Jason & Christine at Arrowcreek with Take the Cake Events, Zinser Photobooth, Tiers of Joy Cakes, Steve Dutcher Photography, the Stylish Scribe, I Thee Wed, Reno Tux Shop and Allies Flowers

Being a wedding DJ means that I get to be a part of a something that is bigger than myself- the love, commitment, laughter, tears and fun of a special couple's most important day.  To be able to share and contribute to that couple's achieving their perfect wedding and reception is an honor and I take it very seriously, and to be able to work with other wedding professionals who feel the exact same way as I do is both refreshing and inspiring.  Such was the case at the wedding and reception of Christine & Jason.

I met Jason at an Open House at the Victorian House early in 2012.  Open Houses at the VH are fun, casual affairs where prospective brides and grooms can speak to various event professionals in the house without feeling pressured and while learning all about venues, services and ways to make their events pop and stand out amongst other weddings.  I had the pleasure of talking with Jason for quite some time and learned that he and his fiance were studying at UNR and were on a definite budget.  He also told me all about his future as a United States Army Officer after school and impressed me not only as a bright young man but also as a deeply patriotic one as well.  After talking with him for a while I thought to myself that I'd really like to be a part of his & Christine's day, and I hoped that their budget would allow for a DJ, even with the military discount I'd extend to them.  Then fate, karma or a higher power intervened.  Jason, along with dozens of others, had signed up for our Grand Prize Drawing where all of the VH vendors gave free or deeply discounted services for a couple's wedding day and literally seconds after we finished our conversation, his name was drawn, winning the Grand Prize!  Not only would I be deejaying their wedding, I'd also get to work with a lot of great people in doing so!

My view of the ceremony through the fireplace

Months later, everything came together on a snowy late-December evening at Arrowcreek Country Club.  An outside wedding was ruled out but Blake and his crew at Arrowcreek put together a beautiful space inside next to the fireplace for the ceremony, and Pastor Kris Dahir presided over an eloquent and personal ceremony.  The wedding party was composed completely of guys except for the flower girl and Christine- there were groomsmen on Jason's side and Bridesmen on Christines. Very cool! The tuxes were provided by Tesla at Reno Tux Shop and all the guys looked very sharp. The flower girl had some adorable, last-minute jitters, walked partway down the aisle, panicked, and then sought the refuge of Pattye from Take the Cake Events.  People chuckled and went "awww" and then Christine walked down the aisle to a baroque version of "Canon in D" in one of my favorite dresses of 2012, an off-white gown that really set her hair and eyes off (I don't usually comment on dresses, as I don't have any fashion sense and all my brides are gorgeous, but this dress really hit a nerve with me...).

Christine's bouquet was from Allie's Flowers in Carson City and it and the other flowers were beautiful.

After the heartfelt ceremony by Pastor Kris, the newly-married couple left to Iz's "Over the Rainbow" and we all moved to the dining room.

Pattye and Cassie from Take the Cake Events are fantastic.  They provided day-of coordination and were involved continually behind the scenes making sure everything went more than smoothly.  To have the peace of mind that they provide is priceless on your big day.  They were there before I arrived and still there after I left, and I arrive early!  As guests moved to the dining area, Trevor from Zinser Photobooth went into action, welcoming them and making their evening even more fun and special.  In the dining room, each place setting included a special program/menu provided by the amazing Jessica at Stylish Scribe and I heard many compliments about them.  I had the pleasure of working with Steve Dutcher of Steve Dutcher Photography for the first time and he and his second shooter were very professional, pleasant and extremely innovative in the shots they took.  Blake from Arrowcreek was there all day as well, very accommodating and helpful, and his staff was very friendly and efficient.

Dinner was served to strains of "Be Our Guest" and afterwards champagne and cider was poured for some very personal and heartfelt toasts.  An amazing toast was given by Jason's brother and Best Man Scott who had everyone rolling with laughter with his witty observations.  One of the top two toasts of 2012, in my opinion, and there were dozens of extraordinary ones this past year.  Then the newlyweds moved over to the gorgeous and delicious Tiers of Joy Cake and proceeded to smash a some of it into each others' faces to "Can't Help Falling in Love"...

Their first dance as husband & wife!

The action then moved to the adjoining room with the dance floor.  The dancing began with the B&G's first dance, Jason Mraz's "Lucky' and then into an Anniversary Dance where the married couples kicked it up to Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight". Lots of great songs and dancing followed, with the nearby Zinser Photobooth in constant use.  I was happy to play Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are"  for Jason's folks and to see them transformed back to newlyweds and taken back to their wedding day, if only for a few minutes.  Again, what a great job I have!  To work with other amazing vendors, to help people relive magical moments, and most importantly to help make the bride & groom's day exceed their expectations.  Who knows?  Maybe 30 years from now I'll be playing "Lucky" for Christine and Jason at their son or daughter's wedding.  You never know...

Kyle & Courtney at Northstar Overlook Pavilion with Reverend Kris Dahir & Tiers of Joy Cakes

Had a blast at Courtney & Kyle's wedding reception up at the gorgeous Overlook Pavilion at Northstar.  Northstar is a special venue which I have had the pleasure of working several times now.  The Overlook Pavilion is a big deck above the skating rink complete with a large open tent, an enclosed bar building, a firepit for later in the evening, and plenty of space for guest tables and comfortable alcoves to sit in.  The meadow next to the party area is a beautiful spot for a wedding ceremony and that is where Kris Dahir presided over a thoughtful & fun exchanging of vows.  I had the pleasure of working with Kris again the following evening and I like how he tailors the ceremony to the individual couples.

Their ceremony

I spent a couple of hours a few weeks back with Courtney planning the music and events.  She is super fun and her music choices set a uniquely upbeat and joyous vibe throughout the ceremony and into the reception.  One of her favorite artists is Jimmy Buffet and we were able to find a Vitamin String Quartet album of Buffet songs for seating.  Imagine 'Margaritaville' done in strings- classy but fun!  Her bridal party members entered the ceremony to a guitar rendition of Canon in D, and then she came in to an instrumental snippet from 'Weather With You', another Buffet song.  She and Kyle then left to the entire song, and began posing for pix as the guests enjoyed hors deurves and drinks.

Toasts

The staff at Northstar are exceptional.  Joey the wait captain was very involved and efficient all evening and Nancy the coordinator made sure everything ran very smoothly and is a true professional.  Tiers of Joy made Kyle & Courtney's cake, and like I have said in the past, their cakes are as good tasting as they are looking, which is a rarity amongst bakers these days.  I usually like to have a piece whereas I don't any other bakers, but it was cut & passed out efficiently by Joey & staff and the extra pieces were eaten up quickly thereafter.  A couple of things that were really neat: Courtney & Kyle had a Time Capsule and also had s'more favors.  The Time Capsule was a wooden box that they will open on their first anniversary and everyone wrote little notes and left surprises in the box for them.   What a great idea!  The s'mores were a plastic box with all the ingredients that you could take home or break open and use at Northstar's firepit that was lit after dark.

Tiers of Joy Cake

Courtney & Kyle had different songs played for each of their bridal party pairs, from Social Distortion to the Specials to the Beach Boys and Baha Men.  When the newlyweds were announced, they came in to Darth Vader's theme from Star Wars.  Very cool.  Dinner was family style, which is a nice change from the countless buffets I see.  After some great toasts they cut the cake and then danced their first dance to "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" by Thompson Square.

First Dance

Lots of dancing followed, with everything from Clapton to Katy Perry, from MJ to Buffet, and lots in between.  Just a super couple, with a lot of great friends and family who celebrated the night away under the tent and stars up at Northstar.  Congrats to the newlyweds!

Courts & Kyle

Winding around the Pavilion

Tommy & Randee at D'Andrea Golf Club with Zinser Photography

Receptions at D'Andrea are always special with the thoughtful staff, delicious food, and breathtaking views and when you pair these things up with a gorgeous bride, a terrific groom and some great Victorian House vendors, you have a guaranteed phenomenal evening.

Randee was stunning in her dress from Alfred Angelo and the rest of the bridal party looked amazing as well.  When I played "Canon in D" by the Angels of Venice, she emerged from around the balcony and there was an audible intake of breath and a huge smile on Tommy's face.  The wedding was officiated by Pastor Kris Dahir who always does an exceptional ceremony and it was a very memorable one.

Taking much better pictures than these were Evan and Kinsey Zinser of Zinser Photography.  They are awesome wedding photographers and just great people to boot.  They treat every event they photograph as if it were their own family and regularly go above and beyond to exceed their clients' expectations.

One of Randee & Tommy's more unique ideas was to have the rest of the bridal party enter to the theme from "Star Wars", a very regal and upbeat song.  But then they entered to the "Imperial March" from The Empire Strikes Back, which everyone cheered and loved.

Randee and Yours Truly

Lots of popular dance songs were played, but I enjoyed the fact that Randee and her family really enjoyed '80s funk- Dazz Band, Kool & the Gang, Cameo etc.  so a lot of classic R&B and hip-hop was danced to.  Once again, thanks to Stef, Savannah and the rest of the super crew at D'Andrea, and congrats again to Tommy & Randee!

Dana & Frank at D'Andrea with Zinser Photography and Photobooth and Pastor Kristopher Dahir

What a magical ceremony and reception for Frank and Dana at D'Andrea Golf Club up in the hills overlooking Reno & Sparks!  I thought I'd be different this post and take pictures of Evan Zinser hard at work photographing the event.  He gets such amazing shots, and when I saw him shooting this one I just had to take a picture.  Dana is a beautiful woman, both inside and out, and framed by D'Andrea's glass doors, she looked positively ethereal.  Frank was no slouch either in his dress whites (see below), and together they were one of the best-dressed couples I've seen in 600+ weddings.

Another Victorian House member, Pastor Kristopher Dahir officiated the ceremony and it was special and memorable.  Pastor Kris has a way of calming nerves, interjecting a bit of humor, and leaving the assembled with an outstanding message that makes him heads above other officiants in the area.  I always am uplifted by his message of love and God, and his advice for relationships that everyone benefits from, not just the bride and groom.

After walking down the aisle to "Endless Love" and leaving as a married couple to "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer, the guests went inside to amazing appetizers and cold drinks passed out by the always exceptional D'Andrea staff.  Stef and her staff are top-notch: everyone is very friendly, efficient and truly invested in the flow and feel of the event. Shelby & Savannah lead a great bunch of waiters and cooks and I am always amazed at the hard work they all put in in front of and behind the scenes.  Also exceptional are the bartenders who adroitly dealt with the crush of an open bar and a hundred thirsty guests as soon as the ceremony was over, and kept everyone happy all night long.  They obviously enjoy their work and were dancing and playing air guitar behind the bar at times.  If you want an outstanding venue, with a killer view, amazing food, and a staff that treats you like family, D'Andrea is for you!

The toasts were memorable, especially Frank's at the end.  What a class guy, and what a great family he is marrying into!  Dana & Frank then started the dancing with "At Last" by Beyonce', and their dance lessons by Doug & Charlie of the Dancin' Partners really made it elegant and special.  The dance floor was rocking all night, and the guests loved the Zinser Photobooth staffed by Josh and the jars of candy on each table.  D'Andrea even had s'mores outside at the fire ring later in the evening.  It was an outstanding event, one I was privileged to be a part of.  Thanks & congrats Frank and Dana!