tranquil surroundings of forest, river and lake surrounding the Gatekeeper's Museum, they elected to spend a bit more and get a clear-sided tent. That was an inspired decision!  All of the beauty that made Jenna & Travis want to marry in this temple to nature was still there for everyone, visible even in the hardest downpour.  There were lights strung within as well, which illuminated and also gave it a magical feel when the sun went down.  With Melody's help and direction, all the tables and chairs, vendors and guests were covered and it really felt intimate inside.

The third great decision they made was hiring Joe with Dish Cafe & Catering.  The Dish Cafe is a favorite of my wife and I.  It is a small lunch spot in Reno in an ordinary office building that makes extraordinary food.  Indeed it is so good that it was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" and everything they do is delicious, handmade, and sourced locally when possible.  I have had their food truck fare as well, but this was my first time with their catering side and we were not disappointed!  They arrived in a small SUV and proceeded to pull delectable dish after delectable dish from it.  Their hors d'oeuvres were both simple and complex, with cheese & crackers, amazing salamis, and skewers of chicken that reminded me of a Persian version of satay.  While guests devoured the appetizers, Joe and his helper readied the main courses, a Mexican feast that included several homemade salsas and tremendous marinated chicken, savory beef that reminded me of rib meat sans the bones, and pork carnitas that were my personal favorite.  The rain did not dampen their spirits or efficiency, and they made a point of chatting with the guests in line and helping out with beverages and other details wherever they could.  Very pleasant people with very yummy food!

Finally I think the thing that I liked the most about the day and evening was the spirit of togetherness and fun exhibited by their friends, family, and bridal party.  Everyone pitched in to help make the day special and fun.  Dad built all of the gorgeous wood tables that everyone sat at and ate on.  They were fashioned in Arizona, taken apart for transport, packed in a U-Haul trailer and driven all the way up just for the day.  Groomsmen lit and moved portable heaters.  Bridesmaids passed out shawls to all the ladies.  Guests helped put beer on ice and moved chairs from the ceremony site to the tent.  When we found out we were short on bottle openers for the beer & wine bottles, guests brought out their utensils and the party continued without a hitch.  Later, when the reception had ended, at least half the guests remained to help clean up, gather up gifts, fold chairs and take apart the wooden tables.  A communal effort that demonstrated the bonds of love and friendship that brought them 750 miles to help celebrate Travis & Jenna's day.

I really enjoyed video chatting with Jenna & Travis prior to their day.  They have a great chemistry between them and shared ideas for their events and music selection that really made their day unique and their own.  They have a love for music and turned me on to a couple of artists that I was unfamiliar with but really liked when I heard them- Band of Horses being one.  Another song of theirs which I will add to my repertoire is "Love Never Fails" by Brandon Heath, a great choice for a sand or candle ceremony. 

When the rain let up and some actual sunshine began peeking through the clouds, the ceremony began. The bridal party walked in to "I Will" by Alison Kraus and Jenna appeared accompanied by Van Morrison's "Sweet Thing."  After they had been pronounced husband & wife and kissed, they used another Van Morrison song, "Glad Tidings" for their recessional.  They took off into the wilds beside Lake Tahoe for pictures and the aforementioned appetizers and drinks came out for the guests.  When they returned, they and their bridal party entered to Muse's "Starlight" and the real reception began.

The sun, which hadn't made much of an appearance all day began to break through, and the rest of the evening had bouts of light drizzle but for the most part was much drier than earlier.  Dancing commenced on the deck near the museum with Jenna & Travis dancing to "Into the Mystic" followed by a Brother-Sister and Mother-Son dance danced to Iz's "Over the Rainbow".  Lots of dancing then followed with an Anniversary Dance thrown in for good measure.  When it came time to toss the bouquet and garter, Yello's "Oh Yeah" gave the moment a great vibe.  

Throughout the night I spoke with the friends and family that had travelled up to witness the nuptials and really felt welcomed and at ease with every one of them.  Despite the rain, everyone was having a great time and made the most out of every moment.  Just a tremendous crowd filled with love for the bride and groom.  Sometimes adversity on a wedding day pulls everyone together even more than before, and this was definitely the case this time.  Thanks to Melody and Joe for all their hard work and a special thanks to Travis, Jenna, and their family & friends for including me in their day and making me feel so at home and a part of their moment.  Love conquers all, even a little rain on the shores of Lake Tahoe...