Sandy & Jorge at Edgewood with Blake's Floral Design

For my last wedding of 2015 I could not have picked a better setting than beside Lake Tahoe while snow showers accentuated the winter wonderland all around us.  That was the case yesterday up at Edgewood.

Sandy and Jorge wanted a winter wedding: somewhere their friends and family from the Bay Area could easily travel to and somewhere special.  Of course Edgewood fit the bill.  As this winter has been a good one for snowfall so far, the beach and golf course were covered in a foot of snow and the sleet became flurries which became snow showers as the day wore on. Most of my weddings at Edgewood have been during the summer, and they are glorious with the distant mountains across the Lake, the greener than green links, and the expansive views seen through the unique architecture of glass and wood, but a winter wedding there is maybe even more breathtaking. The windows allow you to feel a part of the wintery scene while still being warm and dry inside. Just a fantastic venue anyway, and with it punctuated by the snowfall- magical.

I really loved Sandy's whole plan for her wedding- simple yet elegant. She had so many great ideas!  One of my favorites (coming from a family with a famous quilter in it) was that instead of a guestbook, everyone signed quilt blocks which are to be made into a memory quilt after the wedding. Another idea I thought really unique was the favors she gave out to her guests. There was a nice laser inscribed wood ornament tied to a beautiful poem and a pair of mittens.  The guests absolutely loved them!

Her flowers were spectacular, and totally fit in with her winter color scheme.  Sharon at Blake's Floral Design, a fellow Weddings of the West member really hit a home run, and Sandy kept talking about how she was so pleased with how her bouquet looked- just as she envisioned.  Sharon always arrives super early to arrange her flowers and deliver the bouquets so she really never sees her work in context- with a beautiful bride in her dress and holding her handiwork, so I took a picture during the reception.  Great job as always Sharon!

Jorge and Sandy were married at a church offsite and they arrived and were able to take some pictures before all the guests got to Edgewood.  After some amazing appetizers and cocktails, I introduced the bridal party to Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" which Jorge and Sandy had picked.  Soon after that, Father Carl was saying a benediction before the meal and then Sandy & Jorge were hitting the fabulous brunch buffet.

Fabulous is an understatement.  If you have read other blog entries of mine, you know I am a fan of Edgewood and of their chefs :)  This buffet was one of my favorites ever!  Here is a (probably incomplete) list of the offerings of the buffet:

Several types of really great rolls & butter.

Their decadent pasta salad (my favorite- I'm drooling thinking of it right now).

A beautiful green salad.

Their fruit platter with ripe everything- my favs were the raspberries, blueberries & blackberries.

A hot pasta dish.

Fantastic cubed squash with herbs (drooling again!).

A kind of breakfast mashed potato dish (yum!).

Mounds of top-notch bacon,

Chicken breasts in sauce.

Eggs Benedict.

Hollandaise sauce.

Carved ham (drooling again!)

Carved tri-tip.

Plus a full omelette station with all the fixings and a chocolate fountain with pineapple, pretzels, poundcake, rice krispie treats and marshmallows to dip into the chocolatey goodness. Wow!

Debbie and her crew were fantastic, as always.  Edgewood (and the Grove down in Reno) are how I judge service at all the venues I play. The service is efficient, friendly, and professional and sets the standard.  I love how Edgewood could just rest on their beautiful surroundings, fabulous architecture and sterling reputation and not worry so much about service and food. But no, they strive for excellence in every facet and it shows. And that is the dedication and experience you want for a wedding and reception.

After brunch, toasts were made and the cake was cut (accompanied by Plain White T's "1-2-3-4") and dancing began with Jorge and Sandy's first dance, Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up". Roberto, Sandy's dad then danced with her to "Wind Beneath My Wings" followed by an Anniversary Dance that they picked, Dan Fogelberg's "Longer".

The rest of the afternoon we danced to Cupid Shuffle, Usher, Flo Rida and lots of other songs.  I especially loved the guests (and bride and groom) stepping outside for a momentary picture in the snow flurries. Lots of great pictures with big snowflakes in their hair. Pretty magical.

I want to thank Jorge and Sandy for inviting me to be a part of their amazing day- you two really are a special couple!  Thanks to Sharon at Blake's Floral Design for her usual exceptional floral artistry.  And thanks to Debbie and all of the crew at Edgewood from the servers to the cooks to the people putting tables up and taking them down at the end of the day. Just a solid bunch of professionals. Edgewood should be very proud of them all.  Here's to a amazing 2015 and looking forward to many more tremendous weddings in 2016.  

Happy Holidays and New Year everyone!

Caitlin & Steve at West Shore Cafe with Photography by Monique

For my 100th blog post I couldn't have written about a more fun couple and wedding than Caitlin & Steve's ceremony and reception on Lake Tahoe last month.

Technology is amazing! The first time I met these two in person was on their wedding day yet through FaceTime/Skype we were able to meet several times prior to they Big Day and we really connected, plotting musical selections, timelines- fleshing out the general vibe they were trying to achieve on their day. They have definite musical points of view and we were able to weave these throughout the ceremony, cocktail and dinner hour, and into the dancing. I love it when I can play special songs and create an absolutely unique experience that reflects the bride & groom. The whole day and evening seems to become even more special and magical.

The bridal party enters

A large part of the magic that night was the exceptional group of family and friends gathered in a beautiful forested meadow overlooking Lake Tahoe being served professionally by fantastic servers and bartenders- everything seemed to click perfectly. The venue they chose is fast becoming one of my favorites, the West Shore Cafe & Inn. It is a unique destination that has a myriad of possibilities for weddings and events. There is a gorgeous lakeside restaurant, patio and dock that is also a working Inn so the bride and groom and other VIPs can stay right on the property if they so choose. There is an adjoining grove/meadow that is just shaded enough by some towering pines to make an outdoor wedding and reception a comfortable and gorgeous affair without a need for a tent or covering. Finally they have a bar across the highway where your after party can continue well after midnight.  Add those perceptive, friendly and efficient staff members and you have a stellar venue that is easily one of the best on the Lake.  Throw in some of their fantastic food and drink and you don't need to look anywhere else.

I was particularly indebted to Natalie and Hoke from West Shore Cafe.  Natalie helped coordinate everything and did it with professionalism and a fantastic attitude. Not only does she make all of the guests feel right at home, but also the wedding professionals like me who are just coming in for a couple of weddings a season. Hoke (if I'm spelling that correctly) helped me several times with different issues and was a great example of the type of people that make up the WSC family.

Madeline & Luke

The ceremony site is on the eastern edge of the grove and overlooks the gorgeous Lake. The weather was perfect that afternoon and I had a non-musical role in providing microphones and amplification for the officiants and for the two young guitarists providing the seating and ceremony music. Family members Luke and Madeline provided exceptional background and processional guitar music as the bridal party made their way from the back of the grove to the ceremony area. It is a beautiful walk through the trees to the Lake and to watch Caitlin and her dad come in was spectacular for all present... especially Steve :)

The ceremony itself was presided over by two officiants, David & Eric, who I thought did a fabulous job- serious yet tinged with happiness and fun. They alleviated Caitlin & Steve's nervousness through a bit of humor and you could just tell they were so happy and honored to have been chosen to do this for the soon-to-be newlyweds.  When Steve & Caitlin had kissed and been presented to everyone as husband & wife, Luke & Madeline played them out to much applause and happy cheers.

First Dance!

Monique from Photography by Monique is always great to work with and she soon had various family members posing with the newlyweds while everyone else enjoyed the spectacular views along with equally spectacular cocktails and yummy appetizers. Soon the pictures were done, and I gathered up the bridal party for the Grand Entrance. Everyone came in dancing with a unique twist to TI's "Bring Em Out" and Steve and Caitlin followed and went directly into their first dance, "Dance With Me Baby" by Ben Rector.  Fantastic moment!

BM Kevin leading off the toasts

Caitlin & Steve wanted more of an informal vibe so they had two food stations then open up for everyone, without calling up tables by number or what have you. Everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner at their leisure and soon it was time for the toasts. The best man and brother of Steve, Kevin led off the toasting with a funny yet touching tribute to his brother and his new bride and the same came next from Caitlin's sister & MoH Emily. By the time Caitlin's dad Dave came up, I was thoroughly impressed with how the two families had welcomed and loved their new addition- Caitlin or Steve- and how much fun they seem to have when they get together. Very cool families!

Father-Daughter & Mother-Son Dance

Following the bubbly, Dave and Caitlin made their way to the dance floor to start the Father/Daughter dance. They danced to Adele as I then introduced Steve and his mom Jocelyn who joined them on the floor as "Here Comes the Sun" by the Fab Four started. Soon after that I invited, on Steve & Jocelyn's and Caitlin & Dave's behalf, all the fathers & daughters and mothers & sons up to join them. I absolutely love when the bride & groom do this!  It makes one more special moment that will be remembered the rest of everyone's lives- including the guests and other family in on the most sentimental dance of the evening.  Why have an ordinary reception?  Have a reception that everyone will judge all receptions to follow by.  Including your guests in on certain events is one way to make this happen, and Steve & Caitlin's reception was indeed a reception that everyone will set their bar by.

Dancing then began in earnest and I really enjoyed the crowd. They rocked the dance floor all night. Steve & Caitlin had an amazing dessert bar set up, with brownies, cookies and other goodness and so a formal cake cutting wasn't really done. They also did not throw the bouquet or garter but no one missed it and it was great to make their vision of their day and evening come to life.  After sunset pix and some phenomenal dancing, a surprise that Caitlin's parents Dave and Joanne engineered was sprung on the newlyweds.

I announced over the mic that "we'd lost Kai", one of Caitlin's younger brothers and apparently one who has a history of getting separated from the family. Kai himself then appeared, introduced himself, and then brought his parents and siblings out where they proceeded to do a choreographed dance routine much to the surprise of Caitlin & Steve and the rest of the crowd.  A great surprise and some great dancing!

We danced until 10pm (the usual stopping point for amplified music around the Lake) and then the guests and bridal party migrated across the street to an after party at that bar that I am sure went deep into the night and early morning hours. Such a fun group!

Thanks to Natalie and Hoke and everyone from West Shore Cafe for their hard work and big smiles. Thanks to Monique from Photography by Monique for her professionalism and ease to work with. Thanks to Madeline & Luke for the tremendous job they did with the ceremony guitar music and to Eric & David for their fun officiating.

Finally thanks most of all to Steve & Caitlin for including me in their exceptional day and evening. I had a blast and will remember your wedding and reception for a long time to come. The best of everything, always you two!

Celena & Anton at The Hyatt Regency Incline Village with Belinda Grant Photography and Blake's Floral Design

We are blessed in the Reno/Tahoe area with beautiful natural surroundings, first-class hotels and dining, and top-notch venues that really attract destination weddings. Many couples spend time together skiing nearby or enjoying Lake Tahoe and want to share these surroundings with their guests. Some grew up here and still have family and friends and have no hesitation when planning to pick one of our amazing venues for their special day. This really is telling when you hear where these couples are from or live now. We sometimes take the area for granted, but when these couples choose the Lake, the Valleys or the Sierras I am so honored to be chosen to be a part of their celebrations.

One such couple is Anton and Celena. Anton's folks live in the area but he is a lawyer who met and fell in love with another lawyer, Celena, working in NYC. They now live in Brooklyn and both work as public defenders or for the state, dedicating their talents to the noble cause of a court system that represents all people equally and fairly. I was impressed with the two of them from the get go when we first met. Extremely bright, deeply in love, and conscious of the legacy they are creating, both in the public arena and in the life and family they were joining together. I immediately wanted to be a part of their special afternoon & evening.

They were planning the whole thing very quickly and though our initial visit was brief, I was honored to be chosen to be a part of their vendor team. Throughout the rest of the time between then and the big day we stayed in touch though phone calls, through Skype, and through quick emails & texts. We were able to formulate a plan for the music and events and last Sunday it all came together up on the shores of Lake Tahoe in beautiful Incline Village.

The Hyatt's Kendra straightening Celena's dress just before she walked down the aisle

They picked the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort on the beach at Incline Village. I like the Hyatt because it is truly a one-stop resort with cabins, hotel rooms, a casino, and most importantly gorgeous areas on the Lake to be married and celebrate in. The ceremony was held in the beautiful Lakeside Cottage Green- a stunning meadow within the Lakeside Cottages that looks right down the entire Lake. I was appreciative of the Hyatt staff, especially Kendra the coordinator and Guillermo one of the helpful workers who made my job easy while setting up and while later moving. I played some classical and string quartet selections as guests began arriving for the nuptials.

Beautiful setting for the ceremony!

When everyone was ready, Derrick, our officiant and Anton stepped up and awaited the bridal party. I played "All You Need Is Love" while the BP walked down the aisle and then a string version of "Can't Help Falling in Love" for Celena's entrance. The ceremony was really well done by Derrick (I believe it was his first one) and included a couple of readings that spoke well of the commitment and love that Celena and Anton share. When all was said and done, they kissed and were pronounced husband and wife and they made their way back up the aisle to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by the Funk Brothers. Pictures and cocktails then ensued with me being able to play lots of Motown and classic rock & roll that they had picked for their guests.

Beautiful bridesmaids & flowers :)

I have to say that not only were the bride & bridesmaids glowingly pretty, but the flowers and bouquets by Sharon Buckley at Blake's Floral Design were amazing! I took a pic of the bridesmaids because I thought the dresses with the bouquets were spectacular, and I don't usually notice these things! 

Speaking of pictures, one of my favorite photographers, Belinda Grant of Belinda Grant Photography was snapping pictures all throughout the afternoon and evening. She and her crew were constantly at work posing shots, getting candid images and running a photo booth at the reception. Belinda is so talented and innovative- the shots she frames are unlike anything anyone else does- she is always looking for unique angles and perspectives while being so personable and fun. There are many photographers with talent and experience. There are many that are super friendly to be around and work with- that connect with the bride & groom on a personal level. Most photographers have a good deal of one but are missing the other. Belinda is one that achieves all of these characteristics and at a high level. I am always happy to see her at a wedding because the professionalism and just the pure fun factor goes up a bunch of notches :)

First Dance!

I was kind of sorry to leave the Cottage Green- the guests were swaying to the music and enjoying the fantastic weather and views but dinner was about ready so we went inside to the Lakeside Ballroom where the views and party continued. Soon James Brown was doing double duty in the background as I introduced the bridal party to "Get Up Offa That Thing" and then Anton & Celena to "I Feel Good". They then went into their first dance, "All of Me" by John Legend and after that Anton's parents Dimo & Dora welcomed everyone to the reception.

The distances and diverse places the guests came from was really inspiring. Anton's family comes from Bulgaria and Celena's family is Puerto Rican and Irish. Add a bunch of guests from both coasts and lots of places in between, family from Bulgaria, and a Jamaican bridesmaid and you have an outstanding and fun group of people that gathered from all over to celebrate with Celina & Anton. Nothing can beat that.

Dora & Anton

Anton then danced with his mom Dora to Lennon's "Beautiful Boy", an inspired choice. The first of three courses then was served and dinner was on. As the final course was being finished the toasting was started, and three exceptional toasts really set the tone. Omar, the best man, talked about friendship, college and law school and about Anton's character & humanity- what a great way to start off! Keisha, a fellow lawyer and colleague of Celena gave a poignant speech about what a force Celena is, how she does her job so well yet still exemplifies motherhood and family. Finally, and I may have this out of order, Celena's sister and MoH Caitlin spoke. She really hit a home run, and considering her fellow toasters' oratory skills, she even outshone them. Just totally from the heart, talking about the importance of family to Celena. Such great toasts!

The bouquet was thrown with the Weather Girls providing the vibe while the garter was removed to "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and then caught to "All I Do is Win". Very fun!

Bulgarian Horo dance

We started open dancing right after that, and the crowd was fun and involved the rest of the evening. There were many special moments in this special night- I was able to welcome Anton's aunt and uncle to the United States in Bulgarian (with a little help from Dimo!) and then we played a horo, a traditional Bulgarian folk dance. It reminded me of Greek horos, but while the Greek songs start slow and gradually get faster, this horo started fast and never let up! 

Another phenomenal moment was when Anton surprised Celena by singing "Wonderful Tonight" to her. She had expected the song but not him singing it to her :)

I was also able to get an East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry going through their suggestions of Biggie vs. 2Pac- very fun! I ended playing a little of everything- from Funk to Reggaeton; Hip Hop to Dancehall; Electronic to the 60's. We ended a great dancing night with Beyonce and then Nina Simone's "Feeling Good", and we all were.

Thanks to everyone at the Hyatt Regency!  Thanks to Sharon from Blake's Floral Design for your fabulous flower artistry! Thanks to Belinda and Leanne from Belinda Grant Photography- always amazing working with you! 

Finally, thanks to Celena & Anton. I love your dedication to one another and to your friends & families- that happiness that emanates from your two is so contagious! Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your special day a& evening.  Nazdrave!

Jeremy & Stacey at Gar Woods Grill & Pier on Lake Tahoe with the String Beings, Petal to the Metal, and Kelly Gesick Photography

There could not have been a more glorious Spring day for Stacey & Jeremy's big day this past weekend up beside beautiful Lake Tahoe. They said their "I do's" at a church in what Van from the String Beings said was a very lovely ceremony. In case you are unfamiliar with the String Beings, they are a string group that has provided ceremony and cocktail music at many of my functions, and they do a first-class job. Their repertoire is immense and I had the pleasure of being set up behind them at the reception and watched them work their musical magic. It is neat to see two violinists and a cellist playing completely different melodies and notes but interweaving together into something that is more than the sum of the parts. They played classical pieces, Beatles songs, and beautiful standards that illuminated the ceremony and cocktail hour with musical light. I have tens of thousands of songs and plenty of great choices for cocktail hour but there is nothing quite like a competent string group to really set a sophisticated tone.

The String Beings

Jeremy and Stacey chose Gar Woods Grill & Pier on Lake Tahoe's North Shore as their reception site. It has the vibe of a barefoot bar in the Caribbean but with food, drinks, and service to match the loftiest restaurant in the state. Throw in the spectacular Lake views, and you really have a top-notch venue. When out-of-towners come in, we like to take them on a drive around the Lake and invariably we end up at Gar Woods for lunch and are never disappointed. Weddings there are special. The entire upstairs is reserved for the event, so you really feel as if you are in private club. I am always amazed at the friendliness and efficiency of the people working there. Monica was the banquet captain, and she was always in motion, making sure every guest was treated superbly. The wait staff are exceptional as well. I would rank them up there with the best in the area- neck in neck with such other stellar venues such as Edgewood and The Grove at Southcreek. All three venues deliver extraordinary service, and I think it is the high standards they set coupled with the longevity of their staff. Russell, one of the super friendly and helpful waiters that night is a great example. He took care of countless requests with friendly expediency. He told me that it is like a big family there at Gar Woods that he himself has been a part of for better than 16 years. And then there is the food and drinks. Stacey and Jeremy really took care of their guests. Not only were appetizers awaiting their arrival, as well as wine, beer and Wet Woodies, the guests each got to select their entree from a special menu Stacey and Jeremy had chosen, which were then cooked to order. Very impressive (and delicious!).

The guests arrived, enjoyed the appetizers and cocktails along with the String Beings' music, found their appointed tables and drank in the views. Some walked out to the dock, others out onto the balcony and a better setting that afternoon could not be imagined. Geese shared the almost windless Lake with paddle boarders and the occasional pleasure cruising boat. Soon I announced the arrival of the newly married couple accompanied by appropriate string music from the Beings and the reception  really began.

Two other hardworking professionals really contributed to Stacey & Jeremy's special day: Sandy from Petal to the Metal and Kelly from Kelly Gesick Photography. 

Sandy is a true floral artist whom I am always happy to work with. Her designs are gorgeous and her attention to detail is phenomenal. I have blogged about her work in the past and she is a wedding professional whom I wholeheartedly recommend. Her flowers for this occasion were various shades of white and simply but elegantly presented, and they really set the mood that Stacey wanted to establish. I think they complemented her dress and those of her bridesmaids perfectly. Sandy was at the venue even before I arrived, and that is saying something as I always arrive earlier than anyone. She worked hard to make sure that everything was perfect and, while I am no floral expert, I think it was. Petal to the Metal rocks.

So as a wedding DJ who also is the coordinator for the reception I am always on the lookout for the photographer. Their arrival is a sign the the bride & groom are not far behind and I like to work closely with him/her to make sure we are in unison for the events and that the pictures will turn out perfectly. I soon noticed a woman in a lovely red dress with a couple of cameras in her hands coming up the stairs- it was Kelly Gesick. Her husband Jeff was the Best Man, and instead of the usual photographer attire (nice but functional) she was decked out as beautifully as any other guest or bridal party member (excluding Stacey of course) and was furiously shooting away. Throughout the evening she was everywhere taking the usual shots but also taking candid photos of guests and family reacting to the wonderful evening around them. She really went above and beyond, was easy to coordinate everything with, and still was able to enjoy herself as a guest here and there. Just super to work with!

Getting back to the reason why we were all gathered there: Jeremy & Stacey...

They were able to mingle a bit before the waiters took orders for the entrees and then delivered the salads, but soon everyone was enjoying the fabulous Gar Woods deliciousness.  I have to say, the guests were really dinging their glasses all night, probably the most insistent crowd I can remember.

Stacey & Jeremy didn't seem to mind the command performances though :)

Soon the Best Man Jeff opened up the toasting with an articulate soliloquy that I thought one of the finest toasts I'd heard in a while. He was followed by the Maid of Honor and sister of the bride Stefanie who also hit it out of the park with her toast. Dads and other family and guests followed, ending with a heartfelt thank you from the newlyweds. Just as the last glass was tipped and drained, the sunset began to set and Kelly took Jeremy & Stacey out to the pier for some spectacular pictures. People began to congregate on the balcony to watch the newly married pair so I opened the door near me and pointed a speaker out so they could have a soundtrack while they posed. A little Bruno Mars and Dixie Cups punctuated Kelly's great picture taking :)

Sunset pix with Kelly Gesick

Soon they were back inside and cutting their cake accompanied by Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me", but Jeremy had a surprise for the onlookers. When they had sliced their first piece and were ready to feed it to one another, I mixed in the theme from Mortal Kombat- very fun! There were a lot of surprised but joyously vocal guests pumping their fists and urging them to mash each other. A very playful moment magnified by a little inspiration. Very fun!

Groovin slowly...

The First Dance was next, and the song they picked for it was exceptional: "Groovin Slowly" by the John Butler Trio. It captured their uniquely fun personalities, their love for one another, and the admiration of their guests like no other song in recent memory. Friends were holding on to one another singing it, swaying to the music just as Jeremy & Stacey were doing the same on the dance floor. I love it when couples choose songs that they identify with, that have special meanings to them and their loved ones, and are just different from the average choice. Whenever I play that song from now on, I will remember fondly that moment in time when the world revolved around them, and so will everyone else there that shared in that moment.

Stacey then danced with her father Steve to "Butterfly Kisses" and I passed on their gracious invitation for all of the other fathers & daughters to join them halfway through. Then Jackie danced with her son Jeremy to "In My Life" by the Beatles and more special moments were created. Some OAR led off the open dancing and the dance floor rocked all night long, with everything from Zeppelin to Garth Brooks and Journey to the No Doubt and everything in between. Lots of great requests and dedications all throughout the evening. My two favorites were a grandmother's dedication of Taylor Swift's "Never Grow Up" for her granddaughter and another guests Fountains of Wayne dedication for Stacey's mom :)  All the guys sang it to the mother of the bride and people were singing it to her late that night in the parking lot as I loaded up. So awesome!  That's the kind of crowd that a DJ like me loves- fun, involved, and ready to dance! Fortunately most of my crowds are like that. It is a direct reflection of the bride & groom, and as you can tell I get to play for the best brides and grooms :)

Last dance

As the night at Gar Woods ended, I played Semisonic's "Closing Time" and the friends and family of Jeremy & Stacey encircled them as they had one last dance. Such an amazing venue, crowd and couple!  Thanks to everyone at Gar Woods for going above and beyond. Thanks to Van and his String Beings for their artistry. Thanks to Sandy at Petal to the Metal for her beautiful handiwork. Thanks to Kelly Gesick for being both a great guest and a fantastic photographer. But thanks most of all to Stacey & Jeremy. I really enjoyed being a part of your fabulous evening and I wish you all the best in your new adventure as husband and wife. Congrats you two!

Lisa & Jimi at Camp Galilee on the shores of Lake Tahoe with the Sierra Sisters

I love the digital age! Oh, don't get me wrong, there is nothing like the feel and sound of a 12" single spinning on a Technics 1200 turntable, but other than that, technology today wins out in every other way. My speakers are lighter yet more powerful. My MacBooks hold so much music it would take me a U-Haul truck to carry all the albums and CDs I've uploaded. But best of all, the internet allows me to connect with amazing brides & grooms whom I might have never gotten to know before the age of Google, blogging and FaceTime. One such couple is James and Lisa.

They were having their wedding up at Lake Tahoe but live down in San Diego and found me online. We chatted and exchanged emails and as I travel to SoCal quite often for family and to DJ events we arranged to meet at Gordon Biersh in Mission Valley. I was down for an annual bocce tourney I DJ so it worked out perfectly. It was a great evening- we had spent the afternoon with friends, the Aztecs were playing basketball on the monitors at GB, and Jimi and Lisa and I immediately clicked. They were very laid back and fun to be around but also had definite ideas about their day and the events and music that would help make it uniquely theirs. For the next few months we met via FaceTime, exchanged emails, and gradually firmed up the plans for their day.

Their venue was the Galilee Episcopal Camp and Retreat in Glenbrook NV. I have passed it many times coming down Hwy 50 into the Tahoe Basin but was unaware weddings were hosted there. They really don't do very many, but the location, the staff, and the delicious food really make it a unique and memorable spot for a celebration like Jimi & Lisa's.  The compound is nestled between cabins to the north and a huge lakefront mansion to the south, and it is quiet, peaceful, and overlooks a very beautiful stretch of Tahoe. There are cabins that can be rented, a quaint stone church, and several outbuildings that remind you that it is a retreat most of the year- warm and comfortable but not pretentious. The staff fits right in. They are friendly and easy to talk with- they are proud of their little piece of paradise on the shores of the Lake and are happy to share it with visitors. Stuart, the head honcho there, was constantly checking on the guests, food, and countless other details without being obtrusive. He and his staff engender a feeling of comfort and friendliness pretty unmatched in the area. A real hidden gem of a venue.

The Sierra Sisters

Lisa and Jimi had their ceremony underneath a pine grove overlooking the lake, and I was able to watch a bit of it after I finished setting up for the reception. They had an acoustic duo playing their ceremony music and when they officially became husband & wife, the duo and all the guests moved over to the reception area while the bridal party got photographed. I made some announcements here and there but basically just enjoyed the duo's music like the rest of the guests. That duo turned out to be the Sierra Sisters. One of the two musicians looked very familiar and it turned out to be my daughter's elementary school principal! I had no idea she was so talented musically! She is an outstanding educator but at all the assemblies my daughter sang in, not once did I see Dr. Moller pull out her instrument and strum along with her kids. Life is always surprising you, and in very good ways  :)

When the BP returned from pix, I played "Happy" by Pharell and introduced the bridesmaids & groomsmen. Then is was time to introduce Jimi & Lisa, and I loved the enthusiastic response from the guests and family. I played "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder and then went into their First Dance, a rendition of "All of Me" by John Legend accompanied by Lindsay Stirling. The crowd went wild and was so energetic and involved all night long. I can't recall when I have had so many great conversations with guests, and I'm just the lowly DJ! What a group! But if you meet Lisa & Jimi you'll understand why- fun & happy people come with fun & happy families & friends. I spoke with authors, musicians, and just plain interesting people. And these folks had come from all over the globe to be with Jimi & Lisa on their day. I am getting off the point, but my favorite story was from a relative who had come from Edmonton Alberta to be at the wedding. He was born in Africa, lived in England and the United States, and now resides in Canada. We got to talking about concerts we'd seen, and he had the best concert story ever:

He was bar-hopping in London in the late 60's after his soccer team had won. He and his friends were a bit rowdy and kept on getting booted from bar after bar. They went into the next one and he became entranced by the musician on stage. He was pretty drunk, yet he said the man's guitar playing instantly sobered him up and he forgot about his friends and the soccer match. He had no clue who the artist was, but as he looked at the tables near the stage he noticed they were occupied by all the Beatles (minus John), Eric Clapton, and all their wives/girlfriends- every last one of them entranced just like he was. You've probably figured out who it was- the only one who could so impress a virtuoso like Clapton: a heretofore unknown Jimi Hendrix. All my concert stories went out the window. None could ever compare to that. Just a highlight of the fantastic people and conversation that night! Have I ever said that I love my job?  I do!

First Dance!  The gentleman in the foreground is the one who saw Hendrix.

After the First Dance a fabulous meal was set out and I was impressed by its simplicity and quality. It was made in the retreat's kitchen, and it wasn't filet mignon or super fancy, but man was it delicious! My favorite was the salad with fresh berries and nuts and the fantabulous chicken- understated but outstanding. As dinner wound down the toasting began and then it was time to cut the brownie. Lisa & Jimi had a brownie bar instead of a sheet cake or cupcakes. The guests loved it! Decadent yet it fit so well with the atmosphere and vibe. After everyone indulged in chocolate awesomeness one of my favorite moments of the evening started. 

"Very superstitious..."

Matty, a friend of Jimi's had a phenomenal way to start the general dancing. I played a karaoke version of Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious" and he began belting the song out like he was Stevie himself! It was infectious as everyone joined him on the dance floor and the dancing never really halted after that except for the tosses. I loved the combined Father-Daughter/Mother-Son dance they did as well. I started with Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" and then about a minute I segued into "The Twist" by Chubby Checker. So fun as it surprised dad Jim and mom Bernadette and soon everyone was twisting the night away (okay, so that is a Sam Cooke reference...). The Anniversary Dance came at the first slow break and its was so great to honor Roger and Sandy who now share their anniversary with Lisa & Jimi by playing their song, "Shining Star" by the Manhattans.

Impromptu limbo after a bit of Elvis Crespo :)

Just a terrific night of dancing and fun followed. I played everything from Van Morrison to Marley; from Outkast to Marvin Gaye; from Billy Joel to James Brown. There was limbo-ing, electric & cha cha sliding, and some very good MJ impersonators during Thriller. Just a perfect crowd.  At the end of the night we shut down the dance floor to Van Morrison's "Crazy Love." 

Last dance late that night

So honored to have been a part of an extraordinary reception with such extraordinary people. Thanks to the Sierra Sisters for great ceremony and cocktail music. Thanks to Stuart and everyone at Camp Galilee for their friendly service and stellar food. But most of all, thanks to a pair of special San Diegans who allowed me to be a small part of their evening. Jimi and Lisa, you rock! Go Aztecs!