I was thrilled to be able to deejay Patrick & Kathy's wedding last weekend at the beautiful Ranch House at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno. To be asked to be a part of their wedding was special, as Kathy is the Event Director at Hidden Valley Country Club, a stunning venue in Reno where she and her staff are always so professional and endlessly accommodating to their guests. I have had the pleasure of working there many times and have always enjoyed the opportunity to not only entertain the clients and guests but to work with Kathy. She is well-known and well-liked in the local wedding industry and I knew that her husband-to-be must be special to capture her heart.
Meeting them together to discuss the music and events I could literally see the chemistry flow between the two of them. To be already blessed with the personalities and families they have and then to find absolute true love in one another means someone is looking out for them upstairs. I am a big believer in that what you put out into the world you get back in return, and they epitomize this belief.
Kathy didn't want a stuffy wedding and reception. She helps countless brides & grooms and other clients with their events and for her day she really concentrated on decor, events and creating a vibe that celebrated their friends and family, and the love that she shares with Pat. There were so many details, both large and small that really accented that feel, from sayings on the wall, to pictures and flowers over the fireplace, to horseshoes for the guests and lining the aisle, to her stunning dress. She even posted handmade signs here and there to direct and inform her guests and set a fun tone for the day. Besides a photo frame to sign, she had these very cool "Mad-Lib" style slips of paper for her guests to fill out for their advice, both serious and silly.
When it came time for the ceremony, Patrick's dad was the celebrant. He is a great guy, a pastor for many years down in Palm Springs who is about to retire and he loved the opportunity to marry his son to his new daughter-in-law. The almost newlyweds had their boys stand up with them, which I thought was a neat touch, and then Kathy and then Pat read very thoughtful vows to one another that really expressed their joy to be marrying each other. To hear such love in their words, from a couple that has lived life and have already experienced many things was awe-inspiring and made everyone there a gift of re-evaluating what is really good and true in life.
Everyone moved into the Ranch House for drinks and a fabulous dinner from Hidden Valley Country Club Catering. Delicious flat-iron steaks were the culinary bomb and the service from the staffers from HVCC was efficient and super-friendly- I think that Kathy picked the best of her already great staff :)
Vicki and Craig Musni from Ever After Creations were never idle, videoing the ceremony, the events, and getting neat interviews from the guests. They are always super to work with- consummate wedding professionals and just great people. They were guests as well, but made sure that everything was fully and beautifully documented. It was fun to play them a song or two later that evening.
The sons of Kathy and Patrick gave memorable toasts in the perfect evening in the courtyard. Then Kathy & Patrick danced their first dance to "It's Your Love" by Tim and Faith, and boy did they dance! They surprised their guests with elaborate choreography with twirls and dips and everyone was cheering by the end. Lots of dancing then ensued with plenty of great requests and dancers having fun. I was really impressed by a little girl, Emily I believe, who knew all of the current dance steps and led all the grownups in line dances and other specialty songs.
It really was a fun wedding and reception and I was so honored to be a part of it. When you have a couple that does so much for others: Kathy in helping to make people's weddings amazing and Patrick in helping the community through his social work, it is so nice to see all that come back in spades for them. Truly a wonderful afternoon and evening. Congrats Patrick & Kathy!
